Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sunnyvale Girl Scouts urge park visitors not to feed ducks, explain bird-health risks
Summary
A Girl Scout troop from Sunnyvale presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission urging visitors not to feed geese and ducks at Las Palmas Park, explaining how human food can cause 'angel wing' and recommending signage and outreach.
Members of Girl Scout Troop 62981 addressed the Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Commission on Jan. 14 to present a Take Action project urging park visitors not to feed ducks and geese.
The scouts described how feeding bread and other low-nutrition foods can alter birds' behavior and lead to a condition they described as "angel wing," which can impair birds' ability to fly. They recommended public-education measures such as signage at Las Palmas Park to explain the harm of feeding wildlife and to give visitors a clear action to take.
Commissioners and staff praised the troop and suggested that signage about waterfowl health could be incorporated into the Las Palmas Park renovation currently underway. The chair also encouraged civic engagement and noted a city effort to consider adding under-18 members to commissions as a way to involve younger people in local government.
The presentation was brief and met with positive remarks from commissioners; staff said the Las Palmas renovation and ongoing public outreach present opportunities to add informational signage.
