Godwit Days 10th Anniversary
The theme of the 2005 Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival – to be held April 15-17 at the Arcata Community Center -- is “Accomplishments in Citizen Science.” Evening lectures and special events are planned to showcase how average people can get involved in research and activities to benefit birds in particular and our planet in general. It is expected that one such major local citizen science project, the Humboldt County Breeding Bird Atlas, will be unveiled at the Festival. This 5-year data collection effort involved nearly 100 individuals – both resource professionals and interested laypersons – who surveyed for bird behavior in every corner of our county.
As usual, Godwit Days will feature field trips, workshops, lectures, exhibits, vendors, an art show, and family activities. The registration website is at www.godwitdays.com.
Audubon Election Materials
Watch your mailbox in early January for a ballot to select 2005 RRAS board members and officers, as well as a flyer with information about the annual banquet and member survey. Please take the time to vote!
Reminder: HSU Research/Travel Grant Funding Available
February 2 is the application deadline for up to $300 to conduct a research project or attend and present research results at a scientific meeting. The research or presentation should focus on bird ecology, conservation, or evolutionary biology, with preference given to research conducted on birds in northern California.
Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply; up to two proposals may be selected. Awards will be presented at the RRAS annual banquet in February. Winners are expected to give a 45‑minute presentation of his/her research, geared to the informed layperson, at the May 13, 2005, RRAS general meeting.
To receive an application form, contact Louise Bacon‑Ogden, Scholarship Chair, 2337 B Street, Eureka, CA 95501; phone 445‑8304; e‑mail sftb@juno.com. The following materials should be attached to the application form:
A 1-page synopsis of the research project or abstract of the scientific presentation
A budget of expected project or travel expenses
A resumé
A letter of recommendation from your advisor
Applications must be received by Wednesday, February 2, 2005. The awards will be presented at the RRAS annual banquet in March.
RRAS Sponsors Science Fair Award
Again this year, RRAS will be sponsoring an award at the Humboldt County Science Fair for the best project dealing with birds and their habitat. The event will be held in mid-March at Humboldt State University. RRAS volunteer judges will evaluate exhibits created by elementary, middle, and high school students to choose a winner. The prize is a $50 check and a 1-year local RRAS membership.
Student Bird Art Contest at Godwit Days
RRAS, in cooperation with Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM), will again sponsor a children's art contest this April. Up to $300 in prizes will be awarded divided by grade categories (K-12). Winners will be announced at the Godwit Days opening reception on Friday, April 15. All entries will be posted at the Arcata Community Center and winners also will be displayed at the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center during May.
Complete rules will be published in the next issue of The Sandpiper.
Your Chapter Needs YOU!
There are several ways that members – or even nonmembers – can help out RRAS in the upcoming months.
Our most urgent need is for a President Elect, with a term starting in February 2005. Outgoing President Jim Clark is willing to continue as President for another year, to ease his successor into the position. At least one other Director slot for a 2-year term will be vacant. Election materials must be mailed to members in early January, so please call Chet Ogan ASAP if you can help at 442-9353.
We are also looking for a volunteer coordinator, someone who is willing to keep a list of people available to help with special events and work to fill slots in a schedule.
Two events will be happening in early March and mid-April where help is needed. First, we’re seeking people to make calls to potential donors and pick up items for our Silent Auction at the Annual Banquet on March 5. A script and list of past donors will be provided; even 5 calls would help tremendously with our largest fundraiser. Second, RRAS will again be operating the Café at the Godwit Days birding festival. Shifts will be on Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17 at the Arcata Community Center. Tasks include set up and clean up, taking food orders, collecting money, and serving hot food.
Contact Chet at 442-9353 if you can serve our chapter in any way.
Donations of Goods & Services Sought for Silent Auction
For the fifth year, RRAS will be holding a Silent Auction at its Annual Banquet. This event has become the major fundraiser for our chapter.
If you work in a business, ask your employer to donate a gift certificate or merchandise. If you are an artist or photographer or needlecrafter, give a piece of your work. Offer to lead a birding trip or cook a dinner. Donate books, jewelry, CDs… there are many types of services and objects on which people would be willing to bid, so don’t be shy or uncreative!
To make a tax-deductible donation, call Sue Leskiw at 442-5444. All donors will be recognized at the banquet and in The Sandpiper as well as receive thank-you letters.
Conservation Committee Report
By Chet Ogan
Last spring our chapter participated in a survey to assess what policy options we thought Audubon California should cover. In mid November of this year, Glenn Olson, California Audubon Executive Chair, presented an overview of Audubon California and Julia Levin presented policy issues. Criteria for choosing the policy issues were importance for bird conservation, likelihood of success, chapter support and interest, potential to raise funds, potential visibility, outreach opportunities, and likelihood of support from National Audubon. Our chapter, along with other chapters, have been asked to rank the following policy issues keeping in mind the above goals:
Expand landowner stewardship program to Imperial Valley/Salton Sea area
San Francisco Bay-Delta program (salt marsh restoration, etc.)
Begin building framework and support for 2006 conservation funding bond
Launch California Condor campaign
Pass bill to recognize/protect Important Bird Areas in California or in state parks
Establish siting and technology requirements for new wind power generation.
We were also asked if there are any other topics we thought should be included. At least two additional topics were raised:
Awareness and eradication of invasive and nuisance species,
Providing protection for state endangered species and species of special concern.
I would be glad to hear your thoughts. Contact me at chet_ogan@yahoo.com
Vance Russell gave a talk on the Audubon Land Stewardship Program. This sounds like an avenue we could use to deal with providing essential habitat for the recovery program for the Aleutian Cackling Goose. Virtually all of the Aleutian goose population stages here before returning each spring to breeding grounds in Alaska.
Redwood Region Audubon Society welcomes the following new members and subscribers:
Arcata – Ananda Hazzard, Nathan Keenan, Andrea Romero, Norma Stephens
Carlotta – Jodie Ellis
Crescent City – James Ansell, Roger Galbraith, Karen Nakashima, Andrea Williams
Eureka – Frank Demling, Loren Farber, Katherine Granfield, Joseph Laden, Mary Miller
Fortuna – Mr & Mrs Christopher Andrews
McKinleyville – George Pickens
Petrolia – Trish Stefanik
We look forward to seeing you on field trips and at our monthly programs.
Keep Up to Date via RRAS Listserv
Be reminded about field trips and programs and learn about upcoming meetings, public hearings, and symposia of interest to RRAS members and other concerned nature lovers. Subscribe in one of two ways: 1) through a Webpage at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rras or 2) via e-mail at rras-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. All posts should give complete information on the event, sponsor (limited to nonprofit groups and governmental agencies), location, date/time, and contact. This site is NOT for reporting bird sightings; other venues exist for that purpose.
Thinking of Joining the National Audubon Society?
If so, please use the coupon on our Membership page (www.rras.org/chmember.htm). By sending in your membership on this form, rather than replying to solicitations from National Audubon, $20 is sent directly to RRAS. This is how NAS rewards local chapters for recruiting national members. (Otherwise, the RRAS dues share per new member is only a couple of dollars.) Thank you.
Redwood Region Audubon Society Local Membership Category
Local membership in R.R.A.S. is available for our supporters who want to receive The Sandpiper, but not be members of National Audubon. The cost of this service is $15. Please make checks payable to R.R.A.S. and send to P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502. Write LOCAL MEMBERSHIP on your check.