Hi, Conservation and habitat, in my view should be primary concerns of those interested in birds and those who take part in the spectacle that birding has become, so I occasionally like to point out how members of the birding community can actually support the many of areas in Ohio that make this spectacle possible. I have three suggestions that come to mind as these are to agencies and organizations/land owners I am most familiar with. The 2018 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp will be issued in March and until then you can purchase the 2017 stamp. These also come with a nice sticker and an attractive pin. These stamps are issued by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and funds go to support wildlife areas like Magee Marsh. http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/about-contacts/support-ohios-wildlife/ohio-wildlife-legacy-stamp It would be nice to see people in the field wearing these pins or to see birders vehicles with the stickers. Something all too rare in our state, especially given the large numbers of participants. Another place used extensively by birders is Mentor Marsh. This natural area was Ohio's first state nature preserve and is managed by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. It is a great place for Rails, ammodramus species sparrows, and other birds that are hard to find elsewhere. The marsh is undergoing an extensive restoration effort and this is improving the habitat for birds considerably. You can contribute to the CMNH Mentor Marsh fund here by using the pull down menu to choose Mentor Marsh. https://www.cmnh.org/join-support/donate/donate-now I would be remiss to not also mention the organization where I do much of my field work which is the Holden Arboretum. Holden is a private not for profit organization that does not receive any public funds. It is entirely dependent upon admission fees, memberships, donations and grants to preserve over 3000 acres of natural areas which are very important breeding bird habitat supporting some of Ohio's rarer nesting species. Holden is also a place known to host rarities like Bohemian Waxwing, Hoary Redpoll, Mississippi Kite, and Townsend's Solitaire which have provided many in the birding community an opportunity to add these to their lists. You can join or donate to Holden here: http://www.holdenarb.org/join-and-support/ All three of the above actually own and preserve habitat, and I would encourage everyone to donate to organizations that actually do this as it is a good measure of action, and shows your support is for something tangible which can be seen and measured. Haans ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]