<HEAD>
<STYLE>body{font-family: Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:9pt;background-color: #ffffff;color: black;}</STYLE>
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.5726" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY id=compText>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">As you will be seeing in the news nationwide, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PersonName w:st="on">Audubon</st1:PersonName> yesterday released a new report titled “<I><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Birds and Climate Change—Ecological Disruption in Motion,” </SPAN></I>that reveals that global warming is having serious effects on natural systems right here in the continental U.S., right now, and calls for urgent action. Stories are already appearing in hundreds of newspapers and other outlets, with more to come. <?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The report analyzes forty years of Christmas Bird Count data to see how populations of birds have shifted in response to a warming climate. The findings show that 58% of bird species in <st1:place w:st="on">North America</st1:place> have moved significantly north over the past four decades, a sign that global warming is already disrupting ecosystems. You can read the full report and its findings on the <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Audubon</st1:PersonName> website at <A href="http://www.audubon.org/bird/bacc/index.html">http://www.audubon.org/bird/bacc/index.html</A>. Or better yet, visit <A title=http://www.birdsandclimate.org/ href="http://www.birdsandclimate.org/">www.birdsandclimate.org</A>, an site containing a petition about global warming, an interactive quiz, and information about Dr. Greg Butcher’s educational webcast describing his findings in the report.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Audubon</SPAN></FONT></st1:PersonName> is working to spread the message that widespread range shifts by birds are strong indicators that they are responding to a changing climate are a clear signal of ecological disruption due to global warming. We would appreciate your help in getting the word out. Here are some ways that you can help us spread the message both within our <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Audubon</st1:PersonName> network and beyond:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">1. Let people in your networks know about Dr. Butcher’s live webcast at 1 pm EST February 20. He will describe the findings of his report and answer questions. People can register for the webcast at <A title=http://www.birdsandclimate.org/ href="http://www.birdsandclimate.org/">www.birdsandclimate.org</A>. We think that many birders may be interested in joining this webcast to learn more about the shifts in bird ranges we have observed. Email <A title=mailto:hbrutz@audubon.org href="mailto:hbrutz@audubon.org">hbrutz@audubon.org</A> if you would like a poster or flyer announcing the event that you could post.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">2. Join our new Facebook group, <A title=http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49404733638 href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49404733638">Holy Shift! What Birds Tell Us about Global Warming</A> and invite your friends.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">3. Consider taking part in <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Audubon</st1:PersonName>’s citizen science efforts. The Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up very soon. If you would like to get involved you can learn more at <A title=http://www.birdcount.org/ href="http://www.birdcount.org">www.birdcount.org</A>. The BCN Census is also tracking birds moving north into our region, plus helping to create better habitat. visit <A href="http://www.bcnbirds.org">www.bcnbirds.org</A></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p>Judy Pollock</o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><A href="mailto:jpollock@audubon.org">jpollock@audubon.org</A></o:p></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></BODY>