OYBC Big Sit Fundraiser for Habitat Conservation
Saturday, October 15, 2011
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Port Clinton Lakefront Preserve

The Ohio Young Birders Club is Raising Money for Habitat Restoration and WE NEED YOUR HELP to Reach Our $5000 Goal!

Our 2010 Big Sit Fundraiser raised $3400.

The Big Sit Fundraiser is similar to a walkathon. Members are encouraged to solicit sponsors to pledge money per bird species tallied or make a flat donation.

The rules for our version of the Big Sit are simple: OYBC Members (or anyone with an interest) stay in a 17-foot diameter circle and identify all the birds they see or hear during a defined period of time. You can stay as long as you want during this day-long event. Bring binoculars, a comfortable chair, and something to eat and drink.

We’ll be watching the lakefront, city beach, and the surrounding uplands for bird activity, but we will also explore the entire Lakefront Preserve in an effort to more fully document our BioBlitz property. Help support your club by attending the OYBC Big Sit For Conservation.

If you would like to donate to the OYBC Big Sit, print the pledge form and mail to:

Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

Or you can donate to the OYBC Big Sit now using PayPal.

Read more about the Port Clinton Lakefront Preserve on the ODNR website.

The preserve is located north of East Perry Street (State Route 163) and a little east of the main part of downtown Port Clinton.

Here's a Google map of the preserve that shows approximately where we'll be setup for the Big Sit.

Look for the BSBO bus to be parked at Lakeview City Park, which is located across from the public beach. Attendees should also park at Lakeview City Park. Our Big Sit area will be setup west of the beach.

Photo of the Port Clinton Lakefront Preserve.
Green dot indicates public beach. Park across from the beach.
Red dot shows the approximate location of our Big Sit area.

Message from:
Kimberly Kaufman
Executive Director
Black Swamp Bird Observatory

The mission of the Ohio Young Birders Club is to encourage, educate, and empower our youth conservation leaders. We provide monthly outdoor experiences that help develop a deeper awareness and appreciation of our natural world. We also recognize that it takes more than the ability to identify birds to be good stewards of our natural resources. We strive to give young people the tools to empower their ability to be strong conservation leaders. Financial support is critical for conservation efforts, and teaching the students about fundraising and charitable giving is an important part of their leadership development.

The Lakefront Preserve is proof the City of Port Clinton values natural areas and is willing to work hard to protect the unobstructed views of Lake Erie that have become so precious. In addition to the scenic value, it’s important to note that less than 16% of Ohio’s lakeshore is accessible to the public. The mile-long protected stretch of the Lakefront Preserve adds considerably to the public’s opportunity to enjoy Lake Erie at its finest.

Port Clinton Mayor Debra Hymore-Tester is excited to have the young birders in Port Clinton at the Lakefront Preserve. “The recent acquisition of the Preserve was an extremely important venture, providing opportunities for present and future birders and wildlife enthusiasts. The Lakefront Preserve will enhance the area for our residents and visitors and we are thrilled that these fine young people are working hard to help us complete the project.”

Linda Hartlaub, President of the Port Clinton City Council says, “The City has worked for more than twenty years to obtain the property now known as the Lakefront Preserve. Now that we have succeeded, we can boast that we have one of the longest stretches of public access shoreline on Lake Erie. We are honored that the young people in the Ohio Young Birders Club appreciate our vision of the property enough to work hard to raise money to support it.”

OYBC students have adopted the Port Clinton Lakefront Preserve as their 2011 habitat restoration project. In addition to raising money through the BIG SIT, the kids also conducted a BioBlitz on the property this summer to establish a baseline inventory of all the species on the area. This will be a big help in evaluating the success of the restoration of the habitat of the Preserve. Not only did they tally nearly 200 species, they found TWO state endangered species of mussels!

Far too often, adults underestimate the power of young people to make a difference. The OYBC is a shining example of the fact that young people can make the world a better place. We hope you’ll give them hand by making a generous donation.

Thank you so much for supporting this important project and the efforts of these outstanding young people!