From: Allan Strong <astrong...>
Reply-To: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...>
Date: Monday, April 29, 2013 7:52 AM
To: <VTBIRD...>
Subject: [VTBIRD] The Bobolink Project - a new approach to habitat
conservation
Dear Birders,
I sent this email around a couple weeks ago, but in case any of you are
still pondering a pledge, the fund raising period ends today!
As many of you know, grassland songbirds like Bobolinks, Upland
Sandpipers, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Eastern Meadowlarks have all been
showing steep, long-term population declines. In the Northeast, much of
the decline is a result of the decline of the agricultural industry, but
the increased management intensity on remaining farm fields has also
contributed. Because of changes in the structure of some of the federal
conservation programs, it is getting harder and harder to provide
incentives to farmers to use "bird-friendly" management practices.
These circumstances led to the creation of the Bobolink Project. The
project is a collaboration between UVM, UVM Extension, and U. Conn. The
idea is that grassland bird habitat is something that we all value and
who knows...might even pay for. We are working with farmers willing to
delay mowing of hayfields until after the nesting season. We are hoping
to protect several 10-acre hayfields in Addison and Chittenden Counties
for bobolinks and other wildlife. The amount of acreage depends on the
value of pledges received by the end of April. Your support can create
safe habitat for birds nesting in Vermont's working hayfields. 100% of
the money pledged in Vermont goes directly to Vermont farmers.
Information about the project and how to pledge can be found at
www.bobolinkproject.com. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Allan
--
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Allan M. Strong
University of Vermont
The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
220L Aiken Center
81 Carrigan Drive
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-2910
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--
"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who
dream only by night."
-E.A. Poe
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