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		Audubon Minnesota Summer 2008 Newsletter

Programs

  Important Bird Areas
  BirdSafe Lights Out
  Legislative Priorities
  Bird Conservation in MN
  Chapters in MN
  Citizen Science
  Mississippi River

Publications
		Audubon MN Action List

		MN Common Birds in Decline

Minnesota Bird Trail Guides

		Audubon At Home Creating a Healthy Yard
Cedar Waxwing © USFWS

Audubon Minnesota is a member of:

Job Opportunity - Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator

Audubon Minnesota seeks a full-time Coordinator for the recently funded state-wide Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA) project. The Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the project, providing materials and assistance to volunteer Regional Coordinators, recruiting volunteers, overseeing data gathering, updating the Atlas web site, and other aspects of Atlas coordination as needed. Applications accepted until August 15, 2008. Full job description.

Audubon Minnesota Receives Generous Challenge Grant

Red Headed Woodpecker © Jim Williams

You can double your support for Minnesota's birds! A longtime friend of Audubon has awarded Audubon Minnesota a $25,000 matching challenge grant to encourage greater participation in Audubon's important work to protect Minnesota's birds and their habitats.

New and increased donations of $100 or more to our Annual Fund Campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $25,000. We are extremely grateful to our generous donor who has acknowledged the importance of Audubon's work in Minnesota with this award.

DONATE $100 or more to help meet the challenge!

Eaglets Helpful in Pollution Study

© Rebecca Field

Young eagles are perfect for detecting levels of heavy metals, PCBs and other chemicals in the water of our local rivers. Eagles are at the top of the food chain, so pollutants bioaccumulate in their blood and feathers. They are, in effect, biosentinels of pollution. While older birds may have fed in many places, the new young eaglets are fed food from the immediate area. Audubon Minnesota researchers, working with others, recently conducted a large study of bald eagles to determine pollution levels in the Mississippi River.

READ MORE about the study of eagles (Post-Bulletin 5/21/08)
WATCH VIDEO (Fox 9 News 5/19/08, Post-Bulletin 5/21/08)
LEARN MORE about climbers (Post-Bulletin 5/21/08)
DONATE NOW to support Audubon Minnesota's pollution study program

Minnesota’s Voters to Decide Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment

Minnesotans have the rare opportunity to improve significantly the water quality for the state’s lakes and rivers, to restore and protect natural habitats for wildlife, and to support parks and trails. In November, citizens will vote on the “Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.” At a time when 40% of our state’s river and stream miles that have been tested are polluted, when over one million acres of wooded lands, natural areas and farmland are projected to be lost over the next 25 years, and when state conservation investments are declining, this could be the year that voters act to reverse these trends. Learn more.

Aveda and Audubon Work for Clean Water

During Aveda’s 2008 Earth Month Campaign, Aveda Corporation and participating Aveda salons and spas in Iowa helped to raised funds for Audubon’s program to restore the health of rivers, streams and wetlands. Through events, services, and product sales, Aveda raised over $55,000 to support Audubon’s programs along the Mississippi River – promoting education and actions that will help to improve water quality. Our thanks to Aveda for their generosity and hard work.

LEARN MORE about the Earth Month Campaign and Aveda's efforts to promote sustainability from Aveda President, Dominique Conseil.

Report Identifies Species at Greatest Risk

© Jim Williams

The National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy have identified 37 birds found in Minnesota as needing top-priority conservation attention to ensure their continued survival. These birds are part of the 178 birds species found in the continental U.S. that have been placed on WatchList 2007, the newest and most scientifically sound list of America's most imperiled birds. Find out more.

For the complete Audubon Minnesota Action List of state birds in greatest conservation need, click here.

Action List Spotlights State’s Most Threatened Birds

Can you name ten of the 60 birds in Minnesota whose populations are the most imperiled? The Audubon Minnesota Action List identifies those birds, their conservation status and reasons for concern. By identifying those bird species needing urgent help in Minnesota, conservation efforts can be prioritized. Many of these birds are also on National Audubon’s nationwide Watch List, which comprises 217 species that are in the greatest need of immediate conservation help.

The brochure was made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor and a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Morris Wetland Management District. To obtain a copy, send $4 to: Audubon Minnesota, 2357 Ventura Drive, #106, Saint Paul MN 55125.