The Montezuma Muckrace

THE 2010 MONTEZUMA MUCKRACE

September 10 - 11, 2010

Audubon New York and Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex announce the 14th annual Montezuma Muckrace, to be held on September 10 and 11, 2010. This 24-hour birding competition raises funds to support conservation projects within the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

This year our goal is to raise $13,000 to fund a wetlands restoration project off of Savannah Spring Road known locally as the ”Deep Muck.” The money raised will be matched with Federal funds from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) of 1989, which provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed wetland conservation partnerships for the benefit of wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife.

Money is raised through pledges sought by participants, registration fees, and sponsorships. Again this year, FOTMWC will match money raised by the top three-fundraising teams. The 2009 competition raised over $12,000, which funded a forest restoration project for 40 acres of cropland on the MNWR and to purchase a Purple Martin house for the Montezuma Audubon Center. 20 teams from throughout New York and neighboring states tallied 186 species, with the winning team finding 130 species.

Artist Sue deLearie Adair has donated this drawing of a Fox Sparrow for the raffle this year. It is watercolor and colored pencil on paper, 7x5", double-matted and framed.

The Muckace starts at 7:00 PM on September 10 and ends 24 hours later with a closing ceremony at the Montezuma Audubon Center. Birds are counted within the boundaries of the Complex for any or all of the 24-hour period. There are several levels of participation: Competitive (3 or more individuals who must count together); Youth (ages 9-16, any number, identifying birds without adult assistance); Low-Carbon (any number, no motorized assistance - biking, walking, canoeing, etc); Family/Mentor (any number, at least one parent/leader with any number of young/beginning birders); Recreational (any number of adults). Participants can register and raise funds online through dojiggy. This organizational website (http://muckrace.dojiggy.com) allows participants to be creative in designing their own personal pledge pages, setting individual fundraising goals, and handling pledge requests. It is a great way to let folks know about the Muckrace and the great conservation projects the proceeds support.

Mid-September is a great time to be birding at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, one of New York's most exciting birding destinations. Please consider either participating with your own team or pledging support to your local team!

For more information about participating, becoming a team sponsor, or to be added to the mailing list, contact Jane Graves at jgraves@skidmore.edu. The registration deadline is August 26.

Past Muckrace Musings for your enjoyment:
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009