Still in Paradise? -- Life in the Driftless Region

Presented by Jon Stravers, one of the nation’s leading raptor researchers and the Research Coordinator for Audubon’s Upper Mississippi River Campaign. Program at the McGregor Public Library

March 21 -- 7p.m.

(This program is free of charge)

Stravers' program will include information on bird research on the Mississippi River and the birds that occupy the "Driftless Region" with us. The distinctive features of the Driftless area that make it so beautiful and compelling – high steep rock bluffs, deep valleys, forested slopes, and the overall proximity to the Mississippi River with it’s interspersion of forests and water - also contribute to this region having distinctive bird populations. These include Red-shouldered Hawks, Prothonotary Warblers, and many other species that are often uncommon elsewhere in the Upper Midwest.

Stravers believes that we live in what can still be considered the "Garden of Eden." The power of a flowing river, the majesty of the bluffs along the river, the beauty of a soaring hawk in the breeze – it is all part of the beauty of this planet. And the birds sing each morning – the trees produce fruit each year – the grass waves in the breeze – the flower still bloom each spring – sunsets sometimes still turn the sky ablaze. Despite our abuse of this planet, its beauty lives on and we here in the "Driftless" are still living in Paradise.

Through the program Stravers hopes to remind us of the interconnectedness of all things that are a part of this Earth. As we understand more about the interdependence - rivers to the soil, the atmosphere to the trees, birds to all of those - we also understand that we are also part of this and not separate from it. While seeking a more complete concept of ourselves, we find ourselves inter-related with other living forms on this planet. We can grow to understand that these other voices should be heard. The music of other creatures, like the language of other nations, should be heard, understood and appreciated.