Grasshopper Sparrows in Decline
*by Lisa Harn, Ph.D. Student, U of M Conservation Biology Department <http://www.consbio.umn.edu/index.php> <http://mrvac.org/2013/05/21/sue-leaf-book-launch-events/>* *Location:* Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Visitor Center *Thursday, February 27* *7:00 pm:* Socialize with coffee and cookies *7:30 pm:* A brief MRVAC business meeting followed by the featured speaker Native grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. The Minnesota Grasshopper Sparrow population has declined by 6.8% annually from 1966 to 2010, according to Breeding Bird Survey Data. As a result, the sparrow has been identified as a species in greatest need of conservation. Lisa has focused on identifying priority areas for the sparrows to aid in their conservation. In addition she has looked at whether they can be used as an indicator species for either the health of prairie ecosystems or the presence of other grassland birds. *Where: *Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington. Take Hwy 494 to 34th Ave. Go south to American Blvd; turn left and go 2 blocks. Center will be on your right. *Public Transit: *Accessible by Hiawatha Light Rail line, The Visitor Center is a couple of blocks from the American Blvd. stop. *All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, but will not be a problem tomorrow.* Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN [email protected] ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
