Presidents' Column
Refocus For Fall
by Rob Hewitt

With the onset of fall, expectations of what may arrive has the local birding community gearing up. After the spectacular summer visit by the White-winged Tern to Arcata Marsh Project what else could possibly show up? As birds and birdwatching continue to receive high visibility, particularly in the local arena, such lost birds can only serve to increase the hype. This asks the question, is all this rarity-hunting and bird-chasing merely a self-fulfilling exercise for sport utility driving, Kowa-toting, affluent westerners? Well maybe, but I like to think that anything that puts birds in people's minds is good in the long run. Recycling and organic produce used to be "fringe" luxuries, yet have since become integrated into our society's consciousness. Perhaps with a higher awareness of birds, the conservation of these flying treasures and their associated habitats will become a mainstream concern. One of the most typical ways that people are introduced to birdwatching is through the Audubon Society. After all, it was on one of our "Rain or Shine" marsh walks that the tern was spotted — and not by an expert but by interested beginners. And thinking of the marsh walks, for as long as I've been involved with RRAS, Bev Bradshaw has organized the docents who lead these marsh walks. This summer she has asked to retire from this task, which will be taken over by Elias Elias. We thank-you for your effort over the years Bev — and recognize that without marsh walks, docents, and volunteer coordinators like yourself, birds might not be highlighted nationally as they were this summer when Arcata and the Marsh Project made it on National Public Radio. So, where can we go with this? What we need is people who are prepared to do a little more. The following is a sample of areas that bird conservation and our society are focusing on. At a global scale, the "Partners in Flight" FLIGHT PLAN will soon be released. This umbrella group which encompasses all aspects and participants in bird conservation in the western hemisphere will continue to unite efforts to preserve declining neotropical migrants. At national and state levels, the American Bird Conservancy has launched the Important Bird Areas or IBAs which identifies important locations for our feathered friends. Locally, the Breeding Bird Atlas has completed its second year and we hope that survey data will be submitted promptly. We are also working on our own Web Page and have a new banner that will mark our table at the upcoming Humboldt Bay Symposium. The winter Bird Fair December 13th will raise funds for the atlas. Donations for the Bird Fair's silent auction are also needed. Elias will need help with docents, and with the increased public interest in birds, we would like to see an increase in membership recruiting. If someone out there wants to get involved at any level of bird conservation the opportunity is here. All of these things were started because someone thought they could help. Active members wanted!

Redwood Region Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502
Last updated September 1996