Hi Byron,
Ohio actually had a meeting last year that did exactly what you described (http://tuckercasey.wix.com/aacri-birds#!oarc/ctwl)
I'm currently in the process of planning this year's conference as well (http://tuckercasey.wix.com/aacri-birds#!oarc2014/cd8o)  This year's conference will also be an official state-level meeting of the American Ornithologist's Union.
I sent out a hold-the-date announcement about a month ago.  I'll be sending another announcement out at the end of May, and more details will be forthcoming after that.
Thanks,
Casey Tuckerhttp://tuckercasey.wix.com/aacri-birds
P.S.You may also want to check out some of the lunch with the birds webinars offered by the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative (http://obcinet.org/lunchwiththebirds/)



> Date: Wed, 7 May 2014 20:13:34 +0000
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] troubling behavior
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> I think one way to promote education and lessen abuse would be to make the programs of some statewide meetings more hard science and conservation and less just intertainment with excess fluff.  Some of the functions cost as much as it would be to hire a private guide in a foreign country,
> 
> ________________________________________
> From: Ohio birds [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Haans Petruschke [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 4:05 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] troubling behavior
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I think we have to realize and come to grips with the fact, that in Ohio at
> least, a large percentage of birders don't care about conservation.  While
> there are many birders who are dedicated to conservation and the
> environment as a whole, they are on the tail of the distribution.
> 
> I think the central tendency is to be interested in conservation as it
> effect birds and perhaps other personal interests.
> 
> Then there is a group who don't really care.  They only care about birds
> and their ability to see and enjoy them.  They care little about habitat,
> air and water quality, and climate change.  To a careful observer examples
> of this can be seen all the time in the choices these people make in
> vehicles, landscaping, and causes.  They may do something conservation
> minded occasionally to feel good, but for the most part it is not on their
> agenda.
> 
> This is very different that it was in the 1960s and 1970's, but as birding
> transitioned to sport, the dedication to conservation was in many ways lost.
> 
> What conservation minded Ohio birders can do is set and example and try to
> educate and persuade, the non conservation minded.  This is a difficult
> road but the only one acceptable.
> 
> Haans
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, May 7, 2014 at 12:28 PM, Dave Watkins <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> > Exactly!
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Skip Trask" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 7, 2014 10:10:33 AM
> > Subject: [Ohio-birds] troubling behavior
> >
> > Oh dear, this is quite troubling....I've observed hunters, fisherman
> > and anglers for years now....and I've noticed a basic
> > commonality....you are a conservationist, or you are not....The good
> > guys enter the woods like it was church....quite, observant....eager
> > to do no harm....The bad guys cut corners, leave trash, make noise,
> > disturb the environment.....birders, fishermen, hunters....no
> > differnece....you either are interested in conservation (Not an
> > archaic word) or your just outside goofing things up!!! First timers
> > and novices may just need a little more education....veterans who have
> > been at it and are just slobs that may just need a little fine! Sad
> > but true....the old conservation ethic needs a revival of sorts!!!!
> > And, no, there is no "special dispensation" for photographers....just
> > watch the pros...they get close to their subject by hours of
> > concealment, not by taking advantage of a creatures weakest monents
> > (nesting/injured/hungry/tired) I followed photographer Ron Austing
> > around for a day....he would not stay on a nest when he noticed the
> > female was annoyed...he immediately packed up and left! That's
> > conservation ethic!!
> >
> > Laurence Trask
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> >
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> ______________________________________________________________________
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> Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
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> Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
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> Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
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