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We believe in connecting people with nature.
Most of our programs are FREE and open to the public. Check our calendar and join the fun! Recent happenings:
March 4, 2024 - International Owl Festival
We had a great time at the International Owl Festival in Houston, MN this past weekend. It was invigorating to talk with hundreds of people who were interested in owls, (really all birds), and wanted to learn how they can help preserve habitat and help them survive in these changing times. A big thank you to our ZVAS volunteers and all the staff and volunteers from The International Owl Center and the city of Houston - your hard work made for a fun and informative festival once again. March 2, 2024 - Bird Walk at Quarry Hill
Sunny skies brought 29 people to Quarry Hill Nature Center on Saturday morning for our monthly bird walk. The temperature was very mild, more spring than winter, like so much of this past winter. Walk leader Joyce Grier gave out binoculars for some to use and Minnesota bird lists for people to keep track of what they see. We took our time starting out in the sunshine at the feeders by the nature center and saw many of the common resident birds including 5 Northern Cardinals at one time. Mixed in with our locals birds were a few wintering Pine Siskins on finch feeders and Dark-eyed Juncos on the ground. The pond, which was covered by ice 2 days ago, was totally open and ice-free. Some Canada Geese and Mallard Ducks had already discovered that as well as a Muskrat who was out enjoying his newfound freedom. It was a very nice morning for a nature walk. Thanks to Joyce and Terry for leading the trip! Species list: Muskrat (in the pond) Canada Geese (in the pond) Mallard (in the pond) Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy woodpecker Northern Flicker Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse (heard) White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper House Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Dark-eyed Junco Photos by Terry Grier February 28, 2024 - From Billions to None
Last night's talk by Joel Greenberg on the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon was fascinating! It's just crazy to think that a bird could number in the billions in 1800 and be extinct on Sept. 1, 1914 - when Martha - the last one died. And we did that. Humans killed them all for cheap food. We killed them even though they benefitted farms with free fertilizer for their field. They were an important part of the ecosystem and we still killed them. Did you know that before "clay pigeons" were invented, hunters trapped and used used live Passenger Pigeons for target practice? Humans were like the asteroid that killed the Dinosaurs. Hopefully we can stop ourselves from repeating this tragedy in the years to come. Our insects, our oceans, in fact most life on earth is struggling because of us. But there is some hope. When we put our minds to it we can do great things. We saved the whales, we brought back the Sandhill and Whooping Cranes, we're working on the Condors, and hopefully we can save the Monarch Butterfly. Small successes that add up. Please support the environment and the other lives we share this planet with - they need space and resources, too. Learn more about the story of the Passenger Pigeon here: http://passengerpigeon.org/ Thank you Mr. Greenberg for spreading this important message. Watch the video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjwyO5BGluI Zumbro Valley Audubon needs your help to pay for programs, printing brochures and outreach supplies to teach kids and adults about nature. Donate to Zumbro Valley Audubon via giveMN.org
© ZVAS 2023 - Zumbro Valley Audubon Society - PO Box 6244 - Rochester, MN 55903
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