[CT Birds] raising $$ to preserve land

[Pat Dufour]

Bev,
Your thought that by putting an increase tax on bird seed to help raise
money for conservation is nice BUT unfortunately it will probably result in
the loss of the ability of many people to be able to afford the luxury of
feeding the birds.  This is especially true of the elderly.  My mother at 91
loves to watch the birds from her kitchen window while washing her dishes.
As it is now, the cost of a bag of black oil sunflower seeds is just about
at the cut off amount for her.  I know that this is true of many seniors on
a fixed SS income.
Just a reminder for those not in this situation.
Pat.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Katz1449 at aol.com>
To: <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 11:24 AM
Subject: [CT Birds] raising $$ to preserve land


> >From Bev Propen   4/4  Orange
>
> At a class I am attending, a discussion was raised about how  to get money
to
> help conservation efforts/purchasing land for wildlife etc in  the state
of
> Connecticut.  The Pittman Robertson Act(1937) was mentioned  which placed
an
> excise tax on rifles, shotguns, ammunition and the revenues go  directly
to U.S.
> Fish & Wildlife Service strictly for conservation  efforts...
> _http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusfd16usc669.htm_
> (http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusfd16usc669.htm)
> Someone suggested placing a small extra tax on bird seed sales  in CT, the
> proceeds of which would go strictly for conservation efforts/land
purchases for
> wildlife etc.  Personally I thought that would be a great  idea, although
I
> am sure there are many aspects that I have not   thought of.
> But when it was mentioned that the Upland Sandpiper needs 150  acres of
> grassland for its needs, and other species such as Bobolinks need  5-10
acres, I
> thought that I wouldn't mind spending a bit extra for bird seed if  those
> proceeds went for that use.  Other like-minded individuals may feel  the
same way
> and would this not be a great way to raise those  funds.
> Perhaps approaching a friendly legislator in the Connecticut  government
to
> introduce that idea?
> Any thoughts by the birding  community?
>
>
>
> **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.
>
(http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)
> _______________________________________________
> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
> For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org