The clothing center in Kalona was absolutely packed to the brim with locals and travelers from far and wide who came to participate in the Purple Martin Workshop and Seminar on March 25.  After a three-year lull due to the pandemic, the seminar finally made its triumphant return. 

The whole point of the seminar was to inform about the importance of birds, how to attract and keep them safe, and most importantly, to inform about the purple martin, a bird that solely relies on human-made structures to live.

The purple martin spends roughly five months in Iowa during the spring and early summer months, living in intricate households made by humans. They’re not an endangered species, but they’re not common either. They only live where people leave out houses for them. 

That is why the seminar urged people to continue to put up houses for purple martin colonies. When asked who already houses purple martins, or plans to, almost everyone in attendance raised their hand, signaling that the martins are a safe and welcomed bird in Kalona.

All the speakers’ information culminated in a message of creating a safe environment for birds, protecting them against hostile birds and predators like raccoons and snakes, planning out colonies for purple martins in ideal locations, and being an advocate for the martins and other birds to make sure their future is bright.

On the agenda for the seminar were four speakers, a breakfast and lunch, a question-and-answer session, and a giveaway/auction.

Ben Rowold, who works closely with bluebirds at Kent State Park in Oxford, was the first speaker. He detailed his job and the importance of making livable habitats for birds.

Ivan Ray Miller, coming from Missouri, was the second speaker, with a presentation on how to attract backyard birds. 

Bruce Hochstetler was the third speaker, recounting his story of finding buttons inside of purple martin nests, eventually connecting the dots to an old button factory in Washington, Iowa, as the culprit. 

In between speakers, guests had a chance to eat lunch, chit-chat, and browse the displays and items for sale before the seminar heated back up.

Tim Gedler was the final speaker. A seminar from years ago turned him into a passionate purple martin advocate, convincing him to go home and foster them, eventually finding success, just outside of Des Moines. 

After the speakers, a panel collaborated for a Q&A before the auction, keeping everyone engaged for the whole day. Proceeds from the auction and admission at the door covered travel expenses for the speakers and the rest went back to the clothing center.