Sinnissippi Audubon Society

09/27/2026

The destruction and devastation that a data center would bring to our land, air, and water, and to our personal health and safety, cannot be ignored. No amount of money can replace or repair those harms. We should say "NO" to the data center. We should say that we want, instead, our land, and our air, our water, and our health. Visit NoDataCentersRockford.org and show your support for the protection of our community and of the Earth.

"Our lawmakers have been swayed by empty promises and turned us over as sacrifices to the tech overlords," writes Jennifer Kuroda of Rockford.

07/23/2026

An update on a 2024 fledgling, Libby. It’s always exciting to hear about a Rockford born and raised peregrine falcon makings its way in the world. ❤️

07/22/2026

We’re disappointed with the decisions of our local leaders. A high use data center should not be allowed in our community or near our natural
resources. Thank you to Gina Meeks and Tamir Bell for your “no” vote. And thank you to Jeff Tilly for stating this:

“The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County are not opposed to responsible development where protection of environmentally sensitive areas is considered, and we are not opposed to TIF district financing of levied tax dollars from our constituents, but we are however opposed to creating TIF districts in natural areas and along corridors neighboring forest preserves and protected areas.”

City Council has voted 11-2 to approve a controversial new TIF district that includes land where a data center has been proposed.
⬇️Full story in the comments below⬇️

07/18/2026

“Great Salt Lake is in trouble, but it is not lost. What remains is still among the most spectacular concentrations of birds anywhere in North America.”

Birdsongs, Vol III - Sounds of the Great Salt Lake was created to bring awareness to this issue. Local musician, Micky Torpedo, and Sinnissippi Audubon collaborated together to connect listeners to the emergent needs of the Great Salt Lake and its surrounding wetlands.

Consider supporting this project, which will direct some of the proceeds to Great Salt Lake Audubon.

You can find this album wherever you stream music.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4zgUW3ZnIbHoI3Tx634mzj?si=LUGM47e5RfGkaNvBygJQEw&utm_source=copy-link

Bandcamp: https://mickytorpedo.bandcamp.com/album/birdsongs-vol-3-sounds-of-the-great-salt-lake-2

CDs: https://undergroundsquirrelstudio.bigcartel.com/product/birdsongs-vol-3-sounds-of-the-great-salt-lake-cd

The Great Salt Lake Birds and Habitat Assessment offers finding to guide coordinated efforts to save this vital ecosystem.

07/15/2026

We’re so excited to share this project with other communities! 🐦‍⬛🎶

“The project is intended to raise awareness about birds and promote conservation of their habitats, according to the announcement. Jennifer Kuroda, board president of Sinnissippi Audubon, will join the presentation to discuss the goals and meaning behind the music initiative.”

Winnebago Audubon will host a free July 19 program in Oshkosh featuring bird-call-inspired music by Micky Torpedo.

06/26/2026

Well said, Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, well said!

We couldn’t agree more. ❤️🌎

The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County are deeply concerned with the recent news regarding Monarch Rock Air having a tax incentive agreement in place with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in the South Rockford TIF District. The decision to develop this area will have negative impacts to the ecological health of Kilbuck Bluffs Forest Preserve and Kilbuck Creek, as well as the Rock and Kishwaukee Rivers. The TIF District is directly adjacent to these natural areas that provide ecosystem services across multiple counties.

Several weeks back, our Board of Commissioners sent concerns about redeveloping the TIF District to the City of Rockford. Our concerns included:
1. Impacts to neighboring areas, including our own,
2. The TIF using a “blighted” condition in order for it to qualify as a TIF,
3. The use of natural resources for the daily operation of facilities, and
4. The lack of community input opportunities prior to the City’s and their Committees’ discussion of the redistricting.

As the steward of Winnebago County’s preserves and natural heritage, it is our civic responsibility to advise the Council on the risks of this development and the ways in which negative ecological impacts to these high-quality landscapes can be avoided or reduced.

Although we applaud the initial understanding that several sustainable options are being considered, if plans go forward, there needs to be independent oversight of the design and development of the entire area in order to ensure minimum impact to our vital natural resources. We stand ready to work with City Council, community members, and other groups to discuss solutions.

06/26/2026

Love to see communities do the right thing when it comes to fireworks and nesting birds!

Madison’s minor league women’s softball team is postponing a fireworks show that was to follow Friday night’s game so as to not disturb a nearby nest of eaglets. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

06/25/2026

We’ve been receiving a lot of questions and concerns about the banded leg on the ledge, which has since blown away during the storm earlier this evening. The leg belongs to a pigeon. Rockford has an active pigeon racing community. Unfortunately, pigeons are a favorite meal for peregrine falcons.

🎥: Video captured from Nest Cam on 6/24/2026 at 4:19pm. Charlotte, B/BL 49/AP, can be seen being curious. The pigeon leg is still on the ledge at this time too.