The Conservation Committee’s mission is simply to live up to its name. Members volunteer their efforts in a variety of ways to help conserve the natural world. Sometimes we roll up our sleeves to improve habitats, census birds and/or lead bird walks. At other times we’re “armchair activists,” researching and presenting information on issues to guide St. Paul Audubon’s members in contacting decision-makers at the local, state or national level to promote conservation. We also work with many other like-minded local organizations to increase our impact when we approach the State Legislature on conservation and environmental issues.

Our members are active, involved people dedicated to the principle of taking action to make the world a better place for birds and other wildlife. Are you the kind of person who likes a hands-on approach, such as whacking invasive plant species, leading bird walks for new birders and/or helping put together symposiums on major environmental issues? Or would you prefer to research timely issues and inform St. Paul Audubon members about how they can take positive action? If your interest is on the policy side, you can help by working with our partner organizations to help influence decision-makers at the local, state and national level.

Whatever your preference, we need you. Here’s your chance to put your concern about what’s happening to the natural world into action. Members of the St. Paul Audubon Conservation Committee are buckthorn busters, bird census takers and seminar organizers. We’re researchers and report-writers and we represent St. Paul Audubon on various task forces and coalitions.

Are you interested in promoting new Saint Paul Audubon programs in conservation, bird habitat restoration, and climate change? Please join the newly reconstituted Conservation Committee. Meetings: time and date varies; location is Roseville Public Library.

Previous projects have ranged from printing a pamphlet on native plants to symposia on neonicotinoids, energy, and tar sands. We have also supported construction of kestrel nests. Proposed projects for this year include developing interactive interpretive signs in parks and identifying important bird habitat in the east metro, commissioning public art celebrating birds, and a local bird guide. Please come to meetings with your ideas and suggestions. Questions or comments – contact Matt Jacobson or Nancy Uppgren.