News & Announcements

Canada Goose and goslings
USFWS

To receive these announcements via email, please subscribe to the Chapter leader email list.

May 9, 2012

The Christmas Bird Count wants your opinion!

The 112-year CBC tradition has been instrumental in the conservation of birds throughout the western hemisphere. Audubon wants to hear from anyone interested in the CBC to help inform some next steps for this important Citizen Science program.

Click here to take our brief survey

The survey should take less than 10 minutes and will be available until May 15, 2012.

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Audubon Opposes Rule Change for Eagle Permits

Chapter Sign-On Letter Coming Soon

The wind industry has asked the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to change the required permit for taking of golden and bald eagles at wind facilities from five years to 30 years. Audubon is preparing comments on this proposed change, and will be seeking sign-ons from our chapters and state offices before filing them with USFWS. We hope your chapter will consider signing on to our comments.

Audubon opposes a 30 year term, and we have already conveyed that position to both the USFWS and the wind industry. Audubon believes such a lengthy term is inconsistent with the protection of eagles. There is simply too much uncertainty over the status of eagle populations to commit to such long time frames and the proposal may constrain future adaptive management action. We also will be calling attention to the many significant data gaps that impede effective management of eagle populations as required of the USFWS under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Ensuring that the Service has sufficient funds to carry out this work, as well as the need for a better array of mitigation options, will also be included in our comments.

Look for a Chapter sign-on letter in June.

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Chapter Leader Orientation Webinar

May 16th at 3pm Pacific/4pm Mountain/
5pm Central6pm Eastern

This webinar will orient you to the services and resources that National Audubon provides to Chapters. If you are new to your role as a Chapter officer, staff, board member or committee chair, we recommend that you participate in this training opportunity.

Register for the Chapter Leader Orientation and see our list of archived and upcoming webinars: http://ow.ly/aO6fP

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May 2, 2012

Making the Most of Endangered Species Day
Friday, May 18

For neat ideas on how your Chapter can use Endangered Species Day (ESD) to raise awareness and inspire actions to protect endangered species on May 18th or the following weekend, the Endangered Species Coalition offers a free ESD toolkit and the opportunity to register your event(s) at http://www.stopextinction.org/esd/197-esd-toolkit.html

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Chapter Leader Orientation Webinar

Wednesday, May 16
3 p.m. Central/4 p.m. Mountain/5 p.m. Central/6 p.m. Eastern

Are you a new Chapter officer, board member, committeer chair, or staff? Learn about Audubon resources and services available to help you be a more effective leader and Chapter. Register for the orientation webinar and see all upcoming and archived webinars at http://chapterservices.audubon.org/chapter-leader-guide/online-training-schedule-and-archives.

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Seeking Kids Who Care for the Planet

Audubon Adventures is searching for its next American Kid Idols - Audubon style. Do you know any kids who are doing amazing things for wildlife--particularly birds? These projects can vary widely--the more innovative and fun, the better. We want to feature kids from all the Audubon flyways and spanning the western hemisphere.

Selected stories will be featured in an upcoming edition of Audubon Adventures' Caring for Our Planet issue this coming fall. Caring for our Planet is in its 4th year as an Audubon Adventures publication. The age group we’re targeting is 6-11, but we are also interested in older kids up to age 18. Please contact Elaine O'Sullivan at eosullivan@audubon.org with your suggestions.

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Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary

Northwoods Birding Camp

This summer's Northwoods Birding Camp will feature nationally known experts including Laura Erickson of Cornell Lab of Ornithology and 'For the Birds' radio program, Steve Betchkal award-winning journalist and author of All of This and Robins Too..., former National Audubon Camp Director Terry Dorsey as well as various WDNR bird experts.

There will be guided fieldtrips, opportuntiies to expand your 'Life List' of birds and special programs geared towards all levels of birders.

Participants new to birding and those who cannot attend the whole week are encouraged to attend the weekend session: Friday June 15 - Sunday June 17. Those looking for a more in-depth birding experience should be sure to attend the whole week: Friday June 15 - Friday June 22.

Camp registration includes: all meals, refreshments and snacks; overnight accomodations; experienced educational staff; specialty speakers; field trips; extra optional environmental activities and program supplies!

PREREGISTRATION IS REQUESTED BY FRIDAY, MAY 18!! Learn more at http://hunthill.org/experience-hunt-hill/northwoods-birding-camp/

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Audubon Product Specials

Effective today Audubon’s mobile Guide to North American Birds is now $2.99 (previously $19.99). Visit your mobile app market and download yours today! See http://bit.ly/spEdhh for more information.

Celebrate Mom with Flowers for Good. Order organic flowers from Organic Bouquet and Audubon receives 10% of the net sales. Visit: http://bit.ly/wvS7Qh

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April 11, 2012

Spring Migration Media Tips

Each spring, migrating birds encounter many perils, including bright lights, building windows, free-roaming cats and toxic lawns. Audubon has prepared information (attached) for Chapters to help spread the word about how people can help ensure a safer journey for migrating birds.

We'd like to hear what your Chapter is doing to engage members and the public in Spring Migration. Please contact us at chapterleaders@audubon.org with your story.

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Reminder: Register Now for Land Conservation Options Webinar
Wednesday, April 18, 4pm Eastern

Debi Osborne, Audubon's Director of Real Estate, will present a free webinar for Chapters on land conservation options. Learn the pros and cons of land/easement ownership, stewardship fees and legal responsibilities, and alternatives to owning land that still offer protection.

We invite you to send your Chapter's land stewardship questions and concerns to chapterleaders@audubon.org by Thursday, April 12th, so we may adequately address those topics during the webinar.

Register for the webinar here:
https://audubon.webex.com/audubon/j.php?ED=191061757&RG=1&UID=0&RT=MiM2

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How to Create and Use Facebook Ads

Facebook ads can be customized to very specific audiences. Elizabeth Sorrell, Audubon's Digital Communication Coordinator, presented a webinar on how to create and use Facebook ads which is available for viewing at: https://audubon.webex.com/audubon/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=64935837&rKey=1be6fc9371aee8da. The recording may take 5-10 minutes to download; be sure to click on the Network Recording Player icon that appears if you are not automatically redirected.

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2012 Teens for Planet Earth
Community Project Awards
Application deadline: October 15, 2012

Nalini Mohand, a 2012 TogetherGreen Fellow, coordinates the Teens for Planet Earth awards. Please help spread the word about this unique opportunity for teens get involved in and recognized for their community conservation projects. Visit www.teens4planetearth.org for more information.

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April 4, 2012

EPA Scores Big for Climate Change

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced first-ever rules for limiting carbon pollution from new power plants. This rule is a significant first step in reducing harmful industrial carbon pollution that causes dangerous climate change. Public health, birds and wildlife will all benefit from reduced carbon pollution.

EPA will be accepting comments on this important rule throughout the spring. Your chapter can help by filling in and returning the Cut Carbon Pollution Now! postcards that were sent to all chapters. There is much as stake; please help us create an avalanche of support for the new carbon rule! Contact Connie Mahan, cmahan@audubon.org, with questions or to request more cards.

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Land Conservation Options Webinar
Wednesday, April 18, 4pm Eastern

Is your Chapter considering--or does it currently hold and/or manage land or conservation easements? Are you aware of all of the options for protecting your Important Bird Areas and other lands?

Debi Osborne, Audubon's Director of Real Estate, will present a free webinar for Chapters on land conservation options. Learn the pros and cons of land/easement ownership, stewardship fees and legal responsibilities, and alternatives to owning land that still offer protection.

We invite you to send your Chapter's land stewardship questions and concerns to chapterleaders@audubon.org by Thursday, April 12th, so we may adequately address those topics during the webinar.

Register for the webinar here:
https://audubon.webex.com/audubon/j.php?ED=191061757&RG=1&UID=0&RT=MiM2

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Free Online Tool for Posting Conservation-Oriented Volunteer Opportunities

The Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with VolunteerMatch.com, has launched an online tool for organizations to promote their conservation-oriented volunteer activities. Arbordaynow.org, which is funded by a generous grant from Toyota, places a strong emphasis on motivating young people to participate in tree planting and environmental-minded volunteering.

Register for a free account and post your volunteer opportunities at http://arbordaynow.org/volunteerForm.cfm. In addition to reaching a wide audience through your listing, the Arbor Day Foundation will help generate coverage and publicity for your event, with both a national press release and a locally-tailored release.

For more information, please visit www.arbordaynow.org, and contact Mary Widlhelm at mwidhelm@arbordaynow.org with questions.

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Montana's Wings Across the Big Sky Bird Festival
June 8–10, 2012, Kalispell

Montana Audubon and Flathead Audubon Society will co-host a summer festival, "Birding and Conservation: The Crown of the Continent,” featuring top-notch experts and speakers, three exciting pre-festival workshops, and twenty-six field trips for all levels of birders. Field trips will include Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and a variety of Flathead Valley wetlands and riparian areas with a tremendous diversity of migrating waterfowl and neotropical migrants.

For more information and to register, visit www.mtaudubon.org.

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March 29, 2012

Reminder: TogetherGreen Innovation Grant Applications Due April 2nd

Since 2008, Toyota has funded more than 175 projects through Audubon's TogetherGreen Innovation Grants totaling almost $4.7 million to protect land, water, and energy resources nationwide. The deadline for the final round of Innovation Grants this year is next Monday, April 2, at 11:59pm PDT. Read the guidelines and apply online at www.togethergreen.org/grants.

Contact Flo Miller with questions: 802-505-0839, fmiller@audubon.org

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Take the Spring Greening Challenge

Audubon and Toyota’s TogetherGreen initiative recently launched an exciting new digital campaign on Facebook, and we need your help to spread the word!

Through the Spring Greening Challenge, TogetherGreen is encouraging people to not just spring clean this year, but to spring “green” their homes as well for a chance to win prizes. Through April 22nd, participants are encouraged to take to a weekly “green” action around their home, such as switching from paper to reusable cloth napkins or commuting by bus instead of driving. All participants (other than Audubon employees) are eligible to win prizes for taking on the challenge!

We encourage you to share this contest through your social networks and have provided some sample Facebook posts and Tweets below.

Facebook:

Tweets:

  • Take the @TogetherGreen #SpringGreening Challenge for a chance to win prizes. See this week's challenge: http://ow.ly/9VHvR
  • Up for a #SpringGreening Challenge? Take part in @AudubonSociety & @Toyota's @TogetherGreen for a chance to win prizes http://ow.ly/9VHvR
  • Complete @TogetherGreen's Spring Greening Challenge of the week & see how actions around at home impact the environment http://ow.ly/9VHvR

Please note: For Twitter, you can copy and paste the text above exactly as shown. For Facebook, you will need to manually tag TogetherGreen and Audubon, so you will have to first “Like” these pages. If you are posting this to a page (as opposed to the wall of your personal profile), you can also add TogetherGreen and Audubon to your page's favorite in order to tag. For further assistance/questions, please contact Elizabeth Sorrell.

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Publication Available: Caring for Our Planet...Kids Are Making a Difference

In celebration of spring, Audubon Adventures is offering its newest issue, “Caring for Our Planet … Kids Are Making a Difference,” to Chapters just for the cost of shipping and handling. See a copy of the publication at http://bit.ly/HmJNtR.

This offer runs through the end of May 2012 or while supplies last. Shipping and handling charges will be billed to your Chapter at the time of shipping. The cost is $2.90 per set of 32 publications. Items will be shipped from via Media Mail.

To order, please contact Bonnie Godfrey: bgodfrey@audubon.org, 800-813-5037

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Spread the Word about Your Chapter Earth Day Events

Audubon will post your Earth Day events at www.audubon.org if you send the following details by Monday, April 2nd, to Jason Gross at jgross@audubon.org:

* Event title
* Event location (Address, City, State, ZIP)
* Brief event description (200 words or less)
* URL/web address for more info
* E-mail contact for more info

We hope this additional publicity will drive more interest to your events.

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Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary Northwoods Birding Camp
Friday, June 15 – Friday, June 22
Registration Deadline: May 18

Register now for the 2nd annual Northwoods Birding Camp, where you will enjoy hiking, birdwatching, learning from locally- and nationally-known birding experts, relaxing in a beautiful and serene setting and so much more. This experience is tailored to adult beginning and intermediate birders, but is open to all skill levels. If your schedule or budget doesn’t allow for the full week, you are welcome to attend just for the weekend.

Presenters will include: Laura Erickson of Cornell Lab of Ornithology and “For the Birds” radio program; Steve Betchkal, award-winning journalist and author of All of This and Robins Too: A Guide to the 50 or so Best Places to Find Birds in Wisconsin; Bruce Bacon, retired Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) bird bander; Terry Dorsey, former National Audubon Camp Director; and Chris Cold of the WDNR, a wildlife technician and educator, falconer, and bird bander.

For more details and registration information, visit http://hunthill.org/experience-hunt-hill/northwoods-birding-camp/, or contact Hunt Hill at 715-635-6543 or info@hunthill.org.

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March 9, 2012

Video Camera Installation Guide
for Chimney Swift Towers

Installing video cameras in Chimney Swift towers not only creates the opportunity to view the wonders of nature up close, but also gives us the tools to increase our scientific knowledge of the birds' behavior and nesting activity.

The information contained in this guide, developed by Pascagoula River Audubon Center, is for video installation with the Kyle
twelve foot, free standing Chimney Swift Tower.*

Download this free guide at:http://bit.ly/xQHdTz

View Chimney Swift tower construction videos here:
http://youtu.be/l2XWt6OZy_A  (part one)
http://youtu.be/OJNo7tCUdQg (part two)

* For complete building instructions and additional information on video surveillance and monitoring, please refer to the book, “Chimney Swift Towers-New Habitat for America’s Mysterious Birds” by Paul & Georgean Kyle - available through www.ChimneySwifts.org.

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 Sharing Nature: An Educator's Week   (July 19-24, 2012)
 Join environmental educators from around the country for a dynamic and fun-filled residential program on Audubon's famed Hog Island, in the scenic mid-coast area of Maine. Designed for both science and non-science educators, this session will generate exciting ideas for creating and incorporating environmental education activities into your curriculum and teaching. Our inspiring and experienced instructors will share their favorite approaches, methods, and activities for engaging you, and your students, with nature.

Workshops using techniques in field biology, art, music, photography, theater, journaling, and other disciplines will be presented, as well as a host of classic Audubon Camp field trips. We’ll visit the nearby restored Atlantic Puffin and seabird colony, as well as explore Hog Island’s magnificent spruce forest, its rich intertidal zones, a local bog, etc.  This is a week out-of-doors in a beautiful place!

Great networking opportunities, delicious gourmet-style home-cooking, and the experience of living on a 330 acre wildlife sanctuary island will make this a memorable and cherished experience.

Children’s book author and illustrator Lynne Cherry will be our special guest.  Instructors include veteran field biologist Ted Gilman (CT), artist Sherrie York (CO), world class photographer/instructor Steve Morello (MA), award-winning educator/musician Trudy Phillips (PA)  science educator/musician Craig Newberger (PA), Disney Conservation Hero “Seabird Sue Schubel” (ME), Visionary Award winner Pete Salmansohn (ME), and 12 year old artist-activist Olivia Bouler (NY).

Continuing Education Credits are available. Go to http://hogisland.audubon.org for full details, prices, photographs, staff biographies, sample schedule, and information on possible scholarships. Or call Erica Van Etten, camp registrar, at 607-257-7308 x.14. 

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Free Audubon Guide to North American Birds

The Audubon Online Guide to North American Birds is FREE to use on the Audubon.org homepage. This searchable online guide to North American Birds features 750 species of birds in 22 Orders and 74 families. The guide covers all of North America's breeding birds--approximately 580 species--as well as an additional 180 non-breeding species that visit the U.S. and Canada.

To take advantage of this great resource, click on the Audubon Online Bird Guide icon on  www.audubon.org. For more information, please contact: feedback@greenmtd.com.

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March 2, 2012

The 2012 Great American Arctic Birding Challenge
March 1-June 1

Birds that breed in the Arctic have ranges that reach all 50 states and 6 continents. How many can you find in your state?

THE CHALLENGE
Try to beat the reigning record of 91 species

  1. Recruit your team (up to six people). Find the best shorebirder around, your friend with the killer scope, or someone with supersonic hearing to catch those migration calls…or head out with your regular birding buddies.
  2. Record your birds. If a team member identifies a bird by sight or sound, mark it on the Great American Arctic Birding Challenge checklist (http://bit.ly/wZB4cr).
  3. Take your time and enjoy. This is a spring migration challenge–you have the entire spring to scour the countryside.
  4. Submit your checklist. Submit your list online before midnight (Alaska time!) or have it postmarked by June 1, 2012.

THE PRIZES
Each member of the First, Second, and Third place teams will receive a prize.
First Place: The book On Arctic Ground: Tracking Time Through Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve.

Author Debbie S. Miller is currently collaborating on a book of photography and essays featuring the wildlife and landscape of the Reserve.

Second Place: Bird Songs of Alaska 2-CD set; birding maps for Anchorage, Kodiak, and Fairbanks.

Third Place: Limited Edition “I (heart) Birds” T-shirt.

THE WINNERS
We will announce the winning teams on June 30.

Please submit your entry form and final checklist to:

Audubon Alaska
Attn: Beth Peluso
441 West Fifth Avenue, Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99508
Email: bpeluso@audubon.org

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/zaxzTM or call Beth Peluso at (907) 276-7034

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Endangered Species Day, Friday, May 18

What do your monthly Chapter meeting, Saturday morning bird walk, and conservation or education project have in common?

They are all great places or activities to highlight Endangered Species Day—an annual homage to our most vulnerable plants and animals and the need to keep strong protections in place for them.

Here are some ideas on how your Chapter can use activities you are already doing to make Endangered Species Day a really special day in your community.

  1. Use your bird walk that weekend to highlight endangered species in your area (if you have them), or highlight the general importance of protecting threatened and endangered plants and wildlife. Hand out a flyer with some facts about the Endangered Species Act and local plants and animals that need its protection. We can help with that!
  2. Ask you town or county government to pass a resolution endorsing Endangered Species Day. We can provide samples.
  3. Focus your Chapter meeting in May on Endangered Species or reserve some time that evening to highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable plants and animals. We can supply postcards that your participants can send to their Senators in support of a strong Endangered Species Act.

For more ideas or to get supporting materials, please contact Connie Mahan, Audubon Director of Grassroots Outreach, cmahan@audubon.org.

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Free Chapter Toolkit: Save Teshekpuk Lake

Audubon is giving away 100 Save Teshekpuk Lake Chapter Kits to the first 100 Chapters to respond! In 2012, we have an unprecedented opportunity to secure the strongest protections possible for the Teshekpuk Lake Wetlands. Please help raise awareness and advocate for America’s Greatest Artic Wetland.

For more information on kit contents and ordering, visithttp://chapterservices.audubon.org/save-teshekpuk-lake-toolkit.

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Chapter Insurance Options Update

Evaluating the appropriate level of insurance coverage for your Chapter activities is an important part of your organization’s business management procedures. To assist you in obtaining appropriate and cost-effective coverage, Audubon has identified several companies that can provide Chapters policies at various levels of cost and coverage. If your Chapter is looking for a new or improved policy, you might want to explore the options listed at http://bit.ly/yjGUda.

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February 22, 2012

Special Offer for Hog Island Campers

Sign up for any Hog Island program between now and March 15th and receive an autographed copy of the new book "In This Place" by Al Trescot.

Rocky Hill Publishing has now produced his second pictorial ode to the coast of Maine. Four years in the making, this volume is very much a reflection of the author s unbridled enthusiasm for capturing, in stunning and intimate images, the moods, the weathers and the full palette of the mid-coast Maine he has grown to love. After a foreword by Robert E. Ives, Al Trescot simply lets his lens paint his story his wanderings, his discoveries and, most especially, the comforting familiarity of this place.

To claim your book

If you are registering yourself, during the online registration enter the code THISPLACE12 when asked to "Enter Discount Code". For paper registrations, write the code on your registration form. If registering through Road Scholar for Maine Seabird Biology and Conservation, send an email to hogisland@audubon.org to claim your book.

To claim for the friend that referred you, write a note on your registrations form (or enter their name online when asked "Is there anything else you'd like us to know") and your friend will also receive a free autographed copy of the book when they arrive on Hog Island as well! If you registered through Road Scholar for Maine Seabird Biology and Conservation, send an email to hogisland@audubon.org to claim your book and the book for your friend.

You will receive your autographed book when you arrive on Hog Island. If instead you would like your copy mailed to you or the person that referred you, please contact Erica Marx, Program Coordinator, at hogisland@audubon.org or 607-257-7308 x14.

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January 13, 2012

Recording of January 12, 2012 Strategic Plan Discussion with David Yarnold

On Thursday, January 12, 2012, David Yarnold hosted a webinar discussion with Chapters about Audubon's new strategic plan. If you were unable to attend the discussion or would like to hear it again, or would like to view the powerpoint document used in the presentation, please use the following links.

Discussion recording - please use Windows Explorer as your browser: http://web4.audubon.org/audio/NationalAudubonSociety_64897_12JAN12_FIN.wmv

PowerPoint Presentation only: PowerPoint PDF (8 MB)

Your questions and comments on the new strategic plan are welcome; please send them to strategicplan@audubon.org.