In June, Bill and I traveled to Holdrege, Nebraska, to accept the 2008 Merit Award from the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society on behalf of the members of Bluebirds Across Nebraska. BAN was cited for our efforts to provide habitat for bluebirds and wood ducks. Ruan Pohlman, BAN’s 2006 Bluebirder of the Year, also received an award for her individual efforts.

At the awards banquet, I visited with Ruan’s friend, Robin Huebner, also a BAN member. Robin made a comment that made me stop and think. We were discussing the success of the 2008 Great Plains Sandhill Crane and Bluebird Festival. She mentioned that she use to think that monitoring her bluebird trail was just a hobby. When she went to the festival and visited with people from all over the country with the same “hobby,” she became aware that her individual involvement is much more important than she realized.

As you probably know, back in the 1970s, the bluebird population was at an all time low; only 10 percent of the historic population remained. All across the United States and Canada, individuals are making the effort to increase the population of bluebirds. When you add up all of our efforts, we are a force to be reckoned with. We should all be proud of being a part of the bluebird conservation movement. We may think of monitoring our trails as a hobby, but each one of our individual efforts is making a difference.

So as you check your boxes while finishing out the bluebird nesting season, give yourself a pat on the back. No matter how large or small your trail is, you are making a difference.