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DVOC Main Page > Conservation > Conservation Corner 2010

CONSERVATION CORNER 2010

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Bird Death Survey
New NWR
Backyard Survey
Bird-Safe Building Materials
Lights out For Earth Hour
Climate Change

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Conservation Corner - a running list of issues of interest to our members

What hazards are killing birds? How does our society deal with these hazards?
(Submitted by Phil Witmer, 10/29/2010)

Take this survey and find out.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BDFEUJWXT

Cherry Valley NWR Established in Pennsylvania
(Submitted by Phil Witmer, 10/25/2010)

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Press Release)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the establishment of Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge as America's 553rd national wildlife refuge. The refuge will conserve nationally significant wildlife areas, including habitat for threatened and endangered species and a major corridor for migratory birds and bats. Located only 75 miles from New York City and 100 miles from Philadelphia, the refuge represents a new opportunity to connect more than 3 million citizens with the outdoors.

The refuge was officially established on October 18, 2010, when the Service acquired 185 acres of land within the refuge boundary from Mary and Dominick Sorrenti of Sorrenti's Cherry Valley Vineyards. The Sorrenti's hosted today's dedication, which included U.S. Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11th), and representatives from The Nature Conservancy, Friends of Cherry Valley and other members of the citizen-led Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Partnership.

"Cherry Valley is a model for the President's America's Great Outdoors Initiative," said Acting Director Rowan Gould. "It is an example of how private citizens and local communities can safeguard the places they care about. The Service is pleased to be part of the citizen-led partnership that helped create this refuge, and we look forward to working with our new neighbors to protect additional lands as part of the refuge."

The Service has been working with the partnership and local citizens to identify property to purchase for the refuge since it was approved in December 2008. The approved boundary for the refuge encompasses more than 20,000 acres in Monroe and Northampton counties. The first 185-acre parcel of land was purchased from the Sorrenti's with congressionally-appropriated Land and Water Conservation Fund monies.

Local citizens, with assistance from The Nature Conservancy, created a partnership to protect Cherry Valley in 2001. At the urging of the partnership, Congressmen Kanjorski and Charles W. Dent (PA-15th) co-sponsored the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act, which passed in 2006. This study led to the decision to approve the refuge.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, and many others have long been key pieces of this initiative and have been instrumental in establishing the refuge," said Congressman Kanjorski.
"Because of this refuge, people living in Monroe County for generations to come will have the opportunity to experience an untouched environment that will continue to remain preserved for years to come."

"Cherry Valley is an important part of The Nature Conservancy's work to protect Pennsylvania's special places, for people and for nature," said Pennsylvania Chapter Executive Director Bill Kunze. "This refuge will help protect working farms and a portion of the Appalachian Trail, as well as habitat for rare species."

Members of the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Partnership include The Nature Conservancy, Friends of Cherry Valley, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, National Park Service, Monroe County Planning Commission, Monroe County Conservation District, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Appalachian Northampton Community College, East Stroudsburg University, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Pocono Avian Research Center.

To learn more about the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, visit http://www.fws.gov/cherryvalley/. For more information about America's Great Outdoors Initiative, go to http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/index.cfm.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov <http://www.fws.gov> .

BACKYARD SURVEY FOR CORNELL CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT
(from Cornell Lab of Ornithology - submitted by Debbie Beer, 5/17/2010)

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to create a new Citizen Science project called The YardMap Network. This project invites the public to map their yards, sharing the habit-types and conservation practices happening in yards and green spaces. We are specifically looking for gardeners and birders to participate in a survey to give us feedback about the project.

This survey should take about 15 minutes to complete and all answers will be confidential: http://vovici.com/l.dll/JGs94C6B594B6lMkD9U50527J.htm

Once completed, you are eligible for a drawing to win one of two $200 gift certificates for Amazon.com. This is a great chance for you to not only provide important feedback to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Science Foundation but also to help shape a web site for birders and gardeners.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact researcher Tammy Messick at 410-956-5144 or [email protected].

PROPOSED BILL FOR BIRD-SAFE BUILDING MATERIALS
(posted April 6, 2010 – excerpted from ‘Birding Community E-Bulletin, sponsored by National Geographic)

WILL THIS BILL HIT A WALL?

In early March 2010, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced a bill that could help prevent the deaths of millions of birds that annually collide with buildings at thousands of federal facilities across the country. The proposed piece of legislation, HR 4797, calls for the General Services Administration (GSA) to incorporate bird-safe building materials and design features into all public buildings constructed, altered, or acquired by the GSA.

The terms “bird-safe building materials and design features” are defined by several publications and recent practices addressing these issues. These features would be implemented “to the maximum extent feasible.”

The legislation proposed by Congressman Quigley is similar to legislation he sponsored in 2008 when he was Illinois Cook County Commissioner, legislation approved unanimously by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

“I am proud to build upon the work we did in Cook County to promote bird-safe building and spearhead an initiative at the national level that will make sure our tall buildings are not safety hazards. This bill will not only save millions of birds’ lives, but it is also completely cost neutral,” said Congressman Quigley.

HR 4797, applying only to federal buildings, has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. While the majority of bills and resolutions never make it out of committee, this bill has the capacity to raise the birds-building-and-glass issue, lead to more widespread applications of bird-safe designs elsewhere, and be a source for greater nationwide implementation of “Lights Out” campaigns.

Bird-safe building design and “Lights Out” efforts have been discussed multiple times in the E-bulletin, including in October 2008 and December 2009. Archive issues can be viewed at: www.refugenet.org/birding.

Lights Out For Earth Hour
(by Debbie Beer, DVOC Conservation Committee, March 25, 2010)

On Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 8:30pm local time, hundreds of millions of people around the world will join together in EARTH HOUR, a powerful call to action for climate change. The act will be simple – turn off the lights for one hour. This small step sends a strong message that each of us can make a difference in the struggle to protect the health of our environment, now and in the future.

Since it’s inception three years ago, Earth Hour has inspired powerful changes among individuals, communities, cities and countries. Nearly one billion people participated in Earth Hour 2009 – involving 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents. In America, 80 million people, 318 U.S. cities and 8 states officially voted for action by turning out the lights. Iconic landmarks around the world supported the movement, including: The Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Las Vegas Strip, Golden Gate Bridge, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament in London, Sydney’s Opera House, Pyramids of Giza and many more. These actions are powerful symbols of our collective commitment to change.

Earth Hour is a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiative to educate and engage people about climate change, which is already threatening nature and wildlife species, and reversing decades of conservation efforts. WWF works with communities and business partners to reduce greenhouse emissions, improve energy efficiencies, combat deforestation and protect remaining natural resources.

Visit the website: www.myearthhour.org to pledge official support – it’s free and easy. Show your commitment to the future of our great Earth, and turn off the lights at 8:30 pm on Saturday, March 27!

Birds Affected by Climate Change
(by Debbie Beer, DVOC Conservation Committee, March 12, 2010)

“The State of the Birds: 2010 Report on Climate Change” released March 11, 2010 by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar underscores the devastating affects of climate change on migratory birds, which are already declining under stress from habitat loss, invasive species and other environmental hazards.

Key findings from the report include:
- Oceanic birds are among the most vulnerable to climate change, under pressure by a rapidly-changing marine ecosystem, and nesting on islands that may flood as sea levels rise.
- Hawaiian birds already face multiple hazards and increasingly threatened by disease and invasive species that alter their native habitats.
-Birds in coastal, arctic/alpine and grassland habitats, as well as species on Caribbean and other Pacific islands show intermediate levels of vulnerability; most birds in aridlands, wetlands and forests show relatively low levels of vulnerability to climate change.
- Species already of concern such as Golden-cheeked Warbler, Whooping Crane and Spectacled Eider, are even more imperiled by climate change, that might prevent their recovery.
- Some common bird species such as the American Oystercatcher, Common Nighthawk, and Northern Pintail are likely to become a species of concern, as a result of climate change.

“Birds are excellent indicators of the health of our environment, and right now they are telling us an important story about climate change,” said Dr. Kenneth Rosenberg, director of Conservation Science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

National Audubon Society president Frank Gill stated, “The 2010 U.S. State of the Birds Report is a powerful wake up call. It says we must all tackle the threats of a changing climate, not just for the birds but for our own good as well.”

While the issue seems monumental, experts offer hope and solutions, centered on serious commitment and effort. The Nature Conservancy cautions that current conservation efforts must not only continue to protect rare species and conserve habitat, but must be greatly expanded to meet the threat of climate change. The American Bird Conservancy believes we can have a positive impact by taking immediate action to reduce carbon emissions.

Setting historic precedent, the current United States government administration acknowledges the negative affects of climate change on our national resources, and is addressing the issue as a priority. This statement appears on the Dept of the Interior website: http://www.doi.gov/whatwedo/climate/strategy/index.cfm. “Climate change is driving rapid and broad changes across the United States and the world. As the nation’s primary land, water and wildlife manager, the U.S. Department of the Interior has an obligation to address the impacts that climate change is having on America’s resources by developing effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.”

The report offers solutions that illustrate how organizations and individuals can have a positive impact on birds in the U.S. Specifically, the report indicates that the way lands are managed can mitigate climate change and help birds adapt to changing conditions. For example, conserving carbon-rich forests and wetlands, and creating incentives to avoid deforestation can reduce emissions and provide invaluable wildlife habitat.

The new State of the Birds report is the result of collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Bird Conservancy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, experts from leading conservation organizations, as well as federal and state wildlife agencies.

For more information, visit the website: www.stateofthebirds.org