Our Lowe’s Satellite Martin Colony Wiped Out Again

[KathyF]

To be crystal clear, there is *no* good reason to remove inhabited housing, and there's even less good reason to give away the housing.

I'm just curious what "corporate"s reasoning was. Bird poop complaints? Then that could have been solved with some education.

[DornCounty]

As someone has been part of a corporate culture in the past I can say this is probably what happened.

Lowes Big Wig from (Insert random big city) comes in for a site review. He says "what's that bird house doing?"

Local Manager: "Oh some locals dudes take care of it no big deal".

Lowes big wig: "A bird crapped on my car, get rid of it!'

Local Manager: " yes sir, yes sir, yes sir."

Lowes Big wig: "good boy".

[Chriscreole]

I just sent this to MyFoxAustin news room

"Lows Home improvement center removes and gives away the Housing of a protected by Federal law Migrating Purple Martin Coloney of over 20 years established: Read the stories here

http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22342"

[trisha]

This is absolutely horrible. I made a report to the US Fish and Wildlife Services, and emailed [email protected]. Next, emailing Lowes. They need to be fined heavily.

[Kevin-GA]

I'm thinking Lowes is starting to know they made a BIG mistake. They have ruffled more feathers than just the Martins! You all make me proud to be a part of this. Keep up the good work!! Strength is in numbers, let yourself be heard!!

[DornCounty]

What will happen due to this, if it blows up, is Lowes will ban any and all wildlife programs on their property.

[Boisy Pitre]

What will happen due to this, if it blows up, is Lowes will ban any and all wildlife programs on their property.

I know what *should* happen. Corporate should send a memo down to all stores with the intent to EDUCATE their managers and associates about native birds and PMs in particular. Each store should be encouraged to partner with local schools and/or conservation organizations to erect and maintain PM houses. Why not, after all, Lowe's sells PM gourds and accessories.

The memo should also cite specific laws protecting these birds, as well as possible penalties for actions like those taken by the store in Shreveport.

If I were running Lowe's, that's what I would do. When I go in that store on a Saturday morning, I see them teaching a group of local kids how to use little hammers and saws along with Mommy and Daddy in an effort to instill home improvement skills (read: turn them into eventual Lowe's consumers). Why on earth don't they use that same logic to do something good for the environment and for nature.

With all of the "green" talk these days, it would seem advantageous on so many levels for Lowe's to take on these initiatives. Talk about some good PR, if they would only do it.

[Craig Dyer]

Something tells me Lowes is going to regret this bone headed decision. I hope they are fined and required to make some sort of restitution.

[billb]

Did not notice in the thread, so sorry if repeating.

I told my sister about this and she said she knew the manager at that Lowes, but she said he was transfered to another store about 3 months ago. She does not know the current one.

Maybe that sheds some light on the timing of the incident. Things could get interesting! You think this could take some off of the Saints due to Bounty Gate?

[~Ray~Gingerich]

I logged in to www.Lowes.com and after some serching on the site found a contact link, sent an e-mail expressing my disapproval and that they might loose a customer in Dover De.

[LoneOakMartins]

I sent an email to Lowes also. Shame, shame, shame on them.

[Tim in VA]

Steve,

What a tragedy. Lowes needs to be held accountable in some manner for this heartless act.
All Satellite proprietors (land owners) should have a contact name, number or email for the folks that oversee or manage such Satellite colonies. All it would have took was a phone call from them to assure the safety of the birds and accomplish corporate directives at the same time.
Small claims court might be an option to recover the cost of your equipment.
Communications to Lowes from all of us about martin habitat destruction could change some of their policies in the future.

[Lane Stout]

Steve, Bob, I just wrote and submitted an inquiry to Lowes Corporate headquarters expressing my disgust over the incident. I requested that a responsible member of their executive management reply and let me know how they plan in the future to prove to customers that they are a wildlife friendly and responsible company. Actions at the subject store disprove any resemblance of such.

So sorry this happened guys, I remember the earlier incident well and thought all was worked out.

[Matt F.]

Steve, Bob, I just wrote and submitted an inquiry to Lowes Corporate headquarters expressing my disgust over the incident. I requested that a responsible member of their executive management reply and let me know how they plan in the future to prove to customers that they are a wildlife friendly and responsible company. Actions at the subject store disprove any resemblance of such.

So sorry this happened guys, I remember the earlier incident well and thought all was worked out.

Thanks for the update Lane.
I hope Steve and Bob are doing alright.

[John Barrow]

Hi Friends, Steve and Bob,

I have communicated with Lowes Corporate Offices today regarding the incident, and felt well received. I did not so much condemn Lowes, as voice my surprise and displeasure. Mainly I tried to sell the value of martins--their history, their popularity among a million landlords in N. America, their challenging migration to and from Brazil, and the fact that they were the chosen songbird species to deploy the first geolocators to map inter-continental migration.

I have asked for a conference with a senior officer--again to try to sell the love we all feel for purple martins and to use this episode as a learning experience for us all--Lowes and those who host public colonies.

I have asked for reimbursement for the loss of housing to be paid to Steve and Bob, and recommended contributions to PMCA to demonstate commitment to their work and on behalf of the species. I have heard from other sources that those accomodations are forthcoming, and official word might be received tomorrow.

I believe Steve and Bob may get the chance to reinstall this colony--hopefully with a different attitude from the host property owners. I have kept colonies on other peoples' properties on several occassions. It was my practice that if a problem arose related to the property, I would pull the systems at the end of the season, to be placed where they seemed more welcome. This will be a decision Steve and Bob will have to make, assuming they can replace the colony. I will certainly support whatever decision they reach, but personally, would be reluctant to replace housing at that location, particularly in future years.

PM friends have spoken loudly today, and I foresee that positive results will be achieved for our beloved bird species.

Thanks to all.

[DornCounty]

sounds like a good approach John. Nice work. Don't want to come accross as a bunch of "extremist" environmentalists. That will not do much good.

Nice work.

[Scott D.- La]

sounds like a good approach John. Nice work. Don't want to come accross as whacko environmentalists. That will not do much good.

Nice work.

This is not about the environment. This is about the lack of tolerance for all thing's wild. This is about total disrespect for another's property. This is about taking property and giving it away........again, that they did not have the right to do in the first place! That is theft! There is a lack of common courtesy and human decency displayed by this act.
It is Ironic how the European Hosp has it's way at Lowes, and so many other businesses, while a Federally protected Songbird is given the boot.
Piss poor judgement on so many level's!!

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

I find it totally rewarding what can be accomplished when we all pull together to right a wrong. As many others have done, I contacted Lowe's corporate headquarters yesterday and voiced my displeasure regarding the actions of the Lowe's store in Shreveport. Advised them this incident would not go away and nothing short of an apology to Steve and Bob with complete re-imbursement for the equipment would be acceptable.

I read on another forum that Lowe's has responded to all of the negative comments, emails, phone calls, etc. I am sure we our all anxious to hear directly from Steve regarding what has been agreed to between him, Bob and Lowe's.

Tim

[James Strickland FL]

I also contacted NBC to see if they would do the story on the Nightly News to help bring this to National Attention.

[James Rieman]

sounds like a good approach John. Nice work. Don't want to come accross as whacko environmentalists. That will not do much good.

Nice work.

As someone who considers myself to be an environmentalist, I find this comment offensive. I am sure I am not the only one. I thought this thread was about LOWES dismantling and giving away Steve and Bob's Martin colony.