Local park features bird sanctuary, thanks to Wild Birds Unlimited, Cauley

HENDERSONVILLE - On Aug. 25, a vision of a new bird sanctuary at Sullivan Park became a reality, thanks to the original idea by Crystal Cauley and the hard work of Carey and Lutrelle O'Cain, the owners of Wild Birds Unlimited in Hendersonville.

The sanctuary has been named the Brooklyn Creek Bird Sanctuary, Cauley said.

She founded and directs the Black History Collective of Henderson County, serves on local boards, is involved in the Black Business Network of WNC, the Seventh Avenue/Brooklyn Community Garden and the Green Meadows community, and was twice nominated for the ATHENA Award.

Earlier this year, she proposed a bird sanctuary to the Environmental Sustainability Board for Sullivan Park after she researched the success that The Park in Flat Rock has had with its bluebird houses.

"The plan is to have the bird sanctuary as a place to clear your mind and reduce stress which is beneficial for people of all ages. Researchers have found a significant positive association between seeing or hearing birds and improved mental well-being," Cauley said. “My future plans are to begin the process of having the sanctuary as a Certified Wildlife Habitat with the help of the Environmental Sustainability Board’s approval. I will present the bird sanctuary to the board at the next September meeting.

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The Henderson County Environmental Sustainability Board's regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting Room inside City Hall located at 160 Sixth Ave. E. in Hendersonville. The September meeting will be on Sept. 21.

"I plan to introduce a partnership proposal with local organizations to have meetings at Sullivan Park and use the sanctuary as a space for learning and birdwatching," Cauley said. "At this time I am collecting donations for binoculars/birding supplies for people who wish to participate in birdwatching group and educational programs that are underway."

Donations can be sent to Crystal Cauley, PO Box No. 1, Hendersonville, NC 28793 or purchased on Amazon wishlist under gift list registry Crystal Cauley- Birding Supplies.

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The bird sanctuary also has a public Facebook page which is Brooklyn Creek Bird Sanctuary. There will be a ribbon cutting at the Sept. 9 community event that will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Donations for healthy bird food can also be taken to Wild Birds Unlimited located at 638 Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at [email protected]. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.