Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Did you know grasslands are important not only for pollinators and wildlife, but for the health of human populations?
Join Tippecanoe Audubon Society’s spring program Saturday morning, April 27 to learn about the Grasslands for Gamebirds and Songbirds Initiative.
Tippe Audubon expert birders will lead an 8 a.m. bird walk at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation in Syracuse. Colorful early spring migrants are expected, including yellow-rumped warblers, orioles, swallows and osprey. Bring your binoculars and enjoy birding in a small group.
Adam DeLucenary, North Grasslands biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will present at 10 a.m. on the Grasslands for Gamebirds and Songbirds Initiative. The program provides property owners technical and financial assistance to improve or develop grassland and pollinator-friendly habitats in selected regions in the state, according to a provided news release.
Grasslands are declining across Indiana and throughout the nation. The 2015 Indiana State Wildlife Action Plan identified the percentage of grassland habitat loss as the largest habitat decline in Indiana. Many grassland bird populations are already showing significant decline. Birds native to northern Indiana that are decreasing include the northern bobwhite, Henslow’s sparrow, ring-necked pheasant and loggerhead shrike.
The loss of pollinating insects and the plants they depend on are also a growing concern addressed by this program. Pollinators are important not only for wildlife, but for the health of human populations. Estimates suggest that one in three bites of food consumed worldwide are directly linked to pollination from floral/faunal relationships.
Following the presentation, Audubon members and friends are invited to stay for lunch (bring your own) and the society’s brief annual meeting.
Participation is free and open to anyone interested in birding and conservation. There is no need to register.
To learn more about upcoming birding events, educational programs and conservation initiatives in north central Indiana, visit the Tippecanoe Audubon Society's website at www.tippeaudubon.org. You can sign up to receive their free quarterly newsletter.
The Tippecanoe Audubon Society supports conservation and environmental education to promote appreciation, understanding, and preservation of birds, other wildlife, and diverse ecosystems for present and future generations. Membership is composed of businesses and individuals in the following Indiana counties: Cass, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall, Miami, Noble, Wabash and Whitley. For more information, visit www.tippeaudubon.org
