[BCNnet] volunteers rediscover ivorybilled woodpecker

[Stephen Packard]

A truly amazing and historical discovery of a population of ivorybilled woodpeckers was announced by many today.

One big detail -- that's easy to get lost in the publicity and all the well-deserved credit that goes to the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Cornell Observatory, TNC and others -- is the fact that it was volunteers that did the discovering.

There's a great personal report by Mary Scott features at the birdingamerica website. Notice that her ivorybill search website has a lot in common with many BCN initiatives.

Yes, it is crucial to have staff scientists, staff conservationists and many other kinds of staff. But passionate volunteers are at least as crucial as any other part of conservation.

A Huge CONGRATULATIONS is due to the many volunteers who have contributed to the Great Search and this great announcement.
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