Speak up to The Man!

Birders around the country can talk to federal representatives about cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships at upcoming "listening sessions."

According to yesterday's announcement,

The listening sessions will give citizens an opportunity to exchange ideas on incentives, partnership programs, and regulations that can improve results and promote cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships.

The meetings are the latest in a series of discussions the Administration has hosted since the President’s Conference on Cooperative Conservation in August 2005. The conference identified three broad approaches to improving conservation results: promoting cooperation within the federal government, promoting cooperation between the federal government and others, and eliminating barriers to cooperation in existing policy. Some aspects of these ideas are reflected in a recently released summary of new legislation. Other aspects will be explored in the listening sessions announced today.

Here's a complete list of the sessions currently on the calendar:

Muncie, Ind.: Aug. 26, 10 a.m., Horizon Convention Center Exhibition Hall. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will attend.

Fairbanks, Alaska: Aug. 28, 10 a.m., The Carlson Center. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will attend.

Jefferson City, Mo.: Aug. 29, 1 p.m., Runge Conservation Nature Center. Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Natural Resources and Environment Dave Tenny to attend.

Enid, Okla.: Aug. 30, 1 p.m., Cherokee Strip Conference Center, Pioneer Exhibit Hall. Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Dave Tenny will attend.

Corpus Christi, Texas: Sept. 5, 1 p.m., Omni Marina Hotel, Riviera Ballroom. Commerce Deputy Secretary David Sampson will attend.

Honolulu, Hawaii: Sept. 7, 9 a.m., place to be determined. CEQ Chairman James Connaughton and Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle will attend.

Show Low, Ariz.: Sept. 12, 10 a.m., Northland Pioneer College, Silver Creek Campus (Snowflake), Performing Arts Center Theatre (PAC-103). Agriculture Under Secretary Mark Rey will attend.

Redding, Calif.: Sept. 13, 1 p.m., Cascade Theater. Agriculture Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey will attend.

Colorado Springs, Colo.: Sept. 15, 9 a.m., University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the gymnasium. Agriculture Under Secretary Mark Rey will attend.

South Florida: Sept. 15, time and place to be determined. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez will attend.

Pottstown, Pa.: Sept. 18, 10 a.m., Montgomery County Community College – Community Room, 101 College Dr. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson will attend.

Pinedale, Wyo.: Sept. 19, 1 p.m., Sublette County Library, Lovatt Room, 156 S. Tyler. Michael Bogert, counselor to the Secretary of the Interior, will attend.

Brewer, Maine: Sept. 20, 4 p.m., Jeff's Catering Banquet and Convention Center. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will attend.

Brunswick, Ga.: Sept. 21, 1 p.m., Coastal Georgia Community College, SE Georgia Conference Center. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Dale Hall will attend.

Orlando, Fla.: Sept. 25, time to be determined, Orange County Convention Center. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Johnson will attend.

Waco, Texas: Sept. 27, 10 a.m., Waco Convention Center. Deputy Assistant Interior Secretary David Verhey and Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Alex Beehler will attend.

Colton, Calif.: Sept. 28, 10 a.m., Colton High School Auditorium. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will attend.

Please don't pass up this opportunity "to exchange ideas on incentives, partnership programs, and regulations that can improve results and promote cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships." The birds are depending on you!