Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Think Globally: Extinction
(From John James Audubon’s Birds of America 1840-1844)

“In the autumn of 1813…I observed the (Passenger) Pigeons flying form north-east to south-west, in great numbers than I thought I had ever seen them before, and feeling an inclination to count the flocks that might pas within the reach of my eye in one hour, I dismounted, seated myself on an eminence, and began to mark with my pencil, making a dot for every flock that passed. In a short time finding the task which I had undertaken impracticable, as the birds poured in countless multitudes, I rose, and counting the dots then put down, found that 163 had been made in twenty-one minutes…The air was literally filled with Pigeons; the light of noon-day was obscured as by an eclipse, the dung fell in spots, not unlike melting flakes of snow; and the continued buzz of wings had a tendency to lull my senses to repose.

Act Locally: Support the Wisconsin Endangered Species Fund

Get Endangered Species license plates the next time you register your motor vehicle. For 25 tax deductible dollars, your can tell the world you want to protect the endangered and threatened species in our state, while donating money to the cause. Check off a donation for the Endangered Species Fund on the Wisconsin State Tax Return and matching funds will double your contribution.