Governor Hutchinson Proclaims June 5, 2018 as Year of the Bird Day in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — Governor Asa Hutchinson has declared June 5, 2018 as the day for Arkansans to celebrate birds and recognize our responsibility in taking care of the land, air and water that we all share. Thousands of waterfowl stopover during winter along the White River and Cache River, and Arkansas is also home to a total of eight globally significant Important Bird Areas.

“Each winter Arkansas is home to North America’s largest wintering area for Mallards, where we host 360,000 birds…along both the White River and Cache River,” wrote Governor Hutchinson in his proclamation. “This is more than any other site in North America.”

Brett Kincaid, vice president and executive director of Audubon Arkansas, said: “Arkansans across the state recognize our natural beauty and diverse habitats. We thank Governor Hutchinson for recognizing the Year of the Bird and for drawing attention to the vital role our state plays in migration. 300 species of migratory birds pass through our state every year.”

In addition to June 5 Year of the Bird Day in Arkansas, people around the world are celebrating 2018 as Year of the Bird. This year marks the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, one of the oldest wildlife protection laws in the United States. In honor of this milestone, National Geographic, Audubon, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, BirdLife International, and dozens of other partners around the world joined forces to celebrate 2018 as the Year of the Bird.

“Year of the Bird is an easy way people can take small everyday actions to help birds along their journeys,” said David Yarnold (@david_yarnold), president and CEO for National Audubon Society. “Magness Lake in North Central Arkansas is where Trumpeter Swans spend their winters. Among them each year are the young cygnets completing their first lesson on how to migrate safely from the Wisconsin pond where they were hatched. This lake hosts the largest population of Trumpeter Swans in the South, and we are grateful to Governor Hutchinson for declaring today Year of the Bird Day, and for recognizing the importance of birds and the places we all share.”

Governor Hutchinson signed the proclamation on May 15, 2018.

Media Contacts: Brett Kincaid, bkincaid@audubon.org, 501-244-2229.

About Audubon:

Audubon Arkansas works to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and earth’s biological diversity. Audubon envisions an Arkansas where the love and respect for nature is a cultural legacy. Communities are engaged in responsible stewardship, protecting and conserving our native environment for future generations. Audubon Arkansas will inspire and lead environmental education, resource management, habitat restoration, bird conservation, and enlightened advocacy.

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using, science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more and how to help at www.audubon.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.

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