Steele, ND

A couple years ago when an article by Julie Zickfoose about birding in North Dakota was published in Bird Watcher’s Digest, Ann Hoffert, president of Birding Drives Dakota, would often make the comment “You just can’t buy advertising like that.”  I have to admit I was a little sceptical.  After all Julie’s husband owned the magazine so why wouldn’t he want to publish her great article? 

But when a friend recently dropped off a book in my office by Chris Santella entitled FIFTY PLACES TO GO BIRDING BEFORE YOU DIE.  I had to admidt Ann has been right all along.  Because right there in the middle of that easy to read, hard cover, leave-it-on-the-coffee table book…was Julie’s birding article. 

This incredible little book isn’t talking just about North America.  This is 50 places in the  world to go birding.  And Kidder County, North Dakota listed as one of the 50 places.  To be selected for this book is a huge honor that continues to validate our claim that we are, indeed, one of the top ten birding hot spots in the world.

Now some people rate birding up there with watching wet paint dry but this might be because they have never actually spent the day out in the field with an experienced birder.  From beating the bushes I can personally assure you that there is an intangible feeling  that overwhelms you as you watch the elusive Baird’s sparrow singing on stem grass in the middle of a prairie grassland. Or stand on the edge of a quiet lake and watch Black Terns dipping and diving for minnows. Or stand in a meadow and watch a Swainson Hawk sail in the clear blue sky above you.

Thanks to Floramay Miller you can check out birding for yourself.  Although she hasn’t officially set a date for her annual birding tour of the county it will be coming up sometime in May or April.  I’ll keep you posted.  

 Ever wondered how come those “other” communties always seem to have sucessful community based projects and fundraisers?   If so, then please join us for this workshop and find out how to put some fun in your fundraiser and how you can help your community tap into the “great transfer of welath” that is taking place. 

Free Workshop Offered on Fundraising and Endowment Development

Concerned about your community and its long term viability?  A community endowment fund is a permanent fund that generates interest to be used for community benefit; the fund itself is never used.  A community endowment fund allows communities to access the benefits of a community foundation, without the overhead expense.

The North Dakota Community Foundation will offer a workshop for area residents on Thursday, March 20 from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm at the Pirate Cafe in Steele. 

Led by Foundation President Kevin Dvorak, the workshop will begin with an overview of endowment funds, the process for developing a fund for a community or area, and the matching funds and resources that are available from the North Dakota Community Foundation.  This is purely an informational session.

Cher Hersrud, Resource Center Director will speak on fundraising mechanisms, including samples and examples.  Fundraising information will include planning and implementation of fundraising efforts, examples of successful fundraising projects, and resource information.

The North Dakota Community Foundation has been awarded an RBOG grant from USDA Rural Development to undertake a year long process to provide information and help to expand the number of community endowment funds within North Dakota.  The grant includes funds to support the workshop, which is free.

More than thirty Community Endowment Funds are managed by the North Dakota Community Foundation, benefiting both nonprofit and community programs and services.  The North Dakota Community Foundation was one of the first community foundations in the country to develop this program of ongoing community support.

The workshop is free; however e-mail or telephone registration by Tuesday, March 18^th is needed, to ensure adequate food and handout materials. To register, send an e-mail to Cher Hersrud at cher@ndcf.net or call toll-free 1-866-889-8265.