|
Allyn's
Creek Garden Club makes major donation! |
|
An ambitious new conservation program is underway at Braddock Bay. Teaming with the Genesee Land Trust (GLT), BBBO is working to preserve property near the Lake Ontario shoreline—land that will be protected in perpetuity for the birds and bird-watchers to enjoy.
A recent donation of $15,000 from the Allyn's Creek Garden Club is helping to make this conservation effort possible. The club, which is a member of The Garden Club of America, donated the funds to help protect land used by migrating birds. Garden club member Linda Riordan said, "I hope that BBBO can use the funds to inspire members and friends of the Observatory to match this donation. The birds will be the beneficiaries."
BBBO Land Ownership
Visitors to the Observatory may not realize that most of the property where songbird migration research is conducted is privately held. Thanks to the generosity of Bill Kaiser, landowner and friend of the Observatory, the Braddock Bay study site has become one of the premier migration research stations in North America.
Mr. Kaiser donated the "boathouse"–where banding is conducted– and the surrounding two acres to GLT in 1999. BBBO acts as managing partner for the property. BBBO and GLT are now working with Mr. Kaiser to preserve more land around the Observatory. The proposed acquisition is located between Manitou Beach Road and Braddock Bay only a few yards south of Lake Ontario.
Protecting the property is important because large numbers of migrating songbirds concentrate in near-shore areas prior to flying across Lake Ontario in the spring, and immediately following the trans-lake flight in the autumn. This is precisely the reason that the property was chosen for BBBO's research efforts. When studying the ecology of songbirds during migration "stopover" periods, it is important to work at sites that are visited by large numbers of birds. In addition to the value of the land during migration, many species also nest on the property.
A number of improvements are planned for the property with the goals of 1) improving the habitat for migratory songbirds, and 2) increasing access for birders.
Habitat Improvements
The land will be managed to improve the attractiveness of the area to migratory birds. Since many species consume fruit during migration to gain the fat necessary to fuel their migratory journey, native fruit-bearing shrubs will be planted to provide more foraging opportunities. These dense shrubs will also provide the cover necessary for songbirds to avoid predation. In addition to encouraging native vegetation, invasive species will be controlled. Purple loosestrife is among the non-native plants threatening the quality of the habitat.
Providing improved access to the property for birders and the general public is another goal. Walking trails will be developed to connect the bay-front property, the banding station, and a planned observation platform on the bay. Further, an educational garden and kiosk will inform visitors about ways they can make their own yards and neighborhoods more attractive and safer for birds.
The road ahead…
This is an exciting time for the Observatory. Recent events hosted by BBBO, such as North American Banding Council certification sessions, have contributed to a growing national reputation. Further, the annual Eastern Bird Banding Association conference will be hosted by BBBO in 2005. Research conducted at BBBO is gaining recognition as biologists from six colleges and universities are currently working with data collected at the Observatory. And the proposed land acquisitions, in collaboration with GLT, will add to the Observatory's tangible conservation portfolio.
With growth comes added demands for facilities and funds to support research, education, and conservation efforts. The board of directors is considering these needs as we look to the future. BBBO is pleased to announce that planning for a major fund-raising campaign is underway. Numerous capital expenditures will be required within the next few years, and the board is exploring various avenues for raising the funds critical to the future success of the Observatory. Stay tuned to the fall newsletter for an update on the exciting long-range plans for BBBO and to find out how you can help improve research, conservation, and birding opportunities at Braddock Bay. We look forward to including our members in this growth as we set out to better conserve the habitat around us, develop our local and national education efforts, and increase the Observatory's contribution to migratory bird research.
Thank you, Allyn's Creek & GLT!
BBBO appreciates the support of Allyn's Creek Garden Club and GLT as we move toward the future. The 73-member garden club has supported conservation and garden-related projects in the Rochester area for decades. Founded in 1928, the club's mission is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening; to aid in the protection of native plants and birds; to encourage civic planting, and to study, in all its aspects, the fine art of gardening.
The Genesee Land Trust's mission is to preserve and protect land in the Greater Rochester area, including waterways, wetlands, farmland, open space, fish and wildlife habitat, and scenic or recreational areas. Since 1990 GLT has protected over 1,500 acres of land including seven nature preserves, 300 acres of privately owned land protected with conservation easements, and partnerships with municipalities to protect open land in their communities. Protecting habitat for migratory birds throughout the region is one of GLT's priority preservation goals.
|
|
|
