If you’re reading this, I assume that you enjoy reading about birds. I certainly do, it’s why I started this site. But underlying that is a basic enjoyment of birds themselves. They bring alot of joy into my life. But the sad fact is that they’re in trouble. If we want to have birds around for ourselves and our children, then we need to actually do something.
But what can I do, you may be asking? There are specific things you can do, as well as great organizations you can join. And everyone who loves birds should do those things. But it can be hard to see how personal actions like recycling, and joining large conservation groups actually helps. It would be great if there was something we could do that has a tangible, demonstrative benefit for birds that really need our help.
The guys at the 10,000 Birds blog have created just such a thing – the 10,000 Birds Conservation Club. It costs $25 US (or the equivalent in another currency) per year, and that entire amount (minus necessary expenses – the founders aren’t keeping a dime for themselves) goes toward the conservation of threatened birds. The members can even help direct where the money is spent!
And if that wasn’t enough, they have also lined up some great giveaways available only to Conservation Club members. The first such giveaway is a set of all three Sound Approach books. All three are fantastic books that any birder would love. Honestly, if I didn’t already have them, I would have joined just to enter this contest!
And there will be more giveaways throughout the year. But it’s worth joining just for the fact that you know that your money is going directly to help threatened species, and that you will have a voice in how it is actually spent. I’ve already joined, and if you enjoy having birds around, you should consider it as well.
Posted by Grant McCreary on December 1st, 2009.
Comment