Date: 6/17/26 6:46 pm From: Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] *no sighting* Request for feedback on TreeRush lights/music at Fontenelle Forest
No organization operates without $’s and Nature Centers and Botanical Gardens are no different. Here in Arizona both the Desert 🌵 Botanical Gardens and the Boyce Thompson Botanical Gardens both have gone to events. Some problems with both.Fontenne Forest 🌳 faces a funding problem since they receive no tax funding.It up to us who love the forest to keep our membership up to date and put them near the top of the list with donations.There is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.Don MaasMesa, AZMaricopa County Choctaw, OKOklahoma County
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 7:50 PM, Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> wrote:
Very productive talks have been going on. Thank you very much Paul for explaining What has happened. This is very good news for Fontenel Forest in specific and maybe other places in general as we move forward to make certain places more bird and animal friendly. God bless.
Paul O. RoisenSioux City, IA 51106 Woodbury County, IAMobile 712-301-2817 <roisenp1950...>
On Wed, Jun 17, 2026 at 7:38 PM Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson...> wrote:
I want to thank anyone who submitted comments or feedback to Fontenelle Forest. It definitely made a difference!
The new director brought up these issues with the owner of TreeRush and there are going to be changes in how they operate going forward and how they work with the Forest that are big positive steps.
First and foremost, NO MUSIC during the day or on weekday evenings, unless there is a pre-planned event. Huge for birds and boardwalk birders!
The TreeRush weekend "glow nights" will continue, but volume will be monitored and coordinated with FF programs, esp. future scheduling (e.g. 2027)
New TreeRush employees will now get training from FF educators so they understand the mission and purpose of the Forest.
If you still want to provide feedback or if you go there and enjoy NOT hearing the music while birding, maybe send them an email
<info...>
Paul Pearson
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Paul L. Pearson, PhDPresident-Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
Omaha, NE
