Wisconsin Purple Martin Association-Mentor Initiative

[trank]

WPMA-Mentor Initiative

New for 2014, the Wisconsin Purple Martin Association is launching a new pilot program designed to help perspective landlords in the state of Wisconsin increase there chances of starting a purple martin colony.

The WPMA staff has been conducting on-site evaluations as well as other mentoring needs since our inception and we remain committed to continuing this practice. Our new initiative is to expand this free service to cover as many counties as possible in the state of WI.

In order for this voluntary state wide initiative to be successful the WPMA is seeking dedicated landlords from across the state of WI. that are willing to share their knowledge and passion for purple martins with others that might need assistance. Anyone volunteering to help would respond to the mentoring needs of others within the county they live in. The state of Wisconsin consists of 72 counties, ideally, our goal is to secure at least one mentor or more for each county in the state.

Anyone volunteering for this program would have their contact information placed on file with the WPMA. When we receive a request from someone for a site evaluation or other mentoring needs, we will in turn notify a specific evaluator registered with the WPMA for that particular county.

If you think you would be interested in participating in this program or would like more information please contact:

Tom Rank
[email protected]

[Peter Alberda]

Tom,
What a great plan!! I think we have people with the interest and desire to host martins here in Michigan but there isn't much of a support system in-state. I'd love to visit other martin sites to learn things, but there aren't many and the ones that are out there are hard to find.
I found one site on a lake about ten miles away in Holland. The woman who lived there was around eighty but did keep the houses cleaned out in the fall. There was a 12 room trio and a castle, all with the small rooms. I asked if she ever had hawk or owl attaches and she said it was quite common to see a hawk reaching in for a meal. She then stated that "they've got to eat too." And that's where my martins need to come from!
Keep up the good work, Tom!!
Pete

[trank]

Pete,

I think you might be surprised at the amount of people in your area that have an interest in purple martins. It's quite possible that if you were to contact a bird club or conservation group you might find a few individuals that also share your passion for purple martins. Who knows, it just might be that spark needed to help others rekindle their interest in hosting purple martins!

Tom

[Dave Duit]

Hi Tom,
I think the Wisconsin Purple Martin Association is doing a great service for the martins by initiating a mentor program. Our Iowa Purple Martin Organization has such a program in place on the website iamartin.org. In my experience, I have found that contacting bird clubs and conservation groups helps in the spread of information of such a mentor program. If at all possible try to get a spot as a presenter about purple martins at your state fair. Our goal is much the same in that we also want at least one mentor in each county. It is difficult to reach large numbers of people to grow their interest for mentoring and martins in general. Word of mouth is great, but utilize every avenue available. Email me anytime or send me a PM if you would like any assistance. Maybe someday we can have our states border counties help each other. I see the Wisconsin counties of Vernon, Crawford and Grant fit this area.

[trank]

Dave,

Thanks for your support and willingness to work with our group.

Good News! The WPMA-Mentor Initiative program now has mentors registered in seven counties across the state of Wisconsin.

If you would like to help restore and preserve the purple martin population in Wisconsin by becoming a WPMA mentor, I'd like to hear from you.

Tom Rank
[email protected]

[BIOteacher012]

Hi Tom,
I sent you an email with information from me. I would be happy to help mentor for your club.

Get in touch with me and we can talk more!!

[tlragsdale]

Hello All...

I live in far western WI (40 minute trip in to St. Paul, MN). Would love to connect with fellow enthusiasts/fanatics. I'm a mostly-struggling "wannabe" and would love to learn from those able/willing to shorten the learning curve. I want SO to establish a martin community in our yard (as evidenced by the abundant housing my wife has been so tolerant of me purchasing/fabricating)....the opportunity offered by the coming spring is going to make for a long winter.

Thanks, in advance, for any help.

My contact info:

Terry Ragsdale
New Richmond, WI
[email protected]
715-222-7994

[trank]

Hi Terry,

It's always nice to hear from a fellow Wisconsinite!

The WPMA has mentors willing to help in 14 different counties across the state of Wisconsin. Fortunately, we have 2 mentors located near you in the far western part of the state, one mentor is in ST. Croix County and the other in Barron County.

I will email you their contact information.


Regards,
Tom Rank
[email protected]

[Bob Buskas]

Hi guys, I just received a nice picture in the mail from Ivan "Ike" Kumrow and several other putting up a North Star 12 house in Harrington Beach state park in Port Washington on the west coast of Lake Michigan. I am so happy that the Wisconsin purple Martins are accepting the North Star with great success. Keep it going guys, and good luck to you all. If I can help in any way, please get in touch with me.

[DornCounty]

I would also suggest contacting local Audubon societies and volunteer to give a presentation on martins, management, & biology ... then give more info on your plan. I've spoke at 3 groups down here in a little over a year with a couple more on the way.

[trank]

Hi Bob and Dorn

WPMA- board member Ike Kumrow has been instrumental in helping us establish new public sites at several locations.

Bob, your North Star house is usually our first choice when it comes to apartment (condo) style housing at public/private sites, it's an exceptional house that is functional and has many great features incorporated into its design. The Buskas Bungalow is also gaining acceptance.

Dorn, since the inception of our group our focus has been on education. During the course of a year we are actively involved in numerous educational seminars, presentations, nature festivals, MartinFest, etc.. Without a passionate hard working staff none of this would be possible.

Tom Rank

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Tom:

This is a great initiative by the WPMA. Hope you have great success with the program.

Tim

[DornCounty]

Hi Bob and Dorn

WPMA- board member Ike Kumrow has been instrumental in helping us establish new public sites at several locations.

Bob, your North Star house is usually our first choice when it comes to apartment (condo) style housing at public/private sites, it's an exceptional house that is functional and has many great features incorporated into its design. The Buskas Bungalow is also gaining acceptance.

Dorn, since the inception of our group our focus has been on education. During the course of a year we are actively involved in numerous educational seminars, presentations, nature festivals, MartinFest, etc.. Without a passionate hard working staff none of this would be possible.

Tom Rank

Great stuff.. Good luck!!

[Dave Duit]

Hi Tom,
I sent out a call of assistance for your states mentor initiative on our website. I also sent you an email to look over. Our mentor program is slow in growing. But a steady work and word of mouth go a long way. Contact me anytime at [email protected] for any concerns or questions.