HISTORY OF BBRP

Dick Peterson came to the Minneapolis Chapter of Audubon in 1979 and asked for help in answering hundreds of letters and requests for plans he received after an article featuring his longtime bluebird work and his unique nest box was published in the Minneapolis Star & Tribune. The Bluebird Recovery Program was quickly organized as a committee of The Minneapolis Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Originally part of the Conservation Committee, BBRP eventually became financially independent , but still retained the non-profit status of  the Audubon Chapter. A $8 minimum donation is requested to cover our annual expenses. At the time of organizing, BBRP was one of the first state bluebird organizations in the nation, and our membership numbers soon rose to 2300. As many other states created their own bluebird clubs or programs, many joined their own state organization, with BBRP’s encouragement. A quarter of our current members are still in states other than Minnesota. Current total membership is 920.  Information packets have been requested by over 11,851 people since 1979!

ORGANIZATION

The volunteer BBRP Committee guides the policies and decisions and organizes the Annual Conference of Bluebirders. Attendance is usually around 300 people. County Coordinators are available for assistance. The Annual Directory of Bluebirders provides contact information for everyone completing the annual bluebird report form. Consultation and advice is always available by telephone, e-mail, mail correspondence, and in the field if possible. BBRP is an affiliate of the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) and cooperates with the Nongame Program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

ADVANTAGES OF MEMBERSHIP

A quarterly newsletter contains information, research, literature, report forms, and a large mail-order selection of bluebird-related items. The BBRP book, “Bluebird Trails -A Guide to Success”, now in its third edition, is available to members at discount. The large initial information package contains the BBRP brochure on setting up bluebird boxes, nesting biology and identification, predator problems, a field monitoring booklet , and plans for the Peterson, Gilwood, Gilbertson PVC boxes and the Noel Predator Guard, sources of box kits and sparrow traps, and a recent newsletter. The Annual Conference, located in various locales, is free to all members.  Join Us!