Another Fireworks Display Cancelled to Protect Birds

May in Seattle is the opening of boating season - and also the height of nesting season - and 2006 was no different than any other year. Windermere Realty had scheduled, and already advertised, the event for the Friday before Opening Day.

A concerned citizen, Susan Marten, living in the Montlake area of Seattle learned the event was planned for Union Bay, known to most birders as the Montlake Fill, a prime birding and nesting area. There is also an eagle's nest nearby. She contacted Seattle Audubon who referred her to our Chapter, since we had had experience dealing with a fireworks issue the year before in the city of Kirkland. We explained to her the results of our efforts, and offered to assist her however we could.

The most effective action we took was to alert our Conservation email list and Tweeters, the local birders' email group. Once aware of the implications, people came out of the woodwork, banded together, and took action to get the display stopped. Incredibly, because of the emails, letters, personal testimony and input from state governement officials and the staff member at the city of Kirkland who worked with us on their fireworks dipslay, the show was cancelled three days before it was to take place!

Windermere took quite a financial hit in reaching their decision to cancel, and they did so voluntarily after hearing the outpouring of concern. They made a difficult choice, but one they can be proud of. It shows the impact one person can have by taking action and marshalling the community to their side.