Post-Tribune |

Mrvan goes on bird walk with environmentalists to learn about restoration, bird habitats along the Little Calumet River

Looking through a pair of binoculars along a trail in the Lake Etta County Park, U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan watched a redheaded woodpecker flying around a tree branch. Two representatives with Audubon Great Lakes noted the bird’s redhead and tuxedo-colored body as Mrvan watched.

Mrvan, D-Highland, visited the park Thursday morning to go on a bird walk with members of Audubon Great Lakes, Lake County Parks and the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society to learn more about the restoration work being done in the park and the Calumet Region.

Marnie Urso, Senior Policy Director for Audubon Great Lakes, said that when wetlands are restored it creates a better habitat for marsh birds, which are declining in population. Climate change is impacting birds, Urso said, and Audubon Great Lakes scientists have found that two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable.

Urso said the group arranged the bird walk to discuss with Mrvan the importance of wetlands conservation and policies like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative — which former U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Gary, supported.

“We wanted to show him what those dollars are doing for birds and people,” Urso said. “We just want him to see a lot of people care about bird life here.”

The group also asked Mrvan to support the Growing Climate Solutions Act — which will help Indiana’s farms and forests invest in sustainable management practices — sponsored by Republican Sen. Mike Braun and passed out of the Senate in a 92-8 vote in June.

Mrvan told the group he has limited experience bird watching but that one of his staff members is an avid bird watcher. Mrvan said he talks with the staff member about birds occasionally.

“I’ve watched blue jays, but they’re aggressive. But I watched them in a little backyard,” Mrvan said.

But, like Visclosky, Mrvan said he is committed to “investing dollars for community and the environment” because open space and nature within a community improves air quality, increases quality of life and restoration and preservation creates jobs.

“We’ve always supported funding the Little Calumet River Basin, with local match, and advocating for the Great Lakes region,” Mrvan said.

Jennifer Johnson, wild indigo associate at Audubon Great Lakes, shared with Mrvan how Wild Indigo Nature Explorations, a community engagement program, is connecting Gary residents to their local natural spaces. During the walk, Johnson and Mrvan talked about how the program is partnering with schools to ensure children know about the local natural spaces.

Mrvan said he appreciates the program’s “inclusion for all people to come” enjoy the park.

Chris Landgrave, the chief operating officer for the Lake County Parks Department, said the restoration work done in Lake Etta County Park created jobs and a partnership between the parks department and Audubon Great Lakes.

Urso said that birds are an indicator species, which means that people should work toward preserving the species to learn more about the land around them.

“Where birds thrive, people prosper,” Urso said.

Audubon Great Lakes has a vision plan, that Urso shared with Mrvan, which identified the Calumet Region as a highest priority area. The plan is to restore about 8,000 acres in the area.

Before heading on the walk, Mrvan concluded that the group agrees natural space offers “clean water, clean, air quality of life and birds are cool,” which made the group laugh.

As the group walked to the Little Calumet River to look for birds, Mrvan talked with Audubon Great Lakes representatives about birds and the conservation efforts.

At one point, Mrvan described a bird he would see flying around him while he mowed the lawn at his first job. He described it as having longer legs and a short beak.

Daniel Suarez, conservation manager for Illinois and Indiana for Audubon Great Lakes, immediately guessed it was a killdeer and explained the birds were likely following Mrvan because the grass cutting was helping them locate food.

Urso, who was carrying a bird book, showed Mrvan a photo of a killdeer. Mrvan said that was the bird he saw. Urso said Mrvan had a great memory and that he seemed to enjoy bird watching.

“I found my calling,” Mrvan said, with a laugh.

As the group was ending the walk, everyone stopped to look at the redheaded woodpecker, a climate vulnerable bird.

Urso said she enjoyed talking with Mrvan about the birds and conservation efforts.

” (Mrvan) was interested and engaged. We look forward to working with him in the future. He also has a great memory of birds,” Urso said.

Mrvan said he enjoyed the walk and praised the collaboration between Audubon Great Lakes, the Lake County Parks Department and the City of Gary.

“It’s that collaborative effort that enhances quality of life,” Mrvan said, adding that he will do his part in Congress to continue supporting restoration and preservation efforts of the Little Calumet River Basin.

But, the redheaded woodpecker stole the show, Mrvan said.

“We don’t see that everyday. (Bird watching) is a calming experience and then you see something exciting,” Mrvan said.