Broadcaster Press 3 December 10, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Help Count Birds For Science During Audubon’s 120th Annual Christmas Bird Count Sioux City, Iowa –The National Audubon Society invites birdwatchers to participate in the longestrunning community science survey, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). On Saturday, December 14, birders and nature enthusiasts in Sioux City will take part in this tradition, many rising before dawn to participate. Loess Hills Audubon Society members participate in several CBC's each year and some serve as the count compilers. Last year in Sioux City several teams of 23 birders found 63 species and counted a total of 12,152 birds. Highlights included Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher and Red-headed Woodpecker. This year, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count will mobilize nearly 80,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,600 locations across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count utilizes the power of volunteers to track the health of bird populations at a scale that scientists could never accomplish alone. Data compiled in Sioux City will record every individual bird and bird species seen in a specified area, contributing to a vast community science network that continues a tradition stretching back 120 years. “The Christmas Bird Count is a great tradition and opportunity for everyone to be a part of 120 years of ongoing community science,” said Geoff LeBaron, Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count director, who first started leading the community science effort in 1987. “Adding your observations to twelve decades of data helps scientists and conservationists discover trends that make our work more impactful. Participating in the Christmas Bird Count is a fun and meaningful way to spend a winter for anyone and everyone.” When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count provides a picture of how the continent's bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years. The long-term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well. For example, earlier this year, Science published a study using decades of Audubon Christmas Bird Count data to describe a grim picture: a steady decline of nearly three billion North American birds since 1970, primarily as a result of human activities. Christmas Bird Count data have been used in more than 300 peer-reviewed articles. A brand-new feature for this year’s 120th Christmas Bird Count will be “CBC Live,” a crowdsourced, hemisphere-wide storytelling function using Esri mapping software. This “story-map” will ask users to upload a photo taken during their Christmas Bird Count as well as a short anecdote to paint a global picture of the Christmas Bird Count in real time. Birders of all ages are welcome to contribute to this fun, nationwide community science project, which provides ornithologists with a crucial snapshot of our native bird populations during the winter months. Each individual count is performed in a count circle with a diameter of 15 miles. At least ten volunteers, including a compiler to coordinate the process, count in each circle. The volunteers break up into small parties and follow assigned routes, which change little from year to year, counting every bird they see. In most count circles, some people also watch feeders instead of following routes. To sign up for a count, please visit/contact: Jerry Probst at 712-490-8256 probstsuebee@aol.com or Bill Huser, 712-574-3107, BillFHuser@gmail.com. More can be found at: http://lhas.tripod.com/ id15.html Sioux City & Surrounding Area’s Christmas Bird Count Dates & Locations: December 14 - Saturday - Sioux City Christmas Bird Count Jerry Probst, Count Compiler 712-490-8256. December 15 - Sunday - Yankton Christmas Bird Count December 17 - Tuesday - Westfield Christmas Bird Count December 18 Wednesday - Ponca State Park Christmas Bird Count January 4 - Saturday Ida Grove Christmas Bird Count Bill Huser, Count Compiler 712-574-3107 To sign up for a Christmas Bird Count and ensure your bird count data make it into the official Audubon database, please find the circle nearest you and register with your local Christmas Bird Count compiler on this map here. All Christmas Bird Count data must be submitted through the official compiler to be added to the long-running census. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is a community science project organized by the National Audubon Society. There is no fee to participate. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels and Audubon’s free Bird Guide app makes it even easier to learn more. For more information and to find a count near you visit www. christmasbirdcount.org. The Loess Hills Audubon Society exists to educate individuals and the general public to enjoy and promote birding, to support ornithology and to be an advocate for wild areas and environmental issues. Loess Hills Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. About Audubon The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-theground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety. Farm To School And Kids Eat Noem Announces District 32 Local Acts Would Provide More Legislative Appointment Local Foods On Lunch Trays LYONS, NEBRASKA – Each day, 29 million students participate in the national school lunch program. The Center for Rural Affairs and Nebraska Food Council advocate for the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization, with inclusion of the Farm to School Act and Kids Eat Local Act, to bring responsible food choices into schools. In spring 2019, Congress signaled an attempt to build a new Child Nutrition Act. This legislation is traditionally revised every five years and, while most program authorizations are permanent or extended through annual appropriations, a new Child Nutrition Act has not been reauthorized since 2010. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the first Farm to School grants to provide schools and organizations opportunities to bring production and nutritional education programs to classrooms. During the 2013-2014 school year, nearly $790 million worth of local food was purchased from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors, a 105 percent increase from the 2011-2012 school year. “The implementation of the Farm to School and Kids Eat Local acts will lay the foundation for a more knowledgeable consumer base,” said Justin Carter, project associate with the Center starburst) Honey (infor Rural Affairs. “In addition, it will bring benefits to producers and 3x Free In Town Delivery! ...the Value allow us to spend funds in our own states and communities.” The Kids Eat Local Act would create a new, user-friendly local product specification option, allowing schools to specify “locally grown,” “locally raised,” or “locally caught” in their procurement language, then award to the lowest bidder who can meet that product specification. “Program expansion would benefit child nutrition and also offer educational programs to students, giving them insight to where their food is grown and motivation to PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem feed their fellow students,” today announced that she is appointing Helene said Carter. “As one rural Duhamel of Rapid City Nebraska student told us to represent District after working in a school 32 in the South Dakota greenhouse, ‘We brag it Senate. The vacancy up at lunch that we took care of their food. It’s great was created after the resignation of Sen. Alan seeing something you Solano. Duhamel will did.’” The Farm to School Act serve during the 2020 of 2019 would increase the legislative session. “The responsibility to mandatory annual funding appoint a legislator when to $15 million while a vacancy arises is not increasing the maximum something I take lightly,” grant award to $250,000. Both pieces of legislation currently have bipartisan support. For more information, contact Carter at justinc@ cfra.org. Join Us For... Director and Anchor for decades at KOTA-TV in Rapid City. More recently she has taken on the role of Public Information Officer for the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. She has also given her time and talent to other volunteer and non-profit organizations in Rapid City and the Black Hills. Duhamel’s appointment will be effective immediately. Bunyan’s Bar & Grill 7th Annual... Give The Gift Of Health This Holiday Season Massage for Health 216 West Main St. Vermillion Stop In For Your Gift Certificates Today! Birthday & Christmas Party Saturday, December 21st Serving Munchies Starting at 8pm Everyone Welcome! 1201 W. Main, Vermillion • 605.624.9971 Open Monday thru Friday For appointments, call 624-6732 Lois Hazen, LMT www.loismassages.com s rse’ t Mo ke Mar ESH M FR -FAR UCE- PROD Fresh Cut Christmas Trees Fraser Fir – Balsm – White Pine – Blue Spruce Honey 5’ to 9’ • Starting at $35 708 S. Dakota St., Vermillion 3 Blocks South of Cotton Park Soccer Field 605-677-7852 or 605-624-9330 Mitchel Morse Silent Night Silent Auction The auction benefits the Vermillion Area Farmers Market Gourmet hors d’oeuvres, live music by Beard, drawings and silent auction. Find one-of-a-kind gifts, enjoy local talent, beverages and foods! Thursday, December 12th • 6:00pm – 8:30pm Valiant Vineyards Winery 1500 W. Main St. • Vermillion Garland Roping • Wreaths Door Swags Starting at $10 Open 7 Days A Week • M-F 12 Noon-6:00pm Sat & Sun 10:00am -5:00pm For Your Classified! 605-624-4429 said Noem. “Helene is a pillar of her community and a trusted voice for Rapid City. Helene’s experience as a journalist and more recently in the Pennington County Sheriff’s office will position her well to succeed in the State Legislature. I am confident she will serve as an effective Senator for her district.” Duhamel is a fifth generation South Dakotan who served as News Free In Town Delivery! Vermillion Area Farmers Market www.vermillionfarmersmarket.org 605-857-3213