Get out your binoculars – Skimmer Open House on June 28

Freeport, Texas - June 27, 2008

What’s black and white and skims all over the waterways of Dow Texas Operations each year? Black Skimmers, of course!

It has been 40 years since the first black skimmers found a home in an oyster shell parking lot at Plant A, and on Saturday, June 28 Dow employees and members of the public will be able to see them up close at the Black Skimmer Open House from 9 a.m. to noon.

The event is free and open to the public and provides the rare opportunity to view one of the largest nesting colonies of black skimmers on the Texas Gulf Coast. The lower half of the skimmer's bill is longer than the upper half and shaped like a flat knife blade. This allows the bird to fly just above the surface of the water with its lower bill skimming along the surface, picking up morsels of food – hence their name.

James Heller, a member of the Texas Operations Wildlife Support Team (TOWST) and one of Dow’s resident skimmer experts, says it all started when Maurice Garner noticed the birds nesting in the parking lot and put up some ropes and barricades to keep them from being disturbed. “It started out as a simple effort to protect the birds and has become one of the great examples of the high regard Texas Operations employees have for our local wildlife,” says Heller. “We’re proud to continue that tradition of conserving and protecting wildlife and their habitat and so having the skimmers back this year gives us another opportunity to promote conservation as a corporate and individual responsibility.”

He adds the Black Skimmer Open House provides an exciting experience for everyone, from first-time bird watchers to seasoned birders.

“It is a great way for us all to learn about the skimmers and the importance of coastal habitat preservation,” he says. “It’s also a lot of fun to watch the birds and how they interact with the chicks. For many, this is the only opportunity they’ll ever have to see a skimmer in the wild.”

Anyone interested in attending the Skimmer Open House should arrive at the Dow A-41 Gate located on FM 523, approximately one mile south of the intersection of Highway 332 and FM 523. A bus will shuttle visitors to the location of the colony between 9 a.m. and noon. Tents and refreshments will be available to provide relief from the summer heat. For more information about the Dow Black Skimmer Open House, visitors can call 979-238-2753.

About Dow

For Editorial Information:

Tracie Copeland
The Dow Chemical Company
1-979-238-3792


News Center News Releases Public Reports Security at Dow Sign-up for Texas Operations E-Updates About Texas Operations Dow in the Community Brazosport Industrial CAER 65th Anniversary Dow in Texas Sign-up for Texas Operations E-Updates Our Locations Texas Texas Operations		Get out your binoculars – Skimmer Open House on June 28 Freeport, Texas - June 27, 2008 What’s black and white and skims all over the waterways of Dow Texas Operations each year? Black Skimmers, of course! It has been 40 years since the first black skimmers found a home in an oyster shell parking lot at Plant A, and on Saturday, June 28 Dow employees and members of the public will be able to see them up close at the Black Skimmer Open House from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public and provides the rare opportunity to view one of the largest nesting colonies of black skimmers on the Texas Gulf Coast. The lower half of the skimmer's bill is longer than the upper half and shaped like a flat knife blade. This allows the bird to fly just above the surface of the water with its lower bill skimming along the surface, picking up morsels of food – hence their name. James Heller, a member of the Texas Operations Wildlife Support Team (TOWST) and one of Dow’s resident skimmer experts, says it all started when Maurice Garner noticed the birds nesting in the parking lot and put up some ropes and barricades to keep them from being disturbed. “It started out as a simple effort to protect the birds and has become one of the great examples of the high regard Texas Operations employees have for our local wildlife,” says Heller. “We’re proud to continue that tradition of conserving and protecting wildlife and their habitat and so having the skimmers back this year gives us another opportunity to promote conservation as a corporate and individual responsibility.” He adds the Black Skimmer Open House provides an exciting experience for everyone, from first-time bird watchers to seasoned birders. “It is a great way for us all to learn about the skimmers and the importance of coastal habitat preservation,” he says. “It’s also a lot of fun to watch the birds and how they interact with the chicks. For many, this is the only opportunity they’ll ever have to see a skimmer in the wild.” Anyone interested in attending the Skimmer Open House should arrive at the Dow A-41 Gate located on FM 523, approximately one mile south of the intersection of Highway 332 and FM 523. A bus will shuttle visitors to the location of the colony between 9 a.m. and noon. Tents and refreshments will be available to provide relief from the summer heat. For more information about the Dow Black Skimmer Open House, visitors can call 979-238-2753. About Dow For Editorial Information: Tracie Copeland The Dow Chemical Company 1-979-238-3792
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