For Julie Curd, the move from corporate America to running an Annapolis store that specializes in nature education was brilliant. After 23 years of working for a large corporation, Curd moved to the area when she discovered the Wild Bird Center of Annapolis was for sale. She’s been here for about two and half years and has happily taken charge of Wild Bird Center. Let’s hear more about why she loves this town and what Wild Bird Center of Annapolis offers.
“I’m a farmer’s daughter,” she starts, “And I have always loved birds.” Curd’s upbringing instituted her inclination for nature, but she also wanted to benefit the Earth. “I wanted to do something good for the environment and community,” she says. Working through the Wild Bird Center is ideal to help the community, as the company works to provide a better habitat for birds and in turn, makes the environment healthier. Wild Bird Center in Annapolis offers education through the store associates and books on birding, creating a bird-friendly world, and as Curd says, “we teach people how to bring nature to their yards.”
Aside from the educational aspect of the company, Curd’s store also offers bird feeders, baths, and nature-inspired gifts. “It’s like Hallmark, but with a nature theme,” she jokes.
Now that we know about this advocate of the Earth, community, and nature, let’s learn about how birds affect the environment. “Birds are a major part of the environment. They are part of the cycle and help control insect population and they’re also food for predators,” Curd says. She adds that “the more our residents can help the birds and feed them all year long–that’s really important–the better.”
In addition to acting as a vital part to the ecosystem, birds also provide enjoyment to watch. “We share the world with them,” Curd says. In connection with this thought, Curd brought up Hurricane Katrina as having a national impact on birds and Hurricane Irene’s local impact. Just like humans, birds lose their habitat from natural disasters like Katrina and Irene. Since birds are quickly losing their habitat, it’s imperative to create a safe haven for birds in backyards.
Curd explains the ingredients to make a backyard bird habitat aren’t that varied or expensive. “The main thing is to provide food, water, shelter, and a place to raise young,” she says. Bird baths, wooded areas or bushes, and seeds are simple enough to obtain but contribute to creating the right environment for some very lucky bird families. “A feeder is a great place to start,” Curd says, “But people in apartments can have this stuff too.” Starting a bird-friendly yard or apartment balcony is fun for all ages! Be sure to check out more on creating a bird-friendly habitat and other news in Wild Bird Center’s Newsletter, pictured above. Head to the Wild Bird Center link below to sign up!
In closing, keep in mind that those flighty friends we often take for granted affect the environment. They carry out nature’s cycle and eat pesky mosquitoes. For these reasons, Curd urges people to create a bird habitat. After all, as Curd says, “We are all connected–trees, birds, insects, and us.”
Look for Curd at Wild Bird Center on Forest Drive in Annapolis, or at Green Drinks, the eco-minded party that occurs every month. For additional information on Wild Bird Center in Annapolis, activate the following link: http://www.wildbird.com/franchisee/anp. To find the location and date of the next Green Drinks, follow this link: http://www.annapolisgreen.com/calendar.html.
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