Upcoming Events
Christmas Bird Count
7:30 AM, Saturday, December 14th
Wild River Audubon will conduct its 49th Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on Saturday, December 14th. This local count is part of the North American continent-wide Christmas Bird Count which has been run since 1900. CBC data is used to evaluate population trends, the effect of climate change on native birds, and the response of birds to weather extremes.
On December 14th local bird watchers will try to accurately count as many birds as possible in a 15-mile diameter circle that includes the Chisago Lakes Area, Taylors Falls, Franconia, and Almelund. This circle is divided into five zones and people are assigned a specific area to count in. At this time, all sectors are covered, but we need backyard observers who will count at their own bird feeders.
The public is cordially invited to be a part of this amazing Citizen’s Science event – either out in the field or from your home. You don’t have to be an Audubon member to take part. To join a field team, meet at the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church upper parking lot in Center City at 7:30am on Saturday, December 14th to receive your assignment, signs for your vehicle, tally sheets and additional information.
Birds & Beer at the Uncommon Loon
7pm, Wednesday, January 15th
“Plainting the Prairie One Seed at a Time”
Pat Collins will speak on Planting the Prairie One Seed at a Time. Attendees will get to do just that. Come dressed in clothes that can get dirty. Photo at right taken at the 2024 “Planting the Prairie” session.
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