To BCN members
Starting from just the germ of an idea
supported by a small handful of organizations and individuals, BCN
is now 20 member groups along with a number of dedicated individual
members. We are a strong voice for bird conservation. Land managers
& owners, scientists and many political entities are increasingly
seeking our counsel and input, and they are adopting our ideas and
recommendations for enhancing bird habitat throughout our region.
BCN’s goals are very simple:
1. Expand bird monitoring efforts
throughout the region, to provide both scientists and land managers
with solid data in support of their efforts to expand/restore
habitat for both breeding and migratory birds.
2. Act as a cohesive, strong, factual
voice to inform and influence both the public and various
governmental bodies throughout the region on behalf of bird
conservation initiatives.
In 2005 our coalition continues to have
great impact on behalf of the birds. Consider some of our work and
accomplishments:
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2005 witnessed the publication of
the Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide, cosponsored by BCN and
the City of Chicago’s Department of the Environment. Under
development for 3 years, it came to fruition in early June at a
major press event featuring Mayor Daley and John Rogner of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Through recruitment and training,
more and more bird monitors are in the field, generating solid
data based on well-designed protocols. BCN’s database website
has been incorporated into Cornell’s Birdsource database. This
change has expanded the utility and accessibility of the
database. During the past year BCN retained a professional to
provide a scientific analysis of thousands of individual
records. Our methods and analyses received praise from
scientists at the Field Museum.
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The
Birds and Buildings Forum has become the 20th member
of the BCN coalition.
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Members
of our coalition also act as advocates and resources throughout
the Chicago area, working to enhance bird habitat in many
diverse locations. Examples include working extensively with
land owners/managers, the Lights Out program, our participation
and leadership in fighting legalization of feral cat colonies in
McHenry County, the Wild Things Conference, the Grassland Bird
Blitz (a region wide ‘snapshot’ of the status of the grassland
bird species in our region), and the wonderful habitat
enhancement program at Bartel Grasslands, efforts at Lake
Calumet, to name just a few.
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BCN is a
member and advocate of its programs before the national
coalition, the Bird Conservation Alliance.
Make your voice heard on behalf of the
birds! The power of BCN is our united voice; we can and will lend
that voice to bird conservation related causes, large and small. Do
you need BCN for defense (to provide reasoned, science based
information against habitat destruction), or for proactive support
for changes in public policy on behalf of birds? Our coalition
exists to help turn bird conservation ideas for our region into
reality.
What we need is your time and commitment
to advancing the cause of bird conservation in our region. As we
continue to work together, our coalition can make our region the
most bird friendly metropolitan area on the continent.
Sincerely
Donnie Dann
President, the Bird
Conservation Network
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