I feel strongly about this issue too, and would like to share a thought: how many of us would be willing to put our money where our mouth is? There was considerable opposition to public funding for this stadium from the beginning, and I find the likelihood that the legislature will come up with 10% additional funding for the windows that would be required, but if we all contributed, perhaps it would become a reality. I heard recently that they are considering selling "bricks" for the plaza outside. I have not heard a price as this is in the beginning planning stage, but I would expect them to cost $150 or more. I would be willing to purchase one if I knew the $$ raised would be designated for birdsafe windows. Imagine the impact of thousands of these bricks with a silhouette of a bird on it! And then signage by the windows so everyone would know about the issue and what we had collectively managed to do about it! Anna Newton
On 8/25/14 3:53 PM, "Anderson, Matthew" <[email protected]> wrote: > And folks have appropriately asked me what "tone" are we setting tomorrow and > what our message is. > > And really tomorrow is not a protest. We are delivering the people's > signatures to the people's governor urging him to make sure the people's > stadium doesn't kill the people's birds It is meant to urge the Governor to be > a leader, in fact the leader, that we need at this time to make sure the right > thing gets done. > > And while this has been about one building in particular, we're hopeful that > overall this gives the issue of bird safe-design and construction the platform > it deserves and the sense of urgency that it warrants. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Anderson, Matthew > Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 3:24 PM > To: 'Susan Gilmore'; [email protected] > Subject: RE: [mou-net] Vikings stadium issue > > Thanks Susan. > > We are meeting at the Governor's office at 9:30. We will have a few folks > (Rolf Thompson, National Eagle Center, Sharon "Birdchick" Stiteler, myself > perhaps one or two others) say a few words at 10:00 and then at 10:30 we are > hoping to present the signatures (printed out in small font on large boards > and accompanied by large prints by Miranda Brandon from her Impacts series) to > the Governor or his representative. We are alerting media today and again > tomorrow. > > Please feel free to come. > > The Governor's temporary office is: > > Office of the Governor & Lt Governor > 116 Veterans Service Building > 20 W 12th Street > St. Paul, MN 55155 > Directions > > -----Original Message----- > From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Susan > Gilmore > Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 3:11 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [mou-net] Vikings stadium issue > > Thank you Matthew, Gordon and Jim! > > I admit I have been really worrying over this entire issue and every time it > comes to mind I feel sick. I will do another round of emails and calls to all > the important decision making people and hope many others do too. > > I am thrilled there are 73,000 names on the petition which is being presented > tomorrow to Gov Dayton. Is this presentation open to the public? If so where > could I meet and what time? Is it going to be covered by local media? > > Thank you! > > Susan > > > Susan Gilmore > http://www.susangilmorephoto.com/ > 763-545-4608 > mobil 612-382-1171 > > > > > > On Aug 23, 2014, at 10:24 AM, Anderson, Matthew wrote: > >> Thanks Gordon. Very good, passionate, clear points. >> >> And thank you Jim. You were able bring to light some new, mportant >> information. >> >> MSFA did not share either the murky glass issue or that the glass had >> been ordered when they called on July 17 to tell an Audubon board >> member (after 14 months of negotiation) to say no to bird-safe glass. >> MSFA did not clearly say this in their public statement in July in >> response to us going public with their decision to not choose >> bird-safe glass. And MSFA did not share any of this with the score of >> reporters who have called over the past 4 weeks. >> >> All this leaves us wondering - what's the real story, what really >> happened and when? We may not ever know. >> >> What we do know is this: >> - We spent 14 months negotiating with them privately and respectfully >> around the issue of bird-safe design and construction until they told >> us no July 17 (at the time they told it was because it would cost $2.5 >> million and that was the reason) >> - They will be including Audubon's lighting recommendations in the >> operation of the stadium - and that's a partial but real victory for >> birds >> - Tens of thousands of people rallied to support this particular case >> of bird-safe design and construction and in doing so put the overall >> cause of bird-safe glass on the radar screen in a way we'd never seen >> locally or nationally >> - Bird-safe design and construction enjoyed the support of local >> groups, the Minneapolis City Council, state legislators, sports-talk >> show hosts, architects and many others locally and nationally >> - The MSFA may still find itself coming under scrutiny under the >> Migratory Bird Treaty Act but that will be years out because we'll >> need to wait until birds actually collide and die >> >> We are disappointed that birds are being valued less than the >> aesthetics for a few thousand fans on 8 Sundays a year who happen to >> look up from the football field to look back towards the Minneapolis >> skyline. >> >> We are going to deliver 73,000 petition signatures Tuesday to Governor >> Dayton. >> >> We see Governor Dayton as one of our last, best chances and we're >> going to take it. >> >> Thank you to everyone who has done so much to make this one building >> bird-safe and to bring the issue of bird-safe design and construction >> to the fore. >> >> Sincerely, >> >> Matthew Anderson >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim >> Williams >> Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2014 9:16 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Vikings stadium issue >> >> Information about the stadium-glass issue can be found in my blog. >> >> Jim Williams >> Wayzata >> birding blog at >> www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.html >> >> >> >>> On Aug 23, 2014, at 1:10 AM, Gordon Andersson <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> The ovenbird is in third place among bird species collected after >>> window strikes in downtown St Paul and Mpls. This was reported in >>> the Spring 2010 issue of The Loon after three years of the Project >>> BirdSafe study sponsored by Audubon MN. From spring 2007 to fall >>> 2009, 111 ovenbirds were picked up of which 101 were dead, 9 were >>> released, and one was rehabbed at the >>> Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This constituted six migration >>> periods. >>> In each downtown a prescribed circuit is walked each day of >>> migration. >>> In St Paul the route is 30 blocks long. (White-throated Sparrow is >>> 1st place >>> (N=204) and Nashville Warbler is 2nd (N=173)). In those first three >>> years, approx 1400 birds were killed by impacts with glass in the two >>> downtowns, >>> representing 100 species. This program is now in its eighth season. >>> >>> >>> >>> Today the Viking management announced that they would add another >>> $20,000,000 for more 'amenities' to the new $ 1 B stadium. (A TV >>> report >>> tonight cited $46 M in added contribution.) But no dollars will >>> be spent >>> on bird-safe glass. In an interview, the Chair of the MSFA said that >>> 'fritted glass' is not acceptable because it would not provide a >>> clear view by the fans of the environs outside the stadium. >>> >>> Many of you contacted Mpls City Council members, the Vikings >>> management as >>> well as the MSFA members. The city council voted unanimously that >>> the >>> stadium should use glass that is more visible to birds. The MOU >>> Board also >>> passed a resolution to this effect. Nevertheless, the approx >>> $1,000,000 >>> additional cost for safer glass was considered too expensive by the >>> Vikings owners/mgrs. (Fritted glass is also more energy efficient >>> than regular >>> glass.) >>> >>> >>> >>> I know that a bird will fly into the glass side of a skyway or into a >>> glass window of a building wall that is framed by solid structural >>> non-glass elements. The height and width of the glass surfaces of >>> the new stadium >>> (~200,000 ft2) will present a very large and invisible "target" to >>> many birds throughout the year but especially to neotropical migrants >>> in the spring and fall. And this is so that the people who attend 8 >>> home games a year at the stadium can look away from the field of play >>> for a transparent view outside the building. >>> >>> >>> >>> On some nights in the spring, millions of birds fly over the metro >>> area. >>> As you know, these birds actively feed during the day and also fly >>> into windows. >>> >>> I also know that there are other significant causes of bird mortality >>> in addition to window glass--- both winter and summer habitat loss, >>> cats, >>> poison, vehicles. But one must look at the additive effect of all >>> of these >>> and then try to mitigate each one. If you subscribe to the belief >>> that one more dead bird doesn't matter (or that window kills are not >>> important), than I suggest you should not vote either, because you >>> are really only one vote. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> So to paraphrase FDR or George Marshall--- "A thousand million >>> dollars for a football stadium and and not one million dollars to >>> prevent unnecessary bird deaths." >>> >>> It is too late at night to fact check all of this, but I think it is >>> fairly accurate. the paraphrase is my own. >>> >>> There is a good write-up of this issue on Sharon Stiteler's blog >>> "Birdchick" >>> dated July 26, 2014. >>> >>> >>> >>> I know many of you are concerned about the effect the stadium, as >>> planned, will have on flying birds of many kinds. I don't know what >>> to suggest >>> except more phone calls and emails. or protests with placards. >>> If anyone >>> has any ideas or direction, please share them. There was a lot of >>> email >>> about this issue here a couple weeks ago. >>> >>> >>> >>> (You should also read about the poor ovenbird.) >>> >>> >>> >>> Gordon Andessson >>> >>> St Paul >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> From: American Bird Conservancy [mailto:[email protected]] >>> Sent: Friday, August 22, 2014 4:30 PM >>> To: [email protected] >>> Subject: ABC's Bird of the Week: Ovenbird >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=Cmr7sW-1k4Nj_KFv3LyU5g> The >>> Walking Warbler >>> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=Tt3_BoNWkyoIu3hq7OoatQ> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Teacher, Teacher! >>> Ovenbird >>> >>> The Ovenbird gets its name from its unique nest, which looks like a >>> domed oven. This inconspicuous, ground-nesting warbler is best-known >>> for its emphatic and distinctive song-a series of progressively >>> louder phrases often described as "teacher, teacher, teacher." >>> >>> Like the Wood Thrush >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=E9SDxP7P3HJr6C5ZvPIn6g> and >>> Kentucky, Cerulean >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=XpLcXg8ZxZ4hLW2vdH902Q> , and >>> Worm-eating Warblers >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=XOp9FK986OlputnPBnlHOA> , >>> Ovenbirds require undisturbed expanses of forest for successful >>> breeding. Although more flexible in habitat requirements on their >>> wintering grounds, Ovenbirds and other Neotropical migratory species >>> benefit from habitat conservation in these regions as well. >>> >>> Learn more and listen to the Ovenbird's song >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=pT6Qv_XFfTV6uCjn3DnRpg> >> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=j1QuGSN3GReApXhWBQq5Xg> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/PixelServer?j=xgmRb3iQwkhUjlpw8S- >>> oNw >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=4jrtTRgHyPte38ehWow4PQ> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=9gQTdMN3agr5uW0zBPVI0g> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=3vfkPm7nx5WRR94VVkWJNA> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=TskT4uElZGmAiLwsMX2yqA> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=86ET7ZpiNU3YgqmnOtpAIg> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=86ET7ZpiNU3YgqmnOtpAIg> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=86ET7ZpiNU3YgqmnOtpAIg> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=oplYtIUAISZVyJ06kaFF9w> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=oplYtIUAISZVyJ06kaFF9w> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=oplYtIUAISZVyJ06kaFF9w> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=T-sqAjzOLS9uDlIRj01NsQ> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=T-sqAjzOLS9uDlIRj01NsQ> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=T-sqAjzOLS9uDlIRj01NsQ> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=tbgP9HJsqwA2BRSaeHVGdw> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=tbgP9HJsqwA2BRSaeHVGdw> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=tbgP9HJsqwA2BRSaeHVGdw> >>> >>> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/images/content/pagebuilder/ >>> green_rule.jpg >>>> >>> >>> >>> American Bird Conservancy | P.O. Box 249 | The Plains, VA 20198 >>> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/CO? >>> i=HaaHZvgTL2dlf4cnj0AmEW5cQNC5gXi >>> r&cid= >>> 1042&RemoveInterest=1021> Unsubscribe >>> >>> >>> >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=zBBlDfuVcwT5LukdcIoigA> >>> nonprofit software >>> <http://support.abcbirds.org/site/R?i=SJc7wHpLYi0D70-yROYf7g> >>> >>> >>> ---- >>> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net >>> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >> >> ---- >> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net >> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >> >> ---- >> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net >> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > ---- > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > ---- > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
