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Recent happenings:

March 26, 2025 - ZVAS Monthly Program
ZVAS Board Member Joel Dunnette appeared on KIMT News tonight talking about rollbacks on penalties for the accidental death of migratory birds. President Mike Degerstrom was also quoted You can see a short clip and read the entire article here:
https://www.kimt.com/news/zumbro-valley-audubon-says-migratory-bird-treaty-act-rollback-could-endanger-minnesota-birds/article_80d7b0a6-7e70-4610-8787-8a8facadbcb4.html

March 25, 2025 - ZVAS Monthly Program
Author Randi Minetor entertained us with stories about the role of birds in history and mythology at last night's ZVAS meeting. Before scientists went to work figuring out how the world works many people believed birds created the world. Randi shared with us stories from all over the world of birds swimming down to the bottom of the endless waters to bring up mud so people could live on land.

Until just a couple hundred years ago people believed that certain birds simply "vanished" each fall - and then reappeared in the spring. Aristotle thought that swallows flew into ponds and buried themselves in the mud to wait out winter! And then there are the stories of mythical birds like the Phoenix that rises from the ashes - these stories go on and on.

It was a fascinating look at birds that we don't often hear about. Thank you, Randi!

Bestselling author Randi Minetor writes the Bird finding and Best Easy Bird Guides series for Falcon Guides/Globe Pequot Press and is the author of Backyard Birding and Butterfly Gardening for Lyons Press. Her most recent book, The Complete Language of Birds, is an encyclopedia that unites classic illustrations, science, folklore, and mythology about more than 400 bird species around the world.

March 8, 2025 - International Festival of Owls
A big thank you to Joel Dunnette, Clifford Hansen, Greg Hokanson, and Sue Wieseler for helping staff the ZVAS display at the International Owl Festival in Houston, MN on Saturday, March 8th.

Everyone had a great time talking with the hundreds of kids and adults about owls (and other birds), butterflies, native plantings and more. The bird wheel was busy and every kid was able to snag a bird bookmark of their own. Our owl posters were also quite popular and so many folks picked up copies of "Plants for Birds" and "Plants for Butterflies" brochures that we ran out.

The Owl Festival is a big deal each year - especially the live owl programs and interactive events. We didn't have time to get more photos - but trust us - if you've never been there you need to mark your calendar now for next year (hint - it's the first full weekend in March).

Thanks also go to all the Owl Center staff and volunteers who work hard all year long to put on the festival - great job all!

Previous events >

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Zumbro Valley Audubon needs your help to pay for programs, printing brochures and outreach supplies to teach kids and adults about nature. Donate to Zumbro Valley Audubon via giveMN.org