| Speaker Series | Hope Flanagan - Birds of Ojibwe Legends - ZOOM ONLY
2024-03-14 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
Storytelling that honors our bird relatives – Birds of Ojibwe Legends
Change in Venue
**Zoom Only**
Winter is traditionally storytelling season in our Native communities in Minnesota. So many Ojibwe legends (Aadizookaanag) honor our bird relatives. They were here before we were, so they are considered our elders, teachers, and essential food sources. They don’t need us–we need them.
Hope Flanagan is an elder who has taught and worked in the Twin Cities Native Community since the late 1970s. She is a long-time Community Outreach and Cultural Teacher at Dream of Wild Health. Before that, Hope taught in an Ojibwe Immersion classroom for ten years and was a storyteller for Minneapolis Public Schools. She teaches about plants and wild plant gathering, and is also an Urban Bird Collective walk leader.
Dream of Wild Health – https://dreamofwildhealth.org/
Urban Bird Collective – https://urbanbirdcollective.org/
This presentation with be available via ZOOM ONLY and will NOT BE RECORDED
ZOOM LINK

Monthly Chapter Meeting | The Road to Recovery? Roadsides Habitat for Pollinators
2024-04-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Tim Mitchell will present “The Road to Recovery? Roadside Habitat for Pollinators.”
Habitat loss is the primary factor behind the decline of pollinators. Roadside rights-of-way represent a substantial area of publicly managed land that can serve as potential pollinator habitat. However, roadside risks are associated with them. Tim’s two-part talk will explore his research quantifying the risk of pollution for butterflies along roadsides and how Minnesota can cost-effectively improve roadside revegetation efforts for pollinators.
Tim Mitchell: Research Scientist, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota
The presentation will also be available via Zoom.
ZOOM LINK

EVENT CANCELED DUE TO ILLNESS - Monthly Chapter Meeting
2024-05-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States

Monthly Chapter Meeting | John Gregor - Birds of Mexico
2024-09-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
John Gregor, ColdSnap Photography, presents “The Birds of Mexico.” John Gregor, who has 45 years of professional photography experience and lives part of the year in Mexico, will show the variety of birds found in Mexico and talk about where the best birding spots are, how to locate birds in the wild, and tips on getting the best photographs.
Gregor has owned and operated ColdSnap Photography for more than 30 years. He has a BA from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s of Education through St. Scholastica College, emphasizing photographic literacy. He leads tours and conducts workshops in the U.S. and beyond.
Come for an evening of stunning photography and pick up a tip or two!
ZOOM LINK

Monthly Chapter Meeting | Chimney Swift Conservation and Community Engagement
2024-10-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Mags Rheude and Mags Edwards present “Chimney Swift Conservation and Community Engagement.” Mags Rheude, a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, will introduce the Twin Cities Urban Bird Treaty Program and their research on the efficacy of free-standing chimney swift towers in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities hosts over 70 freestanding swift towers, built 10+ years ago during a conservation effort supported by Audubon chapters, Boy Scouts, and other civic groups.
The Twin Cities UBT group examined if towers were still present, monitored, and used by Chimney Swifts. Mags Edwards, Community Science Program Coordinator with the Minnesota DNR, will discuss the group’s recommendations in light of these results and the group’s current focus on community engagement with Chimney Swifts. This includes the development of a survey tool to crowdsource existing nests and roost sites, promoting community swift sits, and engaging with property owners to preserve existing sites.
ZOOM LINK
Photo Credit: Ben Cvengros/Audubon Photography Awards

Monthly Chapter Meeting | Birding Honduras
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Gregg Severson Presents – Birding Honduras
Honduras is a gem of neotropical birding, with many fantastic locations and stunning birds. However, despite this abundant natural beauty, it is less established for ecotourism than places like Costa Rica or Colombia. I will talk about Honduras as a destination, focusing on how birders can contribute to building birding tourism for the future and supporting the up-and-coming entrepreneurs who are making things happen in Honduras.
While not my day job, I am a bird guide for my small company, Birding with Gregg. In the winter months, I primarily guide in Sax-Zim Bog on the weekends, and I am expanding into international guiding. I co-organize the Minneapolis Birds and Beers and Minnesota Global Birders groups.
Zoom Link
Photo Credit: Tracey Kidston/Audubon Photography Awards

Monthly Chapter Meeting | Golden Eagle Project | Zoom Only
2025-01-09 19:00 - 20:30 | MN
Zoom Link
Scott Mehus – National Eagle Center
“The Golden Eagle Project: A Survey of Winter Populations in the Driftless Region and Beyond”
Learn more about the two species of eagles that can be seen in Minnesota and the best places to observe golden eagles. Identifying the difference between juvenile Bald and golden eagles can be difficult for the casual observer. This program will present helpful field markers to help make that identification easier.
Scott will also share information on The Golden Eagle Project, a partnership of the National Eagle Center, Audubon Minnesota, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, and Camp Ripley Military Installation. This partnership has released eight Golden Eagles wintering in Minnesota with satellite transmitters to determine where they go during the nesting season and to better understand their winter habitat requirements.
Scott will be sharing data and information about the Annual Wintering Golden Eagle Survey. He will also hope to entice you and encourage you to become involved as a citizen scientist and help with the annual survey.
Scott Mehus is co-director of the Golden Eagle Project, a partnership studying wintering Golden Eagles in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Midwest. He has been watching and studying the Golden Eagles for over 26 years. He has degrees in Environmental Interpretation, Recreation, and Leisure Studies.
Zoom Link
Photo Credit: Cleve Nash/Audubon Photography Awards
Additional Links:
Distribution of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in eastern North America Publication: Raptor Research Foundation
Tricia Miller, (tricia.miller@mail.wvu.edu) West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA, Scott Mehus National Eagle Center et. al

AMERICA’S EASTERN GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) POPULATION Publication: Auk
Todd Katzner 1 Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Percival Hall, Room 307D, PO Box 6125, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6125, USA Scott Mehus National Eagle Center et. al

A Wintering Population of Golden Eagles in Southwestern Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota Publication: Passenger Pigeon Scott Mehus National Eagle Center 50 Pembroke Avenue Wabasha, Minnesota 55981 651. 565. 4989 scott@nationaleaglecenter.org
Mark Martell Audubon Minnesota 2357 Ventura Drive, Suite 106 St. Paul, Minnesota 55125 651. 739. 9332 mmartell@audubon.org

Monthly Chapter Meeting | Red-Headed Woodpecker Ecology and Conservation | Zoom Only
2025-01-23 19:00 - 20:30 | MN
Zoom Link
Red-headed Woodpecker Ecology and Conservation: New insights and future directions
Dr. Elena H. West (she/her)
Teaching Assistant Professor
Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Dr. West is leading research on the ecology of red-headed woodpeckers, focusing on understanding habitat requirements in oak savanna ecosystems. Red-headed woodpecker populations have declined by over 90% in Minnesota in the last 60 years. Dr. West’s work has practical applications for post-fire forest management and oak savanna restoration activities that benefit this species and other oak habitat specialists. Dr. West will share details on this research and discuss how community members can contribute to red-headed woodpecker conservation efforts in Minnesota.
Photo Credit: Siah St. Clair

Great Backyard Bird Count – Feb. 14th-17th |
2025-02-14 - 2025-02-17 | MN
Great Backyard Bird Count – Feb. 14th-17th

Great Backyard Bird Count: Should Be “Finchy” and Fun — Winter finch “irruption” will be a highlight for many.
New York, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Port Rowan, ON—The 22nd Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will occur from Friday, February 14 through Monday, February 14. Volunteers from around the world are invited to count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at Bird Count. Anyone with internet access can participate, no matter what their skill level—it’s a great family activity, too.
In the United States and Canada, 2019 bird lists are more likely to include sightings of winter finches and grosbeaks that are moving farther south than usual in what’s called an “irruption.” This type of movement is often sparked by poor cone, seed, and berry crops in parts of Canada.
For more information, please visit: Bird Count

Monthly Chapter Meeting | “Restoring honor, connections, and land at Wakaŋ Tipi | Zoom Only
2025-02-20 19:00 - 20:30 | MN
Zoom Link
Thursday, February 20, 7:00 p.m.: Maggie Lorenz presents:
“Restoring honor, connections, and land at Wakaŋ Tipi.”
Maggie Lorenz is the executive director of Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi (WTA), a native-led environmental nonprofit in Saint Paul. Its mission is to honor and care for our natural places, sacred sites, and cultural values.
The organization’s primary work site is Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, the site of a sacred cave called Wakaŋ Tipi (dwelling place of the sacred). Her work centers on restoring the honor, ecosystems, and community connection to the land and natural world here as stewards and protectors. Part of this work is engaging community to create and care for bird habitat as part of the Mississippi River Twin Cities Important Bird Area. WTA also engages community in bird monitoring and birding education through public programs in partnership with the Urban Bird Collective, a nonprofit founded by Monica Bryand.
Maggie Lorenz (Dakota/Anishinaabe) is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe and has maternal ties to Spirit Lake Dakota Nation. She has served as executive director for Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi for the past 6 years.

Hope Flanagan - Insects & Plants of Ojibwe Legends
2025-03-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Storytelling that honors our insect and plant relatives – Insects and Plants of Ojibwe Legends
In-Person ONLY
Winter is traditionally storytelling season in our Native communities in Minnesota. Many Ojibwe legends (Aadizookaanag) honor our Insect and Plant relatives, and Hope will share some of her favorites with us.
Hope Flanagan is an elder who has taught and worked in the Twin Cities Native Community since the late 1970s. She is a long-time Community Outreach and cultural teacher at Dream of Wild Health. Before that, Hope taught in an Ojibwe Immersion classroom for ten years and was a storyteller for Minneapolis Public Schools. She teaches about plants and wild plant gathering and is also an Urban Bird Collective walk leader.
Dream of Wild Health – https://dreamofwildhealth.org/
Urban Bird Collective – https://urbanbirdcollective.org/
This presentation will be in-person only – no Zoom or Recording

Jackie Fallon - Continuing the Work! 40 Years of Peregrine Research
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Continuing the Work! 40 Years of Peregrine Research – Jackie Fallon
ZOOM LINK
The remarkable success of the peregrine falcon recovery program is one of the most highly celebrated restoration efforts of the 20th Century. With more than a 70% decline throughout its global range, the species was on the fast track to potential extinction, especially in the lower 48 states. Thankfully, falconers created a captive breeding program that was able to produce over 7000 falcons. Within 30 years’ time, the species was declared recovered in North America. Today, the peregrine falcon has expanded their range and surpassed historical population levels to a level no one could have possibly imagined. Fallon will discuss the history, process, and monitoring discoveries such as fecundity, migration, density, and adaptability to an ever-changing landscape.
Jacquelyn Fallon is the VP of Field Operations for the Midwest Peregrine Society and MN state coordinator. She has been involved with peregrine falcon monitoring and research since 1988, focusing on population fluctuations and human-peregrine conflict mitigation. Jackie has nearly 35 years of experience with endangered species programs and restoration efforts, primarily canids and raptors. She has a BS in Biology from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA.

Lee Pfannmuller - The Breeding Birds of Minnesota - Board Elections
2025-05-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
The Breeding Birds of Minnesota – the Work and the Science
In-Person &
ZOOM LINK
Lee will provide an inside look into the creation and importance of The Breeding Birds of Minnesota. This book is the first comprehensive and in-depth assessment of Minnesota’s breeding birds in nearly a century. One of the most valuable aspects of the Atlas was that over 700 birders from all walks of life surveyed every corner of the state. The Atlas provides each species’ life history and seasonal status, migration, foods consumed, nest structure, name origin, habitat, population, and conservation status.
Lee A. Pfannmuller served as the state planning coordinator and interim executive director of Audubon Minnesota. She was also director of the Division of Ecological Resources at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, where she worked for fifteen years with the Nongame Wildlife Program, the Natural Heritage Program, the Scientific and Natural Areas Programs, and the Division of Minerals.
Board Elections – May 8th @ Chapter Meeting
We will hold Board of Directors elections at the May 8th chapter meeting. Members (local and national) present at the meeting can vote for the following slate of candidates. If you are interested in serving on the board, you can send us a note, and we will ask for nominations from the floor at the May 8th meeting. We hope to see you there.
If you would like to learn more about each candidate, you can click here.
Kiki Sonnen President
Debbie Brown Vice President
Neil Carlson Treasurer
Amanda Rice Secretary
Monica Bryand Board Member
Lucas Lin Board Member
Craig Cox Board Member
Owen Stefanich Board Member

Speaker Series | Rebecca Heisman - Surprising Secrets of Bird Biology
2026-02-12 19:00 - 20:30 | ZOOM Meeting Online
** THIS IS A ZOOM-ONLY PRESENTATION **
** Co-Sponsored with Land of Lakes Bird Alliance **
Reservation and Zoom Link
Because they’re warm-blooded, it’s easy to imagine that birds are basically feathery versions of mammals—but in reality, of course, they’re dinosaurs. Birds’ anatomy and physiology are wildly different from ours.
Rebecca Heisman promises that you’ll learn at least one new and surprising fact in this talk (probably more than one!) as we take a whirlwind tour of what birds are, where they came from, and how they breathe, fly, sing, sense the world around them, and more. It’s the ornithology course you never got to take in college, condensed into a single entertaining hour. It will share facts and stories about bird respiration, flight, song, and senses that many birders aren’t familiar with.
Rebecca Heisman is a science writer based in eastern Washington who loves “nerding” out about birds. She has contributed to publications like Audubon Magazine, Living Bird, and Bird Conservation. From 2015 to 2020, she worked for the American Ornithological Society, the world’s largest professional organization for bird scientists. Initially, as an independent contractor helping to promote research published in AOS’s scientific journals and later as its first full-time communications staffer, Heisman brought bird science to a broader scientific community and the public. There, she became deeply familiar with the North American ornithological community and grew excited about the diverse and fascinating methods for studying birds.
To learn more about Rebecca’s work, check out these sources:
https://rebeccaheisman.com/, https://rebeccaheisman.substack.com/

Hope Flanagan - Ojibwe Legends of our Insect World
2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Ojibwe Legends of our Insect World
March 12 – 7 pm
Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN
1910 County B Road West, Rm 207
Roseville, MN 55113
In-Person ONLY – No Registration Needed
Co-Sponsored with Land of Lakes Bird Alliance
Winter is traditionally storytelling season in our Native communities in Minnesota. Many Ojibwe legends (Aadizookaanag) honor our natural world, and Hope will share some of her favorites with us.
Hope Flanagan is an elder who has taught and worked in the Twin Cities Native Community since the late 1970s. She is a long-time Community Outreach and cultural teacher at Dream of Wild Health. Before that, Hope taught in an Ojibwe Immersion classroom for 10 years and served as a storyteller for Minneapolis Public Schools. She teaches about plants and wild plant gathering and is also a leader for Urban Bird Collective walks.
Dream of Wild Health – https://dreamofwildhealth.org/
Urban Bird Collective – https://urbanbirdcollective.org/
This presentation will be in-person only – no Zoom or Recording

Speaker Series | Kara Snow - Project Pileated Woodpecker
2026-04-09 19:00 - 20:30 | ZOOM Meeting Online
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 7 – 8:30 PM
THIS IS A ZOOM-ONLY PRESENTATION **
** Co-Sponsored with Land of Lakes Bird Alliance **
Reservation and Zoom Link
Kara Snow – Project Pileated Woodpecker: Characterizing Tree Cavity and Use by Minnesota’s Wildlife (One-year update!)
The Pileated Woodpecker is a keystone species in Minnesota’s forests, creating large cavities that many other wildlife species later use. In this talk, Ms. Snow will share an update from the first year of her Pileated Woodpecker project, including the methods we used to locate and monitor nesting cavities across a gradient of forest management.
Ms. Snow will touch on some of the challenges she and her team faced in the field, early successes from the first season, and what they are beginning to learn about habitat use. She will also highlight ways the public can help by sharing observations of Pileated Woodpeckers and cavity use, which can play an important role in supporting this research going forward.
If you are interested in getting involved in this project, click here for more details.
Photo-Rolland-Swain-Audubon

Securing Speaker for our May Program - Stay Tuned
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville, MN, 1910 County B Road West, Rm 207, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
We are working on securing a speaker for our May Membership Meeting. We will send out more information in our e-newsletter and on our social media platforms.
Stay Tuned!
Dennis Derby/Audubon Photography Awards
