Julie Melton, of Madison, has received the Facilitator of the Year Award from the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin (BRAW).
Melton was recognized for her work at Holy Wisdom Monastery with prairie restoration as well as her environmental education programs. “I love leading people to a better understanding of how birds are connected to the prairie plants and the whole environment,” she added.
President Steve Sample noted that “through her efforts Melton has helped to maintain and increase the Eastern Bluebird population, key goals of our statewide organization.”
A fifth grade teacher who got Melton excited about birds is why she is now involved with being dedicated to the “care of the earth and its creatures.” Today she also works with Mike Crawford, a BRAW director, who maintains and monitors a bluebird trail with 25 boxes at the monastery.
Melton suggests the most important thing humankind can do to help birds is to “create healthy habitat in our yards, on school grounds, at places of worship and anywhere there is room for native plants.”
A member of the Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Madison Audubon Society, Wisconsin Wetlands Association and the Sierra Club, Melton believes folks can contribute by supporting such groups’ efforts.
In accepting the award, Melton said, “My passion is fueled by my love for birds. I appreciate the work BRAW is doing to help restore the bluebird population.”
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Established in 1986, BRAW’s 900 members manage and monitor nest boxes statewide which annually produce about 18,000 Eastern Bluebird fledglings and a like number of other native cavity nesters. More information about bluebirds, starting and monitoring nest box trails, and BRAW is available at: www.braw.org.
Contact: Gene Kroupa | Bluebird Restoration Assn. of WI | 608.238.3571 phone | gkroupa@tds.net