Posted with permission-
*Warren Nelson Memorial Initiated*
In his unassuming way, Warren Nelson exemplified human dignity,
kindness and compassion. He wove those same traits into his love of birds,
and birders. Leading by example, his message was simply to treat other
creatures, avian or human, with respect. Warren never asked for anything in
return for his birding services or expertise, choosing to give freely of
himself with anyone who shared his passion for nature.
To honor Warren’s life while continuing to help promote the
birds and habitats that endeared him, a group of his friends have come up
with an idea to pay it back, while paying it forward. We have contacted
the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog organization to acquire a parcel of land there
as a memorial. Although Warren was not directly tied to this group, nor
did he bird extensively in this area, the Sax-Zim Bog location was chosen
for several reasons. The habitat is essentially a continuation of many of
Warren’s favorite and most frequented areas of Aitkin county.
Additionally, most of the bird species he studied and enjoyed in the bogs
and meadows of Aitkin county are found in the Sax-Zim region. Since
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog has been so successful, a memorial there will have
more visitors. The acquisition will not be a stand alone habitat island,
but part of a larger habitat preservation goal. Lastly, the Friends of
Sax-Zim Bog has the infrastructure in place to help make and properly
monitor the acquisition.
The area we hope to preserve in Warren’s memory is a 40 acre
mature black spruce bog in the heart of the Sax-Zim Bog birding area. It
is prime habitat for boreal birds including Great Gray Owls, Connecticut
Warblers, Boreal Chickadees, Black-backed Woodpeckers, and other priority
species. With your help, we hope to purchase and preserve this tract. It
will be named the “Warren Nelson Memorial Bog” to honor one of Minnesota’s
nicest and best birders.
A high quality sign with Warren’s name will be erected there
and the entire property will be open and accessible to birders and other
nature lovers to explore on foot or snowshoe.
To make this dream a reality, we need to raise only $10,000.
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog has graciously offered to match each donation dollar
for dollar, doubling your contribution and turning $10K into $20K. With
the financial support of the wonderful birding community and friends, the
Warren Nelson Memorial Bog could be a reality before summer.
Parties interested in donating for this memorial can designate
“Warren Nelson Land Fund” on checks made out to Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, or
they can donate at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Foszb (look for the
tab that says Warren Nelson Land Fund). Friends of Sax-Zim Bog is a 501c3
non profit organization and “all donations are tax deductible as allowed by
law.”
In Memory of Warren,
Ken and Pam Perry
Steve and Jo Blanich
Kim and Cindy Risen
Butch Ukura
Randy Frederickson
----
Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net
Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
