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Proclamation
Governor Blunt signed a proclamation declaring May 11, 2005, as Bird Conservation Day. Following is the text from the proclamation.

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2006 Governor's Bird Conservation Day Proclamation

WHEREAS, Missouri’s citizens value the conservation of our natural environment as one of their most important concerns for current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, the 37 partner organizations of Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative (MoBCI) are comprised of hunters, bird watchers, conservation professionals, private businesses, academia andwildlife-watching citizens; people committed to hunting and bird-watching working together torestore and conserve habitat for birds, and

WHEREAS, the MoBCI connects people and organizations in habitat conservation efforts statewide, supplying partnership grants for projects such as: Truman Lake Wetlands, Kansas City Wildlands – Bridging the Gap, River Hills Forest Habitat, and the Native Grasslands Restoration Project, and

WHEREAS, bird watching is one of the most popular recreational activities in the United States with over 1.3 million people in participating in bird watching in Missouri near their homes; and, over 642,000 watch birds on trips throughout Missouri; and, over 90 percent say they are interested in observing birds in the outdoors.

WHEREAS, within Missouri, the total economic impact of wildlife watching and bird hunting, that is, bird watchers and bird hunters together spend $621.4 million, generate $1.2 billion in total business-generated activity, support 11,080 jobs, create $29.3 million in sales tax revenue, and generate $10.9 million in state income tax; and

WHEREAS, the second Saturday in May has been established as an international celebration of birds and bird conservation:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATT BLUNT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, dohereby proclaim the second Saturday in May to be:

BIRD CONSERVATION DAY
in Missouri.