The Redwood Region Audubon Listserv has been launched. It is intended to inform interested parties of upcoming meetings, hearings, symposia, etc, as well as to remind members about RRAS field trips, programs, and so forth.
For example, if the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting will cover Waterfront Drive extension -- those interested in preserving the Eureka Marsh would want to attend. Other examples: The Fish & Wildlife Service is holding an informational meeting on the Snowy Plover recovery plan... The Harbor District is soliciting public comment on a draft management plan for the Bay... The California Native Plant Society is sponsoring a symposium on local rare plants... Letters are needed supporting removal of billboards on the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
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 Once you subscribe, you will be given instructions on how to unsubscribe, should it not be your cup of tea. 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.
We hope it is used by our members -- and other concerned nature lovers -- to share information, alert others to threats to our environment, and offer ways to take action.
Send in Your Vote by January 28
All RRAS members in good standing should have received a ballot for the 2002 chapter election. Candidates for 2-year terms on the Board of Directors are Janice Andersen, Gary Bloomfield, Jim Clark, and CJ Ralph. Sue Leskiw is running for the post of Secretary and Frances Madrone for Treasurer. The office of President-elect is open. Any member interested in serving is urged to contact Hal Genger at 443-7147.
Donations of Goods & Services Sought for Silent Auction
For the second year, RRAS will be holding a Silent Auction at its Annual Banquet, one of two major fundraisers for the chapter. Since RRAS will be donating 75 percent (rather than the usual half) of its fall Birdathon pledges to the Northcoast Environmental Center and Audubon has reduced financial support to its chapters, the proceeds of the Silent Auction become even more important to fund RRAS activities.
If you work in a business, ask your employer to donate a gift certificate. 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 or gently used optics or other field supplies. There are many types of services and objects on which people would be willing to bid, so don’t be shy or uncreative!
Please contact Sue Leskiw at 442-5444 to make a donation. All donors will be recognized at the banquet and in the Sandpiper as well as receiving thank you letters.
Next Board Meeting
The next regular meeting of the RRAS board will be Thurs Jan 31, 2002, at 7 p.m. at the Redwood Sciences Laboratory, 1700 Bayview, Arcata. For more information contact Sue Leskiw at 442-5444.
Help Scientists Track Birds in Your Community
Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 15-18, 2002. Information from the GBBC can help shed light on a variety of ecological phenomena, such as winter irruptions, and help track threatened and endangered species like the Bald Eagle. Last year, more than 53,000 checklists were submitted by volunteers from every state and province.
This event is hosted by the National Audubon Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. To participate, visit www.birdsource.org.
Conservation Committee
by Jim Clark
The variety and extent of conservation topics preclude a full report on committee meetings and full details of what is going on other fronts this time; here are the highlights.
· Pete presented a proposal to have RRAS support the NPS in requesting that CalTrans make a better effort to use local native plants for landscaping. Landscaping next to highways precludes the use of some native plants due to fire and safety considerations, but there are also many native plants that could and should be used in areas like the 101/299 interchange. For example: why plant Eucalyptus when Blue Blossom (Ceanothus spp.) can serve the same landscaping purpose? Pete will provide a letter to which RRAS can add its points. The committee agreed that RRAS should participate in this communication to CalTrans.
· Rudy proposed that RRAS and LWV cooperate on positions related to wildlife and natural resource issues. LWV has a defined and rigorous procedure for establishing local, state and national positions on issues that voters need to be aware of. While Audubon chapters are not bound by such a procedure; the concept of establishing positions on various issues is a good one. The committee agreed that LWV and RRAS can and should cooperate on adopting position statements on environmental issues.
The next Conservation Committee meeting will be at the Golden Harvest Cafe in Arcata on January 18, 2002 at Noon.
Breeding Bird Art Sponsorships
You can make a significant contribution toward the publication of the Humboldt County Breeding Bird Atlas by purchasing an illustration of your favorite species. You will be credited in the book for sponsoring “your” illustration, and will also receive the original black and white artwork. The contribution for a species illustration is $125. Please call Jude Power at 822-3613. Many popular species remain to be sponsored!
Audubon Advisory Available to Members
To receive the best information on national conservation legislation, subscribe to National Audubon’s free biweekly e-mail service, the Audubon Advisory. Each issue will provide insider reports on legislation pending in the House, Senate, and governmental agencies. The Advisory will alert you to late-breaking action and provide a simple method to communicate with lawmakers on critical conservation issues. To subscribe, e-mail your name, address, city, state, and zip to audubonaction@audubon.org or leave the information on a toll-free message line 800-659-2622. You can also call this hotline to get short updates on issues.
Redwood Region Audubon Society welcomes the following new members and subscribers:
Arcata -- Frank and Marji Anderson, William Buchanan, Berit Carlsen, Leonard Job, Carol McNeill, K Potter, John Schwabe, Greg & Aimee Strand, Mr & Mrs Kermit Thobaben, Tim Weber
Blue Lake – Shawn Filbey
Crescent City – Jim & Linda Barrett, Peter Craig, Gail Frazier, Mr & Mrs Clarance Neighbors, Susan Reese, Arthur Reeves
Eureka – Gaye Ayton, Julie Buchanan, Jill Perry, Debra Towns
Fortuna – Dennis Hazleton, Judy Rodrigues
Klamath – Patricia Lewis
Loleta – Tracy Coleman, Barbara Groom
McKinleyville – Candice Chrestman, Michelle Elaine & Dylan Gray, Leonard Lytle, Jamal Wren
Orick – Kathy Machado
Rio Dell – Laurie Ruggles
Trinidad – Jane Morrison, Marvin & Kristin Trump
We look forward to seeing you on field trips and at our monthly programs.