Community Earns ‘Bird Town’ Designation
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA ceremony is set for this month to honor the first Bird Town of Indiana. The Indiana Audubon Society recently gave that designation to the Adams County town of Geneva, which is the site of the historic Limberlost Cabin. September 3, 2013
News Release
GENEVA, Ind. – The Indiana Audubon Society recently designated Geneva, Ind., the first Bird Town of Indiana and will commemorate the honor at a ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Limberlost State Historic Site Visitor Center, located 200 East Sixth Street. Bird Town of Indiana is a designation awarded by the Indiana Audubon Society to those communities in Indiana that demonstrate an active and ongoing commitment to the protection and conservation of bird populations and habitat.
“The Bird Town designation is acknowledgement that the local wetland restoration efforts have been successful in bringing many types of birds back to the Limberlost. As the birds return, they will attract those who watch birds for a hobby, helping to promote the area and bringing tourist dollars into our economy,” said Limberlost State Historic Site Manager Randy Lehman.
Representatives from the Indiana Audubon Society will present Geneva town officials with two highway signs commemorating this achievement. In addition to the ceremony, a short program on wetland restoration will be given in the Limberlost Visitor Center classroom by Ken Brunswick, East Central Regional Ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves. Brunswick is the person most responsible for the creation of the 1600+ acres of Limberlost nature preserves that contributed to Geneva earning the first Bird Town designation.
The city is home to the historic Limberlost Cabin, once occupied by Gene Stratton-Porter, one of Indiana's best known authors, who wore the nickname “Birdwoman” from 1885 to 1913.
A special Bird Town cake created by Geneva-based chef Cary McClure will be served along with other refreshments.
For more information, please call 260.368.7428 or email rlehman@indianamuseum.org.
Limberlost State Historic Site in Adams County and the Loblolly Marsh Wetland Preserve in Jay County are located near Geneva in northeastern Indiana. Part of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Limberlost admission is free for Indiana State Museum & Historic Site members. General admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for children. The Historic Site is located at 200 E. 6th Street in Geneva, Ind., just off U.S. Highway 27.Source: Indiana State Museum