Feathers Flying… Update

The Hammond Bird Sanctuary is on the agenda of the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF) board meeting rescheduled for Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at the Garrison Building, Ft. Harrison State Park, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The INRF will vote on the invasive trails plan submitted to the INRF by the Hammond Port Authority. INRF holds the bird sanctuary Conservation Easement on 9 1/2 acres of the Hammond Lakefront Park and Bird Sanctuary and they must approve the trails plan. The INRF did not have a quorum at its November board meeting to vote on the proposal though the legal opinion was that the trails plan was in conflict with the deed restrictions on the property.

A big boost was given the sanctuary when the Bird Conservation Network listed the sanctuary on a Chicago bird trails map. The Cardinal featured an article on the sanctuary by Indiana Audubon Society President Dan Leach; the Chicago Audubon Society's Compass reprinted the Times article, “Feathers Flying over quiet sanctuary - Hammond bird Refuge Battle Brewing.” Bowden Quinn wrote a piece on the sanctuary for the Spring 2005 Indiana Sierran and the Sand Ridge Audubon Society Newsletter called for an “action alert.” Recently, the League of Women Voters of the Calumet Area sent a letter to government officials urging the sanctuary remain in its natural vegetative condition as required by the easement.

Carolyn A. Marsh, Convener

Lake Michigan Calumet Advisory Council

219-659-7904