I've been in touch with Jennifer Tavares at Tompkins Chamber and Fred Bonn
of the Parks Services. Jennifer let me know they have received feedback
from a number of people and are considering what may be possible at this
point. I imagine they will send a notice out to all but if I hear anything
definitive I will be sure to let you know.
Thanks,
Rachel
On Mon, Apr 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM Regi Teasley <rltcayuga...> wrote:
> Astrid,
> Thank you for your comments.
> But I think compromise isn’t our answer here. In my view, this issue
> has developed because human beings see Nature as an afterthought. Humans
> see their own goals and actions as primary and, if they care at all, they
> might try to “minimize” their impact. God forbid they could reschedule or
> reconsider this project.
> As long as we don’t understand that Nature is not under our dominion,
> we will be unable to solve our environmental and climate problems. We are
> watching and participating in the 6th Great Extinction; but apparently that
> hasn’t sunk in yet.
>
> Regi
> ____________
> Creativity is the heart of adaptive evolution.
> Terry Tempest Williams
>
>
>
> On Apr 15, 2024, at 10:27 AM, Astrid Jirka <astrid...>
> wrote:
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I appreciate the care and attention being given to the peregrines and the
> ravens in light of the lightshow being planned this weekend, as I've seen
> expressed through the Cayuga Bird Listserve.
> I also appreciate NYS Parks for all they do to promote recreation and
> conservation of our natural resources.
> And I appreciate the Chamber and Visit Ithaca for all they do to promote
> tourism in our area which is so crucial to our local economy.
> It is understandable to me that there is an interest in a celebration and
> that Tgnk Falls should be (literally) highlighted due to its beauty and its
> attraction to locals and visitors alike.
>
> *Could one of the birders please explain exactly what they think the
> repercussions would be to the bird nests that are of concern? * Are the
> females likely to abandon their nests, eggs or chicks, and never return?
>
> It is nice to see a community caring so much for our natural resources in
> so many ways. Let's do our best to make it work for the birds and the
> humans and all involved!
>
> Take care,
>
> Astrid Jirka
> Director of Tourism Initiatives
> Discover Cayuga Lake
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: <tess...>
> Date: Sun, Apr 14, 2024 at 4:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Taughannock Falls light show?
> To: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...>, CAYUGABIRDS-L <
> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
>
>
> Sounds like there is a lot of momentum behind this and it might be easier
> to deflect than to stop unless the weather is like today. Celebrating the
> 100th probably is a huge deal for the agency, which certainly have manages
> a lot of great habitat for birds. And they people behind this particular
> event have put time, money, and effort into planning and executing it and
> probably will be reluctant to abandon it.
>
> Is there a way this could be done and disturbance minimized? What if they
> lit up the falls from right below so the gorge itself wasn't illuminated,
> and instead of hiking up the gorge they centered the celebration on the
> overlook rather than hiking the gorge hike? Maybe there's a local
> bird-loving food truck or caterer who would be willing to offer food at a
> discount to the parks for the three nights up at the visitor center by the
> overlook?
>
> Is there someone on the list with contacts at the Regional State Park
> office or at the Chamber who could sound them out on whether they are open
> to alternatives? Does the bird club have any programming it runs in
> partnership with any of the local state parks? We could try to shut this
> down but there's a good chance that would fail and, whether or not it did,
> trying to shut it down entirely will piss off a lot people which might not
> be good for birds (or even birders) in the long run. Note the Chamber of
> Commerce seems to be running the hikes so anyone on the list who is a
> member might want to gently explain the issue to Jennifer Tavares, who
> seems like a decent person. Not sure if Fred Bonn is still the Regional
> Director of State Parks but he has been flexible in the past when
> approached given actual evidence and alternatives - but whoever approaches
> him should be prepared with published evidence or personal reports by
> someone (maybe Tim G) who is an acknowledged expert on peregrines and can
> show that the light show is going to disturb the peregrines. Keep in mind
> that these folks know peregrines nest on urban bridges and buildings that
> are lit at night so they will need to know why this is different.
>
>
> On 4/14/2024 12:06 PM, Geo Kloppel wrote:
>
> Below is the press release for the evening light shows at the great falls
> in Taughannock Falls State Park later this week, which have potential to
> disturb the Peregrine Falcons and Ravens that are currently on nests there).
>
> Note that the event is jointly hosted by NYS Parks, Visit Ithaca, and also
> the Tompkins Chamber, which is handling online registration for after-dark
> hikes up the gorge trail to the lighted falls.
>
> [image: new-york-state-parks-recreation-and-historic-preservation-1.jpg]
>
> Go for a hike and view the lights to celebrate 100 years of NYS Parks at
> Taughannock Falls
> <https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/regional-news/go-for-a-hike-and-view-the-lights-to-celebrate-100-years-of-nys-parks-at-taughannock-falls/> > mytwintiers.com
> <https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/regional-news/go-for-a-hike-and-view-the-lights-to-celebrate-100-years-of-nys-parks-at-taughannock-falls/> >
> <https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/regional-news/go-for-a-hike-and-view-the-lights-to-celebrate-100-years-of-nys-parks-at-taughannock-falls/> >
>
> On Apr 14, 2024, at 10:16 AM, Tim Gallagher <twg3...>
> <twg3...> wrote:
>
> I heard some disturbing news last night. Apparently Taughannock Falls
> will be brightly illuminated from 8:30 to 10:00 this coming Thursday,
> Friday, and Saturday night (April 18, 19, and 20). I guess it’s some kind
> of PR stunt to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the New York State Park
> Service, but it couldn’t possibly come at a worse time, with the eggs just
> about to hatch in the Peregrine Falcon eyrie and a pair of Ravens nesting
> right beside the falls—not mention all the other wildlife in the park.
> There certainly should be other, less potentially harmful, ways to
> celebrate the Park Service. You can contact the Taughannock Park office at
> (607) 387-7041. (Photo by Arthur A. Allen)
>
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