NEW Audubon has received a grant to establish new bluebird trails in the Fox Valley region and to train monitors.  With this, we foster a partnership between the Fox Valley Academy (an environmental charter school) and BRAW (Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin).  The grant is from the Environmental Stewardship Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc.

Since bluebirds select their nesting sites by the end of March, Kent Hall, BRAW  coordinator, will be working intensively to locate and set up trails in the next 2 months—not an easy task with snow cover! Bluebirds tolerate humans in their nesting area, but they are particular about their environment.  They need at least 3 acres of mostly open habitat: short grasses with occasional trees.  They like a perch site near their nest, but this could be fence posts, electric wire, or tall tree.  Too many shrubs encourage House Sparrows to take over the nests instead of bluebirds.   The best sites include cemeteries, office parks, golf courses, and parks.

Berry Lake Ice-Out
Workshop and Cookout
9:00 AM Saturday, April 26, 2008

Cutting-edge climate change research, early logging and lake development history, the Menominee’s use of fire in forest management, combating aquatic invasive species, enhancing the fishery and shoreline restoration all come together at this year’s “Berry Lake Ice-Out Workshop and Cookout.”

This diverse array of topics related to habitat restoration, protection and management will be presented by experts from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, DNR, Menominee Indian Tribe and Oconto County.

NEW Audubon vice president Brian Ewart is organizing the workshop and will participate in the presentations.  Brian says that Berry Lake’s rapid progress and remarkable success in attracting first class talent and research is due to an emphasis on cooperation, partnerships, participation and volunteerism.  He encourages NEW Audubon members to attend and participate in the on-going lake studies and habitat restoration efforts.

The morning presentations will be followed by lunch and pontoon boat tours of the lake and tours of the nearby Menominee forest.  Lunch is free for those who pre-register by Wednesday, April 23 and who sign-in from 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM on Saturday, April 26.  Tour participation is on a first come, first served basis.  Interested participants should pre-register as early as possible and indicate their order of tour preference (see Berry Lake Ice-Out schedule).