IT'S FOR THE BIRDS

“IT’S FOR THE BIRDS”

UPDATE: Our project is now well underway and is a work in progress! Read more to see what we are planning to do. Please help us in any way you can. Bill Nieter

Birds are in trouble. 

In our urban region, across the nation, and around the world,  birds are declining in both numbers and overall diversity.   Like the canaries in the old Welch coal mines who signaled invisible danger, the decline of birds in our overall environment is a dire warning.

Major organizations like the Audubon Society and Cornell Ornithology Laboratory do amazing work to protect and enhance populations and ecosystems on a national and international scale but in , highly urbanized environment,  bird life needs our direct help.

Birds and many other valuable creatures like pollenating insects, butterflies, moths and bees inhabit our local neighborhoods, parks, yards, and gardens. They face many local stresses in addition to things like climate change and habitat loss.  They face serious threats like automobiles, reflective windows, stray cats, scavenging rats and lack of suitable nest sites which creates a gauntlet of hazards that add to their decline.

Local actions are absolutely needed.  We are already taking steps in this regard, but you can join us and help secure and enhance living habitat conditions for our local birds.

Our efforts so far.

As part of the grounds plan for the Alley Pond Environmental Center, we have provided a special area for birds and pollinators.  This site has much to offer to visitors and to wildlife.  It is accessible and viewable from our elevated rear observation deck and allows all visitors to see and learn about local wildlife.  Our efforts to create this special area are well underway.  We have installed several feeding stations, nesting cavities, birdhouse shelters and a variety of native plants. We are actively working to remove non-native invasive plants and occupy the area.   We are adding other amenities such as water sources, water and dust baths, as well as dedicated pollinator patches throughout the area.  We have already seen a variety of early birds checking out the area and  the feeding stations are busy all day long.

Join our efforts.

We would like to create a restricted and dedicated fund that will provide for this site in perpetuity.  Supplies, especially a regular supply of bird seed, may cost hundreds of dollars per year and feeding stations and nest boxes need to be maintained, repaired and replaced from time to time.  With your help we aim to raise $5000 that will create a self-sustaining fund for the site operations and expenses into the foreseeable future.  Contributions above that goal will go directly to support educational and wildlife enhancement throughout our nearby park grounds. 

Our thanks to you and to all contributors. 

Please come visit us at the center whenever you can to see what your contribution has helped accomplish.  We will also pick a special “It’s for the Birds” visitors day where all contributors will be invited to a special thank you program and where our collective efforts can be acknowledged.