Sent from my iPad
John Ferman
Kingfield Neighborhood
Minneapolis, MN
> On Jul 17, 2015, at 11:58 PM, Matt Johnson <<email obscured>> wrote
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> Being that Roberts Bird Sanctuary is one of my favorite places in
Minneapolis, I frequently visit this sanctuary for animals.
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> This spring, I was ecstatic so see hatched turkey eggs from the resident
turkey family and simply could not wait until the babies would be large enough
to explore their new home with their mothers. Now that they're a few months
old, I see them very regularly as they feed and bob through the grass with
their mother's protectively at their sides.
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> However, the last time I entered the bird sanctuary the happiness I'm
normally overcome with when I see them was instead horror as I saw the babies
were feeding on grass that had an 8x11 notice saying that the grass had been
sprayed with herbicides! Who in their right mind would spray toxic chemicals in
a bird sanctuary?
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> I will be shocked if this doesn't kill the babies or greatly affect their
health and/or future offspring...
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> Then there's all the other birds and animals that live there to worry about.
Roberts Bird Sanctuary is a safe space for birds and animals, so placing a
hazardous warning for humans to be mindful is utterly ridiculous.
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> It's their home, not ours and there's no way to warn baby turkeys (or other
residents) that they are eating poisonous chemicals.
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> The Friends of Roberts Bird Sanctuary and Minneapolis Citizens for Lawn
Chemical Ban investigated what happened in the sanctuary.
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> Apparently an herbicide called Aqua Neat was applied to kill grasses.
According to OSHA this chemical causes damage to the eyes, skin, respiratory
system, cardiovascular system and kidneys[1]. Also, please keep in mind that
Roberts Bird Sanctuary is a fragile wetland.
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> Not only is this a serious misstep regarding hard to wildlife within a
sanctuary and wetland, there are many people that visit the sanctuary.
> Please take the time to share our petition for pesticide free public land in
Minneapolis (herbicides are a pesticide):
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/lawn-chemical-ban-on?mailing_id=30250&source=s.icn.em.cr&r_by=2306028
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> We’re also asking people to call and email two contacts with the Minneapolis
Park and Recreation Board to voice your disapproval of pesticide use in such a
sensitive area like Roberts Bird Sanctuary:
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> 1. Tyler Pederson, landscape architect responsible for this spraying of
pesticides: <email obscured> and 612.499.9084
> 2. Brad Bourn, Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner, his district includes
Roberts Bird Sanctuary: <email obscured> and 612.230.6443 x 6