 Grants Request |
MOU Savaloja Grants
Terry Savaloja was a well-known, respected Minnesota birder and T.S. Roberts Award recipient who died in 1992. Each year, the MOU gives grants to bird-related projects from the Savaloja Memorial Fund. In 2023, six projects were awarded Savaloja Grant funds. Two of these projects were also awarded funds thanks to two special donations from MOU members: one donation of $1000 in memory of Bob Russell, and one donation of $3000 specifically for a BIPOC project.
MYBirdClub was awarded $1800. MYBirdClub specializes in professionally guided field trips that connect youth (and their families) to birds and birding. They also provide adult field trips upon request. By connecting kids with nature, they also draw in their adults as active participants. MYBirdClub helps instill a desire to care for birds and shows kids and adults how they can weave personal conservation actions and efforts into their everyday lives. This project benefits birds by inspiring the next generation of birders, conservationists, and environmentalists. Most of their bird outings served approximately 20% non-white and/or neurodiverse youth. They work to attract a diverse group of young birders by marketing their outings in groups specifically for non-white populations like Outdoor Afro, Urban Bird Collective, and in community Facebook groups. In addition, MYBirdClub contracts with public libraries to offer birding programs which connects them to a more diverse population across the metro.
Fargo-Moorhead Urban Birds Study led by NDSU MS Student Tucker Lutter and Advisor Dr. Torre Hovick was awarded $1974. This master's student project researches the interface between human and avian populations along the Red River riparian corridor in Moorhead, MN and Fargo, ND. Their objectives are to:
- Assess the diversity of migratory and breeding birds in urban green spaces and to determine the breeding status of birds using urban green spaces.
- Demonstrate the relationship between breeding birds in urban parks and surrounding land use (LDI) and vegetation characteristics.
- Understand the attitudes of park users about conservation in urban parks and how attitudes differ across demographic groups.
- Quantify the economic inputs of birders visiting Moorhead and Fargo parks.
Bioacoustic monitoring for broad-scale species conservation: RHWO Recovery Project was awarded $3000. This expansion of the scope of the Red-Headed Woodpecker Recovery Project focuses on gathering otherwise unknown information on the species’ statewide distribution, reproduction, and the habitat characteristics associated with breeding success. The refined nature of this new approach would provide the necessary information about the species’ distribution and reproduction that are critical components of habitat management and restoration efforts. To address these information gaps, this research will focus on the following objectives:
- Identify the current breeding distribution of red-headed woodpeckers in Minnesota and collect information on occupancy, reproduction, and breeding habitats.
- Develop a monitoring protocol to estimate red-headed woodpecker population trends and responses to habitat management.
Owl Education Programming for Third Graders: Staring Lake Outdoor Center was awarded $850 plus a special donation of $1000 in memory of Bob Russell. This project extends Staring Lake Outdoor Center's owl education program (developed with assistance of a previous Savaloja grant) to 350 third graders from three different schools, with an estimated 40-50% of attendees being students of color. The goal of these comprehensive programs is twofold: to encourage a development of interest in birds, especially owls, and to establish a deeper respect and understanding of the world around them, which will ultimately lead to a greater appreciation of habitats and preserving the natural world.
Urban Bird Collective was awarded $600 plus a special donation of $3000 specifically for a BIPOC project. The vision of the UBC is to empower individuals who are willing to deepen their knowledge of bird identification and appreciation of natural spaces to develop their skills to lead others on UBC walks. Through this shared experience they will build community connections, increase awareness and stewardship of the environment and facilitate on-going multi-generational participation in outdoor recreation – for the health of people and the environment. The UBC is seeking funds to expand their work further by developing a cohort of 6-8 new leaders. They will build their birding identification skills and their ability to facilitate bird walks and positive outdoor experiences for BIPOC and LGBTQIA participants. Developing new leaders would allow their current leaders to gain more advanced teaching experience while also building the identification and social skills of these new leaders. Experienced leaders will create curriculum and focused learning opportunities that provide a consistent, year-round, supportive learning environment for folks who are willing to learn but lacking bird ID skills.
Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon Society was awarded $850. BLAAS is seeking to provide the Northland Arboretum--a designated Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA)--and their chapter area with an up-to-date printed checklist of bird species. They would like to revamp their current checklist and have copies printed for use at their programs and to promote interest, education, and appreciation of birds in their area.
MOU members support these projects through memberships and donations. Please consider joining MOU, increasing your membership level when the time comes to renew, or making a donation through our homepage, earmarked for Savaloja grants, to MOU at any time.
2024 Savaloja Grants: Individuals or organizations undertaking projects in Minnesota that increase our understanding of birds, promote preservation of birds and their natural habitats, or increase public interest in birds, including in minorities currently underrepresented in Minnesota's birding community, may submit grant applications to MOU. Application information can be found here, or by emailing grants@moumn.org.
The deadline for receipt of grant applications is January 20, 2024. Grant recipients will be notified in April 2024.
Return to M.O.U. Home Page