Causes: Environment, Natural Resources Conservation & Protection

Mission: Our mission is to protect and improve habitat for birds and other wildlife through land acquisition and management, education, and advocacy.

Programs: Staff and volunteers performed habitat management and restoration in our 704-acre faville grove sanctuary (fgs) and 660-acre goose pond sanctuary (gps), including prairie planting, invasive species control, native seed collection, prescribed burns, and bird/wildlife surveys to document population status and health. We employed three summer interns at fgs and two at gps. With volunteers, the society supported research and conducted numerous citizen science projects including monarch butterfly tagging, nest box/platform building and monitoring, and more. Thousands of visitors enjoyed our sanctuaries for society events or to simply enjoy nature. The society invested in a new observation platform to improve the visitor experience at gps. The society met the highest national standards for excellence and land conservation permanence that led us into the final stages of national land trust accreditation.

we provided hands-on environmental education programs to our community members. In 2017 we reached over 2,200 children, just under half of whom were from underserved communities. Our curriculum emphasized stem and literacy, and included lessons where students became scientists and learned to think critically about their world. We continued educational partnerships with local schools and organizations, including lincoln elementary school, john muir elementary school, the salvation army, goodman, bayview, and vera court community centers, and operation fresh start, among others.

together with our members we advocated widely for natural resource and bird conservation in our newsletter, email, social media, and website and through public channels like radio and events. Among other activities, we opposed a bill that threatens state wetlands, supported partnering organizations, advocated against proposed crane and swan hunts, provided input on plans for state-owned lands and use of city green spaces, promoted native plants and bird-friendly communities, and defended state funding for conservation purchases. We conducted a listening session to receive input from members and the public to improve advocacy efforts. We also provided significant public outreach through programs, guest lectures, and events, including participating in an expert panel on architecture and bird strikes. We also coordinated and led multiple citizen science efforts.