A fitting designation

GENEVA — “Fitting” was the word of the day Saturday as Geneva was recognized by the Indiana Audubon Society as the first Bird Town in the state.
“It seems fitting for a community like Geneva to be the first,” said state Audubon Society president Brad Bumgardner.
“It’s only fitting,” added Limberlost Historic Site manager Randy Lehman.
Bumgardner said when establishing the Bird Town program the Audubon Society had long discussions about what city or town would be the first to receive the designation.
Larger communities were passed over in favor of Geneva because of the historic link to author and naturalist Gene Stratton-Porter and the extensive efforts to restore wetlands in the Loblolly and Limberlost.
“It’s a statement of community pride,” said Bumgardner.
“We pride ourselves on our conservation,” said State Representative Matt Lehman. “I think it’s very neat that Geneva is the first community to have this honor.”
Terri Gorney, an active Audubon Society member who serves on the board of the Friends of the Limberlost, credited Ken Brunswick, who has spearheaded efforts to restore wetlands in northern Jay and southern Adams counties, with making the designation possible.
“Ken, if it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be standing here today,” she said.
Doug Milligan of the Geneva Town Council said the Bird Town signs would be placed at the entrances to Geneva, pending approval from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
“Gene Stratton-Porter would surely be pleased,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]