by Allison Vaughn, Communications

On August 24-25, the Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative hosted its 19th annual conference at the Columbia Country Club. This year’s theme centered around conservation efforts in urban and suburban areas of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation’s One Health Initiative, a focus on expanding conservation into underserved or otherwise compromised areas. Nature Areas Committee member Bill Mees serves as the CAS representative on the MoBCI Steering Committee. Bill served a three year term as President of MoBCI beginning in 2019. Also in attendance from CAS was Greg Leonard, Betsy Garrett, John Besser, Cathy Richter, Edge Wade, Marlyn Whitney, Steve Heying, and not pictured are myself (MoBCI President and CAS member) and CAS President Lori Turner, pictured here.

Twelve members of CAS attended the conference, some for two days and others for one day. The first evening offered heavy appetizers and a cash bar in the beautiful country club ballroom, a room filled with large windows. On Friday, CAS member and Missouri Falconers Association member Steve Heying presented a sobering report on raptor electrocutions on powerlines and window collisions. During the questions sessions, CAS President Lori Turner explained that Boone Electric is taking proactive measures to reduce bird electrocutions with birdsafe retrofitting.

A Truman State University Physics professor gave an eye-opening presentation on light pollution and impacts to wildlife. He represents the International Dark Sky Association’s Missouri Chapter. His presentation will be posted on the MoBCI website soon.