Auriel Fournier
@rallidaerule.bsky.social
Forbes Bio Station Director
Wetland Bird/Waterfowl @ Illinois Natural Hist Survey
Posts do not represent my employer
President @wilsonornithsoc.bsky.social
Gardening
she/her
aurielfournier.github.io
forbes-bio-station.inhs.illinois.edu
Wetland Bird/Waterfowl @ Illinois Natural Hist Survey
Posts do not represent my employer
President @wilsonornithsoc.bsky.social
Gardening
she/her
aurielfournier.github.io
forbes-bio-station.inhs.illinois.edu
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
My sense of Minnesota today is that there’s less tear gas and the same amount of unlawful detention, destruction of families, loss of livelihood, people in hiding.
There is less tear gas at places like Lake and Lyndale, so it’s not making news.
There is less tear gas at places like Lake and Lyndale, so it’s not making news.
February 11, 2026 at 1:25 PM
My sense of Minnesota today is that there’s less tear gas and the same amount of unlawful detention, destruction of families, loss of livelihood, people in hiding.
There is less tear gas at places like Lake and Lyndale, so it’s not making news.
There is less tear gas at places like Lake and Lyndale, so it’s not making news.
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
This part. The underlying economic need is, if anything, greater than it was two weeks ago.
The economic need has not changed but the fundraising on a national basis has dropped off at least to some extent, leaving us relying on local networks which are a bit tapped out right now. Local networks were always going to be robust but it was good when national resources were pouring in.
February 11, 2026 at 1:36 PM
This part. The underlying economic need is, if anything, greater than it was two weeks ago.
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
Imagine closing down the airspace of Boston, Washington DC, or Denver for 10 days? All of these cities have around the same population
I used to live in El Paso (which gives me zero insight into this) but I want to make a basic point because most US Americans have never been there: this is a large city of almost 700,000 people. It’s in the top 25 for the country. More than twice Pittsburgh and more than Milwaukee, for example
here is our el paso airspace closure coverage and yes, we are as confused as you are (free link) www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
February 11, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Imagine closing down the airspace of Boston, Washington DC, or Denver for 10 days? All of these cities have around the same population
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
We need a new bsky account "WeRateMatt"
One single post will do.
10^1000000000000000 out of 10
One single post will do.
10^1000000000000000 out of 10
February 10, 2026 at 9:20 PM
We need a new bsky account "WeRateMatt"
One single post will do.
10^1000000000000000 out of 10
One single post will do.
10^1000000000000000 out of 10
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
One of the interesting consequences about running a community D&D program is that I occasionally encounter adults who, very clearly, genuinely cannot separate fantasy from reality. They truly believe the kids are casting spells and summoning demons out of a book published by Hasbro.
I've long suspected that certain MAGA types literally cannot tell the difference between fiction and reality.... The Movie That Shaped the Former Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Movie That Inspired Gregory Bovino to Join Border Patrol
Years before he led the Trump Administration’s immigration-enforcement effort in Minneapolis, Bovino saw the 1982 Jack Nicholson film “The Border.”
www.newyorker.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:58 PM
One of the interesting consequences about running a community D&D program is that I occasionally encounter adults who, very clearly, genuinely cannot separate fantasy from reality. They truly believe the kids are casting spells and summoning demons out of a book published by Hasbro.
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
They’re all gonna say “packages are being stolen from my doorstep.” Which demands the question: why have we picked a path where we isolate ourselves so thoroughly that we need to surveil our surroundings instead of going to a store?
February 9, 2026 at 12:02 PM
They’re all gonna say “packages are being stolen from my doorstep.” Which demands the question: why have we picked a path where we isolate ourselves so thoroughly that we need to surveil our surroundings instead of going to a store?
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
If you want to know what's going on in Minnesota, I recommend following & listening to Minnesotans. I recommend reading the articles we share. Believe us when we tell you what's happening.
Check out stories from local outlets & this curated list of stories:
www.standwithminnesota.com/stay-informed
Check out stories from local outlets & this curated list of stories:
www.standwithminnesota.com/stay-informed
Stay Informed — Stand With Minnesota
Stay updated with local and independent news, firsthand reports, and curated links highlighting developments around Minnesota community defense efforts and immigration enforcement occurrences.
www.standwithminnesota.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:21 AM
If you want to know what's going on in Minnesota, I recommend following & listening to Minnesotans. I recommend reading the articles we share. Believe us when we tell you what's happening.
Check out stories from local outlets & this curated list of stories:
www.standwithminnesota.com/stay-informed
Check out stories from local outlets & this curated list of stories:
www.standwithminnesota.com/stay-informed
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
I hear from people who are surprised I'm still talking about ICE, they thought they'd withdrawn from MN.
No, they have not. In some respects they've escalated.
Some asked why MN is a target. Are there are there a lot more illegals or criminals here?
No, it's not about that. It's about a grudge.
No, they have not. In some respects they've escalated.
Some asked why MN is a target. Are there are there a lot more illegals or criminals here?
No, it's not about that. It's about a grudge.
February 9, 2026 at 9:15 AM
I hear from people who are surprised I'm still talking about ICE, they thought they'd withdrawn from MN.
No, they have not. In some respects they've escalated.
Some asked why MN is a target. Are there are there a lot more illegals or criminals here?
No, it's not about that. It's about a grudge.
No, they have not. In some respects they've escalated.
Some asked why MN is a target. Are there are there a lot more illegals or criminals here?
No, it's not about that. It's about a grudge.
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
Do you need some help covering travel costs to attend #AFOWOS2026 in Rhode Island this summer? Apply for a Travel Award by March 1! #ornithology
Awards and travel funding
Travel awards Funds are available for partial financial support to students and early professionals presenting at the AFO WOS joint meeting in Newport, RI July 7-9, 2026. This is a competitive appl…
afowos2026.org
February 9, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Do you need some help covering travel costs to attend #AFOWOS2026 in Rhode Island this summer? Apply for a Travel Award by March 1! #ornithology
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
February 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
Botany valentine. Another oldie.
February 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Botany valentine. Another oldie.
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
...am informed that "as part of X (what I agreed to) everyone is expected to do Y (something time consuming that wasn't mentioned)" or "we need you to provide X (something necessary the day of the event) a week in advance (when there was no indication of this early deadline at the initial ask)" 2/n
February 9, 2026 at 2:12 PM
...am informed that "as part of X (what I agreed to) everyone is expected to do Y (something time consuming that wasn't mentioned)" or "we need you to provide X (something necessary the day of the event) a week in advance (when there was no indication of this early deadline at the initial ask)" 2/n
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
When asking someone to do something it's important to be clear about everything you are asking them to do, and when you are asking them to do it, up front.
Increasingly I'm asked to do something, I look at my schedule and other commitments and agree to the ask, and then weeks later... 1/n
Increasingly I'm asked to do something, I look at my schedule and other commitments and agree to the ask, and then weeks later... 1/n
February 9, 2026 at 2:11 PM
When asking someone to do something it's important to be clear about everything you are asking them to do, and when you are asking them to do it, up front.
Increasingly I'm asked to do something, I look at my schedule and other commitments and agree to the ask, and then weeks later... 1/n
Increasingly I'm asked to do something, I look at my schedule and other commitments and agree to the ask, and then weeks later... 1/n
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
One of the reasons I so greatly dislike the “can men and women be friends?” nonsense (yes, full stop, shut up) is that it casts suspicion on people with opposite-sex friends instead of where it more often belongs: on people with no opposite-sex friends.
Anyway, yeah. The overwhelming impression one gets from so many of these emails is that a lot of them are guys who have never had a real, serious friendship with a woman in their lives.
Which sucks for them, but also sucks for every woman who has to deal with them, ever.
Which sucks for them, but also sucks for every woman who has to deal with them, ever.
February 5, 2026 at 6:47 PM
One of the reasons I so greatly dislike the “can men and women be friends?” nonsense (yes, full stop, shut up) is that it casts suspicion on people with opposite-sex friends instead of where it more often belongs: on people with no opposite-sex friends.
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
February 1, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
This is exactly how librarians have been blamed for cuts to library budgets for decades. "You didn't do enough to communicate your value." What that really means is "you don't make any profit, and profit is the only legitimate value an organization can produce."
You hear this a lot on the left but it isn't true. USAID did not "fail to tell its story to Americans," the right targeted the agency with lies and misinformation.
Ultimately this narrative turns conservative attacks into even more calls for the left to reform.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/o...
Ultimately this narrative turns conservative attacks into even more calls for the left to reform.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/o...
June 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
This is exactly how librarians have been blamed for cuts to library budgets for decades. "You didn't do enough to communicate your value." What that really means is "you don't make any profit, and profit is the only legitimate value an organization can produce."
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
We are seeking sponsors at multiple levels for #AFOWOS2026! Support our conference and reach an engaged audience of #ornithology professionals. Please share!
Sponsors
About the conference The 2026 conference is a joint meeting of two professional societies, the Association of Field Ornithologists, and the Wilson Ornithological Society. The conference will offer …
afowos2026.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:02 PM
We are seeking sponsors at multiple levels for #AFOWOS2026! Support our conference and reach an engaged audience of #ornithology professionals. Please share!
last election we ran out of stickers because we had such high turn out (hotly contested township road commissioner race, yes I live in rural Illinois)
which yay high turn out
but the sadness, at the lack of stickers
seriously, people love those stickers
which yay high turn out
but the sadness, at the lack of stickers
seriously, people love those stickers
and all the stress is really outweighed by the JOY on people's faces when they get their 'i voted' sticker
or when a kid gets one for coming along with their parent/adult
PEOPLE LOVE STICKERS
or when a kid gets one for coming along with their parent/adult
PEOPLE LOVE STICKERS
February 5, 2026 at 1:49 PM
last election we ran out of stickers because we had such high turn out (hotly contested township road commissioner race, yes I live in rural Illinois)
which yay high turn out
but the sadness, at the lack of stickers
seriously, people love those stickers
which yay high turn out
but the sadness, at the lack of stickers
seriously, people love those stickers
please if you can be an election judge
its hard and tiring work, but its so important, and most places need more folks
signed, an illinois election judge
its hard and tiring work, but its so important, and most places need more folks
signed, an illinois election judge
I know we're all bundles of fear and rage but I am begging some of y'all to "touch grass" and by, touch grass, I mean volunteer as an election judge or with local Dems or league of women voters, FFS. YOU have power. Use it. It will make you feel less scared.
one thing i have noticed is a lot of folks do not seem to understand the difference between a presidential election and 435+ legislative elections. i have seen any number of people say that you could subvert the outcome this november by targeting “swing states,” which does not make any sense.
February 5, 2026 at 1:43 PM
please if you can be an election judge
its hard and tiring work, but its so important, and most places need more folks
signed, an illinois election judge
its hard and tiring work, but its so important, and most places need more folks
signed, an illinois election judge
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
I am so panicked that people are going to stop buying books right now. And I don’t just say this because I have a book coming out in April. I am saying this also because indie bookstores are doing a lot of protest support work and need the business. And my friends have books coming out too.
Please buy books that are coming out this year.
Doesn’t have to be mine. But there is a stellar release calendar this year especially of Black writers and it would be a shame if one of the fascist victories was people not buying those books (from the indies that are in the fight with us). #BookSky
Doesn’t have to be mine. But there is a stellar release calendar this year especially of Black writers and it would be a shame if one of the fascist victories was people not buying those books (from the indies that are in the fight with us). #BookSky
February 5, 2026 at 12:48 PM
I am so panicked that people are going to stop buying books right now. And I don’t just say this because I have a book coming out in April. I am saying this also because indie bookstores are doing a lot of protest support work and need the business. And my friends have books coming out too.
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
Now open: Applications for Field Inclusive's WOS-sponsored fellowship at Cape Fear Bird Observatory! Open to students & early-career professionals from marginalized / historically excluded identities (race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, etc).
Field Inclusive - Cape Fear Bird Observatory Joint Fellowship - Field Inclusive, Inc.
Field Inclusive – Cape Fear Bird Observatory Joint Fellowship Accepting Applications. Organization: The Cape Fear Bird ObservatoryLocation: Greater Wilmington (New Hanover and Brunswick Counties)Job…
www.fieldinclusive.org
February 4, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Now open: Applications for Field Inclusive's WOS-sponsored fellowship at Cape Fear Bird Observatory! Open to students & early-career professionals from marginalized / historically excluded identities (race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, etc).
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
Happy Wednesday! I am on my second day of having a kid home sick, and my spouse is out of town and I have deadlines coming up, but at least I got my newsletter out so you can read about bird eyeballs! I hope you'll check it out. 🪶👀 buttondown.com/rheisman/arc...
Bird of Passage: February 2026
Let's talk about bird eyeballs.
buttondown.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Happy Wednesday! I am on my second day of having a kid home sick, and my spouse is out of town and I have deadlines coming up, but at least I got my newsletter out so you can read about bird eyeballs! I hope you'll check it out. 🪶👀 buttondown.com/rheisman/arc...
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
Ear appreciation post
February 4, 2026 at 5:03 AM
Ear appreciation post
Reposted by Auriel Fournier
Update: In the past week we've learned ICE has secured property to build human warehouses in Merrimack, NH and Williamsport, MD *as well as* Surprise, AZ; Upper Bern, PA; and Tremont, PA.
Facts that bear repeating.
Facts that bear repeating.
In the past week we've learned ICE has secured property to build human warehouses in Merrimack, NH and Williamsport, MD. Just some facts I think bear repeating.
February 4, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Update: In the past week we've learned ICE has secured property to build human warehouses in Merrimack, NH and Williamsport, MD *as well as* Surprise, AZ; Upper Bern, PA; and Tremont, PA.
Facts that bear repeating.
Facts that bear repeating.