Legendary Singer James Taylor Partners for the Birds
James Taylor's May 22 performance in Virginia Beach will raise funds to
protect important lands for migratory birds on the Eastern Shore of
Virginia. Taylor will donate a portion of the proceeds from the benefit concert to the Southern Tip Partnership, a coalition of conservation organizations
including the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Game &
Inland Fisheries, The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
For nearly two decades the Partnership has worked to protect land
for migratory songbirds and wildlife on the southern tip of the Delmarva
Peninsula, where the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is located. The Singer/songwriter's generosity in the past has supported land
acquisition and habitat restoration projects in the area.
The Partnership signed an agreement in 2006, formalizing a commitment
to share funding, equipment and technical expertise to fully leverage
available resources to buy land and restore habitat. "We prioritize land
parcels and rank them according to the goals of each partner group," says
Refuge Manager Susan Rice. "We determine the highest acquisition or
easement priority and that's where we focus our energy."
Recently The Nature Conservancy purchased a particularly expensive 82-acre tract that the Fish and Wildlife Service subsequently purchased to become part of the
Eastern Shore of Virginia Refuge. "It is through the Partnership that we have been able to accomplish so much for the resource," adds Rice.
In addition to buying and protecting land, the Partnership works to
improve wildlife habitat on the Eastern Shore. It has endeavored to
control the damaging spread of invasive species, plant native shrubs and
trees for songbirds and establish butterfly gardens for migrating monarch
butterflies. Additionally, lands have been managed to favor vegetation
which produces fruit to feed migrating songbirds.
It is not yet known how much funding the Partnership will receive from the
Taylor concert, but ticket sales are brisk at the Verizon Wireless
Virginia Beach Amphitheater.
|
