S. R. No. 287 As Adopted by the Senate

As Adopted by the Senate

130th General Assembly

Regular Session

2013-2014

S. R. No. 287

Senator Gardner

Cosponsors: Senators Cafaro, Hughes, Eklund, LaRose, Manning, Hite, Brown

A RESOLUTION

To designate the second Saturday of May 2014 as Bird 1
Ohio Day in order to recognize the importance of 2
bird and bird habitat stewardship and 3
conservation. 4

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

       WHEREAS, Ohio has played a major role in the development of 5
bird studies and research since the 1890s. It provides stopover 6
habitat for millions of birds as they pass through the state 7
during their migration northward each spring and also is home to 8
numerous species that reside in the state year-round. For example, 9
the bald eagle, a recognized symbol of our nation, has a 10
significant population in Ohio with a major percentage located in 11
Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie Counties, comprising the most 12
concentrated breeding population in the continental United States. 13
Ottawa County and the Oak Harbor area have adopted the name 14
"Warbler Capital of the World" to recognize the importance of the 15
spring migration and to attract visitors to the area; and 16

       WHEREAS, Numerous agencies and organizations that recognize 17
the importance of bird and bird habitat education, research, and 18
conservation are located in Ohio, including, but not limited to, 19
Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Destination Toledo, Lake Erie Shores 20
and Islands, Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center, Metroparks of 21
the Toledo Area, Erie Metroparks, Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland 22
Museum of Natural History, Columbus Audubon Society, Ohio 23
Ornithological Society, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio 24
zoos, and Ohio park districts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 25
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio park districts, and 26
other public agencies and private organizations have protected 27
thousands of acres of high-quality bird habitat across the state; 28
and 29

       WHEREAS, Bird watching has become one of the most popular and 30
economically significant forms of outdoor recreation in Ohio and 31
throughout the United States. Birding tourism contributes 32
significantly to economic development in northwest Ohio. Thousands 33
of birdwatchers from across the country and around the world visit 34
northwest Ohio and the southwest shore of Lake Erie each spring to 35
witness the spectacle of bird migration and to participate in the 36
Biggest Week in American Birding Festival organized by the Black 37
Swamp Bird Observatory of Oak Harbor, Ohio. Studies conducted by 38
the Observatory and Bowling Green State University show that 39
visiting birdwatchers spend more than $30 million in northern Ohio 40
each spring; and 41

       WHEREAS, Nature conservation, including protection of bird 42
habitats, has many aesthetic and economic values, including 43
increasing the value of real estate located near conserved lands 44
such as nature preserves and properties protected by conservation 45
easements; and 46

       WHEREAS, Public awareness and concern are crucial components 47
of conserving natural areas as well as the birds and other 48
wildlife that live in those areas. Citizens who are enthusiastic 49
about birds and nature, informed about threats to the natural 50
world, and empowered to become involved in addressing those 51
threats can make a tremendous contribution to maintaining healthy 52
bird populations and protecting bird habitats; and 53

       WHEREAS, Interest in bird and bird habitat stewardship and 54
conservation can grow by providing more bird watching and nature 55
education activities involving people of all ages. Many 56
educational materials are available to schools, educational 57
organizations, parents, and other citizens to foster public 58
awareness about the importance of bird and bird habitat 59
conservation; now therefore be it 60

       RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 130th 61
General Assembly of the State of Ohio, in adopting this 62
resolution, designate the second Saturday of May 2014 as Bird Ohio 63
Day in order to recognize the importance of bird and bird habitat 64
stewardship and conservation; and be it further 65

       RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 130th 66
General Assembly of the State of Ohio, encourage school districts, 67
schools, teachers, and nature educators in Ohio to offer lessons 68
and activities to teach students and other citizens about birds, 69
bird habitat, and bird conservation and also encourage citizens of 70
and visitors to Ohio to spend time outdoors enjoying the sights 71
and sounds of birds and engage in stewardship of the wildlife 72
habitat on which migratory and resident birds depend for their 73
survival; and be it further 74

       RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly 75
authenticated copies of this resolution to the news media of Ohio. 76

WHEREAS, Ohio has played a major role in the development of	5
bird studies and research since the 1890s. It provides stopover	6
habitat for millions of birds as they pass through the state	7
during their migration northward each spring and also is home to	8
numerous species that reside in the state year-round. For example,	9
the bald eagle, a recognized symbol of our nation, has a	10
significant population in Ohio with a major percentage located in	11
Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie Counties, comprising the most	12
concentrated breeding population in the continental United States.	13
Ottawa County and the Oak Harbor area have adopted the name	14
"Warbler Capital of the World" to recognize the importance of the	15
spring migration and to attract visitors to the area; and	16

WHEREAS, Numerous agencies and organizations that recognize	17
the importance of bird and bird habitat education, research, and	18
conservation are located in Ohio, including, but not limited to,	19
Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Destination Toledo, Lake Erie Shores	20
and Islands, Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center, Metroparks of	21
the Toledo Area, Erie Metroparks, Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland	22
Museum of Natural History, Columbus Audubon Society, Ohio	23
Ornithological Society, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio	24
zoos, and Ohio park districts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,	25
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio park districts, and	26
other public agencies and private organizations have protected	27
thousands of acres of high-quality bird habitat across the state;	28
and	29

WHEREAS, Bird watching has become one of the most popular and	30
economically significant forms of outdoor recreation in Ohio and	31
throughout the United States. Birding tourism contributes	32
significantly to economic development in northwest Ohio. Thousands	33
of birdwatchers from across the country and around the world visit	34
northwest Ohio and the southwest shore of Lake Erie each spring to	35
witness the spectacle of bird migration and to participate in the	36
Biggest Week in American Birding Festival organized by the Black	37
Swamp Bird Observatory of Oak Harbor, Ohio. Studies conducted by	38
the Observatory and Bowling Green State University show that	39
visiting birdwatchers spend more than $30 million in northern Ohio	40
each spring; and	41

WHEREAS, Nature conservation, including protection of bird	42
habitats, has many aesthetic and economic values, including	43
increasing the value of real estate located near conserved lands	44
such as nature preserves and properties protected by conservation	45
easements; and	46

WHEREAS, Public awareness and concern are crucial components	47
of conserving natural areas as well as the birds and other	48
wildlife that live in those areas. Citizens who are enthusiastic	49
about birds and nature, informed about threats to the natural	50
world, and empowered to become involved in addressing those	51
threats can make a tremendous contribution to maintaining healthy	52
bird populations and protecting bird habitats; and	53

WHEREAS, Interest in bird and bird habitat stewardship and	54
conservation can grow by providing more bird watching and nature	55
education activities involving people of all ages. Many	56
educational materials are available to schools, educational	57
organizations, parents, and other citizens to foster public	58
awareness about the importance of bird and bird habitat	59
conservation; now therefore be it	60

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 130th	61
General Assembly of the State of Ohio, in adopting this	62
resolution, designate the second Saturday of May 2014 as Bird Ohio	63
Day in order to recognize the importance of bird and bird habitat	64
stewardship and conservation; and be it further	65

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 130th	66
General Assembly of the State of Ohio, encourage school districts,	67
schools, teachers, and nature educators in Ohio to offer lessons	68
and activities to teach students and other citizens about birds,	69
bird habitat, and bird conservation and also encourage citizens of	70
and visitors to Ohio to spend time outdoors enjoying the sights	71
and sounds of birds and engage in stewardship of the wildlife	72
habitat on which migratory and resident birds depend for their	73
survival; and be it further	74

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly	75
authenticated copies of this resolution to the news media of Ohio.	76