What do coffee, chocolate, gardening, and our wonderful windows have in common? Besides being some of our favorite things, they also represent important and meaningful ways that you can have a positive impact on the birds we love!

Join east side and downtown neighbors in sampling free Bird-Friendly coffee and chocolates and light appetizers. Explore and share native plants we can add to our yards, balconies and patios to boost birds, and other ways we can keep them safe in our neighborhoods.

Photo by kris krüg FCC

The event will include three short presentations (5-10 minutes each) about:

• supporting birds through gardening with native plants,

• preventing birds from flying into windows, and

• how the Smithsonian Bird Friendly® coffee certification protects birds in their winter habitats.

During this event, attendees will get to:

• taste delicious Bird Friendly coffee from one of Wisconsin's first certified roasters, Barnwood Coffee of Two Rivers, and purchase some to take home if desired,

• peruse native plant catalogs and learn about our Native Plant Sale,

• see, touch, and share easy ways to keep birds from flying into windows, including taking home a window treatment kit for a small donation. 

A native rain garden at a Madison east side school. Photo by Brenna Marsicek

Speakers

Amy Alstad is the Director of Land Management and Environmental Education at Holy Wisdom Monastery.

Brenna Marsicek is the Director of Outreach with Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and coordinator of the Bird Collision Corps.

Amy Haban is CEO of Barnwood Coffee Company of Two Rivers, a Smithsonian certified Bird Friendly roaster. 

Lisa Gaumnitz is the coordinator for SOS: Save Our Songbirds, and a member of the Friends of Wisdom Prairie Council.

Registration

Registration is free, but requested to ensure we have enough materials and products for all attendees.

Cover photo: a male American Goldfinch perches on a purple coneflower, photo by Chad Horwedel FCC