Upcoming Events
Birds & Beer at the Uncommon Loon
7pm, Wednesday, March 19th
“The Breeding Birds of Minnesota”
This is to announce our March Birds & Beers speaker event. Lee Pfannmuller (retired DNR Non-game division) and Jerry Niemi (retired UMD ornithology professor) will speak on their recently released book The Breeding Birds of Minnesota. The atlas is the most up-to-date authority on the status of Minnesota’s birds. Richly illustrated with color photos, all taken by Minnesota photographers, the atlas details the state’s breeding birds, where to find them, and how a changing climate will affect them. This is a book you will want on your shelf! They will be selling copies and if you buy it at their talk, you can have it signed by the co-authors.
Birds & Beer at the Uncommon Loon
7pm, Wednesday, April 16th
“Bringing Conservation to Chisago County: the Chisago Soil & Water Conservation District”
In April, Mary Jo Youngbauer will share with us the history and accomplishments of the Chisago County Soil & Water Conservation District. The Dustbowl of the 1930s was a large-scale disaster that might have been prevented. It inspired federal legislation that addressed the underlying land-use practices leading to such a debacle. The Soil Conservation Act of 1935 instituted, among other things, the ability of farmers to voluntarily implement conservation practices that combated soil erosion. This legislation gave birth to concepts such as windbreaks, contour plowing and strip cropping, all of which can be seen in Chisago County today. It also was the beginning of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Chisago County’s Soil and Water Conservation District actively pursues just that—the conservation of our county’s soil and water resources. Come learn how you can benefit from its programs applied to your own plot of land.
Adopt-A-Highway Clean-up
9am, Saturday, April 19th
Meet at the intersection of Redwing Ave. and County Road 37. Dress for the weather and the possibility of ticks– boots, long pants, tick spray; gloves. a pleasant way to be with like-minded people, enjoy the outdoors and beautify Chisago County. Contact Gary Noren (garynoren@gmail.com) if you have questions.
Dayle and Bonnie DeClercq Memorial Bird Walk
9am, Saturday, April 19th
Meet at Wild River State Park boat landing.
Led by Michelle Terrell. Warblers and other Neotropical species such as Scarlet Tanagers and Baltimore Orioles should be arriving. The second week in May is a glorious time to be out birding. Join us rain or shine. Some of the best birds are seen in the rain. And arm yourself against ticks!
Zoom Meeting Recordings
4/20/21 – Dave Crawford: “Passive House Plus”
On Tuesday, April 20th, naturalist Dave Crawford described the goals, construction, and benefits of the home that he and his wife built on Lexington Parkway in St. Paul. The YouTube recording can be found here: “Passive House Plus”. Dave also has a YouTube video recorded during the home construction here: “Lexington Parkway Passive House“.
3/23/21 – Jonathan C. Slaght: “Owls of the Eastern Ice”
On Tuesday, March 23rd, author & biologist, Jonathan C. Slaght, told the story that led to his book, “Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World’s Largest Owl”. In the book, Slaght describes his five-year quest to track down the mysterious Blakiston’s Fish Owl in the forbidding reaches of eastern Russia. With his Russian collaborators, the author encountered frozen rivers, extreme weather, tigers, bears and other hazards on the mission to protect the owls from threats posed by logging companies and poachers. You can find a recording of this very interesting discussion here: Owls of the Eastern Ice the Wild River Audubon YouTube channel.
11/19/20 – J Drake Hamilton: “Climate Action the Most Important Steps We Should Take”
On Thursday, November 19th, Wild River Audubon hosted J Drake Hamilton of Fresh Energy in an online Zoom meeting. The topic was “Climate Action — the Most Important Steps We Should Take”. Ms Hamilton inspired and encouraged, sharing a positive message about how the economic advantages of clean energy are changing the game and ways we can help keep the momentum going. A recording is available on YouTube here: Climate Action Talk.
10/13/20 – Jenniver Vieth: “Saw-whet Owls”
On Tuesday, October 13th, Wild River Audubon hosted its first online Zoom meeting. The topic was “Saw-whet Owls of the St. Croix Valley” presented by Jennifer Vieth, Executive Director of the Carpenter Nature Center. A recording is available on YouTube here: Saw-whet Owl Talk.
To Find Out More
About Wild River Audubon Membership and Volunteer Opportunities