Date:         Fri, 9 Oct 2009 08:41:51 -0700
Reply-To:     Charlie <cmmbirds@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Charlie <cmmbirds@YAHOO.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Georgia IBA Program supports grassland restoration with Volunteer Conservation Days


This October and November will feature four opportunities to help restore habitat for Northern Bobwhite Quail, Loggerhead Shrikes, Eastern Meadowlarks and other species.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Non-Game Division began efforts to restore grasslands a few years ago.  Despite talented staff, they kept running into a problem – how to obtain seeds?  They initially they bought seeds from a supplier in the Midwest.  Although they bought only native species, biologists noticed that those plants did not seem as hardy.  Perhaps because those plants were adapted to a different climate.  Some wondered if the projects would be more successful if “native genotype” seeds were used – i.e. seeds collected in the wild in Georgia.

But collecting grass seed is a time-consuming process.  While it is easy and takes no training it can rarely be done mechanically.  And one person can only collect so many seeds by hand.

That is where the Georgia Important Bird Areas (IBA) program steps in.  In October 2008 the IBA program organized two Volunteer Conservation Day events in which a total of 60 people collected 34 pounds of seeds.  The seeds were used in several locations in Georgia.  Building from that success, we are planning for Seed Collection days in 4 counties this year.  Biologists are already getting in line for the valuable seeds.

Now we need as many volunteers as we can get!  Families, individuals, outdoor groups, scout troops, church groups – anyone is welcome to come to one or more event!

To sign up, or for more information, contact IBA Coordinator Charlie Muise:  cmmbirds@yahoo.com or 678-967-9924

Events this year:

October 24 at Sprewell Bluff State Park (Upson County).  Meet at the picnic area by the river at 10:00 am.

October 24 at Fall Line Sandhills Natural Area (Taylor County).  Meet Nathan Klaus

October 31 Seeds for Candy at Panola Mountain State Park, (Rockdale County) starting at 1 pm (we will be bird banding at 0620 for those of you early risers).   We'll give a bag of Halloween candy to every volunteer.  Bring a scary mask if you've got one!   For directions, please see this map:  http://tinyurl.com/yjvn3u5

November 7 at Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Park.  Phil Delestrez will lead this, meeting at 10:00 am.  Meet at Pickett's Mill, Charles Winchester will give a summary of the site and brief tour.

Charlie Muise
Georgia IBA Coordinator

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