Due to the forecast for heavy rainfall and significant flooding, the Bergen County Audubon Society Eagle Watch scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Mill Creek Point Park in Secaucus, has been cancelled.
Daily Archives: January 8, 2024
Endangered and Threatened Species Act Week – The Least Tern
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Photo Credit: Mike Turso
Fifty years ago, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law as a framework to prevent the loss and harm of endangered and threatened species. The law currently protects 1,662 U.S. species and 638 foreign species, including fish, plants, and other forms of wildlife. Since its signing on December 28th, 1973, the ESA has been credited with saving 99% of the species it protects and is largely considered one of the most effective wildlife conservation laws.
In honor of the ESA’s 50th anniversary, this week MRRI will be sharing some examples of threatened or endangered species that we have the opportunity to work alongside!
Our first species of the week is the Least Tern, a charismatic beach-nesting bird found throughout the East Coast of the United States. The “interior” Least Tern has been protected as endangered since 1985 when its population dropped below 2,000 birds. Their endangerment is primarily due to habitat loss as a result of changed river systems.
Thanks to conservation efforts, the species was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2021 after the population increased to about 18,000. In the Meadowlands, you can find these birds in the summer at DeKorte Park feeding their recently born young. One of MRRI’s conservation efforts in 2024 is to create sandy habitat for Least Terns to use for nesting.
Founder-Director of the Center for Algonquin Culture Evan Pritchard Is Latest Addition to the Meadowlands Eagle Festival This Sunday (Jan. 14)
Even Pritchard, Founder-Director of the Center for Algonquin Culture, is the latest addition to the Meadowlands Eagle Festival this Sunday (Jan. 14), at DeKorte Park and the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst. The Festival, co-presented by the NJSEA and Bergen County Audubon Society, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Snow date is Sunday, Jan. 21.
Pritchard will be signing copies of his book, “Bird Medicine: The Sacred Power of Bird Shaminism.” Pritchard is a descendant of the Micmac people (part of the Algonquin nations). In addition to founding the Center for Algonquin Culture, he is a former Professor of Native American history at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. To learn more about the Center for Algonquin Culture and Evan Pritchard, click here
There are a plethora of activities lined up for the entire family, including walks, talks, art exhibits and highly popular live raptor shows. Youngsters are invited to bring their own Eagle artwork.
Join us in learning all about Eagles, their remarkable comeback and how you can make a difference in helping them thrive.
For more information Contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.