Black Swamp Bird Observatory's
Michael Hutchins Memorial Conservation Fund
Expand. Enhance. Enjoy.
 Michael with his wife, Song.
Promoting the cause of bird conservation is at the heart of The Biggest Week. This year, The Biggest Week Team at Black Swamp Bird Observatory proudly introduces THE BIGGEST WEEK CONSERVATION FUND.
100% of the proceeds donated to The Biggest Week Conservation Fund will be used for improving and expanding habitat for birds. |
Logo by Scott Arvin
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2019 CONSERVATION FUND RECIPIENTS
OAK HARBOR BIRD-SAFE / BIRDER-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY ROAMING CAT PROGRAM
Last spring we announced that as part of our Bird-Safe / Birder-friendly Communities Initiative, BSBO had been successful in a multi-year effort to work with the Village of Oak Harbor to pass an ordinance essentially banning roaming cats. BSBO presented the initial draft legislation and brought an impressive range of experts and community leaders to the working group, including a local veterinarian, attorneys, village administration and council members, local cat shelter directors, and the director of the Chamber of Commerce. The group researched legislation passed by other cities and municipalities, and presented a reasonable, well-researched, and enforceable legislation to the village council. The legislation passed unanimously.
This was a huge victory for bird conservation. But we didn't stop there!
This was a huge victory for bird conservation. But we didn't stop there!
Because we sincerely care about the welfare of the cats, too, BSBO formed a working group that included local cat advocates, veterinarians, and other volunteers, to develop a program to capture roaming cats, assess their condition and suitability for adoption, provide treatment and sterilization, and place them in INDOOR ONLY homes. Since spring, 20 cats have been placed in indoor homes! That's twenty fewer cats killing native birds and wildlife. Twenty fewer cats creating a dangerous situation for residents. And twenty fewer cats exposed to disease, parasites, fleas, and the potential of horrific deaths.
Domestic cats make wonderful companions when kept indoors or allowed outside only when confined. When allowed to roam, they are nonnative predators that kill billions of birds each year. (Yes, billions with a B.) And outdoor cats often suffer unspeakable living conditions. The more we can work towards a reasonable solution the more it benefits birds, people, and the cats, too!
Future goals are to build this legislation and the capture, assess, and home program into a model for other areas dealing with this serious problem.
Domestic cats make wonderful companions when kept indoors or allowed outside only when confined. When allowed to roam, they are nonnative predators that kill billions of birds each year. (Yes, billions with a B.) And outdoor cats often suffer unspeakable living conditions. The more we can work towards a reasonable solution the more it benefits birds, people, and the cats, too!
Future goals are to build this legislation and the capture, assess, and home program into a model for other areas dealing with this serious problem.
2017 and 2018 CONSERVATION FUND RECIPIENT
Standing Rush
Standing Rush, LLC was founded as a conservation real estate company, specializing in the restoration and preservation of ecologically sensitive areas in northwest Ohio. Currently, Standing Rush is working on the restoration of over 600 acres of land and water located on the south shore of Sandusky Bay.
In an article written by Steve Pollick, a columnist with Ohio Outdoor News and a life member of BSBO, Pollick says in encouraging habitat for everything from visiting warblers and shorebirds to nesting eagles and trumpeter swans, Standing Rush can also manage for the rich native plant diversity that provides nursery habitat for loads of different kinds of fish and the right conditions for threatened species of snakes and turtles.
Standing Rush Manager Eric Kraus refers to the area as a patchwork of land. Kraus explains that the land and water can support a tremendous diversity of life while serving critical functions for all the people who live and rely on the broader health of the lake.
“Through persistent collaboration, we magnify the impact of individual pursuits to create and promote projects that ensure lasting habitat protection and conservation, support holistic ecological function, encourage educational enrichment, foster sustainable and responsible recreation, and expand the collective value of our organization,” Standing Rush states on their website.
In 2017, Standing Rush had to incur unanticipated costs due to historically high water, which caused dike damage and extra water conveyance. It just so happens that the tallied amount allotted to the dollar amount awarded to Standing Rush by Black Swamp Bird Observatory: $8,000.
Learn all about the changes that are taking shape at the Standing Rush marsh by reading Manager Eric Kraus’ blog at standingrush.blogspot.com.
In an article written by Steve Pollick, a columnist with Ohio Outdoor News and a life member of BSBO, Pollick says in encouraging habitat for everything from visiting warblers and shorebirds to nesting eagles and trumpeter swans, Standing Rush can also manage for the rich native plant diversity that provides nursery habitat for loads of different kinds of fish and the right conditions for threatened species of snakes and turtles.
Standing Rush Manager Eric Kraus refers to the area as a patchwork of land. Kraus explains that the land and water can support a tremendous diversity of life while serving critical functions for all the people who live and rely on the broader health of the lake.
“Through persistent collaboration, we magnify the impact of individual pursuits to create and promote projects that ensure lasting habitat protection and conservation, support holistic ecological function, encourage educational enrichment, foster sustainable and responsible recreation, and expand the collective value of our organization,” Standing Rush states on their website.
In 2017, Standing Rush had to incur unanticipated costs due to historically high water, which caused dike damage and extra water conveyance. It just so happens that the tallied amount allotted to the dollar amount awarded to Standing Rush by Black Swamp Bird Observatory: $8,000.
Learn all about the changes that are taking shape at the Standing Rush marsh by reading Manager Eric Kraus’ blog at standingrush.blogspot.com.