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County Coordinators Meeting
The reports are in and the data has been compiled. All members of Bluebirds Across Nebraska can be extremely proud of their efforts for the 2000 bluebird season. The goal of 12,000 fledglings that we set for ourselves was shattered. Who could have predicted that bluebird fledglings would increase by more than 50% over 1999 but that's just what we did. In 1999, 10,264 bluebirds were fledged in Nebraska and in 2000, the number jumped to 15,619! WOW!!! Our Iowa members had an even better year. Their increase was almost 100% going from 350 birds fledged in 1999 to 695 in 2000. These increases have been possible only through the dedicated
volunteering that many of you do. Thanks go out to the County Coordinators
who worked so hard to get new members and see that report forms were filled
out. Not as many bluebirds would have fledged if it weren't for the
dedication of box builders and painters across the state. Education remains
the key to our success. All of you who have put on bluebird workshops during
the year certainly should be proud of yourselves for teaching the importance
of monitoring a trail and the problems that arise when monitoring. Of
course, without the devotion of all of you who faithfully monitored a trail
and turned in a directory form, there would be nothing to report. All of us
working together has certainly made a difference and our mission of
increasing the population of bluebirds in Nebraska is a reality. -- Sandy Seibert, Statewide Directory Chair
BLUEBIRDS ACROSS NEBRASKA will hold its Seventh Annual Bluebird Conference on Saturday, April 7, 2001, at the Lifelong Learning Center, located on the Northeast Community College campus, in Norfolk, Nebraska. The conference will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. A $10 registration fee is payable at the door. A catered lunch will be available to those registering in advance. 7th Annual BAN Bluebird Conference Registration Form (139K PDF) Since the conference set up will take place on Friday and since many members will travel to Norfolk on Friday evening, a pre-conference dinner at the Lifelong Learning Center has been organized. All conference attendees are invited to attend the Friday evening activities which will include entertainment by the Norfolk Men's Choir. However, there is limited seating for Friday's dinner, so if you would like to join us, please register early. A block of rooms has been reserved for Friday night at The White House Inn, 2206 Market Lane, Norfolk, 1-888-802-5000. Mention the BAN conference for a special rate. How often can you go home and tell people you spent a night at the White House! * Saturday Highlights Saturday promises to be a very enjoyable and informative day. There will be something for everyone! From educational and entertaining speakers, to the raffles and auction, plus a few surprises, the day will be one to remember. Here is just a little about this year's speakers: Al Batt of rural Hartland, Minnesota is a nationally known writer, speaker, storyteller and humorist and an active Minnesota birder. He was featured in a Smithsonian magazine article where he is described as "a cartoon-caption writer, one of the best." Most of Hank Ketcham's Dennis the Menace gags are written by Al Batt. Those BAN members who heard Al speak at the last Minnesota Bluebird conference will assure you that Al Batt‘s presentation is one you won't forget. Loren "Bub" Blake of Chambers is making his third appearance at a BAN conference. He is sure to inspire you with his photos and stories. Kay Young of Lincoln, is a naturalist and author of Wild Seasons, Gathering and Cooking Wild Plants of the Great Plains. Kay will share her knowledge and appreciation for the usefulness of our native prairie plants. Sandy Seibert of Omaha, Douglas County Coordinator, BAN Membership and Statewide Director Chairperson, will present a slide program on Bluebird Basics. A Bluebirder Roundtable made up of experienced bluebirders will be to answer YOUR questions. In response to BAN members meeting his 1999 challenge that Nebraska fledge 12,000 bluebirds in 2000, Minnesota box designer Steve Gilbertson will play the banjo and sing a song he has written about Nebraska's bluebirds.
The annual raffle featuring a large variety of donated items will be held throughout the day and the afternoon will conclude with BAN's annual auction. There have been many unique and hand-crafted items offered in the past. What better place to pick up something for yourself, a friend, or family member knowing that the profits go to the birds -- BLUEBIRDS that is. And it couldn't happen without the generous donations of our members.
Special Raffle For the second year in a row, Jackie Howe, past Statewide Directory Chair and BAN Bluebirder of the Year, has generously created and donated a beautiful hand-made queen-size quilt as a special raffle auction. Although Jackie and husband Jon now reside in Livermore, Colorado, Jackie continues to be a very active and supportive member of Bluebirds Across Nebraska. The quilt is beautiful and would be a wonderful addition to anyone's home. If you would like to enter the raffle for this quilt but cannot attend the conference, contact Sandy Seibert. Raffle tickets are available now and you need not be present to win. Morning & Afternoon Breaks -- There are several breaks scheduled throughout the day which will give you a chance to visit with old and new friends, look over auction and raffle items, and buy raffle tickets. Member-donated cookies and treats have become a tradition at morning and afternoon breaks, so all cookie donations will be gladly accepted!
Featured Nebraska Speaker: Loren "Bub" Blake Bub Blake will be very familiar to many who attend this year's conference in Norfolk. Not only is he a very active member of Lueshen's Birders (a large, active birding club in Norfolk), but many will know Bub from his presentations at past BAN conferences. Those of you who have not seen Bub's slides or heard one of his inspiring presentations will see why he's been asked to share his slides again this year. After graduating from high school, Bub ran the family- owned cattle ranch southwest of Chambers until he retired in 1995. He has now turned all his attention to photography and has had numerous photos published in national birding magazines. Most of his bird photographs are taken in Nebraska, especially the Sandhills area, but he does make about two "distant trips" a year. Bub has "shot" 305 species of birds -- at least 3/4 of them here in Nebraska -- using around 80 rolls of film a year. Bub gives about a dozen slide shows a year, with the most prestigious being presented to the Nebraska Ornithologist Union meeting and the largest presentation taking place at the St. Louis Photography Club. He was featured in a 10-page Nebraskaland spread in June, 1999 and has had his pictures published in Birder's World, Bird Watcher's Digest, and several calendars. Bub has been a long-time BAN member. He has a 24-box trail at Ashfall Fossilbeds State Park where he works part time. In addition to being an accomplished photographer he is also a successful bluebirder. A note from Duane Wolff, long-time member of Lueshen's Birders about Bub Blake: Everybody has to appreciate his quiet and gentle spirit. The humility he demonstrates when giving a slide presentation is truly unique, always trying to give more praise to God's creation rather than his skill in photography. It's this love of nature and God's handiwork that gives him the ability to sit for hours or days waiting for just the right shot. And finally his willingness to share his talents with others is what makes him a blessing to all that know him and call him a friend.
FROM THE PRESIDENT -- Bill Seibert The Reassuring Bluebirds With all the uncertainty we face every day, the world needs more organizations like Bluebirds Across Nebraska. Will the stock market go up or down? What will happen to gas prices? Is there really global warming? Look at the questions the recent election brings to mind. We all face things in our lives that cause us to worry. Things that we just aren't sure about and can't control. Some are major events like businesses closing, jobs changing, loved ones passing away; while others are small but demand our attention. Everyone connected to BAN has at least one thing in there life that they can depend on. We all know that we can expect to see the return of the Bluebirds next spring. Now that may seem like a small thing. After all, how really important are Bluebirds? But what if they were to go extinct? The world would be changed, so maybe it isn't a small thing. I know the reassurance of their return gives me comfort many times throughout the year. That comfort in a world of uncertainty is a positive thing. Everyone connected with Bluebirds Across Nebraska should take heart, the bluebirds numbers are up, in a large part, thanks to our efforts. We all know there is one thing we can rely on, the Bluebird will carry the blue skies to welcome spring and that is a comforting thought. Everyone of us should be proud in the knowledge that we have made a difference.
Bluebirder of the Year Each year at its annual conference, Bluebirds Across Nebraska recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to bluebird conservation. BAN is now taking nominations for 2000 Bluebirder of the Year. The criteria for this award is an individual who does an outstanding job of promoting bluebirds and/or a person who helps increase the bluebird population through individual efforts such as building bluebird houses, monitoring trails, etc., and/or a person who may not receive recognition for his or her efforts due to lack of publicity. If you would like to nominate a bluebirder you feel should be recognized, please send their name and the reasons you feel they qualify to: Bluebirds Across Nebraska P. O. Box 67157 Lincoln, NE 68506 The deadline for submitting nominations is March 1, 2001.
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