After a very long winter, spring has finally arrived here in Wisconsin and with it, so have the birds!!  To celebrate this great event, and to raise money to ensure that our Wisconsin birds continue to return, Rainforest Biodiversity Group will be doing our 2^nd Annual Bird-A-thon Fundraiser. The money raised from the Bird-A-Thon will be used to support our conservation efforts in Costa Rica. The event will be held on May 10^th and the goal will be to identify (see or hear) as many species of birds during that day as possible. 

The mission of the Rainforest Biodiversity Group is to protect biological diversity, including migratory bird species, through the protection of habitat for the Great Green Macaw and the creation of local conservation initiatives.  Our current project is the creation of the Costa Rican Bird Route. The route will improve bird tourism, thus providing an economic incentive for the local community to conserve prime bird habitat instead of developing the land.  This land is extremely important for the conservation and protection of many of our breeding birds here in Wisconsin.  

If you would like to donate $0.10/0.25/0.50 (or more!) a bird species that would be great!  Simply email Daniel Schneider of RBG with the amount PER BIRD SPECIES you would like to donate. The Rainforest Biodiversity Group is a fully accredited non-profit and your donations are tax deductible.  Or, if you would like, you could donate a set amount to the organization (an annual membership is $25). To find out more information about the organization, please follow the Rainforest Biodiversity Group or Costa Rican Bird Route links.  If the weather cooperates, the one-day record of 113 species could be broken!   

Also, if you're interested in tagging along for the day or even a segment of the day for that matter, you are more than welcome.  Or if you would like to form your own birding team to help with fund-raising, download the (.pdf) Bird-a-Thon sponsor form, or contact Daniel for a copy of the form, and submit your donations to the address on the form... heck, it's almost as easily as IDing an American Robin on your front lawn!

Happy spring (migration) to all of you!