Sign our Petition!
Petition to the township to try to save the 40-year great blue heron rookery and the mature forest that surrounds it from imminent destruction.
Go Team Herons!
Rochester Youth Baseball Association (RYBA) - Southern Minny team apparel is available for purchase. Show support for your team with the team logo on a shirt or shorts. These online stores are open for a limited time, closing on April 14.
Post Bulletin: More trees felled at heron nest site
More trees were cut down at a planned development site that houses a great blue heron rookery.
MPR story on rookery
In a city where new housing is scarce, the blue heron nests are the most recent flash point between local officials who green light new developments and Rochester residents who fear the region — under a massive development plan to bolster Mayo Clinic — is growing unfettered and with environmental costs.
Thurs 3/31, 7PM: Tracking Great Blue Herons
Zumbro Valley Audubon Society
Monthly Program via Zoom:
Tracking Great Blue Herons
Presented by Wildlife Biologist Danielle D'Auria
Thursday, March 31, 2022 / 7 - 8 pm
PB Letter: The birds are back - let's appreciate them
“Our community has wonderful parks, walkways and wildlife that deserve our appreciation and attention.”
Jenna Didier: Our rookery is threatened with imminent destruction
Our great blue heron rookery is threatened with imminent destruction. Despite the loss of 26 nests on a property planned for development, a neighboring parcel has 25 nesting trees. Those are now vulnerable to disruption.
Rochester Township Election
There was unprecedented interest in this year’s Rochester Township Board election. Two candidates explicitly expressed interest in preserving our local natural areas including our special great blue heron rookery. One of these, candidate Nathan Clarke, won the election with 85% of the vote.
More press coverage of rookery fight
Med City Beat: Despite setbacks, grassroots Save the Rookery group vows to press on
Star Tribune: Trees felled in heron rookery near Rochester
About 20 trees containing great blue heron nests were cut recently amid widening litigation by conservationists to stop a 10-lot housing development planned for the site.
News coverage of heron nest destruction
Local news outlets have covered the story of landowner Steve Connelly cutting down the Rochester Rookery trees
Trees with heron nests cut down!
Landowner Steve Connelly cut down approximately 20 trees that were each home to multiple great blue heron nests just days before the great blue herons are due to return.
PB article on Township Board Candidates
Post Bulletin article on the three Rochester Township Board candidates
3 Questions for the Candidates
Save The Rookery asked all three candidates for the Rochester Township Board of Supervisors the same set of questions to inform voters prior to the election to be held Tuesday, March 14
Faith in Minnesota canvass event
One of our partner organizations, Faith in Minnesota, is hosting a canvass in Rochester Township this Saturday at 1:30-4:30pm to get the word out about this election and encourage our neighbors to vote.
VOTE March 5 or 8 - Rochester Township Board
Local government makes important decisions on land use. Rochester Township residents have an opportunity to vote for Township Board of Supervisors on March 5 or 8! Listed here are the candidates for the open seat.
George Faseemo’s speech: Youth Rookies protest
Text of George Faseemo’s speech, Preservation Over Profit protest
Manal Assoula’s speech: Youth Rookies protest
Text of Manal Assoula’s speech at the Preservation Over Profit protest