By Sandra Skolnik
We are excited about and want to thank the City Council of Palo Alto for substantially increasing WRIıs contract with the City of Palo Alto this year. The increased support by the City will help to offset our budget increases this year.
You may want to write Palo Altoıs City Council members to thank them for continuing their support and recognition of the important service that WRI provides to the community. We also thank Valerie Baldwin for her hard work and many others who provided assistance and support in making this happen.
This has also been an exciting year for WRI in the area of grants. We have received three grants totalling more than $22,000, which will apply toward our animal care programs, volunteer training programs and partial funding of our coordinator of volunteer programs position.
WRI is raising its membership dues this year to stay in line with rising costs of our services. We regret any inconvenience this causes. We appreciate the continuing support of our dedicated members and thank for understanding.
Editor's note: This article was excerpted from the June 2000 issue of Birder's World.
Location, location, location. Itıs a mantra known to homeowners and real estate agents alike. A recent study reported in Conservation Biology suggests that location is equally important to nesting birds. Biologists studying American robins and wood thrushes in an urban reserve in Illinois found that nest success was lower when located in exotic honeysuckle and buckthorn shrubs than when built in comparable native shrubs and trees.
Three factors may contribute to the lower predation of nests located in the native species. Nests in native trees and shrubs were located much higher off the ground than those in non-native shrubs, making it more difficult to predators to reach the nests. In addition, the thorny branches of some native shrubs may discourage predators. Branch architecture is also a factor, with the sturdy branches of the exotics allowing predators easier access to nests.
If further research supports this studyıs conclusions, there is additional incentive for gardeners to plant native species and for land stewards to discourage exotic shrubs and replace them with natives.
If you would like more information on ³going native² and helping our local wildlife, contact Yerba Buena Nursery in Woodside (650) 851-1668 or take a look at Growing Native, a bimonthly periodical published by Growing Native Research Institute, PO Box 489, Berkeley, CA 94701.
*Please contact WRI staff at (650) 494-SAVE prior to donating any of these items.
By Sandra Skolnik
We always hate to say goodbye when members of WRIıs staff move on. After 2-1/2 years, Becky Duerr will be leaving us this year to pursue a full-time job at the Marine Mammal Center.
In addition, Genna Barfoot is moving on to an opportunity in private industry. We wish them both well in their new ventures and thank them for the time and effort they have given to WRI.
We are seeking a coordinator of volunteer programs. We are also looking for part-time summer animal care assistants to help our animal care staff.
In addition, we always need volunteers, particularly for animal care, board service and media relations. Any referrals would be most appreciated.
Please call (650) 494-7417 if you are interested in any of these positions.
