A message from our Executive Director...
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Dear Friends,
As 2023 draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact we've made together this year. Your unwavering support and generosity have allowed us to continue our vital work conducting migratory bird research, keeping youth connected with nature, and advocating for bird conservation. You already know WHAT we do at Black Swamp: research, education, and conservation. So, in this year’s letter, I thought I’d focus more on WHY we do this work for birds and birders. |
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BECAUSE OUR YOUTH BIRDING PROGRAMS TRANFORM LIVES
Student presenters from BSBO's 15th annual
Ohio Young Birders Conference, November 11, 2023. |
At BSBO, we believe that fostering a love for nature and birds in young minds is crucial for building a sustainable future. Through our innovative education programs, like the Ohio Young Birders Club (OYBC), we have been able to inspire and engage thousands of young individuals, igniting their curiosity and passion for the natural world. We knew that the OYBC would change the lives of kids, but we never imagined the impact it could have on their parents.
I first met Mitchell during one of our annual Ohio Young Birders Club (OYBC) conferences, and it was clear that he was an exceptional kid. All of 11 years old, he tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he could speak to me. “Mrs. Kaufman,” he said, “in the interest of transparency, I feel I should inform you that I am not as much a birder as I am an entomologist who loves insects but also enjoys birds. “ |
I assured him that wasn’t a problem, that it was actually a bonus, and I suggested that he lead an OYBC insect field trip. The look on his face as he agreed was priceless!
The following summer, he did just that, leading a group of 20-30 fellow OYBC students on an insect field trip. From the moment the trip began, Mitchell was surrounded by excited students, all shouting out his name, pointing out insects, asking him to identify their discoveries, and so many other questions. His knowledge was incredible, his enthusiasm contagious, and his gift for teaching far surpassed what you’d expect from an eleven-year-old.
Mitchell’s father, Albert, had asked to tag along. We typically discourage parents from attending young birder field trips, but we made an exception because his request was based in concern.
The following summer, he did just that, leading a group of 20-30 fellow OYBC students on an insect field trip. From the moment the trip began, Mitchell was surrounded by excited students, all shouting out his name, pointing out insects, asking him to identify their discoveries, and so many other questions. His knowledge was incredible, his enthusiasm contagious, and his gift for teaching far surpassed what you’d expect from an eleven-year-old.
Mitchell’s father, Albert, had asked to tag along. We typically discourage parents from attending young birder field trips, but we made an exception because his request was based in concern.
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Mitchell had experienced some issues with bullying in school, and his parents had become understandably protective. Albert hung back from the group, following at a distance. Midway through the trip, I doubled back to check in with him, and I was stunned by what he said. With tears in his eyes, he told me that to see his son not only accepted by his peers, but CELEBRATED for his knowledge and passion for insects was like a dream come true. “It’s like he’s the most popular kid here!” he said. And I will never forget the joy and pride in his voice.
I can never thank caring people like YOU enough for the support that makes moments like that possible. |
Scheduled for completion in 2024, our new education center,
window on wildlife, and native plant garden will allow us to expand our education programs in a MAJOR way as well as providing a fabulous space for birders! |
BECAUSE AN INDIVIDUAL BIRD HAS AN INCREDIBLE STORY TO TELL
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This summer, at one of BSBO’s breeding bird stations, an Eastern Wood-Pewee gave our research team pause. There was something special about this bird: it was a return, having been banded in a previous year and returning for the season. After a quick records check, it turned out that this pewee had been banded at the station in 2014 as an adult, placing its age in 2023 at a minimum of ten years, setting a new longevity record for the species! It’s astonishing to imagine the journeys this individual had taken in its long life: at least 20 trips between Ohio and South America, thousands of miles on the wing, and untold obstacles and dangers avoided. And yet, here was this unassuming individual, revealing its remarkable life only through the band around its leg. Against all odds, this pewee had survived, and lived longer than any other known of its species. Your support helps us give birds a voice, allowing us to tell their extraordinary stories of survival.
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BECAUSE OUR WORK BRINGS JOY TO THE WORLD THROUGH BIRDING
The Biggest Week In American Birding, the largest birding festival in the country, brings together birders from all over the world and from all walks of life, providing a platform for education, conservation, and joyful celebration of our mutual love of birds and birding. The festival not only showcases the incredible diversity of bird species in our region but also raises awareness about the importance of habitat conservation. Your support has been instrumental in making this event a resounding success year after year.
BECAUSE OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE MAKING THE WORLD SAFER FOR BIRDS
Through the birding tourism season that BSBO developed in northwest Ohio, we are bringing more than $40 million per year to the local area. The BSBO team leverages that economic impact to build support for habitat conservation, and we’ve moved the needle on some of the biggest threats to birds. BSBO was instrumental in developing a Lights Out program in downtown Toledo, enrolling many of the tallest buildings in the program to diminish lights during spring and fall migration. Most recently, we leveraged our impact to convince Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center to add bird-safe products from the Feather Friendly® company to their vast expanse of windows, a project that will reduce collisions and make the facility much safer for birds. We are also partnering with American Bird Conservancy to address the number one threat to birds: outdoor roaming cats.
Together, we are making the world a safer place for birds and a more joyful place for birders.
As we look ahead to the coming year, we humbly ask for your support for our year-end appeal. Your donation, no matter the size, will have a profound impact on our ability to make a difference. Together, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world where birds thrive and the beauty of nature continues to inspire and captivate.
With deepest appreciation,
As we look ahead to the coming year, we humbly ask for your support for our year-end appeal. Your donation, no matter the size, will have a profound impact on our ability to make a difference. Together, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world where birds thrive and the beauty of nature continues to inspire and captivate.
With deepest appreciation,
Kimberly Kaufman
Executive Director
Executive Director