public education is key

According to research conducted by the New York Dept. of Conservation. Some Geese go on a molt migration when they have failed nesting. These Geese have been tracked to James Bay and the Hudson Bay in Canada.

several small precautions will reduce your Goose population

• Don't feed the Geese
• Egg oiling
• Subtle changes to the landscape
• Employ a hazing program

These simple measures will discourage Geese from remaining resident in your area. Keep in mind that there are many places where Geese can go. New York has millions of acres dedicated as wilderness.

grassroots group saves the geese

by DAVID GOLDSCHMIDT
July 19, 2006

Three days was all it took.

Saturday morning, June 3, I arrived at Collins Park in Scotia with my wife, Kat. As the rain fell, we met up with Laura and Matt Brown, residents of Scotia. We counted almost 200 Canada geese, the very ones sentenced to death in the coming weeks at the behest of the Scotia village board... CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE STORY...

canada geese and public health

Do Canada geese pose a threat to public health in Collins Park? Judge for yourself by visiting Canada Geese and Public Health, a concise report from The Humane Society of the United States.

volunteer membership application

Click here to download the membership application (Microsof Word format)
Click here to download the membership application (Acrobat pdf)
Please fill this out and mail or email to brownm@nycap.rr.com

$$$ please make a donation $$$

Click here to make a donation to save the geese. Thank you!

support from local businesses to save the geese

• Show your support by wearing a Don't Gas the Geese T-shirt, available at Tee-Zone in Crossgates Mall (lower level next to Godiva, across from the Apple Store) -- tshirtny@hotmail.com -- 518-464-9023. The owner, Ray, has offered us a discounted price!
• Drink coffee! Visit the Village Coffee Shop at 127 Mohawk Avenue in Scotia -- 518-388-0092. Thank you for your support!
• Utilize a mix of services from Adirondack Elixir Co., Inc., including Commercial Graphic Design, Portraits, Logos, Gourmet Foods, DJ Services, Editing, and Ghostwriting. Contact Dian or Brett VanDerVolgen at adkelixir@adelphia.net or 518-693-7354. View Dian's beautiful illustration of Canada geese!
• Eat at the Skyport Diner at 37 Freemans Bridge Road in Scotia (at the end of Maple Avenue) -- 518-382-9773. Thank you for your support!

Business owners: Please show your support! Send email to savethegeese@gmail.com with your location and phone number.

mission statement

Our mission is to ensure that only effective, non-lethal, humane methods are used to manage the goose population in Collins Park, Scotia, New York.

We are residents of Scotia, Schenectady, and surrounding communities united against inhumane answers to human/wildlife conflicts.

Please support our cause! Click here to learn how you can help stop this cruelty.

press releases, statements, and support

• Statement (7/12/2006) to the village of Scotia.
• Boycott statement (6/20/2006) to the village of Scotia.
• Statement (6/14/2006) to the village of Scotia.
• Press Release (5/23/2006) from the Animal Protective Foundation (APF).
• The ASPCA's position on the Canada geese in Scotia.
• Letter from Assemblyman James Tedisco describing his "strong opposition to the planned slaughter" to Richard Chipman, New York Wildlife Services State Director.
• Click here for news articles.

objectives

1. Move the Village of Scotia to utilize border collies, egg addling, natural barriers, and other humane methods to address the reported nuisance of Canada geese in Collins Park.
2. Gain public and municipal support for preventing cruelty to animals, specifically the Canada geese in Collins Park.
3. Educate the public and elected government officials on Canada geese, including how the geese are not a public health hazard. Please visit The Humane Society of the United States: Canada Geese and Public Health for more information.

key points

1. Humane methods of eliminating Canada goose populations are the most cost-effective and have been proven to be the most successful. Examples of success include such communities as Boston, Broome County (Binghamton, NY), and many public venues in Long Island.
2. Gassing Canada geese in a CO₂ chamber is not only ineffective, but cruel.
3. We do not dispute the benefits of having a clean park, we simply demand the best and most humane methods be used.
4. There's no scientific or fiscal evidence to support the claim that euthanizing the Canada geese in a gas chamber will be effective and provide the relief the village is looking for.
5. Canadian geese are beautiful creatures; they mate for life, are very social, and have been diminishing in population for the past 30 years.

Canada Geese Seasonal Activity

Nesting Season

This time of year you will see geese in pairs because its nesting season.

This will continue through the middle of May

Proper protocol is to leave them alone during this time. Trained staff and volunteers will be oiling the eggs.

Molt

All birds go through a molting period each year to replace damaged, lost, or deteriorated feathers. Canada geese go through a second molt each year, to replace all flight feathers. In our area (upstate NY) this typically takes place in late June and early July. During this time the Geese will be flightless.

Migration

Migration season is October through March.
During this time Geese are foraging for food, many will pond hop looking for a suitable habitat with food, water and safety.
It's best to haze these large flocks as they arrive.

Proper training is required for effective Hazing. If you are interested in helping then please fill out the membership application. We will train and schedule you for a shift. Follow this link to learn more.