It was a tough year for so many of us. Our sincere condolences to those of you who lost loved ones or are suffering.
Our two big events, Birding America and our Conservation Awards Dinner, were postponed again due to COVID. But we have many accomplishments to be proud of.
One high point of the year was our Birdwalk Leaders Training. Two 8-week sessions, one at Washington Park and one at Douglass Park, graduated 35 new Birdwalk Leaders who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. The participants thought it was something special – here are some of their comments:
· It was an absolute joy spending time with others and connecting with the beauty of nature… I am looking forward to spending more time in nature behind a set of binoculars!
· This has been the highlight of my spring/early summer. ...I am so looking forward to continuing to learn and grow with my POC birder community!
· Having this one-on-one experience has been life changing.
· This kind of focused affinity and identity group made a huge difference in my comfort level participating. It also brought me to a park I wouldn't normally feel comfortable in exploring alone.
Other 2021 highlights:
· forming a partnership with the Chicago Park District to improve bird habitat at River Park
· facilitating accessible, affinity group and/or community-based bird walks throughout the city
· working with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and community leaders to save grassland birds at Techny Basin;
· chronicling the bird life of the Des Plaines River Forest Preserves in partnership with the Forest preserves of Cook County.
· giving 38 pairs of good binoculars to new birders, thanks to generous donors.
· partnering with the Friends of the Chicago River on a beautiful story map that could transform our rivers’ bird habitat.
· offering interesting programs about our birds
· continuing our transformatin of the habitat at Camp Pine Woods forest preserve into a bird-friendly woodland and shrubland
· making a guide to bird-friendly building guidelines for developers and architects, with Bird Friendly Chicago and the Chicago Department of Planning
· publishing an updated checklist of local bird distribution
The biggest highlights are all the great relationships among members and other supporters. We work together on habitat restoration, bird monitoring and field trips; create, share and engage with communications; respond to calls for action and share info about important issues. Together we are keeping the grassroots bird conservation movement alive and healthy in Cook County. See you out in the field in 2022!
“Together we are keeping the grassroots bird conservation movement alive and healthy in Cook County.”