See the video below created by AMV Earth Expedition Scholarship winner Lane Forthofer.
AMV Earth Expedition Scholarship Winner Shares Her Life-Changing Experience!
See the article below written by Earth Expedition Scholarship winner Shleby Elder.
AMV Earth Expedition Scholarship Winners Announced!
Each year, the Audubon Miami Valley supports the Earth Expedition Scholarship which is awarded to a local educator interested in furthering conservation and environmental education. This year’s scholarship recipients are Shelby Elder from Goshen, Ohio and Lane Forthofer from Rocky River, Ohio. Read more about each recipient below.
Scholarship Recipient Shelby Elder
Scholarship recipient Shelby Elder poses while in the Galapagos Islands this summer!
Shelby is a graduate student in Miami University’s Global Field Program (GFP). Shelby is a science teacher at Goshen High School. This summer, Shelby traveled to the Galápagos Islands to study how small communities can do amazing things in the name of conservation. Shelby will take this experience and share it with her students who are already working on conservation projects of their own!
I believe that I am a good candidate for the Audubon Miami Valley Scholarship because I am an Ohio native and a current educator in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, who has placed a focus on conservation in my community. Recently a tornado and exponential growth has struck my small community and little to no focus has been placed on protecting and restoring our environment. I have made it my goal to inspire my 9th and 10th grade students to rediscover their love for science and inquiry by supporting a year-long conservation project that my students came up with, with little help from me. By focusing on our small community, my students began to realize that maybe they can make a difference and we are creating and figuring out options to enhance the rapidly declining biodiversity in our community. My first Earth Expedition opened my eyes to the idea that with a little modification to my lessons, I could teach my material in a way that allows for this. By equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to tackle pressing environmental problems, I believe I can cultivate a new generation of environmentally literate and proactive citizens. Whether they pursue further education, careers in environmental science or simply integrate sustainable practices into their daily lives, the ripple effects of their actions have the potential to drive positive change at local, national, and global levels.
Scholarship Recipient Lane Forthofer
Lane is a graduate student in Miami University’s Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP). Lane teaches 7th and 8th grade at St. Bernadette School in Amelia, Ohio. This summer, Lane traveled to Costa Rica to gain firsthand knowledge of the biodiversity concerns impacting the region. Lane will take the knowledge gained from this experience and share it with students in her Environmental Stewardship course.
I am a 7th and 8th grade teacher at St. Bernadette School. This past school year, I started the environmental science club. During the first semester, students explored alternative agriculture by growing plants in a hydroponic garden. This semester, I am collaborating with the students on a Community Engagement Lab for my Environmental Stewardship course. Students have chosen a conservation issue to focus on. They are preparing projects to present to their peers during April in a mini science fair. They are working on spreading awareness of preserving nature and helping people of all ages learn ways to conserve. This summer I will be traveling to Costa Rica as an EE student. I hope to gain firsthand knowledge of the biodiversity concerns within certain parts of Costa Rica. This hands-on experience will strengthen my skills as an educator and as a global citizen. I feel I am a good candidate for this scholarship because I am dedicated to helping others learn about the importance of nature and protecting the environment.
Recycling Expansion Program Coming to Oxford!
Oxford citizens can now recycle hard-to-recycle plastics!
Rumpke Waste & Recycling and the Hefty ReNew program are joining forces, giving hard-to-recycle plastics a place to go other than the landfill. The way it works is simple: purchase the Hefty ReNew orange bags (at Kroger or online), fill the bag with accepted items, place the bag into your Rumpke recycling bin for pickup day or take to a drop-off recycling site. After the bags are picked up, Rumpke says they will be sent to specialized recyclers to create new and useful products. This new program will be offered in eight counties including Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Warren, Dearborn, Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties.
In addition to conventional recycling of paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and #1 and #2 plastic bottles this program provides a way to recycle hard-to-recycle materials including the following:
Soft plastics (#4,5,6 etc) and Styrofoam
Grocery bags, Candy wrappers, chip bags and salad bags
Packing products like bubble wrap and foam peanuts
To see a full list of what's accepted, click here.
Note that materials must be clean and must be placed in the special Hefty ORANGE bags. You can request a free stater kit at this website.
2023 AMV Christmas Bird Count Results
2023 Audubon Miami Valley Christmas Bird Count Results
Click here to see the full results.
2023 Bird Count Summary
33 participants
73 species were counted
8,992 individual birds were counted in total
First ever record of Eurasian Collared Doves during our Christmas bird count (and there were 7 of them!)
Notable species seen this year include:
1 Short-eared owl
1 Eastern Screech Owl
1 Merlin
2 Eastern Phoebes
1 Rusty Blackbird
3 Bald Eagles
A huge thank you to this year’s participants and to Larry Gersbach and David Russell for coordinating the event. We look forward to seeing everyone in December for our 2024 Christmas bird count!
Bird species observed during AMV’s 2023 Christmas Bird Count
Note regarding chart data:
8 observed species have been omitted from the chart above to improve legibility:
European Starling (3,170 counted)
American Robin (2,379 counted)
Black Vulture (329 counted)
American Crow (236 counted)
House Sparrow (240 counted)
Canada Goose (209 counted)
White-throated Sparrow (184 counted)
Carolina Chickadee Sparrow (176 counted)
AMV Board Members Dick Munson & Libby Birch Named 2023 Oxford Couple of the Year!
AMV Board members Dick Munson & Libby Birch have been named the 2023 Oxford Couple of the Year!
The honors of Oxford Couple of the Year is given to people who have contributed materially to making the Oxford community a better place to live. Recipients are selected from among numerous individuals nominated by members of the Oxford community. The individuals are selected on the basis of contributions made as volunteers rather than as part of employment responsibilities.
The Citizen/Couple of the Year recognition was started by the Oxford Press in 1952. Since then, 163 individuals have been recognized as Citizens of the Year. Recipients are honored at a lunch hosted by the Oxford Kiwanis Club. Each honoree receives a reproduction of a watercolor painting of Oxford by local artist Marjorie Bowers.
Dick Munson is a horticulturist and botanist who retired in 2014 as Conservatory Manager and Lecturer of Botany on the Miami Hamilton Campus. Libby Birch is a retired art educator and artist. Both work “tirelessly on conservation,” in the words of Sarah and Jim Michaels, who nominated them.
Marlene Hoffman, who also nominated them, writes “Dick Munson continues to share his knowledge and passion for plants and trees with the Oxford community. He does this in many ways. . . . Libby Birch is an artist. Her talent and creativity are evident and shine through all she does. . . . She has given countless hours of volunteer time to the community and especially OCAC [Oxford Community Arts Center].”
AMV Scholarship Winner's Incredible Journey to the Galapagos Islands!
Each year, AMV awards the Rosie Bloom Scholarship to a local educator interested in furthering conservation and environmental education. Rosie Bloom was a charter member of Audubon Miami Valley. She exemplified the qualities of the Audubon ideal-love for nature and the willingness to work to preserve it. This year’s recipient, Aaron Ettinger, used his scholarship to travel to the Galapagos Islands to study the forces of evolutionary, geologic, and social change through work with ECOS, a newly established local Galápagos organization grounded by its start as a program of Ecology Project International.
Aaron is a sixth grade science teacher at Litchfield CLC in Akron, Ohio. Since joining the AIP in 2021, Aaron has taken courses on the web from Miami University while also participating in unique learning experiences on the grounds of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and in natural settings around northeastern Ohio. Through his Master Plan (a kind of personal mission statement for what he wants to accomplish in the program), Aaron would like to explore best practices, strategies and resources for engaging students with nature based education. In his free time, Aaron enjoys hiking and biking in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, playing music and spending time with friends and family.
Below, Aaron tells us about his incredible journey to the Galapagos Islands!
Hello! My name is Aaron Ettinger. I am a middle school science teacher from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. This summer, with the support of Audubon Miami Valley, I had the opportunity to travel to the Galápagos Islands. This trip was a major component of my graduate studies through Miami University's Project Dragonfly, where I am earning my Master of Arts in Teaching Biological Sciences. For this Earth Expeditions course called, “Galápagos- Islands of Change”, our group set out to the Archipelago with questions about education, community, evolution, and ecology. As a science teacher passionate about nature, I considered this trip a kind of pilgrimage. My goal going into this course was to better understand the islands’ biodiversity and how to apply this new knowledge to my classroom. Throughout our travels, we learned so much from our gracious guides and hosts in Ecuador and on the Galápagos Islands. We had countless wildlife experiences and learned about the powerful compassion of individuals on the islands committed to protecting them.
Our journey began in the city of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. We were greeted by a student club named “The Molas''. With their teacher, these teens gave us a tour of the city and talked about their conservation efforts in the area. The Molas have taken responsibility for spreading awareness about the importance of wildlife on the islands and how to make the city cleaner for everyone. Later on our trip, we would meet The Molas again hosting a public art gallery themed around plastic pollution. The members of The Molas impressed me with their commitment to their cause; these youth are passionate about where they are from and care deeply about conserving it for future generations.
After leaving Puerto Ayora, our group spent the next five nights camping in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The change in landscape from the airport on Baltra to our campground at Santa Cruz was something I had not expected. I arrived in an arid desert region, traveled through city streets past tropical beaches, and ended up in the lush rolling hills of the highlands. It was as if I had experienced 3 different worlds in a day. The view from the top of the campground was breathtaking. We faced south, looking over the forest and farm below. Levels of elevation revealed themselves as trees gave way to rock and rock to sand at the shoreline. Our “classroom”, a two-story concrete lookout tower, also hosted a picturesque vantage point of the landscape. In the proper lighting, Santa Fe and Floreana could be seen standing with humbling size across the ocean. With wildlife and flora abundant, it would be a wonderful place to spend the following days learning and bonding as a group.
Most mornings at camp we awoke to Garúa, a cool misty fog that hung over the peak of the island and rolled down through the highlands. Each day we were debriefed by our instructors from Miami University and our guides from Fundación Ecos. After that, we would prepare our daypacks accordingly and set out for an adventure. The grounds of the Highland View Campground, a family farm, provided exploration of lava tunnels and craters by way of a trail system that wound throughout the property. The lava tunnels were past underground lava rivers that had solidified over time. They were home to different lichen as well as nesting shorebirds. The crater was lush with tropical foliage. We learned of the endemic and introduced species of plants that contributed to the thick undergrowth and canopies of the forest. We also saw how invasive species like the blackberry could quickly overtake an area. On one hike, we had the opportunity to process sugarcane into juice by a human-powered mill. As a group, we enjoyed these refreshments in the belly of the forest.
On some occasions, we would leave the grounds of camp to visit other areas of interest in the highlands. Rancho Primicias, a Galápagos Giant Tortoise reserve, allowed us to walk amongst countless of these amazing creatures. We learned about how the relationship between farmers and tortoises has had to change over time. Galápagos Tortoises are the “gardeners” of the islands as they are responsible for so much seed dispersal. Fences on agricultural lands must be high enough to allow the animals to move and migrate throughout the islands as needed for mating, nesting, and food. Looking into the eyes of these magnificent creatures that were over 100 years old was truly a privilege. The tortoises I photographed had been living in Santa Cruz long before the first commercial flights even came to the Galápagos Islands. Rancho Primicias was committed to educating the public about these Tortoises and contributing to the conservation of their species across the islands. Later in the day, we were joined by Anne Guezou and Freddy Cabrera, experts on giant tortoises and Galapagos conservation. In our outdoor classroom, we examined tortoise dung and learned how climate change and human impact affect tortoise health, diet, and migration.
During another excursion, we visited Granja Integral Ochoa, another farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz. At this farm, the owners have begun pioneering hydroponic growing operations for the Galápagos. The farmer shared with us how this could be a sustainable practice that would benefit the lands and other farmers. During our day at the farm, we helped with the maintenance of coffee bean plants and planted native tree species. The farm hosted us for a delicious lunch made with produce grown on sight. We also watched a coffee demonstration and tasted coffee from the plants we had worked on earlier in the day. It was incredible to see firsthand how agriculture is integral to life on the islands and impacts the ecology. The family here was passionate about their work and committed to a sustainable approach that could be passed down through generations. It was clear to me that those working on the land of the Galápagos can provide valuable insights to conservationists and students.
Invasive species are a prevalent threat to biodiversity on the Galapagos islands. Each species has evolved to fit within its specific niche on the island. When new species are introduced and are unchecked by environmental systems or predators, their populations can explode, exploiting and damaging resources other species depend on. On another day in the highlands, we joined a group of workers leading a project to eradicate the invasive giant African snail. With the help of a trained dog, the group completes daily surveys of land, removing giant African snails by hand. This species can reproduce very quickly while damaging crops and spreading parasites. One may believe that participating in conservation to protect the beauty of the Galápagos islands is a glamorous endeavor. I can say firsthand that this work is hard. Conditions are hot and humid, the labor is manual, and time is of the essence. Fortunately, the group we spent time with continues to work diligently. They recognize their role and their importance in protecting the natural ecology of the Galápagos.
When our time in the highlands came to an end we returned to Puerto Ayora where we were joined again by Anne Geuzou at Tortuga Bay. While on the beach we learned about research involving microplastics. Following our surveying, I was alarmed by the amount of microplastics found on the beach. While in the highlands we found the presence of plastic in Giant Galápagos Tortoise dung. Our observations on Tortuga Bay supported findings of plastics in aquatic and bird species as well. On a global scale, microplastics and waste management are a crisis. Many of the plastics found on this beach had origins in other countries and parts of the world. This means that the Archipelago face yet another stressor on biodiversity due to human impact. Fortunately, we can do our part on a global scale. Reducing plastic use, especially single-use plastics, and continuing to reuse and recycle is a feasible step for anyone looking to do their part.
While visiting Tortuga Bay, I was fortunate enough to have an incredible experience my first time snorkeling. I had no expectations going into this activity, so it was mind-blowing to see underwater so clearly. In a tidal pool, we explored rocky terrain filled with countless fish species. I observed sea urchins as well as a tiger snake eel and a tiger eel. The coloration of these species had a wide range from vibrant to earthy and even translucent. Checking the horizon, I noticed black feet and a tail serpentining just below the surface of the water. Raising my head and removing my goggles, I was delighted to see marine iguanas entering and exiting the water. In a nearby mangrove, pelicans perched, pruning in the late afternoon light. Below them, a striated heron hunted for dinner. In a brackish lagoon near the tidal pool, a few of my classmates reported seeing sea turtles and white-tip reef sharks from their kayaks. At this point in the trip, many of my life bucket list species had already been crossed off. “Everything from now on is simply a bonus”, I said to myself with a smile. Little did I know the Galápagos still had much in store for me.
The morning following our trip to Tortuga Bay, we set off to Isabella. A 2-hour speed boat ride from Santa Cruz. As a midwesterner, I do not frequently commute via speedboat in the open ocean. For anyone considering this trip, I recommend motion sickness remedies. But not to worry, the voyage is well worth it. On Isabella, we stayed in Puerto Villamil, a beach-oriented town. On one of our days, we visited the island’s giant tortoise breeding center. At this location, baby tortoises are hatched and monitored until they reach an age where they will have a better chance of survival in the wild. During a break, some classmates and I were able to enjoy an evening hour in the ocean. With the green peaks of the island in the distance, we floated in the water as blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and magnificent frigate birds flew overhead.
On our final day on Isabella, our group spent the morning snorkeling. We began at Concha de Perla, a bay near the harbor. This location had the most impressive wildlife I saw throughout the trip. In one hour I observed sea stars, a Galápagos penguin, a group of sea lions, two different species of stingrays, and two green sea turtles. I knew viewing the penguin was a rare occurrence. Watching the curious adolescent sea lion inspect us was joyful. Seeing sea turtles deliberately and calmly glide through the water felt unreal. Following the bay, we went on a guided snorkel tour via boat. We swam through canals of lava rock where some of my peers caught glimpses of an eagle ray and black-tip reef sharks. On a hike afterward, we saw a sea lion trying to play with a shark while a green sea turtle rested below them. These wildlife encounters were highlights of the trip that I will never forget. Upon reflection, I realized that the symbioses of these species were beautiful yet fragile.
As our course wrapped up back in Puerto Ayora, we spent time reflecting on our experience. Thinking back on my goals, I was able to observe more brilliant wildlife than I had imagined. I learned about the ecology and history of the islands and gathered plenty of activities and ideas for lessons in my classroom. However, my biggest takeaway was seeing how much the people from the Galápagos care about the environment. The efforts of those working on the ground level were so impressive to me. The day-to-day work of The Molas, farmers, scientists, invasive species crews, and even our guides. These are the individuals spreading awareness and practicing sustainable lifestyles to conserve the biodiversity of their homes. As tourists and students like myself continue to have the privilege of visiting the Galápagos, we must learn from the community members. Their work is the reason I was able to see Giant tortoises roaming freely and why I was able to swim with marine iguanas. Human impact continues to be these species’ greatest threat. We must learn about the Galápagos as a model for conservation and biodiversity. Listening to experts, conserving resources, managing our waste, and respecting nature are all things we can continue to do as a global community to protect the natural environments of our planet.
Oxford Community Park Pollinator Garden
This year, AMV began a project, in partnership with the City of Oxford’s Landscape Naturalization Master Plan in which an area of the Oxford Community Park was converted from turf grass to a pollinator garden. Audubon Miami Valley funded the plants for the 900 sq. ft. pollinator garden and AMV members helped city staff with planting and maintaining the pollinator garden. Below are pictures of the garden in bloom this summer!
The garden was a joint project between the City of Oxford and Audubon Miami Valley in spring 2023. The garden was planted in a pinwheel pattern consisting of a central circle of scarlet Bee Balm and a perimeter circle of mixed annuals – mostly dwarf Zinnias. In between these two concentric circles are clusters of spiral bands of one species interspersed with wedges of randomly placed perennials including Coneflowers and Brown-eyed Susans. See diagram below.
Key to the diagram
When You Should—and Should Not—Rescue Baby Birds
When You Should—and Should Not—Rescue Baby Birds
It’s not uncommon to find young birds away from their nests during spring and summer. But should you help them? That depends…
A recent article from the National Audubon Society addresses this issue.
Do you know the difference between a fledgling and a newly born nestling? This distinction is critical, wildlife rehabbers say, because most fledglings don’t need to be rescued. “Eighty percent of baby birds that come in have basically just been kidnapped,” says Melanie Furr, education director at the Atlanta Audubon Society and a licensed volunteer at Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort. “They need to be taken back.”
Wandering from the nest is exactly what fledglings—which are just learning to fly—are supposed to do, she says. It's a normal part of a bird's development, and though these chicks might appear abandoned, they’re likely under surveillance by their parents nearby. Of course, there is a chance that they could be injured, sick, or in danger, so there are some cases where a fledgling might require assistance.
Nestlings, on the other hand, are almost always in need of rescue. Whether they fell or got pushed from their nest, they’re "not ready to go off into the world," says Rita McMahon, Co-Founder and Director of the Wild Bird Fund, a nonprofit animal rehab center in New York. How to help them, though, can vary.
To know when you should intervene—and how you can help if needed— view the full article here
The Christmas Bird Count Results Are In!
2022 Audubon Miami Valley Christmas Bird Count
Click here to see the full results.
2022 Bird Count Summary
2022 set a record for the highest number of participants at 43!
69 species were counted
11,304 birds were counted in total
Notable species seen this year include:
2 Short-eared owls
2 Common loons
2 Northern pintails
2 Greater white-fronted geese
8 Bald eagles
A huge thank you to this year’s participants and to Larry Gersbach and David Russell for coordinating the event. We look forward to seeing everyone in December for our 2023 Christmas bird count!
Oxford Landscape Naturalization Master Plan Update
Over the past year, Audubon Miami Valley has been working with David Prytherch, Professor of Geography at Miami University, to explore ways the City of Oxford can naturalize some of its lands currently maintained in turf.
The Landscape Naturalization Master Plan was coordinated by Professor Prytherch’s students last spring semester, with key input from AMV.
At the January 4, 2023 meeting of the Environmental Commission (EC), a motion was made in support of a proposed Resolution to the Oxford City Council to adopt the Landscape Naturalization Master Plan for City facilities. The motion passed 5-0. The Plan supports the listed priorities including increasing biodiversity, reduced maintenance costs (long term), aesthetics and awareness, and carbon sequestration.
After receiving a unanimously positive recommendation from the Environmental Commission, a resolution to adopt this plan was placed on Oxford City Council's agenda for their February 7, 2023 meeting.
You can view the full resolution to adopt the landscape naturalization master plan by clicking here.
Have you heard about Miami University's Project Dragonfly Graduate Program?
Housed at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Project Dragonfly is a transformative education initiative with master’s degree programs in biology, graduate courses, learning media, public exhibits, and community partnerships across the U.S. and globally. With three programs to choose from, students can tailor their learning experience to their overall goals and interests.
These graduate students are opening new frontiers in community innovation and education while earning their master’s degrees. They work alongside nomadic herders saving wild horses in Mongolia, citizen scientists increasing pollinator diversity in the Bronx, Maasai women pursuing equity and sustainability in Kenya, and conservationists leading the recovery of burrowing owls in California. We champion inquiry-driven learning and shared action to support a better, more collaborative, just, and sustainable future. Click here to learn more
Miami offers two additional conservation-focused graduate programs as well as their wildly popular “Earth Expeditions” program. Learn more below:
Have you heard about the Ohio Bee Atlas?
Recently, Ohio (and other states) have seen a dramatic decrease in the number of rusty patched bumblebee. The decrease has been so dramatic that the species has been federally listed as endangered. In response, conservation-minded organizations in the state started the Ohio Bee Atlas!
Members of the public can submit any sightings of the endangered bee using the iNaturalist website or mobile app. Please help us by joining and participating in this or other bee related projects to try to find and protect the last holdouts of our beautiful native bumblebee.
rusty patched bumblebee
Photo by: USGS Bee Inventory Monitoring Lab
New and Improved Nature Center Unveiled at Hueston Woods State Park
Excitement and education are alive at the new nature center recently unveiled at Hueston Woods State Park.
Nature center grand opening (courtesy of ODNR)
The new and improved Hueston Woods nature center was officially opened in June. It will take you on a journey through “Big Woods” themed exhibits. A walk along the wall will take you through all four seasons based on the nature preserve on the park’s property. At the tulip tree, you can uncover a tree’s past while learning how to count the rings and see what different shapes and colors mean behind the bark. Bats hidden in the wild black cherry tree demonstrate their vital role in our ecosystem. A “wall of live animals” houses some of Ohio’s native wildlife including reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Kids can also learn about the insects that buzz around them by studying the living beehive.
Outside, the ADA-accessible path allows visitors to explore the recently rebuilt raptor enclosure behind the current nature center. The enclosure is also the permanent home for a rough-legged hawk, several red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, turkey vultures, and two bald eagles.
Learn more about the nature center here.
8th Annual Big Week of Birding in Butler County is April 30 - May 8, 2022
Join us in celebration of the 8th Annual Big Week of Birding in Butler County.
Bird migratory season is upon us! Enjoy bird hikes at various MetroParks locations lead by birding experts. Binoculars will be available to those who need them. All programs are FREE and most do not require preregistration.
Join in on one, a few, or all of the "Big Week of Birding" hikes to discover what bird species have made their way to Ohio.
See the schedule of events below:
Audubon for Kids website
Have you heard about the “Audubon for Kids” website?
This page brings together dozens of DIY activities from across Audubon’s national network of environmental educators. You and your child can do these activities at home, in the yard, or at a local park.
The goal of these activities is not to teach a child how to name and identify bird species, but rather to give them space to explore and feel connected to the natural world. If you’re a parent or caretaker, that means you don’t need to worry about your own knowledge of birds or plants. All you need to be is a companion to your child’s curiosity.
AMV Works to Plant Native Trees in Oxford
AMV President Gail Reynolds and board member Marlene Hoffman (pictured) worked with David Treleaven, Oxford's Environmental Engineer, and Kevin Wilson at Shademakers Garden Center, to plant 3 native trees near the Oxford Area Trails trail along Bonham road.
A sweetgum, red maple, and a tulip poplar were selected because of their ability to feed many bird species.
We encourage everyone to plant more trees (especially native ones!). Why? Trees provide food, nesting, and protection for birds and other wildlife. They clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. They provide shade to help decrease fossil fuel use to cool homes in the summer. The best thing about trees is their beauty.
Thank you Marlene for leading this initiative!
We hope all of you get a chance to enjoy their shade and beauty in the future.
Pictured are Gail Reynolds Chapter President and Marlene Hoffman who coordinated the project.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife has lifted its previous recommendation to stop feeding birds
The Ohio Division of Wildlife is lifting its previous recommendation to stop feeding birds. However, caution and vigilance are always necessary to help prevent further spread of diseases at bird feeders.
Reports of sick or dead birds possibly affected with the mysterious bird illness in Ohio have slowed considerably. A majority of birds reported with the illness were immature or fledgling birds, and the breeding season is now primarily over.
There is still no diagnosis on the cause of the mysterious bird illness. Research is ongoing at multiple labs.
Many other songbird diseases can be passed through feeding. It is important to keep feeders clean: use a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water), rinse, and let dry at least once a week. Take a break (7-10 days) from feeding if you see sick or dead birds. This prevents birds from congregating and passing transmissible diseases.
Symptoms of diseases such as house finch eye disease and salmonellosis include reddish or crusty eyes, and neurological conditions such as poor balance and coordination.
Read ODNR’s press release here for further details.
Hueston Woods Now Part of Old Growth Forest Network
On April 22, 2021, the Hueston Woods State Nature Preserve (HWSNP) was inducted into the national Old Growth Forest Network (OGFN). The OGFN is the only national network in the U.S. of protected, old-growth, native forests where people of all generations can experience biodiversity and the beauty of nature.
HWSNP was “adopted” by AMV in 2012 for conservation and stewardship. Initially funded by a grant authored by then (and again now) chapter president Gail Reynolds, AMV has held invasive plant removal workdays in HWSNP each spring, fall, or both. Additionally, the chapter has sponsored treatment of select ash trees along hiking trails to prevent mortality from the invasive insect pest Emerald Ash Borer. Mark T. Gilmore of AMV was asked to be the OGFN County Coordinator for Butler and Preble Counties. If you know of any old growth forest stands to nominate, please bring them to Mark’s attention.
Due to the pandemic, attendance at the dedication ceremony was limited to 10. It is hoped that a future recognition event could include a much larger group of attendees. Along with OGFN founder and executive director Joan Maloof who traveled from Maryland’s eastern shore for five dedications in three days, representing AMV were four Board members, Jeff Johnson (Chief), and Michele Comer of ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves.
Described as “a tiny remnant of the beech-maple forest that once stretched in a broad band from southwestern Ohio to its northeastern corner,” HWSNP was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1967, became a state nature preserve in 1973, and is within an "IBA" / Important Bird Area designated by the National Audubon Society. The Northern Midwest Route of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail passes through HWSNP along Sugar Bush and Big Woods trails, on the western shore of Acton Lake. Visit this website to see HWSNP’s entry on the Network’s website.
To date, there are 18 Ohio forests included in the old-growth forest network. A list and description of these 18 forests can be found here.
Help ODNR Survey Wild Turkey & Ruffed Grouse This Summer
Citizen scientists can participate in surveying Ohio’s wild turkey and ruffed grouse populations by reporting sightings in July and August, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Every summer, the Division of Wildlife conducts a turkey and grouse brood survey to estimate population growth. The brood survey relies on the public to report observations of all wild turkeys and ruffed grouse seen during July and August. Observations may be submitted at the Wildlife Reporting System webpage at wildohio.gov as well as the HuntFish OH mobile app.
Information collected for wild turkeys includes the number of gobblers, hens, and young turkeys (poults) observed. Information collected for ruffed grouse include the number of adults and young observed. The date and the county where the observation occurred are recorded for both species. Biologists began tracking summer observations of wild turkeys in 1962. Ruffed grouse were added to the survey in 1999.