Aveda Corporation has selected Audubon to participate in its Earth Month Campaign again in 2009. During Earth Month 2007 and 2008, Aveda clients, salons, spas and staff helped to raise funds for Audubon’s efforts to protect the water of the Upper Mississippi River. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Aveda in 2009 as a voice for clean water.

Audubon Minnesota recently received a TogetherGreen Conservation Innovation Grant for its Bird Safe · Lights Out Project. The National Audubon Society created the TogetherGreen Initiative with support from Toyota. Winners were selected from applicants nationwide for their innovative approaches to inspiring, equipping and engaging people to tackle environmental problems and to take advantage of opportunities in their communities. Grant funds will be used to expand our Lights Out program, increase building monitoring efforts, develop a local task force, and increase awareness of collision issues.

Audubon Minnesota has launched an Audubon-at-Home program that provides opportunities for individuals to improve the environmental health and habitat quality of their yards and neighborhoods. Audubon at Home promotes bird conservation efforts on private lands such as residences, schools, businesses, and nature areas through public programs and partnerships that strengthen habitat conservation efforts. To learn more, contact Ron Windingstad.

Bald Eagle © Jim Williams

The long and exciting election season has produced both new opportunities and challenges for Audubon and our mission. In a statement on the election of President-elect Obama and the new Congress, Audubon President and CEO John Flicker said, “Voters in this historic election cast their ballots not only for change, but for a new era of hope for our environment, and the people, birds, and other wildlife that depend on it.” Read more.

Years of work by Audubon Minnesota staff and supporters and many other conservation organizations resulted in a decisive victory for the state’s environment when citizens went to the polls on November 4. Fifty-six percent of voters approved the “Clean Water, Land and Legacy” referendum that will generate about $11 billion for lakes and streams, wildlife, habitat, parks and trails over the next 25 years. The amendment passed by 12,000 more votes than the second highest vote total in the state – for Senator Obama as president.

Chimney Swift Tower Dedication

A chimney swift tower was recently dedicated at the Aveda Corporation headquarters in Blaine, Minnesota. Aveda provided the building materials for the 12-foot tower, which was an Eagle Scout project for Jeremy Wolf of Troop 524. Audubon Minnesota works to assist swift populations by partnering with parks, nature centers, schools, corporations, and others throughout Minnesota to construct and place chimney swift towers in appropriate habitat locations.

In front of the new chimney swift tower, pictured left to right, Eagle Scout Jeremy Wolf of Troop 524; Mark Peterson, Audubon Minnesota Director; Dominque Conseil, President of Aveda Corporation; and Nate DeJarnett, Aveda.

Red Headed Woodpecker © Jim Williams

You can double your support for Minnesota's birds! A longtime friend of Audubon has awarded Audubon Minnesota a $25,000 matching challenge grant to encourage greater participation in Audubon's important work to protect Minnesota's birds and their habitats.

New and increased donations of $100 or more to our Annual Fund Campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $25,000. We are extremely grateful to our generous donor who has acknowledged the importance of Audubon's work in Minnesota with this award.

DONATE $100 or more to help meet the challenge!

Audubon Minnesota is pleased to announce four new additions to our staff. “These additions are a reflection of our growing programs, using a variety of strategies, to provide comprehensive bird conservation throughout Minnesota,” said Mark Peterson, Executive Director. The new staff members are: Leslie Cook – Development Director, John Curry – Policy Director, Joanna Eckles – Bird Safe-Lights Out Coordinator, and Bonnie Sample – Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator.

Read more.