[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Press Release” text_orientation=”center” background_overlay_color=”rgba(60,73,49,0.46)” module_class=”sub-head” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Devils-Lake-East-Bluff_JMayer-e1534522227428.jpg” background_blend=”overlay” global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ border_width_bottom=”3px” border_color_bottom=”#87a270″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/600×400-For-Website-Image-Block.png” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-37px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”95.4%” custom_padding=”21px|3px||0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Media Contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Caitlyn Schuchhardt, Outreach Coordinator PHONE: <\/strong>(608) 409-3144<\/p>\n EMAIL:\u00a0<\/strong>Caitlyn.Schuchhardt@WisConservation.org<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||8px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n Madison, WI As bird populations decline across North America, the Bird Protection Fund takes action, supporting on-the-ground conservation and education initiatives <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Piping-Plover_Ryan-Brady.jpg” alt=”Team Reckless Wrens look for birds” title_text=”Piping Plover Ryan Brady” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A banded Piping Plover stands on the shores of Lake Superior. The Bird Protection Fund has supported the recovery and conservation of this endangered species since 2018. Photo by Ryan Brady<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”1474px” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Wisconsin\u2019s love for birds flies high\u2014and nowhere is that more apparent than in the results of the 2021 Great Wisconsin Birdathon, the annual fundraiser for the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin\u2019s Bird Protection Fund<\/a> (BPF). Birdathoners from every corner of the state came together and raised a record-breaking $108K for bird conservation.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Bird Protection Fund gives back to Wisconsin\u2019s birds, supporting them throughout their lifecycle\u2014from their breeding grounds in Wisconsin to their migratory habitat in Central and South America. The BPF\u2019s reach is encompassing\u2014it not only funds the conservation of Wisconsin\u2019s most threatened and endangered species, but also the creation and protection of habitat; research and monitoring projects; and education and outreach initiatives that engage new audiences in bird conservation.<\/p>\n Since the Bird Protection Fund\u2019s inception in 2009, it has given out over $1.2 million<\/strong> towards Wisconsin\u2019s highest priority bird conservation projects. Every year, the BPF\u2019s advisory committee gathers to review bird conservation priorities in Wisconsin and identify the areas of greatest need.<\/p>\n The Foundation is proud to announce the grant recipients of this year\u2019s Bird Protection Fund grant cycle. In total, the Bird Protection Fund will grant nearly $60,000 to the following projects:<\/p>\n These seven projects showcase the incredible range of support for Wisconsin\u2019s birds\u2014from protecting their breeding grounds here in Wisconsin all the way to their migratory habitat in Central and South America.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Neotropical-Flyways-Project_-Grupo-Quetzalli-Nicaragua.jpg” title_text=”Canada Warblers” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”75%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Canada Warblers captured in Nicaragua\u2019s first constant effort mist-netting station in the Central Highlands. Photo courtesy of Grupo Quetzalli, Nicaragua<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”314px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n For example, the Neotropical Flyways Project<\/a> has been receiving funds from the Bird Protection Fund since 2018 and continues to report ground-breaking new discoveries about migration patterns each year\u2014like the discovery of a major \u201cstopover\u201d region for Black-billed Cuckoos in Ecuador and new information on the migratory style of Canada Warblers.<\/p>\n Continued funding will allow the Neotropical Flyways Project to expand its impactful bird surveys to new regions, sharing insight that can help protect the migratory routes of Wisconsin\u2019s birds.<\/p>\n The Bird Protection Fund also recognizes the power that education and outreach initiatives hold in creating passion for birds and bird conservation. New to receiving funding this year is the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin<\/a>, a birding group for Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) and allies. Established on Juneteenth 2021 by Dexter Patterson and Dr. Jeff Galligan, this group is out to \u201cflip the script\u201d on who can be a birder. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”487.2px” custom_margin=”|auto|-126px|auto||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/BIPOC-Birding-Club-Kickoff-Event_Dexter-Patterson_cropped2.jpg” title_text=”BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”75%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”95.6px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The BIPOC Birding Club of WI hosted its first kickoff event in July 2021 in the Madison area, inviting Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), allies, and families to explore the joy of birding together. Photo by Dexter Patterson<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”154.4px” custom_margin=”-10px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”0px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u201cBoth of us love and have a passion for all things birding and realize that people of color are just not engaging in the outdoors enough, whether it be for exercise, hobbies, recreation or advocacy and stewardship. We want to change that,\u201d says Galligan. \u201cWe would love for one of our events to be the catalyst for a young birder of color who gets that \u2018spark\u2019 that leads to a career in ornithology or other STEM field.\u201d<\/p>\n Funding for the Bird Protection Fund comes from hundreds of participants and thousands of donors involved in the Natural Resource Foundation of Wisconsin\u2019s Great Wisconsin Birdathon<\/a>, as well as individuals who donate directly to the Bird Protection Fund. Learn more about the record-breaking success of the 2021 Birdathon and how individuals, families, nonprofits and more came together for the birds in the Foundation\u2019s 2021 Birdathon Report.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”364px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The Great Wisconsin Birdathon<\/strong><\/a> began in 2012 and since then has raised more than $600,000 for bird protection in Wisconsin. The funds are collected and managed by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin through the Bird Protection Fund.<\/p>\n The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is a statewide nonprofit organization that connects generations to the wonders of Wisconsin\u2019s lands, waters, and wildlife through conservation, education, engagement, and giving. Since 1986, the Foundation has contributed more than $9.5 million to public and private conservation efforts, and currently holds more than 100\u00a0endowment funds with over $10 million in assets dedicated to\u00a0conserving lands, protecting wildlife, and promoting conservation in Wisconsin in perpetuity.<\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”20337,20336,20349,20350″ zoom_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f6f3f2″ custom_padding=”||10px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Caitlin Williamson” position=”Director of Conservation Programs” image_url=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Untitled-design-11.png” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ global_module=”18164″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin<\/p>\n
September 28, 2021<\/p>\n<\/h1>\n
Giving back to birds: Bird Protection Fund announces 2021 funding projects<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n