The Biggest Week In American Birding

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From the Warbler Capital of the World, Kimberly writes: The third annual Biggest Week In American Birding is almost here, and my team at Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) has been working like crazy to take care of every last detail.  What I've been focusing on is outreach to the local communities about the value and importance of birds and habitat conservation.  Leveraging all the buzz we've created about the number of birders that visit this area in spring, and the incredible economic impact visiting birders have on the region, I've been giving lots of presentations to all kinds of diverse groups, from rotary clubs to the Advertisers Club of Toledo.  This year, it really seems to be having a major impact.  


The communities are really beginning to embrace bird migration as one of the region's most unique assets and they're lending their support and endorsements in some very special ways.  
For instance, the world-famous Toledo Mud Hens baseball club created a special "BIRDS" coupon, and for every ticket sold during the month of May using this coupon, or ticket purchased online using the code "BIRDS," the Mud Hens will donate $1 to BSBO!  So, if you live in NW Ohio or you're here visiting during May, please go see a ballgame at this beautiful ballpark, cheer on the Hens, and help show them that birds and birders are a BIG DEAL! Make sure you use the special coupon, or use the code "Birds" to order tickets online. Please click on this link to see the amazing poster the Mud Hens made to advertise their support. It's a beauty!





Here's the team's website for directions to the ballpark and more information about the Mud Hens: http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t512




And there's more!  
Inspired by The Biggest Week In American Birding, the Toledo Museum of Art proudly unveils their FOR THE BIRDS exhibit this Friday, April 13th at 5:30 PM.  Curated by Paula Reich, curatorial projects and publications manager, the exhibition opens to the public on April 13 and continues through Sept. 2 in Gallery 18. 


Birds have appeared in works of art throughout human history, starting with prehistoric cave paintings. Artists have continued to be fascinated by these feathered creatures, depicting them for their symbolic significance, as scientific specimens, for their expressive qualities, and simply for their beauty. Admission to the exhibition and to the Museum is free. Museum parking is free for members and $5 for nonmembers. For more information about the exhibit, check out this link. 
http://bsbo.org/pdf/For_the_Birds_Press_Release_032012.pdf


Isn't it great to see communities embracing and celebrating birds at this level?! 


Biggest Week registration is still open - and for the very reasonable $25 registration fee, you get multiple, guided walks every day at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, a big bag of Biggest Week goodies, and lots of great discounts at local businesses if you show your festival name tag.  


Kenn and I hope you'll come to visit this spring and go birding with us.  It's really a special place and we'd love to share it with you.  



Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Great post! I think we need to start saving so we can make it to Ohio next year - I can't imagine the excitement that must be in the air up there! Thanks SO much for sharing the experience with people who live way down in the south :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. KevinApril 17, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    Hello Kenn and Kimberly,
    Good luck with this exciting event. One of these years I will make it up to your neck of the woods to go birding. Will future entries in the KFG series be available for purchase through the BSBO? That would be a nice way for myself and others to support the Observatory.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kimberly KaufmanApril 21, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Hi Kevin,

    Yes! Other books in the Kaufman Field Guide Series will be available in the BSBO book store. Thanks so much for thinking about that and for reading our blog.

    All the best,

    Kimberly & Kenn

    ReplyDelete

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