MOANA NURSERY NEWS RELEASE
In 1900, Frank Chapman organized 27 friends in 25 locations to count birds on Christmas Day to protest bird-shooting contests that were occurring at the same time. Chapman’s decision to count, rather than shoot, the birds became the Christmas Bird Count, a tradition in which many people in the Northern Nevada area are participating this year.
Christmas Bird Counts are annual, early-winter bird counts sponsored by the National Audubon Society and involve more than 45,000 people from North and South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands. There are about 1,700 counts held during a two and a half week period before and after Christmas.
Many people are participating in the count as a way to get involved with their local Audubon chapter. Beginners are welcome, and people can spend a few hours or the entire day counting birds.
“These counts are very valuable,” said Jacque Lowery, manager of Moana Nursery’s Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shops in Reno/Sparks. “They provide insights into the long-term health of bird populations and the environment.” Counts will be held in the Truckee Meadows, South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Pyramid Lake, Minden and Fallon.
For more information about how you can participate in the Christmas Bird Count, call or visit the Reno Wild Birds Unlimited at 1100 W. Moana Lane or visit nevadaaudubon.org for locations and contact numbers.
Wild Birds Unlimited, located inside all three Moana Nursery locations in Reno and Sparks (1100 W. Moana Lane, 11301 S. Virginia St. and 7655 Pyramid Hwy.), is part of the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events. Visit www.reno.wbu.com for more information.
