Arab, Alabama, USA: The Bluebird Story
In Mid-September, 2005, employees of the Umicore Plant in Arab, Alabama, USA participated in the 13th Arab Annual Community Fair. As part of this event, the conservation of the Bluebird was chosen as the environmental project to be presented to the public at the fair.
Why Bluebird? First, as a producer of cobalt products we are a bit bias toward blue. Second, we felt that we could make contribution in raising the public’s awareness of the plight of this magnificent native bird and the fact that the recent decline in Bluebird population was primarily due to man’s activities. Third, their gradual comeback in to the last 20 years as the result of conservation efforts proved that the survival of the Bluebird would only be possible with man’s help.
Nest boxes were given to the public as well as instructions for the site selection and box installation. In the next phase of the project the Umicore plant in Arab plans to establish a Bluebird Trail around the Town of Arab and to promote the Bluebird Project in neighboring communities.