Bird Day

May 4th is Bird Day.  There are several calendar days set aside to recognize birds, but this is the oldest. According to the Library of Congress, Bird Day was first observed on May 4, 1894. 

Seattle is one of the controversial sanctuary cities you hear about on the news.  We've also recently become an Urban Bird Treaty City, dedicated to creating a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife through environmental education and habitat preservation. The Audubon Society is having a ceremony at Lincoln Park this Friday to celebrate.

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website:

 "The Urban Bird Treaty program is a unique, collaborative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and participating U.S. cities. Launched in 1999, the first treaty was signed with New Orleans and the second with Chicago in 2000. Since that time, an additional 25 cities have become Urban Bird Treaty cities, for a total of 27 spanning from Alaska to Alabama."

Future funding for the Fish and Wildlife Service is in doubt.  One of President Trump's first actions was to freeze all agency regulatory activity without exception. The administration says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has defied the order by moving forward under the Endangered Species Act regarding the Rusty-backed Bumblebee and Lesser Prairie Chicken. 

Powerful lobbies are also reacting to the agency. For example, Tracy Brunner of the National Cattleman's Beef Association said: "We believe FWS is violating the spirit of that presidential order to placate radical environmental groups."

Environmental destruction.  The lasting legacy?