From rbdoeker at yahoo.com Fri Oct 5 09:22:32 2007 From: rbdoeker at yahoo.com (Randi Doeker - Chicago) Date: Fri Oct 5 09:22:32 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] RFI - birding at Westchester Woods in Cook County (no sightings) Message-ID: <004101c8075b$2ba85690$4001a8c0@rbde5348707dc8> Does anyone bird the Westchester Woods area that is along Cermak just east of Mannheim in Cook County? The Westchester Community Image Council ( http://www.westchestercic.org/ ) is promoting a dog park for that area -- in the name of economic development. Below is a news article; the formal request has gone to a FPDCC committee for consideration. Please contact me directly or post your comments on BCNnet - http://www.bcnbirds.org/bcnnet.html (Definitely do not reply on IBET.) Randi Doeker Chicago Rbdoeker @yahoo.com Dog park, canoe launch planned for this year March 14, 2007 By DAVID WEESE Staff Writer The Westchester Community Image Council has announced plans to have both a dog park and a canoe launch area on the Salt Creek up and running by the end of this summer. Jim Lange, president of WCIC, said Westchester resident Lara Holland approached him with the idea for the dog park. Holland pointed out that there are no recreational grounds for dog owners in the area, and many of the local parks don't allow dogs. In the course of their work in conjunction with the Cook County Forest Preserve's Keeper Corps, WCIC became aware of an area in Westchester Woods that was once the site of the caretaker's residence. The area is secluded from the main picnic areas in the park. WCIC approached Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica in with the idea, "and he's 100 percent in support of it," Lange said. Peraica encouraged WCIC to approach Forest Preserve Superintendent Steve Bylina with the idea. When approached in February, Bylina expressed his support for the dog park "and got the ball rolling on the preliminary planning phase," Lange said. "WCIC (volunteers) would come in and do the labor (on building the park), and the maintenance of the park once it's created," Lange said, but states that things are still in the planning stages at the Forest Preserve District. Building the park would predominately involve some brush clearing and mowing. The WCIC is looking for sponsors to help with the cost of building a fence and installing landscaping at the entrances, as well as installing benches and trash cans. Lange says WCIC will appeal to dog clubs, pet stores and veterinarians, as well as corporations and other businesses in the area to help sponsor the park. Lange said it is likely dog owners would pay a nominal yearly license fee to have access to the park. Lange said WCIC came up with the idea for a canoe launch on Salt Creek, but then discovered that the Forest Preserve District was actively seeking another spot midway between the launches at the Graue Mill in Fullersburg Woods in DuPage County and Plank Road Meadow in Lyons. "Westchester fits perfectly for that," he said. There are three sites being considered for the new launch. The first is in Breznia Woods off Mannheim Road between Cermak Road and 31st Street. The second is in Westchester Woods near the area for dog park. Lange said there are a few potential launch sites along the creek there that are being considered. That area would require boaters to portage their canoes some 100 yards. The third is on the Salt Creek Bike Trail near the old bridge. "Peraica is interested in the canoe launch because it fits in with his whole plan for the 16th district and for the forest preserve," which includes plans to upgrade the Salt Creek bike trails to make Brookfield Zoo a hub for many area bike trails. There are also plans to extend the trails out to and through Westchester and into DuPage County to meet The Illinois Prairie Path trails. Riders can take the Prairie Paths west to the Fox River or north to Wisconsin. WCIC volunteers would assist the Forest Preserve with actually developing landing area itself, and clearing trails to the launch. "Our group recognizes that the Forest Preserves in our area are a huge asset to us," Lange said. "Our town needs economic development and these trails, the dog park and the canoe launch will bring people into town who will spend dollars and hopefully help revitalize our economic base." The WCIC is involved in many landscaping, beautification and clean-up projects in and around the village. To join, donate to or sponsor the WCIC, or for more information about the organization, visit www.westchestercic.org. From rbdoeker at yahoo.com Thu Oct 11 07:42:07 2007 From: rbdoeker at yahoo.com (Randi Doeker - Chicago) Date: Thu Oct 11 07:42:16 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] Restoration workdays promoted on radio Message-ID: <005301c80c04$22c77a80$4001a8c0@rbde5348707dc8> FYI Randi Doeker _____ From: fpfriends@yahoogroups.com [mailto:fpfriends@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dave Lloyd Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 9:56 PM To: Friends List; Stewards Listserv Subject: [fpfriends] Restoration workdays promoted on radio Hello everyone, Friends of the Forest Preserves has begun advertising Cook County restoration workdays on WCPT-850 AM radio. WCPT is a progressive talk station, and its listeners are a fertile ground of environmentalists. The ads will run one week a month, and will advertise a different site every month. If you are in the Chicago area, listen to 850 AM during the day and you might hear the ads. This week's ads promote the workday at Dan Ryan Woods this Saturday, October 13. Future ads will promote Bemis Woods on Saturday, November 3, and Poplar Creek on Sunday, December 9. We plan to keep track of how many new visitors and volunteers we attract with this advertising campaign. We're on the air! Dave Lloyd Davelloyd @ mindspring.com __._,_.___ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20071011/96c1c7ea/attachment-0001.html From rbdoeker at yahoo.com Wed Oct 17 12:49:47 2007 From: rbdoeker at yahoo.com (Randi Doeker - Chicago) Date: Wed Oct 17 12:49:53 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] OUR CLIMATE MATTERS - FYI Message-ID: <00d301c810e6$1c063330$4001a8c0@rbde5348707dc8> FYI Randi Doeker -----Original Message----- Our Climate Matters Symposium October 18 - October 21, 2007 Please join us for an exciting and informative program on global warming taking place this weekend in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Our Climate Matters - a four day symposium on global warming - will be held at the new Glenview Park District facilities* in The Glen from this Thursday evening, October 18 through Sunday evening, October 21, 2007. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Wilmette, with the Glenview Park District and ten additional local leagues, Our Climate Matters will examine the issues, implications, challenges and possible remedies associated with global warming. A series of concurrent programs, each focusing on a different aspect of this significant issue, will be presented. Jack Darin, Director of Sierra Club Illinois Chapter, will be one of the highlighted speakers at this event. There will also be panels, forums and workshops at which scientists, business people, economists, legislators and other policymakers, architects, and citizens will discuss and share information and consider possible solutions. Topics of interest will include economic ramifications of action and no-action, environmental law and policy, green architecture, the health of Lake Michigan, Ways to Make Your Town Green, what is happening in governmental policy at the national, state and local level. The Symposium also will include a Green film festival, and an evening of Cool Jazz. Spread the work, form carpools, fire up the hybrid, or grab a bicycle. We will see you at The Glen this weekend. For a complete schedule and further information, check out our website, www.OurClimateMatters.org . Our Climate Matters October 18 - October 21, 2007 *Park Center, Glenview Park District, 2400 Chestnut Ave, Glenview, IL 60026 Contact: Libby Bankoff Coordinator, Our Climate Matters Director, Special Projects The League of Women Voters of Wilmette Lbankoff@sbcglobal.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20071017/0f7bac8d/attachment.html From rbdoeker at yahoo.com Thu Oct 18 10:26:00 2007 From: rbdoeker at yahoo.com (Randi Doeker - Chicago) Date: Thu Oct 18 10:26:06 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] Cook County Board approves feral cat ordinance Message-ID: <00b801c8119b$30917020$4001a8c0@rbde5348707dc8> COOK COUNTY BOARD APPROVES HUMANE FERAL CAT ORDINANCE! Historic County legislation legalizes and regulates practice of Trap-Neuter-Return. Chicago, October 16, 2007 - On this day celebrated by animal advocates as National Feral Cat Day, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed legislation making Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) the approved method for managing the feral cats now roaming Cook County, whose numbers are estimated as high as 800,000. The "Managed Care of Feral Cats" Ordinance, Article IV of the Cook County Ordinances Chapter 10 ANIMALS, will take effect on November 15, 2007. FYI: Cats, especially feral cats, are a HUGE killer of birds. TNR colonies only make things worse. Randi Doeker -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20071018/c6ba082e/attachment.html From donniebird at yahoo.com Thu Oct 18 15:52:04 2007 From: donniebird at yahoo.com (Donnie Dann) Date: Thu Oct 18 14:51:57 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] FW: [BCAlist] Landbird Populations Estimates Database Message-ID: <00e701c811c8$be009620$0200a8c0@DONNIERTMEJESV> For those interested in the bigger picture of how our landbirds are doing nationally, the following link provides scientifically determined U.S. population estimates and the methodology. Donnie Dann Highland Park/Lake County donniebird@yahoo.com _____ From: bcalist-bounces@lists.abcbirds.org [mailto:bcalist-bounces@lists.abcbirds.org] On Behalf Of Alicia King Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 11:34 AM To: bcalist@lists.abcbirds.org Subject: [BCAlist] Landbird Populations Estimates Database The Partners in Flight Landbird Population Estimates Database is now up on the PIF and Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory web sites ( http://rmbo.org/pif_db/laped/). This web site: 1. Provides users access to the estimates of landbird populations published in the North American Landbird Conservation Plan (Rich et al. 2004), 2. Allow users to view and download estimates for landbird populations at a variety of geographic scales, and 3. Provide transparent access to the methodologies, assumptions, data sources, and species-specific adjustment factors used by Partners in Flight to create these estimates. Alicia Frances King American Bird Conservancy Director, Bird Conservation Alliance 317-251-2473/cell 317-796-5283 American Bird Conservancy 1731 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20009 202-234-7181 http://www.birdconservationalliance.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20071018/d8efc75c/attachment-0001.html From COszak at aol.com Thu Oct 25 08:44:12 2007 From: COszak at aol.com (COszak@aol.com) Date: Thu Oct 25 08:44:29 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] proposed development of high quality wetland Message-ID: Is anyone familiar with this proposed development area? This is a large wetland area. Even if somehow there's not one single bird worth protecting, the wetland is worth protecting to protect water quality downstream and in surrounding water tables. I would appreciate any infomation you can give me. You are also able to send your own comments to the address (or email) listed in the permit application. >From the US Army Corp of Engineers permit application: Proposed Action: Construct a commercial development that will result in 4.38 acres of federally jurisdictional wetland impact in addition to 4.09 acres of isolated wetland impact (see attached drawings). A detailed description of this proposal is provided on page 2 of this notice. Location of Proposed Action: Southeast of Cicero Avenue and the Penn Central Railroad Central Railroad Line in Matteson, Cook County, Illinois (Section 27, T35N, R13E) This is a direct link to the application which has a map of the area _http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-r/L6-1346pn.pdf_ (http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-r/L6-1346pn.pdf) If that link doesn't get you there, use this link and the Wal-Mart Stores link (the expiration date is really Nov 22, not Oct) _http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-r/currpn.htm_ (http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-r/currpn.htm) Thank you, Chris Oszak ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20071025/9065763b/attachment.html From bobolnk at ix.netcom.com Mon Oct 29 11:44:35 2007 From: bobolnk at ix.netcom.com (bobolnk@ix.netcom.com) Date: Mon Oct 29 11:44:46 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] Rivers & Bluffs Fall Birding Festival Message-ID: <389678.1193676275305.JavaMail.root@elwamui-hound.atl.sa.earthlink.net> I'm posting this for Ric Zarwell, who organizes this community birding celebration just across the river in Iowa. Many Illinois birders have attended and enjoyed it in the past. Judy Pollock jpollock@audubon.org Evanston (Cook) IL --------------------------------------------------------------- 6th Annual Rivers & Bluffs Fall Birding Festival Peak Season for close-up views of 15-20,000 elegant Tundra Swans, and 300-400,000 colorful waterfowl, numerous Bald Eagles, and many other kinds of birds. 3-day event, Nov. 9, 10 and 11, 2007 headquartered at Middle School, Hwy 9, in Lansing, I A - between La Crosse and Prairie du Chien - on the west bank of wildlife-rich Mississippi River, amid beautiful blufflands. Highlights: Half-day Field Trips Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning - to MN, WI and IA - led by top birders Half-day Boat Excursions Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning in large, heated Mississippi Explorer Cruisers Talks by Experts on Waterfowl, Birds of Prey, Tundra Swans, etc. beginning Friday evening Delicious Homemade Sourdough Pancake Breakfasts - Sat. and Sun. Mornings Various artists and vendors throughout festival, plus Door Prizes & Gift Certificates Both Silent and Live Auctions to aid local conservation, education, recreation projects Special catered Dinner Sat. Night by best restaurant in area - Clancy's Supper Club, followed by exciting Auction and Live Music Doors open: Friday, Nov. 9 @ 5 PM; Sat. Nov. 10 @ 8 AM; Sun. Nov. 11 @ 12:30 PM 20% discount for Pre-registration. See complete festival itinerary, pre-registration form with instructions, and list of available accommodations, at www.LansingIowa.com . Sponsored by Friends of Pool 9 - Upper Miss. Refuge, Inc. with help from local and distant wildlife conservation organizations and agencies In 5 previous festivals visitors have come from 21 states, including states on all 3 coasts. Suggest pre-registering and reserving accommodations early. Attendance has averaged 250+. Composite birdlist for 5 previous festivals is 121 species, including a number of rarities. Help us try to see 100 species on this fun-filled weekend. We hope to have many who haven't attended before, join us in November. Thank you. Ric <") ( \ / |`` Ric Zarwell, Co-Chair for R&BFBF Board Member, Friends of Pool 9 P.O. Box 299 Lansing, Iowa 52151-0299 Email: Ric.Zarwell@mchsi.com From donniebird at yahoo.com Tue Oct 30 10:05:21 2007 From: donniebird at yahoo.com (Donnie Dann) Date: Tue Oct 30 11:24:26 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] FW: [BCAlist] Job Announcement: Bird Collisions Campaign Manager Message-ID: <005101c81b06$4b5255e0$0200a8c0@DONNIERTMEJESV> I'm forwarding this if anyone with these skills has an interest in working in a crucial area for bird conservation. Donnie Dann Highland Park/Lake County _____ From: bcalist-bounces@lists.abcbirds.org [mailto:bcalist-bounces@lists.abcbirds.org] On Behalf Of Darin Schroeder Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 12:58 PM To: bcalist@lists.abcbirds.org Subject: [BCAlist] Job Announcement: Bird Collisions Campaign Manager Please see below . Darin C. Schroeder Executive Director of Conservation Advocacy American Bird Conservancy 1731 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009 Tel: 202.234.7181 x209 Fax: 202.234.7182 www.abcbirds.org POSITION DESCRIPTION Title: Bird Collisions Campaign Manager Supervisor: Executive Director of Conservation Advocacy Location: Washington, DC/The Plains, VA Date of Posting: October 29, 2007 Deadline for Application: November 30, 2007 American Bird Conservancy (ABC) seeks a campaign manager to develop, coordinate, and direct a new national campaign to reduce bird mortality caused by collisions with man-made structures. Each year, tens of millions of birds are killed in collisions with communication towers, lighted buildings, window glass, and increasingly with wind turbines. In most cases, this mortality is preventable, or can be significantly reduced by simple regulatory changes, the application of technology, and/or green design - many of which have additional benefits such as saving energy. The Campaign Manager will be responsible for leading the effort to reduce this bird mortality nationally and to advance the issue at all levels including: through education and outreach to architects and building managers, through direct advocacy to government decision-makers and industry (communications, wind, etc.), and through strategic partnership with other local, regional, and national conservation organizations. This is a full-time position with an initial commitment of three years to be extended depending on the campaign's progress and funding. ABC is the only not-for-profit organization that works solely to conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC acts to safeguard the rarest birds, conserve habitat for declining species, eliminate threats to bird populations, develop innovative solutions to conservation problems, and to build capacity in the bird conservation movement. ABC tracks all bird issues, responding rapidly to the highest conservation priorities, and works constructively with stakeholders to seek solutions that will be effective in the long-term. ABC takes a flexible approach to problem-solving, and its programs range from land purchase and restoration, to advocacy and education. For more information see www.abcbirds.org. Primary Duties: * Establish and serve as liaison to a national committee on bird collisions; establish and moderate a list serve on the issue. * Conceptually design an interactive online database that can be put on the web to assemble information on bird collisions and provide information to decision-makers. * Work with a wide range of groups concerned about bird collisions and engage them in a national campaign to reduce bird mortality at man-made structures. * Prepare briefing materials for ABC staff and partners summarizing bird collision issues. * Engage leading public-figures and decision-makers in the campaign. * Work with diverse partners such as Federal and State wildlife agencies, architects, and the U.S. Green Building Council to advance the issue * Work as part of a team and interact with other staff. * Represent the interests of birds and ABC in persuading regulatory agencies to change laws and rules that affect birds. * Coordinate with a project team working on a LEED Green Building and submit bird safe glass for LEED Certification, including documentation in the Innovation in Design section of the Rating System. Required Qualifications: * Advanced degree, or a bachelor's degree and at least three years professional experience in a relevant field. * Strong writing and editing skills. * Ability to work with diverse partners and maintain a positive outlook in stressful and demanding situations. * Any combination of legal, scientific, grass-roots, coalition building, media, or architectural experience desired. * Some knowledge of bird conservation issues and priorities required. * Must be committed to ABC's conservation mission (see www.abcbirds.org). The position will be based in the Greater Washington, DC/Northern Virginia area. Please send a cover letter and resume by November 30, 2007 to: Merrie Morrison, Vice President of Operations, American Bird Conservancy at: mmorr@abcbirds.org. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20071030/71b71464/attachment-0001.html