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Bluebird Information to Schools & Libraries -- Grant Proposal Underway Since its inception, Bluebirds Across Nebraska has emphasized the importance of education in its efforts to help the bluebird and other native cavity-nesters. The Education Committee was among the first committees established and now, under new co-chairs Mary Zimmerman and Vicki Scoville, its primary role is focusing on educating young people in Nebraska about bluebirds and their environment - hoping to guarantee future generations of bluebirders who appreciate and care for the environment around them. BAN had discussed the possibility of furnishing bluebird information to all the elementary schools and public libraries in Nebraska but realized outside funding would be crucial in taking on such a project. Not long after the meeting where this was discussed, Steve Eno received a call from a new BAN member, Mary Novak of Geneva. Mary was interested in writing up a grant application for Bluebirds Across Nebraska and wondered if there was a special project she could target. The Education Committee project was perfect! Mary Novak shares the following: As a student with Concordia University it is a requirement for graduation to have a senior thesis. I decided what better way to do this than a research grant for BAN. I contacted Steve Eno with my idea and it was well received. He informed me that BAN's Education Committee was currently working on a project to get videos and books into every public school and library within the State of Nebraska. I met with members of BAN and informed them that I would be submitting my grant proposal to the Ted Turner Foundation. The main objective of this foundation is stated as, "To defend biodiversity by protecting natural habitats" with a focus on supporting efforts that create an understanding of the relationship between wildlife, habitat protection, and long term economic stability." I plan on submitting this grant in late December or early January with hopes of having a response by the annual conference in April. Mary Zimmerman had already gathered some numbers that helped Mary Novak in her grant proposal and that demonstrate the magnitude of this project. There are approximately 250 public libraries and approximately 1173 K-8 public schools in Nebraska. The materials that BAN would furnish are: The Bluebird Book by Don & Lilian Stokes, A Bluebird's First Summer, by Helena Craven, Bluebird Basics, the informational booklet put out by Bluebirds Across Nebraska, and the video "Bluebird Basics" by Don & Lilian Stokes. To help BAN with this project, Helena Craven and the Stokes have agreed to furnish the books and video at wholesale prices.
NABS 2003 in Nebraska Bluebirds Across Nebraska is proud to announce that it will host the 2003 North American Bluebird Society Annual Convention at the Holiday Inn in Kearney, Nebraska, March 13th through 15th, 2003. BAN's 2003 Annual Conference will be held in conjunction with the NABS Convention. Since the NABS Convention is attended by bluebirders from across North America, as well as the officers and directors of the national organization, BAN has scheduled the event to coincide with one of the largest birding events in the country -- the Sandhills Crane migration. The blinds have already been reserved and there will be an outstanding slate of speakers. Needless to say, BAN will need many volunteers to help in this major undertaking. 2003 may seem like years away, but the work has already begun. If you are interested in helping out, please contact President Bill Seibert who is coordinating the event. Help us show the rest of the country what bluebirding in Nebraska is all about.
Holiday Party It's official -- BAN's Holiday Party is an annual event -- and all members are invited to attend. The two previous holiday parties were so much fun that those who attended now look forward to it each year. Dinner will be ordered from Lee's menu (fried chicken is their specialty) and we'll once again have our entertaining gift exchange where you didn't know what you'll go home with until the last person had opened their gift. WHEN: Sunday, December 3rd, 4:00 p.m. WHERE: Lee's Restaurant, 1940 West Van Dorn Street in southwest Lincoln Those wishing to participate in the gift exchange are requested to bring a gift suitable for either a male or female recipient. Gifts should be in the $10 - $15 range. No business will be discussed at this gathering, but no doubt bluebirds will. RSVPs would be greatly appreciated, but if you decide that you can join us at the last minute, you'll be more than welcome. Just show up for good company, conversation, food and fun! Seiberts (402) 334-8691 bybbs@tconl.com Enos (402) 783-3011 cleno@aol.com Directions to Lee's: Located at the intersection of West VanDorn Street & Coddington Avenue. From I-80: take the Highway 77 South / West Bypass exit; go to West VanDorn Street exit; go west on West VanDorn to Coddington. If you're not familiar with Lincoln, call Steve or Cheryl Eno for directions.
Minutes of BAN Meeting-August 13, 2000 The summer meeting of Bluebirds Across Nebraska was held August 13, 2000 at Schramm State Park. Those attending were: Connie & Chuck Finley, Opal Everett, Sue Guild, Joanie & Dennis Cradick, Floyd & Marty VanErt, Merlin & Darlene Wright, Claron & Greta Holscher, Loren & Barb Jensen, Bill Seibert, Charles & Wanda Gardner, Julie Milota, Becky Borosko, June Parks, Ashley Parks, Briana Agnaw, Rogene Moran, Carole Closter, Anne DeVries, Elva & Leland Osten, Roscoe & Elaine Malick, Becky Lowe, Sanford Downs, Gordon Backer, John Holm, Gordon & Ardie Hopp, Gene Gaddie, Dennis Severa, Ron Eaton, Cheryl & Steve Eno, and Mary Zimmerman. After a great pot-luck dinner, President Bill Seibert called the meeting to order at 1:55 p.m. Minutes of the May 21, 2000 meeting were approved and the Treasurer's report was presented followed by various committee reports. Highlights from the committee reports included: Bluebird Box Production, Sanford Downs: Over 2101 bird houses have been built this year including Troyer, Gilbertson, Gilwood and Nabs. Also, 1200 poles for PVC houses, 35 Peterson kits, 6 hollow log houses, 49 Bittner, 10 Chickadee, 119 T-poles, numerous meal worm feeders, bat houses. Two Kiosks have been completed. One is in place at Schramm State Park by the aquarium. Volunteers are needed to help paint boxes. Education, Mary Zimmerman: Mary Novak from Geneva is writing a grant to the Ted Turner Foundation asking for money to develop the school and public library project. The committee is thinking about items for an educational packet for county coordinators to have available for program requests.
Membership, Bill Seibert: BAN has 1036 members. Statewide Conference, Gene Gaddie: Gene agreed to officially accept the chairmanship of the 2001 Annual Conference. MISCELLENEOUS Chuck Finley reported on the 2000 NABS conference in Galena, IL. and Connie Finley reported on the NABS meeting for affiliates. She said material from other newsletters may be used if the name of the contributing newsletter is credited. Gordon Hopp reported the scientific collection permit is in progress, several people have been contacted. The BAN 2003 conference will incorporate the NABS convention. Many volunteers will be needed. Reservations for rooms and activities need to be made a couple of years in advance. This will be discussed much more at future meetings. Chuck Finley explained some of the detail reporting required for the Environmental Grant. Besides receipts for all expenditures, we need to keep track of in-kind man hours used in making, placing and monitoring boxes. Gordon Backer suggested that BAN develop an official form for signing up new county coordinators. Chuck Finley agreed that this is something that is needed. The meeting was adjourned and many interesting bluebird stories followed the meeting! BAN's next quarterly meeting will be held in one of the lower-level meeting rooms in the Lodge at Mahoney State Park on November 19th at 2:00 p.m.
Barn Wood Boxes In the past, when the wood was available, BAN offered bluebird boxes made of used barnwood. The boxes were attractive and were a popular sales item. When Derry Wolford, Page & Fremont Iowa County Coordinator, heard that a local barn (near Shenandoah) was scheduled to be destroyed and the wood scrapped, he saw it as a great source of free wood for bluebird boxes. Thanks to the efforts of Derry, Bob Peterson of Shenandoah, and Steve Eno, BAN now has a supply of used barnwood. Watch for these boxes at the conference, meetings, and booths next year.
Mark Your Calendars Now for April 7, 2001 BAN's 2001 Annual Bluebird Conference promises to be another great one. It will be held on Saturday April 7, 2001 in Norfolk, Nebraska. Full details and registration information will be in the next newsletter, but we want to give you an idea of what you can look forward to. The speakers will once again be Educational and Entertaining! Al Batt is a nationally known humorist from Minnesota who spoke at the Minnesota bluebird conference last year. Several BAN members attended that conference and can't wait for Al to share his stories with you. Nebraska's own Loren ‘Bub' Blake, a nationally published bird photographer, will be there with both his inspiring photos and stories. Kay Young of Lincoln, naturalist and author of "Wild Seasons: Gathering & Cooking Wild Plants of the Great Plains" will share her knowledge and appreciation for the usefulness of our native prairie plants. Conference Chair and Stanton County Coordinator Gene Gaddie will present "Bluebird Basics" and a Bluebirder Roundtable, made up of experienced bluebirders, will be there to answer YOUR questions. Steve Gilbertson, Minnesota box designer and annual BAN conference highlight, will also be there. Hopefully, Bluebirds Across Nebraska will have met the challenge he presented at the 1999 BAN conference in Kearney - If BAN were to fledge 12,000 or more bluebirds in 2000, Steve promised to write a song about Nebraska's bluebirds, learn to play the banjo, and perform at the BAN 2001 Conference in Norfolk. (The numbers are not yet final, but it's looking like Steve Gilbertson better start tuning his banjo). The annual fundraising Raffle and Auction will also be held. In addition, although the details are not yet worked out, there will be a pre-conference dinner on Friday night. Watch for the details in the next newsletter and please plan to join us on April 7th!
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