Conservation

The DOS Conservation Committee is actively involved in many local, state, national
and international issues. Being located in a globally important and bird rich region,
the Conservation Committee members are dedicated to obtaining information of
concern, addressing issues and working along with it’s members and agencies to
impart a positive and productive result for the well being of the migratory and
breeding populations of our birds.

Read about the Conservation Committee's activities for the last year.  Click here to get the full report.
Delaware Birding Trail
In coalition with DNREC and the Delaware Audubon Society, DOS developed the first Delaware Birding Trail. The trail identies and connects established birding hotspots in an attempt to provide pertinent information for instate and visiting birders. 

Delaware Bird-A-Thon
Get involved with the Delaware Bird-A-Thon, and visit our sponsor's page

ABA's Birders' Exchange
The DOS Conservation Committee is excited to announce our participation in the American Birding Association's Birders' Exchange.

For the past sixteen years, the Birders' Exchange has been collecting and donating much needed equipment to researchers, educators and conservationists in Latin America and the Caribbean who are striving to protect birds and their habitats. In an effort to fill the void of the most basic equipment needed to carryout their studies, the Birders' Exchange collects and distributes donated optics (and other resources) to these very dedicated individuals. We will be asking for our members and friends to donate any optics in working order which will then be shipped to the ABA for their distribution. Please bring your optics to any DOS meeting and give to Bill Stewart for
transferring to the ABA. For further information and a complete synopsis of the Birders' Exchange, please visit their website.
The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Program
Since 1934, sales of the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps (commonly referred to as "Duck Stamps") have raised more than $700 million that has been used to acquire more than 5.2 million acres of habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sales of these stamps goes directly to the purchase or lease of wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Stamps can be purchased at most post offices, sporting goods and outdoor stores, all National Wildlife Refuges and online at www.fws.gov/duckstamps. As their slogan says "Conserve Habitat, Buy Duck Stamps!"

 

In an effort to show our dedicated support to this valuable conservation cause, DOS will purchase and award each Field Trip leader with an annual stamp.
Wind Energy Position
The Conservation Committee voted to adopt, endorse and support the American Bird Conservancy’s Wind Energy Policy. The following is an excerpt from the policy, a full disclosure can be found at http://www.abcbirds.org/policy/windpolicy.htm.
“For decades, conservationists have urged a shift away from nuclear and fossil-fueled electrical generation to clean, renewable sources of power such as wind and solar energy. ABC supports the development of renewable energy in the U.S., including wind power, as an alternative to fossil-fueled power plants to meet the current and growing demand for electrical energy.
In doing so, ABC recognizes that all energy choices have implications for birds.

While ABC supports alternative energy sources, including wind power, ABC emphasizes that before approval and construction of new wind energy projects proceeds, potential risks to birds and bats should be evaluated through site analyses, including assessments of bird and bat abundance, timing and magnitude of migration, and habitat use patterns. Wind energy project location, design, operation, and lighting should be carefully evaluated to prevent, or at least minimize, bird and bat mortality and adverse impacts through habitat fragmentation, disturbance, and site avoidance.”

Suggested Reading
1. 101 Ways to Help Birds by Laura Erickson, Roger Hall
2. An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
3. A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
4. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
5. The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook by David de Rothschild
6. Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken
Cats Indoors! Campaign
ABC's initiative to protect birds and cats...		 Project Bluebird
Cubscouts pitch in to help the birds.. .
 
 

  • Annual activities include collecting and disseminating information about birding activities during International Migratory Bird Month (May) through a calendar which we then distribute widely in Delaware. We also sponsor a yearly Conservation Award.
  • The Conservation Chair, along with the DOS President, represents our club in the Bird Conservation Alliance of the American Bird Conservancy. Through this relationship, we learn of many bird-related issues of national and international significance, educate our club members as well as the public, and participate in the public comment process. Examples include our participation in ABC's Cats Indoors campaign (for safer birds and cats), seabird mortality associated with longline fishing, and the communication tower/bird strike connection. 
  • Direct action: The Conservation Committee participates in and helps sponsor activities such as bluebird box, kestrel box, and osprey platform installation and maintenance. 

The Conservation Committee is always looking for new and
interested members. If you would like to attend one of our monthly meetings and
see first hand what we are currently involved with, please contact Bill Stewart at
by email or at 610 864 0370.