Birds are important to Minnesotans. They are part of our identity that we proudly carry with us.

Don’t believe me?

How about the Common Loon? We Minnesotans don’t need an interpreter to know It’s lonely call not only represents the sound of Minnesota lakes but actually translates to those exact words- at least we are fairly certain they do. And what of the Bald Eagle that sours proudly over our forests or the mallard duck, a favorite of Minnesota duck hunters?

Birds are so much a part of our state that two sculptures in their honor are now on display at Commons Park in downtown Minneapolis. The sculptures are an important, albeit beautiful reminder of how our most recognizable birds will soon be abandoning us for another state as our climate continues to warm and change our landscape, putting many of our beloved birds at risk.

The article featured in the Star Tribune “Art Installation near U.S. Bank Stadium tells the story of Minnesota’s birds and climate change” offers insight into the sculptures and how they predict when many of Minnesota birds will migrate for good out of state, and what out-of-state birds will be taking their place.

Interested in learning more about how Climate Change effects Minnesota birds? Come listen to Photographer and birder Monica Bryand as she shares photos and stories from the Audubon report “Birds and Climate Change” which reported “nearly half of the bird species in  the continental U.S. and Canada are seriously threatened by 2080, and without action, many are at risk of extinction”. She will also tell about her own project to study the situation of at risk bird species in Minnesota.

This event held on Tuesday, July 11th at 7:00pm at Maple Grove Library is free and open to the public.