~News and Upcoming Events~

• Another bird-themed movie at the Lamphouse Theater ~ The Penguin Lessons ~ Playing through Sunday, April 20th, 5:45 & 7:50 PM (Watch Trailer)

• Imploring you to submit on-line comments about the future management of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game BEFORE April 24th. See ICL's "talking points" if you need help with your comments.

• Friday, April 25th ~ College of Southern Idaho Sustainability Fair

• Monday, April 28th ~ VOLUNTEER ~ Clean-up/weeding at Orton Botanical Garden

• Thursday, May 1st ~ PROGRAM ~ Learn about the Lenkner Preserve and how the Magic Valley Land Trust and Land Owners Charlie and Melody Lenkner worked together to make it happen

• Saturday, May 3rd ~ FIELD TRIP ~ Watch birds and tour the Lenkner Preserve

• Pick up Your Coffee order at our May 1st Program

• Order Plants for Pollinators from the Magic Valley Pollinator Council NOW through May 6th

• Saturday, May 10th ~ Field Trip ~ Birding by Ear in Rock Creek Park with Blind Birder Emily Groves!

• Saturday, June 7th ~ Field Trip ~ Birding by Bicycle in Rock Creek Park



• Saturday, June 14th ~ ALL DAY Birding Centennial Marsh Loop

• Saturday, June 28th ~ South Hills Big Day

Should Monarch Butterflies, Tiger Salamanders, Brewer's Sparrows, and Yellow Fritillaries have a seat at the table?

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is asking the public for input as they embark on a once-per-decade strategic planning effort. They’ve gathered input over a series of public comment meetings in each IDFG’s seven regions and are continuing to collect input through electronic comments. Prairie Falcon Audubon believes this will be a great opportunity to shape wildlife policy in Idaho. If you love birds and other non-game wildlife, then urge the IDFG to follow their mission and prioritize nongame wildlife more equitably compared to almost exclusively emphasizing a few game and fish species.

Comment HERE

If you need inspiration or talking points CLICK HERE

April 25 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

College of Southern Idaho Sustainability Fair

College of Southern Idaho Student Union Building 

315 Falls Ave

Twin Falls, ID

Celebrate Earth Day at the CSI Sustainability Fair! This event showcases solar and wind energy, building-energy conservation, recycling, gardening, organic and locally produced foods, green business development, and electric and hybrid vehicles.

Volunteer 

Opportunity

Spring Clean-up at

Orton Botanical Garden

867 Filer Ave W

Twin Falls, ID

Monday, April 28th

Volunteers needed to help clean up the garden before May Plant Sales.

Enjoy good coffee, birthday coffee cake (Melody Asher's Birthday), birding, and conversation as we help in the garden.

Plant Sales:

May 16 & 17 and 23 & 24



• Arrive at 7:30 for a cup of coffee and and birthday coffee cake. Lamar and Rosalie will provide instructions while we fortify ourselves. We'll then do a short walk around the Garden with binoculars to do a quick survey of birds. As we walk the Ortons will point out areas that need special attention, and help us understand what is, and is not, a weed.

• The garden will have trowels, pruners, and some gloves available, but members are encouraged to bring their own gloves and tools. One set of knee pads, and two low stools are available, but for those with mobility concerns it is highly recommended to bring knee pads or to ask for tasks that allow for standing.

• One side of the green gates for the parking area will be open on Filer Ave W. with additional parking on Filer Ave W. itself.

May 1st Program

~ The Lenkner Preserve ~

A Partnership to Permanently Protect

Sagebrush Habitat in the South Hills

with Karl Ruprecht and

Charlie & Melody Lenkner

Thursday, May 1st, 2025

7:00 PM

Room 201, Shields Building, CSI

This will be an IN-PERSON program

ZOOM link available:

https://csi.zoom.us/j/2730389966

Charlie and Melody Lenkner purchased 337 acres of sagebrush habitat in the 1980s as pasture for their small beef operation. Since then, cattle have grazed the property, but it remained primarily sagebrush habitat. It is now the Lenkners' vision is to see the property forever protected as open space.

Charlie and Melody contacted the Magic Valley Land Trust in hopes of finding a way to achieve their vision. MVLT is a non-profit land conservation organization based in Twin Falls. MVLT protects land throughout south-central Idaho so that essential natural places, agriculture lands and recreational access will always remain for the people, animals and plants of the Magic Valley.

The Land Trust and the Lenkner family are excited to protect this beautiful property and want to share their dream with you!.

Charlie and Melody Lenkner moved to Twin Falls in the summer of 1972 having graduated from Washington State University with degrees in Veterinary Medicine and Speech Pathology, respectively. They came happily to the valley feeling fortunate because of their connection to the “mountain west“ and its lifestyle. Following certain changes in sectors of the agricultural and animal industry, they began an effort to establish a “grass-fed“ beef production operation on a small scale. In that effort, they acquired a half section of dryland grazing from a previous client. Processing and marketing their grass-fed beef proved at the time too steep a hill to climb. So they leased their grazing land to friends considered good stewards of the land and enlightened beef producers. Given the change in the use and development of similar nearby properties and the pressure of the same on nature and wildlife, they feel grateful and privileged to have the opportunity to convey that land to the Magic Valley Land Trust and are appreciative of the MVLT’s insight and efforts to make it a place for wildlife education, and a protected resource for generations to come.

Karl Ruprecht has lived in Twin Falls since 1977 and has spent many happy hours exploring the public land and natural areas all over Southern Idaho. His day job is as a physical therapist where he specializes in the geriatric population and wound care. Karl is married to his wife Jennifer, and they have two boys, Jacob and Luke. He enjoys anything outdoors especially hunting and hiking with his dogs.

He has been a birder for most of his life and completes bird population surveys for the United States Geological Survey, Idaho Fish and Game, and the Audubon Society. Karl founded Friends of Devils Corral; a local conservation group focused on preserving this natural area on the north rim of the Snake River Canyon.

May 3rd Field Trip

~ The Lenkner Cottonwood Creek Preserve ~

with Karl Ruprecht

Prairie falcon Audubon will be leading field trips Saturday, May 3 to this new nature area. Cottonwood Creek preserve is located approximately 20 minutes south of Twin Falls at the base of the South Hills. To participate in this field trip you will need to be able to walk one to 3 miles on an unpaved trail with uneven ground.   We will have two separate groups, one leaving Twin falls at 6:30 AM for the serious birders and early risers and a second group at 10:00 AM.  Plan on spending 2 to 3 hours in the field. This is a great field trip for families and kids. Please call or text Karl Ruprecht (208 749 1395) for details and directions.

Birds and Beans Coffee - The Most Sustainable Coffee You can Buy!

Pick up your coffee at our May 1st Program

By choosing to purchase Smithsonian certified bird-friendly coffee, you are supporting bird conservation and family farmers throughout the Americas. Organic and Fair Trade, this coffee is grown in the shade, under a canopy of native trees with shrubs and plants that provide critical refuge for migratory and local birds, as well as the rich flora and fauna of the tropical forest. In short, this great tasting coffee rewards in the cup and helps ensure that the birds we all love return every spring.

State of the Birds 2025

3rd Annual Twin Falls

Pollinator Plant Sale

Purchase locally grown plants to start or expand your own pollinator garden!

Join the Twin Falls Pollinator Council in supporting bees, butterflies, birds and other beneficial insects in our area.

go to: https://tfpollinatorcouncil.org/ to place an order for a selection of Native Plants



This would make a wonderful gift for Mother's Day!

These native plants are beneficial to our local pollinators and come back year after year. This is representative of what will be offered.

Native Plants Collection

• 4 ea. Blanket Flower – Gaillardia aristatata
• 4 ea. Pineleaf Penstemon – Penstemon pinifolius
• 4 ea. False Lupine – Thermopolis villosa
• 4 ea. Bush Penstemon – Penstemon fruticosus
• 4 ea. Cinquefoil – Potentilla gracilis
• 4 ea. Bee Balm – Monarda menthifolia
• 4 ea. Purple Avens – Geum rivale
• 4 ea. Licorice mint – Agastache rupestris

These native plants are beneficial to our local pollinators and come back year after year. This is representative of what will be offered. Actual plants offered may be different.

$50.00 Four starter plants of each variety (8) for a total of 32 plants!

4. Avoid Pesticides

A healthy choice for you, your family, and birds: Consider purchasing organic food. Nearly 70% of produce sold in the U.S. contains pesticides. Don't use pesticides around your home and garden.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Prairie Falcon Audubon, Inc. fully supports

National Audubon Society's statement on

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

(www.audubon.org/about/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-audubon).

Prairie Falcon Audubon, Inc. believes that everyone has the right to enjoy birds, the outdoors, and a healthy and safe environment. In order to fulfill our mission to educate the general public about birds, bird watching, and preservation/improvement of the environment that birds and bird watchers share, we will work to include everyone, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, age, or disability. We are committed to building an equitable, diverse, anti-racist, accessible, fun, and inclusive organization that supports birds, and the people who watch them, in our community.