A conservation message. Jim Williams Wayzata, Minnesota Begin forwarded message:
From: "Paul J. Baicich" <[email protected]> Date: May 5, 2005 11:58:17 AM CDT To: <[email protected]> Subject: The Duck-Stamp & Ivory-bill connection Dear birding and conservation friends - Here are some things worthy of consideration - and discussion - in birding and related bird-conservation circles. The issues here concern the National Wildlife Refuges in east-central Arkansas, the assumed "range" of the newly re-discovered Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The 56,000-acre Cache River National Wildlife Refuge - core "home" of the re-discovered Ivory-billed Woodpecker - was founded relatively recently (16 June 1986). This National Wildlife Refuge has been recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the RAMSAR Convention. Out of its current 56,000 acres, fully 43,816 acres, or over 77% was acquired through funds that have come through the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation [Duck] Stamp. (That cost was $38,057,436.) Similarly, the nearby and much larger - at over 160,000 acres - White River National Wildlife Refuge has had 10,145 acres acquired through $5,254,645 from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, of which the Stamp is a major contributor. If you ever needed proof that the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is not "just for ducks," well, this is it! Now if we could get MORE PEOPLE to buy the stamp in order to acquire MORE Ivory-billed habitat (and, parenthetically, Wood Duck habitat), THAT would be great! best, Paul ===================================================== Paul J. Baicich Swarovski Birding and National Wildlife Refuge Association P.O. Box 404 Oxon Hill, MD 20750 410/992-9736 (992-wren) "Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul" - Emily Dickinson, Poem 254, c. 1861 -30-
