Return to Board Meeting Notes Index
I am on the Public Policy and Field Committees, hence the extra amount of reporting on them compared to Education/Communications and Science.Corrections and additions welcome at my email address.
Although this document is based on my reconstructions of notes taken during the meeting, there were some areas that were less precisely noted than they could have been. When I had to reconstruct by filling in large blanks or by broad-brush summary, the notes appear in italics.
All blue-background documents are copies of handouts at the meeting, not based on my notes.
Regionally Nominated Board Members' Meeting
Meeting of the Board of Directors
Something new for this edition of Meeting Notes: before each meeting we get a President's Report that sums up the last three months of Audubon activities. Herewith are attached the reports from the four Program Groups.
Education/Communications: Audubon Adventures, Books, Center In Greenwich, Expedition Institute, Magazine, Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, Bent Of The River Audubon Center, Birds for a Purpose, Sharon Audubon Center.
Field Operations: State Offices and Sanctuaries.
Public Policy: Campaigns and Policy Positions.
Science: Bird conservation, IBAs, Citizen Science, Seabird Restoration, Research Ranch, Living Oceans.
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Victoria A. Shaw, Senior Vice President
Lisa Gosselin, Editor This has been a very exciting year for Audubon Magazine. We have fine-tuned the editorial, introduced new columns such as "Birds," "Backyard," and "Ask Audubon." We have produced our 100th anniversary issue, our first eco-travel guide and, with Carl Safina’s assistance we hit a home run with our Seafood Guide. The mission has been to both increasing member involvement with the Magazine and the Society while reaching out to enroll new members. To this end, we launched a concentrated PR campaign and presented editorial on a variety of topics that will entice people towards conservation. Making these changes and producing a 100th anniversary retrospective has been a tremendous amount of work. Throughout this time of change, though, the magazine staff has been amazingly dedicated, often working until 10 at night to get the issues just right. Please join me in thanking them for their hard work and commitment. Especially, those who have helped us through the transition such as staff members Mary-Powel Thomas, David Seideman, Yi Shun Lai, Heidi Devos and Carolyn Shea; our contributing editors Frank Graham, Kenn Kauffman and Ted Williams; and, our more recent hires Patrick Crow, Gretel Schueller and Kevin Fisher. What’s ahead is even more exciting. We have moved to better paper and glossy covers and in January/February issue our new art director Kevin Fisher will be unveiling a redesign. (More on this below). 100th Anniversary Very few magazines have been published continuously for 100 years. This year, Audubon joins this group. To celebrate, on the eve of our 100th anniversary, the Magazine put out the special November/December issue 100 Years of Conservation. It is a look back at not just the Magazine and the National Audubon Society, but at some of the landmarks in conservation, the people who helped shape the many different facets of the conservation movement, and the places and species that were affected by it. The profiles of 100 Champions of Conservation included in this issue is the first entry in what we are planning as an annual honor roll recognizing lifetime achievement in diverse areas of conservation. The list was compiled based on nominations from all NAS members with input from writers and historians who have documented the conservation movement. The response has been very strong and new names are already being submitted for next year’s Champions. As of this writing, the Today Show is scheduled to air a segment on it and the magazine on the weekend after Thanksgiving and a cocktail party in honor of the Champions was held at the Spanierman Gallery in New York in early November. Throughout the coming year, the Magazine will be celebrating its centennial in a variety of ways, all leading up to the November/December 1999 special issue "The Next 100 Years" which will be a look forward to the challenges we face. Redesign The purpose of redesigning Audubon is to make it more stimulating, cleaner and easier to read and to put a greater emphasis on art and photography. The Magazine was last given a redesign more than five years ago and had become visually dated. Rather than go to an outside design firm, we elected to hire a new art director to help the Magazine evolve visually. Kevin Fisher comes from Hachette Custom Publishing where he has been continuously creating new magazines for upscale customers such as AOL, Trump and Mercedes. Prior to this, he oversaw the redesign of SKIING magazine. Fisher has a long interest in Audubon (he was a runner-up for the art director’s job five years ago) and a personal interest in nature and wildlife. He and our photo team are working to place greater emphasis on wildlife and nature photography. In coming issues look for more photo portfolios and a back page devoted to "one picture." In addition to the graphic changes, we are revamping Inside Audubon. Gretel Schueller who joined our staff in August coming from Earth and Birder’s World, has worked with Kevin to redesign these pages. The section will be titled "Audubon in Action," and will focus more on how readers can get involved with both chapters and Audubon initiatives. It will appear on regular magazine paper and use quality color photography. New sections such as chapter briefs and a calendar of events will present an element of service and John Flicker's column, "The View" will lead it off. We hope this revamped section will provoke a greater interest among members in getting involved at the chapter level. Some of the highlights of this issue are a profile of Ted Turner, a story on Hawaii’s vanishing birds and an amazing experiment that may save some, James Prosek’s diaries and paintings of his trip through Bosnia and Turkey in search of native trout and Kenn Kauffman’s update on the controversy over the types of red crossbills.
James H. Fishman, Publisher As of October 26, 1998 (3 Issues)
It is hard to ring a note of gloom when reporting on the issue that carries the most ad revenue in the (now) 100-year history of Audubon Magazine, but compared to the first two issues of this fiscal, this was a really tough one. The advertisers did not respond as well as hoped, and the magazine barely exceeded its aggressive budget. The economy caused some of this, and a shudder was heard throughout the ad sales industry. 1999 may well be impacted by advertisers taking a wait and see attitude. Cuts in advertising budgets drop right to the bottom line and if companies make such cuts, Audubon could be vulnerable. Still, there is a lot to celebrate. Hurricane Georges did a lot of damage in the Caribbean and in Louisiana, but largely spared the Florida Keys. As this blew through at about the time we were closing, we almost lost the 3-page ad unit. In the end, it was decided the positive publicity would be needed. It is a very profitable ad unit for us, so we were most pleased that Georges spared us. The issue also carries a 6-page ad unit from Cancun, Mexico. The ad sales staffs worked very hard on securing this advertising last February, and were particularly pleased that their efforts resulted in such a positive conclusion. Continental Airlines is here, our first U.S. air carrier. Another expansion area that we have been targeting got a big boost with our first ad from Fidelity Funds. Financial services should be an excellent category for this magazine, and this advertiser could be the category breaker. The ad for Audubon Adventures was a joint creative effort between our two departments. We think the ad looks great (page 157) and urge you all to consider doing some Christmas shopping on that page. Finally, please note the paper. It is whiter and we believe the readers will feel the impact of Audubon’s visual presentation. The photography nearly jumps off the page, and we expect the advertisers to have as strong a reaction to this as any other general reader. The cover is heavier and coated. Our packaging is of great importance as we strive to compete for reader's attention. We look forward to continuing success with exciting issues coming from Lisa, along with her new design elements. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Talbert Spence, Vice President Elaine O'Sullivan, Associate Director of Education The 1998-1999 Audubon Adventures program is hot off the press and appears to be one of our strongest and most exciting programs yet. A cross-divisional team of experts, representing members of our Science, Campaigns, and Field Divisions developed the content. It is filled with new resources and materials surrounding the following themes:
All classes will receive the following:
We are delighted to report that enrollment is on par with last year’s figures, and costs are at or below budget. Support from chapters and state offices is strong -- some chapters have even doubled their sponsorship from last year! We hope to increase sales through a new 2/3-page ad featured in the 100th Anniversary issue of Audubon magazine, encouraging our readership to "Give the Gift of Discovery through Audubon Adventures." New to this year’s program is a series of publications co-developed by Audubon Adventures and State Offices. Students and their teachers in the following states will receive companion editions to the 1998-1999 Audubon Adventures program: California, New York, and North Carolina. Outreach. Kristen Stram, Field Outreach Coordinator for Audubon Adventures has launched a regular series of program updates for Audubon chapters and staff and is leading the effort to develop state/local editions of Audubon Adventures.
Kristen Stram, Field Outreach Coordinator Expansion of the Birds for a Purpose program has begun. Wyncote Audubon Society received funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the mid-Atlantic Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to introduce the Birds for a Purpose program to a new audience, students and their teachers in Philadelphia. Introductory teacher training sessions took place on October 3 and November 14. Each workshop featured lessons and activities from the new Pennsylvania Songbird Curriculum, Audubon Adventures, and BirdSource. During the course of the school year, these teachers will work with volunteers from the Wyncote A.S. and community partners to integrate environmental field studies and a habitat restoration project into their curriculum. Partners on this project include the Philadelphia School District, Interboro School District, SE Delco School District, the Pennsylvania State Office, National Audubon Society Education Division, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Diana Becker, Executive Director AEI and Lesley College Graduate School are teaming up to provide a new program modeled after the current AEI/Lesley program. The new Environmental Leadership semester will be used to engage colleges and universities into joining a consortium of schools that will incorporate into a four-year curriculum a semester of credit for their junior-year students. This program is being piloted with several New England Colleges and then will be taken nation-wide. AEI’s board passed its Institutional Advancement Plan. Its major thrust is to raise the level of understanding of AEI with potential students and in the higher education community. Expansion plans include: increasing the number of programs to reach a more diverse audience; designing focused academic programs that are modified from our current offerings and, disseminating our educational model. AEI offers experiential educational programs that are ecologically based and take place within a learning community context. It is this intersection of experience along with ecology and learning communities that characterize the educational model and make the program attractive to those interested in becoming societal and environmental change agents. Our new Development Director, Laura Sebastianelli arrived in mid-August. She and Lisa Mossel Vietze, who were recently promoted to Head of the Annual Fund, have invested a great deal of focus and energy into planning for AEI’s development effort. Work in progress and on the horizon includes: the annual appeal which will be mailed out shortly; a special cultivation event to be held at the Boston Museum of Science on November 19; and the development of corporate sponsorship opportunities. AEI faculty and students are gathering video footage while they are in the field visiting people and places studying different ecological issues and communities. The footage will explore the meaning of an AEI education and will be used for video press releases, as well as a new video, to be completed by our 30th Year Celebration (summer 2000). Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm Charity Krueger, Executive Director Aullwood’s Natural Legacy capital campaign was announced to the public in September with a kick-off party at the center. More than 160 people attended "Soaring to Great Heights" which featured activities for children, demonstrations by Aullwood staff, special refreshments, music, and an excellent program featuring our major donors - $750,000 from the Jesse and Caryl Philips Foundation; $500,000 from the Wallace Foundation; $250,000 from the Kettering Fund; $100,000 from the Iams Company; $75,000 from Ruth C. Mead; and $75,000 from the Frank M. Tail Foundation. The evening ended with a release of butterflies and walking tours of the sanctuary. A highlight of the evening was Marie Aull’s participation in the event. Aullwood has raised over $2.3 million of its $3.7 goal. Aullwood’s Apple Fest 98 was an exciting hot weekend! Over 8,000 people enjoyed the delicious food, exciting children activities, dozens of crafts, and the old-time banjo and fiddle music. Events included making cider and apple butter, which simmered in copper kettles with heat provided by an antique steam engine. Visitors sampled apple pies that baked in Dutch ovens over glowing coals. Almost 2,000 people delighted in draft horse pulled wagon rides. Johnny Appleseed made a hit as he gave six bushels of apples to children. 225 volunteers donated 800 hours, serving as cooks, serving soft drinks, steaming 100 dozen ears of corn; churning gallons of cream into butter and scooping gallons of ice cream over dozens of apple pies. The event netted $23,000 Aullwood hosted a variety of state and Midwest organizations’ annual meetings this fall. The Midwest Museum Association held their annual meeting with 75 participants representing five states. The theme of the day was "Making Your Museum Store More Profitable." The Ohio Bluebird Society held their annual conference at the center with 70 participants from all over the state. They presented Aullwood with the 1998 Wildlife Conservation Award for our outstanding efforts in educating young and old about the natural environment. The Ohio Audubon Council with 35 chapter representatives met at Aullwood to assist in the development of the new state office. The National Audubon Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology co-hosted a two-day workshop on "Project Classroom FeederWatch" for 20 teachers and Aullwood staff. The workshop introduced curriculum materials designed to train students in scientific research, gathering data on birds at their school bird feeders and submitting this data to Cornell via Internet. Friends of Aullwood Amish Quilt Preview Party were the most successful ever with 120 guests enjoying a gourmet meal, lovely quilts, a wonderful silent auction and our Amish quilters. The Amish Auction took place on a beautiful fall day with nearly 200 people bidding on hundreds of Amish made quilts, wall hangings, pillows, rugs, and furniture. These events raised $33,000 to support Aullwood educational programs for children. Bent Of The River Audubon Center Jim Nolan, Naturalist - Manager Over the last several months, the Bent of the River staff have continued to be actively involved in open space protection in Connecticut. The center is working closely with the local land trust in an effort to purchase a 300-acre historic farm situated within the Pomperaug River watershed. In addition, the Center’s staff conducted a vegetation survey and conservation analysis of a large undeveloped tract of CL&P watershed land on Candlewood Lake which will soon be for sale due to state deregulation of public utility companies. This survey was conducted in association with the Candlewood Lake Association, who is applying with the five towns surrounding the lake for state funds to purchase the parcel as open space. The report we provided to the Lake Association has become the cornerstone of a regional open space initiative that has gained the support of, among others, U.S. Congressman Jim Maloney and EPA Administrator Carol Browner. We have since been contacted by the City of Danbury and Town of Brookfield, both of which are interested in a similar analysis of defunct nature centers within their towns. If these analyses were to take place, it will give Audubon a unique opportunity to help start from the ground up, two new nature centers in close proximity to a large urban area. This site will also offer us a chance to possibly launch two new Audubon Centers. Regional conservation efforts this quarter include attending a recent Partners in Flight Northeast Working Group meeting to discuss future research priorities and the Landbird Conservation Plan for the Southern New England Physiographic Region (Region 9). We are also working closely with Trout Unlimited and the Connecticut DEP to establish a river monitoring station at BOTR that will provide us with important water quality data as well as an essential component of future educational programming, and advocacy within our own watershed. Thomas Baptist, Executive Director Work on the Center’s Capital Campaign is progressing. More than $3 million in pledges have been made to date. The necessary campaign committees are being formed, and architectural and engineering plans have been submitted to municipal land-use authorities, to be heard in November and December. The Center continues to improve its programs and activities. Attendance and revenues are higher than in the same period in 1997. Store sales are up as well. Substantial progress continues to be made in the rehabilitation of the grounds and buildings. Progress has been made in a collaborative education project with Queens College. Plans are being made to support the university’s environmental science and biology programs during the summer of 1999 and to enable use of the Center as a field biology station. Relevant research such as real-time groundwater monitoring, species inventories, geological mapping, and water quality assessments are being explored and will add considerable value and importance to the Center as a research resource. The fall hawk watch has yielded more than 18,000 individual hawks since August 25. Highlights include more than 90 bald eagles and 16,000 broad-winged hawks. The owl research project has caught, banded and released more than ten saw-whet owls to date, and the major migration period has yet to arrive. Scott E. Heth - Manager Major Activities: The Annual Sharon Audubon Festival was held July 25 and 26 with proceeds reaching $10,000. Presenters and volunteers from many Connecticut NAS locations participated. The third annual Audubon Kids’ Day was held October 25 and over 600 children and parents attended. The Center’s website www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/sharon was developed and increased visitation has resulted. Building renovations continued and included new gutters, downspouts, and paint on the main building. The Sharon Audubon Center has recently received a gift of 133 acres in a bequest from a long-time member of the Center. The timing of this gift was critical. Due to many rail routes now coming closer to its main gates, current acreage adjacent to Sharon Audubon Center is under increasing pressure to become developed. In response to this, Neighbors and Associates for Property Protection at Sharon Audubon Center (NAPPSAC) has been established and will raise funds to protect certain properties which are considered priority. Monthly meetings of the Connecticut Centers and Sanctuaries have been established as the state works toward the cohesive presence envisioned by the NAS strategic plan. To meet the need of increased programming, Joseph Markow was hired as Environmental Education Specialist and Wendy Rineer was hired as Wildlife Rehabilitation and Outreach Coordinator. The addition of these staff members to the Audubon team will enable the Sharon Audubon Center to increase outreach programming to schools, provide natural history and education expertise to local school districts, and expand upon the Center’s skills in songbird/raptor rehabilitation. Katherine Santone, Director Scott Prentzas, Editor We are exploring with Scholastic and Knopf about establishing co-publishing arrangements. Both houses were interested so we’ve followed up with letters giving broad brush strokes on how Audubon wants to create a wider range of nature books and series to expand upon the books we now license. Our goal is to develop an Audubon Books imprint to publish general-interest adult and children’s nonfiction titles. In addition to developing projects using Audubon resources and experts, an Audubon imprint will enable Audubon and our partners to attract nature-book proposals from authors, agents, and packagers. My gratitude to Eric Lind and Dan Taylor for reviewing the manuscripts of our two newest Scholastic guides, NAS First Field Guides on Reptiles and Trees going on sale in spring, 1999. And, thanks to Cindy Dunn and Ken Strom for reviewing our two newest Knopf guides, NAS Regional Guide to the Mid-Atlantic and Rocky Mountains, also on sale in spring, 1999. Knopf is interested in promoting the Audubon Regional Guides by involving local chapters in bookstore events. Paul Boccardi (Knopf) received contact information, and we’re hopeful that Knopf-chapter alliances will be profitable for everyone. The new Audubon Adventures kit contains an activity based on our Project Puffin book. We’re searching for other creative ways to use materials from Audubon books in Audubon Adventures and other Education projects~and vice versa. John Bianchi - Director We are continuing to focus on projects that meet our goal of promoting Audubon’s position as the preeminent bird conservation organization. Some highlights include: Public Service Announcements – We have copied and placed our Mariel Hemingway TV PSA on several networks, including FOX, FX/Family channel, E! Entertainment Television and ABC Network. The PSAs are a general message, urging people to join Audubon in their work to save endangered species and protect habitats. Audubon Magazine - We've been energetically working on press for the 100th anniversary edition/year of Audubon as well as for the 100th anniversary party honoring our 100 champions of conservation and are also proceeding on PR for the improved and revamped January edition of the book. Bird Conservation and Sanctuaries – We have been working on or have received PR for projects at Audubon Sanctuaries (Crane Festival, Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch) and the naming of new IBAs in New York and the Carolinas. Science – We are working on the PR plans and preliminary media contact for the launch of the 1999 Backyard Bird Count. We have contacted magazines on this and other birding stories, and have secured several press commitments for this winter. We’ve also succeeded in getting information directly to chapter Presidents and Newsletter editors via mail and e-mail. PR has gone forward for The BirdSource HawkWatch in partnership with Hawk Mountain and, we are gearing up a press plan for the third annual edition of WatchList, which will be moved to Audubon’s birthday, April 27th. Campaigns –Press coverage for the second annual Fall Fly Away, with a focus on making national press focus on the collective series of events is in the works. We’ve also been working closely with Wetlands on getting their PSA campaign out and securing the rights for another year. Development – We’re currently working on the invites and press for the Audubon Medal Dinner. We are also working on establishing "Audubon Days" at the stadiums of sports teams including the Atlanta Hawks and Falcons, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Seattle Sea Hawks, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. |
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Glenn Olson, Senior Vice President Ohio: This state became our 19th state office with the selection of Steve Sedam as the Executive Director. A selection team of four Ohio chapter leaders, Carol Warden, and me, selected Steve from a pool that included many outstanding candidates. Steve did a terrific job as the Great Lakes Regional Vice President. Prior to that he built the Ohio Environmental Council into a major organization in Ohio. Illinois: Audubon welcomed Steve Packard to the Audubon Family. Steve is Director of the Chicago Wilderness Program (Chicago Region Biodiversity Council). Steve is a conservation biologist who worked as Director of Science and Stewardship for TNC in Illinois from 1985 to 1998. He has extensive experience in the restoration of prairies and oak woodlands. He is the author of "Tallgrass Restoration Handbook for Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands," (Island Press, 1997). The Chicago Wilderness Program is a good fit for Audubon because of its grassroots nature and advocacy components. It will help Audubon build a foundation for supporting an Illinois state program. Hawaii: John Flicker and I spent significant time with the Hawaii Audubon Society developing their proposal for a partnership to establish an Audubon Center at Kawai Nui Marsh, the largest wetland on Oahu. Together with Hawaii Audubon Society president, Linda Paul, John Flicker and I met with state officials (the center would be located on state land), with NGO potential partners (the Hawaii Nature Center organization has centers on Oahu and Maui), with a potential funder (Kelvin Taketa, Director of the Hawaii Community Foundation), and with the existing state lease holder and his attorney. A meeting of State Executive Directors was held in Davis, California in October. The meeting included state directors as well as campaign directors and members of the management team (John Flicker, Carol Ann May, Eric Draper, Jim Cunningham). We discussed the 2020 Audubon Centers vision, aligning state offices and campaigns, fundraising, and building state boards. Carol Warden, Director of Field Support, worked with staff in Nebraska, Vermont, and Texas to revise development strategies for the current fiscal year. She reviewed resumes and conducted phone interviews of development director candidates in the states of Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Along with representatives from Maryland chapters, she formulated development strategies to support a future state office. She worked with Paul Zeph and Pat Heidenreich on budget planning and board development strategies for Iowa. Carol also made progress with the Colorado Audubon Council in revising the state plan and proceeding with a state director search. Established State Offices: Alaska: John Schoen, Executive Director, reported that the powerful Alaska Congressional Delegation introduced many bills during the 105th Congress aimed at weakening environmental regulations that safeguard Alaska’s wildlife and wildlands. As the session ended, much of this legislation ended up as "riders" attached to spending bills. Audubon and other conservation groups united to fight this environmentally damaging legislation. A summary of key actions follows: A compromise was struck to prevent a road easement from being granted through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness; A rider that would have significantly increased timber harvest on the Tongass National Forest was dropped; Authorization to allow unlimited helicopter landings in Alaska wilderness was dropped; A rider granting a road easement through the Chugach National Forest was eliminated. Audubon also played a major leadership role in defeating the precedent setting road easement through the Izembek Wilderness. Alaska Audubon continued to take a leadership role on developing a conservation strategy for Kenai brown bears. John Schoen met with the Director of the FWS and outlined our conservation concerns for bears on the Kenai. Written testimony was provided to Senator Murkowski’s field hearings on the spruce bark beetle infestation on the Kenai. California: Dan Taylor, Executive Director, reported the relocation of the Los Angeles Program office from the westside community of Playa del Rey, to Highland Park, a primarily Latino community very near the site of our proposed Debs Park Nature Center. The new office is a restored storefront space on a busy street that includes two large windows, ideal for displaying environmental education themes. A full time educator will be hired to provide programs to the more than 20,000 students who attend schools within three miles of the site. Staff worked to create a funding base for this new urban program in Los Angeles by arranging visits with community leaders and key donors. Los Angeles Programs Director, Melanie Ingalls appeared and gave a presentation before the Los Angeles City Council that described the project. Indications are very positive that we will be permitted to build and operate a major center in this important, and under-served urban setting. Plans have been completed and permits are being issued for a major remodel of the Richardson Bay Center and Sanctuary. Considerable time was also spent searching for a new director at Richardson Bay. The radio program, centered at Richardson Bay is now being heard in radio stations throughout California, and nationwide through the CBS radio network. The program has an estimated one million listeners weekly, 100,000 in the Bay Area alone. The website that tracks these programs is now showing over 4,000 "hits" per week. Two inserts to Audubon Adventures were created and distributed--focusing on specific California themes: protecting the Salton Sea, and the value of riparian forests.newsletter, emphasizing our work in urban California. The state office has been awarded grants in excess of $800,000 over three years to plan and lead a major habitat restoration effort in Yolo County, near Sacramento. This is a landmark program being done in concert with the local resource conservation district, intended to provide local landowners with habitat friendly improvements on their land. Riparian restoration will occur along sloughs, tailwater ponds will be built, and exotic vegetation will be controlled on a watershed over 13,000 acres in size. Lessons learned will be exported to other agricultural settings in the state. Florida: Clay Henderson, President, reports a time of unparalleled activity for Florida Audubon Society. They have been fully engaged in a campaign for the ratification of Amendment 5 (The Forever Florida Campaign). Amendment 5, is a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve environmental policy in Florida. The amendment passed on November 3, 1998! The amendment authorizes bonds for land acquisition and restoration, protects conservation lands, and creates a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FAS partnered with The Nature Conservancy, Florida Wildlife Federation, and the Coastal Conservation Association to create the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee to finance a $600,000 campaign to seek voter ratification. Work is also underway on Project Wingspread to convert the Center for Birds of Prey into the Florida Audubon Center. Volunteer construction began on Labor Day. The Florida Historic Preservation Advisory Council has recommended an award of $100,000 to restore the Audubon House as part of the center. Walt Disney Company continues to lead corporate support for development of the center. On August 14, FAS assumed control of the Refuge at Ocklawaha. Specifically, FAS assumed control of the Florida Conservation Lodge Foundation which holds a 20-year renewable lease for 52 acres and right to use 4200 acres along the Ocklawaha River adjacent the to the Ocala National Forest. FAS also assumed control over Florida Conservation Lodge Foundation that holds a $2 million grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts to construct the project. The Refuge consists of converting an old farmhouse into a conference center with 24 lodging units. The refuge will be open to the public in December. Iowa: Paul Zeph, Executive Director, started up the Iowa State Office on July 1 and is now in high gear. The primary focus this quarter has been on start-up activities and beginning the process of focusing chapters on building the state organization and statewide presence. He is focusing on two main activities: (1) launching an Important Bird Area initiative and (2) promoting and developing bird education programs. Paul is working with the Corps of Engineers local project staff to set up the state office in a vacant building on their property just north of Des Moines, in exchange for assisting them in developing a bird education center. This will result in very low office overhead expenses and will give us our first Audubon Center for Iowa (complete with a nearby restored prairie and wintering Bald Eagles). Approval for this partnership has to work its way through the Corps’ chain of command and will not be settled until early in 1999. In the meantime, Paul is working out of his home in West Des Moines. Paul has been meeting with chapter boards throughout the state to introduce himself and begin the process of chapter strengthening and leader skill-building. Interest in starting new chapters is high in many Iowa communities. Latin America/Caribbean Program: Alejandro Grajal, Executive Director, has been acquainting himself with NAS strategies, interests and goals, to better serve the interests of our Latin American Partners. This has involved several trips within and outside the US. Alejandro visited Mexico, Cuba, New York, and California. Activities have mostly focused on gathering information about programmatic possibilities, and initial fundraising efforts. The general strategy for the Latin America Program will be to work through partners in the hemisphere. The goals are to develop a reliable network of Audubon partners through the hemisphere and to help provide technical and financial assistance to make our conservation partners independent and self-sufficient. The creation of the Audubon Latin America and Caribbean Program has opened the floodgates of interest within Audubon. Many calls of interest and enthusiasm are received every week. Similarly, several groups in Latin America and the Caribbean have expressed interest in joining the Audubon network. Alejandro organized a meeting held at the Audubon Convention in Estes Park, Colorado with the Latin America Partners. Eleven representatives from Latin America made presentations and identified several common ideas and needs, including: Increase bird monitoring programs in Latin America; Exploring tourism and travel as conservation tools; and developing the rules of engagement for chapters between Latin American partners and Audubon. Minnesota: Don Arnosti, Executive Director, hired a new Membership Services Director, Suzanne Plass, who joined the staff in October. Suzanne has been active with the St. Paul Audubon Society and with the state office over the last two years. She is experienced in education and environment issues, and is enthusiastically attacking her responsibilities. Staff submitted their Citizen Conservation Alternative Forest Plan for Minnesota's two National Forests. The hand-drawn "GIS" color maps provide a vision for true multiple use forestry that puts the protection of biodiversity as the first goal for the forests. The proposal is embraced by Auduboners, numerous other organizations, in editorials, and by many elements in the Forest Service. A future gift was confirmed (worth $600,000 this year) from the trust of a ninety-four year old Audubon member! Her lawyer worked with staff to establish the trust fund, which will first provide for her and her son. Someday, that will provide a nice endowment for the office. Don has been actively recruiting for a Director of Development with experience in major donor identification and cultivation. Thirty-five applications have been received. Mississippi: Jesse Grantham, Executive Director, reported the very sad news that Mrs. Margaret Shackelford (donor of the Strawberry Plains Sanctuary and benefactor to NAS) passed away on October 9. After a fall and lengthy illness, she suffered a massive stroke on October 8, and died early the following morning in Memphis. Jesse and staff member, Todd Covert, remained at Mrs. Shackelford’s side until her death. Her daily interest in the progress of the sanctuary and state office will be sorely missed. From an Administration standpoint, a Director of Environmental Education, Community Outreach, and Chapter Affairs has been hired, Todd Covert. He will be analyzing and organizing environmental education efforts in the mid-south. Primary efforts have been focused in the local community. Northeast Audubon visited the Sanctuary on August 2; a land conservation meeting was attended by Todd and Jesse hosted by Mississippi Coast Audubon in Moss Point August 17-18; they also met with Jackson Chapter President Skipper Anding and Environmental writer Bruce Reid in Jackson on August 18; a program was given to Meridian Audubon on September 14; Covert met with Chapter Affairs Director Jill Shirley in California to go over chapter business, interaction, and requirements. Jesse gave a program to the Holly Springs Garden Club on October 20; a program to George Peyton's old hometown group, the Tennessee Ornithological Society on October 21; and the TOS visited the Sanctuary and office on October 28. An interview was conducted by the local South Reporter on "Backyard Habitats" and printed August 28. The Society was inducted into the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce September 22. Montana: Janet Ellis, Executive Director, reported that IBA criteria have been finalized for the state; applications for IBA sites should be out to chapters and members soon. Audubon is working in cooperation with Partners in Flight on this project. The first round of nominations for IBAs will be reviewed in February of 1999. On the campaign front, Montana Audubon and Last Chance Audubon are cooperating with local government officials and wetland scientists to map the wetlands of the Helena Valley. This 2-year project will identify current and historic wetlands. Montana is one of two states in the nation without a map of its wetlands. The EPA sees this project as a pilot that can be carried to other communities in the state. Audubon continues its cooperative project with The Nature Conservancy to protect the Centennial Valley, a wildlife-rich valley surrounding Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. To date landowners owning 40,000 acres of the area's 100,000 acres of private land have been contacted to assess their interest in protecting the undeveloped valley; the response to the queries has been enthusiastic. Montana has just expanded its Population and Habitat efforts. A part time organizer was hired to assist their volunteer committee in identifying activists, developing fact sheets, and developing a precycling program for Montana Audubon chapters to carry out in local communities. Montana's new Development Director, Susanna Spencer, has been initiating work to diversify and broaden financial support for the state program. Her work has focused on membership development, foundations, and communications. Nebraska: Dave Sands, Executive Director, reported major activity at the Spring Creek Prairie. Seventy students from Lincoln’s science focus high school formed the first field trip by a school to the prairie. As noted by the biology teacher guiding the students, it was a great success. In October another group of 120 eighth graders recreated pioneer history at Spring Creek. At the University level, a natural resources policy class has a semester assignment to create a plan for protecting "viewsheds" surrounding the prairie at Spring Creek. A master’s candidate is conducting a biological inventory of plants at the site and creating a herbarium that will become an important baseline record. A conceptual plan has been completed which provides for improvements designed to facilitate education. This includes parking, renovation of the ranch house into office, reception, and classroom space, restoring an easily accessed education prairie, a boardwalk over a wetland, and trails. The estimated cost is under $400,000. The month of August was also dominated by preparation of a grant requesting the Nebraska Environmental Trust to fund the purchase of the Spring Creek Prairie. Audubon Nebraska will be responsible for the creation of an education program at the Center and restoration of the prairie. Audubon also has the eventual proceeds of Charitable Remainder Trust to offer for long-term stewardship. Established by the prairie’s former owner, Kathie O’Brien, it was endowed with 75% of the proceeds from the sale of her ranch to provide for future operations at Spring Creek. New Mexico: Dave Henderson, Executive Director, reports that the Rio Grande, one of the truly great rivers of America, is under siege that for the last 3 years, over 30 miles of the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque have run dry. The New Mexico state office joined forces with a coalition called the Alliance for the Rio Grande Heritage to enhance their advocacy for the river. A number of high-level meetings with water managers, water users, and environmental representatives have been held to resolve the problem. This reality poses a growing threat to endangered species like the Southwest Willow Flycatcher and the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow and threatens the very integrity of the river. Under discussion are ways to provide more water to the river through conservation and the idea of actually removing a dam or two to allow for the migration of endangered fish. The purchase of the 95,000-acre Baca Ranch moved a step closer to reality with a $40 million appropriation from the 104th Congress at the 11th hour. New York: Dave Miller, Executive Director, reports the release of the Important Bird Areas of New York State book at a news conference on October 6 in Albany. It received media coverage statewide and praise from newspapers, elected officials, and other conservation organizations. In addition, Governor Pataki designated four Important Bird Area sites on state lands as State Bird Conservation Areas based on Audubon's work. The Governor singled out the New York State Office as the leader in bird conservation. Jeff Wells and the entire staff have done a fantastic job with this effort. Another major event was the Sound Guardian Award that the state office and the Construction Industry Council of Westchester and the Hudson Valley gave Governor Pataki for his work on Long Island Sound. In accepting the award, Governor stated that it was Audubon and the Construction Industry Council who founded the Clean Water/Jobs Coalition in 1992 and he was merely a participant as a then State Assemblyman. With $200 million in Bond Act for Long Island Sound, he credited this coalition as the driving force in getting such high funding levels and moving the implementation of the Sound plan forward. The Sound Guardian Award event was also a fund-raiser for Audubon and several key new supporters of Audubon were identified. In September, a special event honoring Jim Rod was held at the Boscobel property overlooking Constitution Marsh Sanctuary. The nature center at Constitution Marsh will now be named the Jim Rod Audubon Center. Chuck Remington, was recently hired as the new Education Coordinator for the state, and staff at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary transitioned into staff of the National Audubon Society. At the Sanctuary, Marilyn England was hired as the new Director in August. Other staff changes include the promotion of Rick Werwaiss as Director of Operations, the hiring of Steve Schubert as Director of Development, and Rich Merritt is the new Office Manager for the state office. North Carolina: Camilla Herlevich, Executive Director, reported the highlight of activity this summer was the meeting of the National Board of Directors in Duck NC at our Pine Island Sanctuary. The Board meeting gave staff the opportunity to showcase conservation issues and initiatives of the new state office as well as existing sanctuaries and chapter projects. Despite the welcome "distraction" of a national Board meeting during this quarter, staff and volunteers continued to make progress on the priority items of the state office conservation agenda. Their IBA program is now fully operational, led by Walker Golder, longtime Coastal Coordinator, with a boost from a graduate student intern from the Duke School of the Environment. Walker has received 27 completed IBA nominations, has recruited a Technical Committee and has written and disseminated the first IBA newsletter. On chip mills, staff have been asked to participate on a chip mill advisory committee that will review the Technical Scientific Review commissioned by the Governor to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of chip mills during the state moratorium. Chris Canfield, Development Director, started work in October, and he and Camilla are prioritizing funding needs. North Dakota: Genevieve Thompson, Executive Director, is the newly appointed trustee representing Audubon on the North Dakota Wetlands Trust. She has worked with the Executive Director of the Trust and other trustees to maximize the effectiveness of wetlands protection-related efforts funded by the trust. As the Audubon representative for the Snow Goose Stakeholders Group, Genevieve participated in a communications workshop in anticipation of the proposed rulemaking by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to liberalize hunting regulations on Snow Geese. This is being done to reduce the deleterious effects of burgeoning Snow Goose populations on their Arctic breeding habitat and on the other species that depend on this seriously degraded region. The proposed rule is due out at any day. Protection of the wetland-grassland complexes, so unique to the Prairie Pothole Region, is a top priority of the North Dakota State Office. Toward this end, Audubon was the sole testimony in opposition to the Dakota Water Resources Act (i.e., the Garrison Diversion), at a Senate Field Hearing in the state. Audubon’s opposition to this legislative attempt to retrofit a poorly conceived and out-moded irrigation project is focused on the unacceptable environmental impacts to the state’s wetlands and water resources, at an exorbitant cost. In its ongoing efforts to protect waterfowl and their habitat, the North Dakota State Office has worked to ensure that predator management and control practices are integrated into adaptive management strategies for ducks in a scientifically sound and ecologically compatible way. Education is a key element of Audubon’s effectiveness. Genevieve has been collaborating with North Dakota State University, as well as a number of teachers and school administrators from Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota, to develop a basin-wide watershed education initiative that is linked to the mandatory education standards at the state and provincial level. Pennsylvania: Cindy Dunn, Executive Director, led a fall canoe trip on the Delaware River at an IBA site for Governor Ridge, the Secretaries of Transportation, Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources and their families. The group had the opportunity to see first hand, how special this IBA site is because five Bald Eagles and two Ospreys flew overhead during the course of the day. This summer, the Pennsylvania office launched its advocacy on the White-tailed Deer overabundance issue by testifying at the Game Commission about concerns regarding the impacts on songbirds, and biodiversity in general. Cindy Dunn serves on two state-level committees that are focused on deer management in Pennsylvania. Audubon is a leader in forming a "Habitat Coalition" to work on items of mutual interest between sportsmen, conservancies and environmental groups. The second "Women's Expedition for the Environment" was successfully completed in September. The expedition took place on canoe, bike and by foot across the eastern border of Pennsylvania. The purpose of the annual expedition is to educate participants about human connection with nature and to highlight women's role and to build a coalition of people knowledgeable about the connection about population and the environment. The Songbird Activity Guide has been printed and is being distributed through teacher and facilitator training sessions led by Marci Mowery. Marci has conducted three teacher and facilitator training sessions, with many more planned for this fall and winter. The Pennsylvania Audubon Society Fall Retreat and Board Meeting was held in October. A discussion was held on moving forward with an Audubon Centers program in Pennsylvania. Board President, Carmen Santasania, designated a "Centers" committee headed by Bruce McNaught. Construction of the new office at the "Nature Center at Wildwood Lake Sanctuary" has begun. The current estimate for the Pennsylvania office to move to the Wildwood Lake Sanctuary is May or June of 1999. Texas: Catriona Glazebrook, Executive Director, reported the launching of an IBA program with the hiring of Noreen Damude as the IBA Coordinator for Texas. The IBA program will focus on private landowners since 97% of the state is privately owned. Texas Audubon will be working closely with Texas Parks and Wildlife and Partners in Flight and the American Bird Conservancy. There will be a bill introduced this legislative session recommending that the Texas Environmental Education Partnership (a 270 member committee of which Catriona Glazebrook is the Co-Chair) be granted formal status as an advisory group to the Texas Education Agency. Another focus of Texas Audubon is the publication of "The Birders" authored by Angela Medeiras. "The Birders" is an entertaining story about a group of youngsters traveling Texas in search of the perfect song and end up discovering the wonder of birds. This publication will be offered to youngsters and educators throughout Texas. At Texas Parks and Wildlife EXPO event, which attracted 50,000 people, thousands of children had their very first introduction to birding and Junior Audubon through the Junior Birdathon Activity. Audubon’s Junior Birdathon was declared to be the most popular children’s birding activity at EXPO. The Development of Sabal Palm as a Center for Education and Community Involvement is moving along well under the direction of Jimmy Paz, Sabal Palm’s new manager. Jimmy has dramatically increased the volunteer program at Sabal and the community involvement at the Center. Texas Audubon Society, along with chapter leaders and other conservation and rehabilitation organizations took a lead in covering the terrible Carrolton Massacre episode. In a brutal move that has been duplicated throughout the country, Carrolton officials bulldozed an Egret rookery and killed hundreds of young birds and their parents. Due to pressure from local residents and groups like Audubon, Carrolton has agreed to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for the damage caused. Texas Audubon also started a new publication called Chapter Leader Monthly which goes to over 400 active Audubon members and published its third statewide newsletter which is sent to all members in Texas. Vermont: Jim Shallow, Executive Director, reported that the Vermont State Office was the beneficiary of a combined $20,000 matching grant from the Vermont Community Foundation and the New York Community Trust. The grant will allow the Vermont State Office to hire a half time IBA coordinator. Jim also reports that the Vermont Audubon Youth Camp had another successful summer. The camps were full and well received. Look for a great description of Vermont’s Teen program in Audubon Magazine on page 142. Vermont Audubon has also increased its advocacy on wildlife and habitat issues in Vermont. Jim reports that Audubon members are making a big impact on a new land conservation plan being drafted by the state. An active letter writing campaign is in the works to assure Vermont adopts a strong land acquisition program. Audubon is also playing a key role in early planning for a new wilderness bill for Vermont. Washington: Jeff Parsons, Executive Director, reported the substantial upgrade of the electronic communication capacity of staff and chapters through a ONE/Northwest electronic communications networking project. The State Office received four4 new computers and all staff received training. In addition, 15 chapters received computers, and 24 of 26 chapters had at least one person trained. This network will be utilized to connect chapters with each other and with the State Office for citizen science, education and advocacy. The Audubon Council of Washington fall meeting was a big success, focusing on "Agriculture and Habitat." Nineteen chapters were represented. Chapter activists heard a diversity of perspectives from Maureen Hinkle, farmers, local, state and federal government agricultural program administrators, a tribal fisheries biologist, a land trust officer, and a university program administrator. The meeting resulted in education about an industry that has both positive and negative impacts on wildlife and the initiation of relationships that have the potential to become partnerships between Audubon and farming interests for the benefit of wildlife. Wyoming: Vicki Spencer, Executive Director established the Wyoming State Office on September 1, 1998. Once the logistical details were accomplished (purchasing and installing telephones, copiers, fax, etc.) she began to focus on four key goals:
Borestone Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (Maine) - Manager Joseph Spaulding reports that botanist Mary Williams visited Borestone to set up a delineated hectare square Long Term Ecological Plot. This site will be used for long-term monitoring of its biota, soils, weather, pollution and several other factors. The first Borestone Mountain Sanctuary Board of Directors meeting was held in October, with Alexander and Marilynn Ridland, Harry Wado and Joseph attending. Thomas Urquhart, Executive Director of the Maine Audubon Society was given a full tour of the property, facilities and programs. His visit further encouraged the development of a seamless Audubon initiative between the Maine Audubon Society and NAS. Sanctuary staff prepared a display with information about Borestone for use at the Common Ground Fair, the largest public fair in the state of Maine. A possible contribution of land by Dr. Robert Blabey has been appraised at $40,000 and is in the process of being accepted. This donation will be used in a possible land swap for property that is contiguous to Borestone. If no interested landowner is found then it would be transferred to another land conservation entity or placed on the market with conservation easements and the proceeds would be applied to Borestone Sanctuary. Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary (Kentucky) - Manager Tim Williams reports that Sanctuary events have been scheduled for 1999 and sent to the Kentucky Department of Tourism to be entered into their publications. Tim and the sanctuary interns promoted Buckley Sanctuary on WFKY Radio. Tim’s September program: "Prehistoric Critters, Curiosity and Kids" was again a huge success, with 672 attending. On October 17, Tim presented the 10th Annual Fantasy Forest, where kids learn facts about wildlife from costumed "critters" along the trails. Again, it was a huge success, with over 700 in attendance. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Florida) - Manager Ed Carlson reports that Corkscrew was inundated with travel writers and photographers from Southern Living, Wildbird, Travel and Leisure, and a German travel magazine. Ed was interviewed by author Herb Miller for an upcoming book. Ed presented a program on Corkscrew to the Tampa Audubon Society at the Florida Aquarium. Ed chaired the annual meeting of the CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed) Trust and attended the Caloosahatchee River Watershed advisory meeting. Two meetings were held with Portico to refine the details of Corkscrew’s Education Center and exhibits. Swamp hero Michael Watkins has organized the local business phase of Corkscrew’s campaign; the goal is to raise $200,000 for the Swamp Theater. All permits have been secured for Corkscrew’s new parking lot and construction began on October 15. Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary (Alabama) – Norm Brunswig attended the first meeting of the Dauphin Island Sanctuary Advisory Committee on Dauphin Island, Alabama, with members of the Friends of the DIABS and members of the Dauphin Island Parks and Beach Board. The Friends are working out their relationship with the Parks and Beach Board (who own the sanctuary) and attempting to guarantee the security of the sanctuary. We are using the board’s desire to keep the name Audubon on the sanctuary as a bargaining chip to help the Friends. Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries (Florida) - Rich Paul, Manager, reports that he and Assistant Manager, Ann Schnapf, are working with Tampa Audubon Society and Clay Henderson (Florida Audubon) to educate people about the Amendment Five provision to the Florida Constitution. This provision will allow conservation lands to be purchased in the future. Ann and Rich participated in the planning and implementation of the Florida Birding Festival in Clearwater. It was a great success, attended by well over 600 people. Rich and Ann surveyed 50,000 pairs of waterbirds at 30 colonies, and are providing that information to agencies and land managers. They are helping Port Manatee re-design a spoil island to provide habitat for nesting birds, which may potentially benefit 22 listed or watch-listed species. They have given recommendations to environmental agencies regarding restoration projects on the Alafia River, which will be mitigation for an acid spill that occurred there. Rich held a volunteer monofilament cleanup to pick up discarded fishing line so that the birds don’t become entangled when they return to the nests. This cleanup targets 50 nesting colonies on the West Coast of Florida and uses as many as 35 boat crews. Rich is on the local meeting arrangement committee of the Colonial Waterbird Society, and has done field trip planning as well as a poster on Reddish Egret populations in the United States, the Caribbean and South American, and led a trip to Florida Bay as part of their meeting. About 200 people were in attendance. Rich and Ann talked to Cargill Fertilizer concerning Cargill’s land management near the Alafia Bank bird colony, the largest bird colony in the state of Florida. They also helped edit the Audubon Adventures colonial waterbird issue being produced this year. Francis Beidler Forest Sanctuary (South Carolina) - Norm Brunswig, Manager, reports that he is in the final stages of acquiring 70+ acres of wetlands and uplands from Westvaco, as part of its mitigation for a mill expansion in Charleston. Also, Beidler has just agreed to acquire 40+ acres of wetlands and uplands, partially funded by a conservation group in North Carolina. They chose to help Beidler purchase land in reaction to learning about the potential racetrack that threatens the Sanctuary. Beidler hosted the quarterly meeting of the Tri-County Forest Landowners Association (Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties). Norm and Dan Connelly (Manager of Silver Bluff Sanctuary) provided the program, with Norm discussing Beidler as a bioreserve and the role of private landowners, and Dan describing southern forest management from Audubon’s perspective. Assistant Manager Mike Dawson was present at a hearing before the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Board to determine if the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management’s issuance of permits for the construction of the proposed Interstate Speedway were in keeping with their mandate to protect areas of special concern. Unanimously, the Board overturned the issuance of the permit, effectively killing the racetrack Beidler’s education planning and first year funding proposals continue to find support from local corporations. Against a goal of $90,000 Beidler has now raised or has pledges for more than $50,000. Empowered by their designation as a Charter Audubon Center, Beidler is aggressively planning its education future and raising money to fund it. Most recently, Blue Circle Cement made a $15,000 pledge in support of this project. Guilford Salt Meadows Sanctuary (Connecticut) - Manager Fred Hill reports that Guilford Sanctuary has officially increased by 11 acres through a generous gift from the Conover family. Professor Orson Van De Plassche and three students from the Amsterdam Free University of the Netherlands visited Guilford Sanctuary and took soil samples from the marsh. The group took soil samples from the marsh approximately 2 years ago, and they are studying the history of the marsh through geological studies. Fred and Professor Van De Plassche discussed the plant life and hydrological changes that appear to affect changes in the growth of phragmites. The Professor and his students have produced profiles of the marsh area where they have taken soil samples. The Professor will forward the results of their study as soon as the report is completed. Kissimmee Prairie Sanctuary (Florida) - Audubon successfully mediated our lawsuits with downstream landowners. The first lawsuit addressed downstream landowners impounding water on the Sanctuary, and the damage done to our endangered Grasshopper Sparrow population (the Federal Government intervened on our side). We reached a conceptual settlement where the downstream landowners have agreed to take their fair share of water. Our sparrows, and the entire Sanctuary, will finally be free of unnatural flooding. The second lawsuit challenged the Environmental Resource Permit granted by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to 101 Ranch (one of three ranches impounding water on the Sanctuary). This suit was settled with 101 Ranch agreeing to stop blocking Audubon water, and agreeing to perform extra wetland mitigation for past wetland drainage activity; consisting of enhancing an 80 acre wetland near the Sanctuary border, and granting a 95-acre conservation easement around the enhanced wetland and some adjacent wetlands and uplands. The agreements will take time to finalize and implement, but we finally have assurances that the Sanctuary, and its birds, will be protected. Paul Gray, on behalf of the SFWMD Environmental Advisory Committee, presented their position paper on Mitigation Banking to the SFWMD Governing Board. Paul also helped George Willson, The Nature Conservancy, in a separate Board presentation on conservation easements. We continue to work with the Florida Park Service in developing the 50,000-acre Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve, which is adjacent to the Sanctuary. The State land advisory committee has recommended to the Governor to keep it a "preserve." The Governor and Cabinet will make a final vote in December. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary (Louisiana) - Manager Timmy Vincent reports that Rainey has been under the influence of tropical systems for most of the quarter. In September, Tropical Storm Francis was especially devastating with tens of thousands of muskrats and nutria, along with scores of deer perishing in the six-foot tidal surge and strong wave action which persisted for several days. The storm was also responsible for a massive fish kill on the Sanctuary and along the south central and southwestern Louisiana coast. Permanent damage to the Sanctuary was minimal. The beach along the Gulf was rolled back several yards in some areas, but was not affected in others. The canal levees sustained some damage and must be repaired next spring. Rowe Sanctuary (Nebraska) - Manager Paul Tebbel reports that the primary focus of Rowe Sanctuary staff during this quarter was on the Platte River. The Platte River Trust and Audubon are about 20% ahead of last year, which ended up being 22 miles of River area. This work will continue through November. In October, three adult Whooping Cranes spent several days roosting on the Platte, within Rowe Sanctuary. This helped reaffirm the importance of clearing vegetation from the islands, since the Whoopers spent all their time in managed areas. Paul is putting in up to 40 hours a month in meetings and conferences directly related to the new Cooperative Agreement, which is guiding the long-term management of the Platte River. Paul’s duties include chairing one subcommittee, secretary of another and serving on the outreach arm of the whole program. This year, 75 people attended Rowe’s 4th Annual "Locals" Picnic; all the landowners in Rowe’s area of the River were invited. Paul is helping three rural communities organize birding festivals, which will start in 1999; this helps provide much needed economic development in agricultural areas. Paul made nine presentations on the Sandhill Crane Spring Migration Spectacle to Audubon Chapters in Illinois and to the MAS Baker Sanctuary Crane Fest in southern Michigan and Schlitz Audubon Center in Milwaukee -- over 500 people attended these presentations. Sabal Palm Grove Audubon Center & Sanctuary (Texas) - Assistant Manager Jimmy Paz reports that the Grove’s forest trail was made handicapped-accessible by the building of a bridge over a low point on the trail. Volunteers built the 110’ x 55" bridge and included 2 built-in "resting" benches. However, due to the extremely dry conditions in South Texas during August and part of September, the walking trails were temporarily closed to the public. The U.S. Border Patrol Section Chief reported to Jimmy that fewer than 250 undocumented persons were caught in the last quarter, and no contraband was seized. This is a significant improvement over a few months ago, when 1,500 undocumented persons and over 5,000 lbs. of contraband were seized in and around the vicinity of the Sanctuary. Silver Bluff Sanctuary (South Carolina) - Manager Dan Connelly reports that Kathwood foraging ponds were lowered for use by Wood Storks. In August, a record number of 350 Wood Storks were observed at Pond 2. This broke the previous record number of 250 set in 1990. The Owen Fish Farm delivered 100,000 fingerling bluegill to the Wood Stork foraging ponds in September. The fish were divided evenly among the three main ponds. Two Rafinesque Big-eared Bats were found in abandoned buildings on Sanctuary property, while approximately 20 were found in an old house adjacent to Silver Bluff. Dan contacted the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) as the Bat is listed by the state as being endangered. Mary Bunch (a biologist with SCDNR) plans to attach a transmitter to one of the Bats in May 1999 so that Sanctuary personnel may follow its movements over a two-week period. Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society participated in the fall North American Migration Count, which was conducted throughout Aiken County, SC, including Silver Bluff Sanctuary, which has been designated by the state as an Important Bird Area. Totals of 114 bird species and 4,764 individuals were recorded. Results from the two breeding bird censuses conducted in 1998 were compiled and sent to Cornell University for review and publication in the Journal of Field Ornithology. Starr Ranch Sanctuary (California) - Manager Pete DeSimone reports that despite late summer and early fall hot weather, Starr Ranch hosted events for the public. In August, residents of a nearby community visited for another "Starr Ranch Ramble". Then in October, Starr Ranch entertained its loyal docents to thank them for all their help. Children came to the Ranch for a 3-day summer program conducted by Sea & Sage chapter naturalist, Trude Hurd. Trude also organized a "Bugs & Bats" night for adults that gave Starr Ranch’s neighbors a unique opportunity to view nature at night. Forty members of the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Educators had a weekend of natural history classes at the Ranch. Researchers came to the Ranch through August-October to study Scrub Jays, arthropods of the endangered Coastal Sage Scrub, hummingbird-pollinated plants, and reptile sand amphibians of Coastal Sage Scrub. Sandy DeSimone and assistants continue to study the biology of the grassland weed, Artichoke Thistle, and also monitor ongoing experiments on methods of non-chemical eradication. Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary (Oregon) - Manager Paul Engelmeyer reports that he presented testimony to the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (the oversight team for the Oregon Salmon Recovery Plan) concerning salmon spawning escapement goals and by-catch issues. He participated in the PFMC (Pacific Fisheries Management Council) Salmon Advisory Subpanel and Habitat Steering Committee Meetings. He also participated in discussions with the Midcoast Watershed’s Council Technical Team on the Governor’s Watershed Enhancement Board’s (GWEB) draft watersheds assessment manual. He gave a presentation concerning the issue of avian predation on salmon smolt to the Caspian Tern Working Group. He also gave Senator Wyden’s natural resource aide, Martin Kudos, a tour of the Sanctuary and set him up to snorkel dive, looking at instream habitat from a fish’s perspective. Paul was interviewed by a California radio station concerning the Sustainable Fisheries Act, Essential Fish Habitat, and other issues related to salmon recovery efforts. Over 350 folks were given presentations and/or tours of the Sanctuary. During this quarter, Sanctuaries reached out to more than 20,000 people with Audubon’s conservation messages. Most came to a Sanctuary, but many attended off-site programs given by our Sanctuary staff. Volunteers donated more than 2,000 hours of their valuable time to our Sanctuaries, and more than 200 new memberships were the direct result of people visiting National Audubon Society Sanctuaries. |
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Dan Beard, Senior Vice President Everglades Conservation Stuart Strahl The highlight of the fall is the release of the Army Corps of Engineers Draft Comprehensive Plan for the Central and South Florida Project. The plan is a key step in the federal process of implementing the project to restore the Everglades and will be a major focus of our efforts. The Everglades office publicized the plan in advance of Vice President Gore’s October announcement. During the coming 6 months, Audubon policy and science staff will work with federal, state and community partners to continue improving the draft plan. To fund key elements of the plan Congress approved in the 1999 Omnibus Appropriations bill more than $200 million for research, management and land acquisition. Pending issuance of a permit for discharge of treated farm wastewater has Audubon urging state and federal authorities to impose a strict water quality standard. The staff continues to build support in Palm Beach and Broward Counties for land use restrictions on water preserve marshes buffering the Everglades. A proposed local referendum could generate $100 million to buy easements on farmlands. Audubon’s office in Miami serves as a catalyst and a clearinghouse for a strong environmental voice in the restoration process. Staff developed and drafted the Everglades Coalition consensus position paper Everglades Restoration & the C&SF Project Restudy. The paper has been well received by the Florida Congressional Delegation, the entire Florida Legislature, the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, the Governor’s Commission for a Sustainable South Florida, The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Working Group, and members of the Task Force. Our efforts to build a mainstream business constituency for Everglades restoration paid off this month when EPA Administrator Carol Browner addressed the October Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board of Governor’s and Trustees Luncheon. The event was one of the best attended in the Chamber’s history with nearly 500 members in attendance. The Administrator received a standing ovation and was honored with our 1999 Guy M. Bradley Lifetime Conservation Award. The Everglades Environmental Education Program continues to grow. Three new instructors joined our education staff for a total of ten dynamic and knowledgeable field instructors. We have developed partnerships with Miami-Dade County and several foundations for educational programs and scholarships that introduce thousands of inner city and under-served schoolchildren (K-8) to the unique ecosystem that is the Everglades Education programs reached a total of 1564 students and 1826 teachers so far this school year. Michael Foden has been hired as our new Director of Development.. Vernita Alexander joined our staff in September as Public Affairs Associate. The Everglades office has offered critical support including significant funding to support Florida AS on the statewide Conservation Amendment campaign to increase state funding for land acquisition and restoration. Population and Habitat Pat Waak After a very tough fight, international family planning assistance was funded at $385 million without restrictions in the 1999 budget. Funding for the United Nation’s population program, UNFPA, was eliminated. In a profound victory for domestic family planning programs, Congress added contraceptive coverage to federal employee’s insurance plans. The Title X family planning grant program received a significant funding boost for FY 1999 to $227 million. The program provides grants for family planning services to poor women and men. Recruiting and training programs for pollution and habitat leaders continued in several states. Field staff located in and out of state offices are developing grassroots leadership for both family planning advocacy and local habitat protection. The People Pressure Toolkit, Audubon Adventures "People and Wildlife" poster, and Population and Habitat in the New Millennium guide are in high demand as citizens look for information about population pressures on nature.. The Geraldine Dodge Foundation recently purchased 75 copies of the children's poster for a teacher training workshop in New Jersey. Work is moving ahead a unique set of Youth Summits to complement the upcoming PBS film on teenagers and reproduction scheduled for October 1999. Ken Strom was hired to fill the position of Field Director for the Population and Habitat Campaign. Ken has been with Audubon for over 17 years, most recently as the Director of the Ecology Camp of the Rockies. Prior to that position, he was the manager of Rowe Sanctuary on Nebraska's Platte River. Upper Mississippi River -- Living River Campaign Dan McGuiness Sixteen charter members of the Campaign Advisory Team, gathered in St. Louis and Dubuque to give direction to and offer volunteer support to achieve the campaign’s goals. Emphasis is now on habitat identification and protection, informing people about the ecological significance of the river, and influencing public policy. To identify and protect habitat, staff and volunteer river stewards are participating in a public-private partnership effort to complete a "Habitat Needs Assessment" (HNA) for 1,300 miles of the main stem of the Upper Mississippi River. We will facilitate of a series of public workshops early in 1999 to involve citizens and build a constituency for habitat protection. Audubon's work on this is being supported by funds from the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee (UMRCC). Audubon and the UMRCC will issue a joint report and recommendations outlining what is needed to sustain a "Living River" in December 1999. As part of the habitat assessment, staff will work with the Audubon members, chapters and councils in five states on a joint effort to identify Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and develop plans for their designation, monitoring and conservation. To accomplish this, we are in the process of seeking foundation and corporate support. This work is also being coordinated with the efforts of the Minnesota Audubon Council for wetlands protection in the Minnesota River basin. To inform people about the ecological significance of the river, the Campaign is working with individual chapters to identify and develop birding trail sites and segments. The Coulee Chapter in La Crosse, Wisconsin and the Minnesota River Valley Chapter in Minnesota have taken the lead. The campaign is seeking grant funds to hire a coordinator for this program and to provide pass-through grants to state offices and chapters for detailed trail development work. We are also exploring possible center partnership opportunities along the Upper Mississippi River and tributaries. Museums, land trusts and private interests have already expressed interest. We met in Washington and on the river with congressional staff, the Army Corps of Engineers, executive offices, and appeared before the Mississippi River Commission at two hearings. Our focus has been on reauthorization and continued funding of the Environmental Management Program and oversight of the Corps of Engineers Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway Navigation System Study. Wetlands Campaign Naki Stevens This quarter the Wetlands Campaign provided technical and policy assistance to approximately 300 people. The campaign has identified 250 chapters as potential partners and is working with than eighty chapters to support local wetlands projects, influence policies, and offer protection resources and strategies.. The campaign recruited 250 new participants. Staff wrote proposals with six chapters and two state field offices for wetland acquisition projects in lower income communities. Staff worked with eight chapters to submit proposals for North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants,. A "Wetlands Project Worksheet" helps chapters to define funding needs for local projects and match those needs with various grant programs. The Campaign took a leadership role in mobilizing opposition to proposed Nationwide Permits. We provided policy analysis to both citizens and federal agencies, organized wetland scientists to sign on to a letter criticizing the proposal, and contacted 30,000 people to oppose the permits. The Corps received 10,000 comments, and 4,000 of those were stimulated by the Campaign. The agency subsequently modified and improved the proposal. We continue to work to strengthen the revised Corps proposal. More than 800 chapter leaders and wetlands advocates now subscribe to our listserve, 10,000 people receive our newsletter, and we have cultivated a core group of wetlands scientists interested in working with the Campaign. Wildlife Refuge Campaign Evan Hirsche The Audubon Refuge Keepers program now has 60 registered groups. November ARK workshops are planned for Chincoteague NWR in Virginia and Okefenokee NWR, and Jen Schmidt was hired as the Campaign’s new ARK organizer. In preparation for Refuge Week, the Campaign developed organizing materials for chapters. More chapters than ever are participating in this year’s Refuge Week. Of notable interest was our "Audubon Day" at Eastern Neck NWR on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. More than 100 participants from Starbucks coffee shops, five Audubon chapters and the D.C. office, American University College of Law, and community members participated in refuge clean up and maintenance projects. Also in connection with Refuge Week, the Campaign developed a promotional poster that was mailed to 90,000 schools and Fish and Wildlife Service facilities. The USFWS paid for printing and postage. Audubon education staff provided an interactive educational design for the poster. On the legislative front, the campaign won several victories. Against tough odds, the Izembek NWR road proposal in Alaska was curbed to exclude access into sensitive wilderness areas within the refuge. This victory culminated a year-long effort to raise the visibility of the threat to an important bird area, which included putting the rider on top of the President’s veto list in the end of Congress budget debate. We also played a large role in passing the "Volunteer and Partnership Act of 1998" and the "Salton Sea Restoration Act of 1998." The former legislation provides incentives to work with refuge support groups including Audubon Refuge Keepers (ARK), while also encouraging refuges to play a more active role in providing outdoor education opportunities for local schools. The Salton Sea bill takes a first step toward a healthy ecosystem by launching for studies to determine methods for fixing this vital stopping point for migratory birds. Our work to increase refuge O&M funding and generate Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) dollars for priority acquisitions yielded strong results for FY99 with $55 million increase in O&M and earmarks for nearly 60% of our priority LWCF sites. We put a part-time staff person in the Klamath Basin to identify habitat conservation strategies and pursue opportunities to establish an Audubon Center near Lower Klamath and Tule Lake refuges. The Goldman Fund solicited a proposal implying and interest in funding the campaign. We are continuing sponsorship discussions with Volvo and other corporations. Agricultural Policy Maureen Hinkle On the appropriations front, the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) was approved at 120,000 acres and three substantive improving amendments to the authorizing legislation were included in the Omnibus bill. These improvements were accepted and approved at Audubon’s request. The agriculture bill was controversial for the first time in many years, based on the amount of money for disaster payments to upper Mid West farmers. President Clinton threatened a veto of the $4 billion amount the House had approved. The Senate then approved $8 billion at Senator Daschle’s insistence. The final figure was a compromise of $6 billion, finally approved in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for Oregon was officially announced October 10 to target all streams across agricultural crop and marginal pasture lands that provide spawning habitat for salmon and bull trout. Nearly 95,000 acres of 100 feet wide riparian buffers and 5,000 acres of restored wetlands may be automatically enrolled along the Klamath and Columbia River watersheds. The total cost can be $275 million of CRP funds. The Washington State CREP was officially announced October 19th to target all streams across agricultural crop and marginal pasture lands, including native rangeland, that provides spawning habitat for salmon and steelhead. Riparian buffers up to 150 feet wide may cost $205 million. Endangered Species Campaign Mary Minette The 105th Congress adjourned in mid October without passing legislation to reauthorize the Endangered Species Act. Senator Kempthorne's bipartisan attempt to rewrite the Act failed to get floor time as a free-standing bill. Kempthorne made a last ditch effort to attach the bill as yet another rider to the Interior Department Appropriations bill for the 1999 fiscal year. Opposition from the White House, his Democratic co-sponsors, and strong lobbying by Audubon members and others in the environmental community quashed this attempt to push the bill through the Senate. In the House, H.R. 2351, the bill sponsored by Congressman George Miller and endorsed by Audubon finished the session with 108 bipartisan co-sponsors. This solid support for a bill that will strengthen the ESA bodes well for a more offensive strategy on ESA reauthorization in the 106th Congress. In September, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced its intention to remove the Peregrine Falcon from the endangered species list. This delisting is the first of a series of delisting and downlisting initiatives first announced by Secretary Babbitt last spring. David Grossman, a Green Corps fellow, joined the Endangered Species Campaign in August as grassroots coordinator, and will be working to improve our outreach to members and other campaign supporters. Forest Campaign Mike Leahy Audubon has received a one-year, $1.4 million grant from the Pew Charitable Trust to promote protection of scenic wilderness on Forest Service lands. The goal of the campaign is to encourage the U.S. Forest Service to adopt a new federal regulation to permanently prohibit timber sales, road building, and other destructive development in roadless areas exceeding 1,000 acres. We will use the recently announced road building moratorium as the vehicle to encourage greater protection of roadless areas. Audubon will be the lead organization and fiscal sponsor for this unique effort, employing and housing the core campaign staff in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. Responsibilities have been divided among the organizations involved and will be coordinated by the Audubon campaign staff. Joining us in this effort are: Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, The Wilderness Society, Oregon Natural Resources Council, Desktop Assistance, American Lands Alliance (formerly the Western Ancient Forest Campaign), US Public Interest Research Group, National Environmental Trust, Alaska Rainforest Campaign, Southwest Forest Alliance, Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, Sierra Nevada Forest Protection Campaign and ForestWater Alliance. Most of our policy efforts this period have been directed at anti-environmental riders on Appropriations bills. We had success in getting Congress and the Administration to remove or improve many of the worst ones, but many objectionable anti-environmental riders were passed into law. A full time Forest Campaign Organizer -- Maureen Murray -- has been hired in the D.C. office. She is working with our grassroots on programs such as the Sister Chapter Program. An administrative assistant, Hayden Baker, has been hired and splits time between the Forest, Endangered Species, and Agriculture Policy campaigns. We will spend most of the upcoming period developing campaign strategies and organization and preparing for the next Congress.
Garrison Diversion Unit On September 29, the House Committee on Resources held an oversight hearing on the Garrison Diversion Unit water project. Unlike a recent Senate hearing, this hearing indicated that proponents will have a difficult time moving their $1 billion authorization bill that would destroy thousands of acres of Prairie Pothole wetlands in North Dakota. The hearing began with a parade of project proponents testifying in favor of the legislation. National Audubon’s testified in strong opposition to the project. The Clinton Administration joined Audubon in opposing the bill. In addition, the State of Minnesota opposed the project because of its potential impact on water quality in the Red River Valley. Several congressmen at the hearing, including Subcommittee Chairman John Doolittle (R-CA) and Ranking Democrat Peter DeFazio (D-OR), criticized the project’s cost and controversial features. While no further action was taken on the bill, we can expect sponsors to attempt to move it during the 106th Congress. |
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Frank Gill, Senior Vice President
Highlights:
New faces in the New York office We have brought on board two new assistants to the Science Department. Lissette Pavajeau, from Columbia, has a M.Sc. in biology and worked on birds in Central America. She will help coordinate Science’s efforts with Audubon’s Latin America Program. Together, we published the first edition of the Latin American newsletter, published in both English and Spanish and posted it on the web. Matthew McKown has a B.Sc. in biology and will be working on the CBC and WatchList. Bird Conservation Program NA Bird Conservation Initiative - Frank Gill, Alejandro Grajal, and Vincent Muehter attended a conference in Puebla, Mexico sponsored by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation to unify separate bird conservation planning efforts into a comprehensive North American Bird Conservation Initiative. The goal of the CEC effort is to conserve North America’s birds by enhancing coordination between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Important Bird Areas, Fred Baumgarten - The New York IBA Report has been published, culminating two years of hard work by Jeff Wells and the New York State Field Office. The book documents and analyzes 127 sites chosen by a panel of ornithological experts as New York’s IBAs. It will be a blueprint for site-based habitat conservation activities in the state. The book has already been praised by the press. (See New York State Office report for details.) Also in New York, Westchester County recently adopted a local regulatory version of the state Bird Conservation Law, modeled on Audubon's IBA Program IBA’s continue to lead new Audubon state programs: See the state office reports for their proud accomplishments. Pennsylvania’s IBA publication is just weeks away from completion. Plans are underway for an IBA/WatchList display at the Wildwood Center, Pennsylvania Audubon’s future home. South Carolina officially announced its first five IBAs, drawing interest and coverage from local newspapers. North Carolina has collected "nominations" for several dozen sites, and volunteers are kept motivated through an innovative IBA newsletter. Nominations are also rolling into Washington, California, Vermont, and elsewhere. Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Montana, and the Upper Mississippi River Campaign are all launching new IBA initiatives. Five states (NM, OH, FL, VT, WA) have been awarded matching funds for IBA work through the generosity of the New York Community Trust’s H.P. Kraft Family Memorial Fund. Connecticut’s IBA Program is getting underway with the support of Connecticut Audubon, the Connecticut Ornithological Association, The Nature Conservancy, and other partners. Travel & Workshops - State Directors Meeting in Davis, CA; Northeast Partners in Flight in Eastham, MA; IBA Program Committee in Richmond, VT; Indiana IBA Workshop, Indianapolis; TNC/IBA Workshop, Columbus, OH. WatchList, Vincent Muehter - We completed the third-party peer review of the scientific foundations of the WatchList and the Partners in Flight system it uses to prioritize species. A special subcommittee of the AOU composed of bird conservation experts endorsed the WatchList Species Prioritization Process, putting Audubon’s WatchList efforts on solid, defensible ground. The AOU group will publish their comments in a report due in winter 1999. We completed state-level WatchLists based on protocol defined by Audubon and the rest of Partners in Flight. These new state-level priorities will be released on the new WatchList web site in April 1999. The new web site will rely on a relational-database that "sorts" through priority scores to create state priority lists, or state WatchLists. The new web site will enable users across the country to ask, for example, which species and habitats are high, moderate and low priorities in their state or local ecoregion, what habitats are important to each species depend on, and how these species fit in context with those that are Threatened or Endangered. Each species will have links to BBS trends and maps. BirdSource, Frank Gill - BirdSource is an interactive tool for receiving, archiving, and display very large data sets on bird populations across North America. This past quarter we completed major steps in the development of interactive software modules for BirdSource and tested the public participation in the project. We also launched an educational arm of BirdSource. Currently, geographic information is referenced only to the level of the zip code. However, in cooperation with ESRI (the ARC/INFO Company) we are constructing powerful new data input and data retrieval software. Input pages will provide users zoomable maps to pinpoint the location of their observations (point-baed or polygon-based). Output pages will permit the user to specify arbitrary spatial and temporal extents for querying the data. Christmas Bird Count, Fall 1998, Geoff LeBaron –The 98th CBC issue was in the mail the week before Labor Day, and arrived in subscribers' and compilers' hands during mid-September, two months earlier than has been the schedule for most of the past 25 years. The second round of testing on-line data entry through the BirdSource website was a top priority in Oct. The site has been much improved over the first round of testing, and is functional for the majority of platforms that compilers may use on line. Compilers currently testing the site have given us much excellent feedback, as well as very good review. The improvements continue, with all data for the upcoming 99th Christmas Bird Count to be generated through BirdSource. Also being designed is the protocol for clean-up of the historical CBC database. Beginning this fall/winter, compilers will be able to review the historical data for their counts and report errors to BirdSource. Regional Editors will review these potential errors, and those approved will be corrected in the cumulative database in BirdSource. Thus the best-ever Christmas Bird Count data will be available on line for view and use by researchers and the general public. With the conversion of the Christmas Bird Count to a web-driven project, Geoff LeBaron moved full time to his office in Massachusetts. Second Annual Great Backyard Bird Count - Out and spreading fast is the advance notice of the 2nd Annual Great Backyard Bird Count, just three months away. All Audubon chapters, 2000 bird clubs, all Audubon Adventures classrooms, and a variety of magazines and computer sites have been contacted and asked to announce the event. Many have elected to print articles about the effort - past and future. The Girl Scouts of America have sent out announcements to every one of their councils. Shortly, educational materials well be available at the BirdSource website. In the months to come, we will contact newspapers, as well as television and radio stations. Motorola, Ford, and Wild Birds Unlimited have all signed up to be corporate sponsors of the GBBC. Classroom BirdSource - During September, October, and November, we planned and implemented the Schoolyard Ornithology Research Project (SORP). Funded by NSF, SORP teaches teachers to use the Classroom FeederWatch curriculum. NAS & CLO have collaborated to present these workshops at seven locations around the country. With the exception of the Ithaca workshop, all have been organized around Audubon centers and chapters - Aullwood Center, Los Angeles Audubon, Chesapeake Audubon, Bucks County Audubon at Honey Hollow, Corkscrew Sanctuary, and Montana Audubon in Helena. Guided by NAS and CLO staff, twelve 4th to 8th grade teachers at each site explore the curriculum, learn about multidisciplinary extensions and enrichment projects, and are provided with mentors and contact people through Audubon. Every aspect of these workshops has gone well. Perhaps most promising is the excitement and enthusiasm greeting the curriculum itself and the connection to the Audubon resource and mentors. Teachers will begin sending data to BirdSource in late November. In January and February, we will meet with them again to assess their progress and to focus upon the conclusion of the curriculum - data analysis and publication. We held two meetings with Stephan Kohler, President of Delta Education to explore possibilities of a partnership to realize the commercial potential of Audubon Education products. Delta Education, a subsidiary of the Canadian-based publishing conglomerate TORSTAR, specializes in the marketing and distribution of supplemental education products to secondary school teachers. Seabird Restoration Program Stephen W. Kress The period August-September includes the end of the 1998 Maine field season which contained many important accomplishments for the restoration of Maine seabirds and education of the public:
Please visit our new website http://puffin.bird.audubon.org which contains pictures and abundant information to help students with school reports about seabird conservation. Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Bill Branan Facilities - We broke ground and are now building the new 3,000 sq. ft. Grassland Science Center building, with completion scheduled for late March. Outreach - The Research Ranch recently hosted: (1) The Arizona Audubon Council's annual meeting; and (2) The Sonoita Crossroads community meeting, in which we are working through the community to develop population strategies that protect birds, wildlife, water, and open spaces. "Ground Round" (the Arizona Common Ground Roundtable is moving forward. About fifteen environmentalists and fifteen ranchers meet monthly to discuss issues of common interest. The Research Ranch is helping to develop a web site for that group, to link various sites that provide land management and green income strategies to ranchers and other land managers. Research - The summer's busy research season is completed, but several projects continue. We now have about 30 ongoing projects, covering birds, erosion, plant succession, grassland productivity, and more. We are conducting several research projects aimed at reducing the occurrence of exotic grasses on the Research Ranch. Our goal is to allow native species to proliferate in the absence of grazing and the absence of exotics. We updated our herbarium with the hard work of intern Erika Geiger and several university professors. We now have more than 600 plant species identified and cataloged. Please check the Research Ranch's new web site, along with National Audubon's site: http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/appleton/. The site has received many compliments from prospective researchers. We provide three important things to researchers. First, a place to conduct great research. Second, an atmosphere and beautiful surroundings that allow researchers to live in contact with the natural world. Third is that we have so many really smart, hard working, and pleasant researchers working on so many interesting projects. The fact that we are together in a beautiful and remote location helps tremendously. And there are some events that we look back on with a great laugh. Following are two recent examples:
Living Oceans Carl Safina Living Oceans founder Dr. Carl Safina, whose international leadership continues to hold the Living Oceans Program among the top forces in marine conservation, was recently promoted to Vice President of Marine Conservation for the National Audubon Society. Staff Scientist, Dr. Merry Camhi, was recently appointed to the Conservation Committee of the American Elasmobranch Society. Media Exposure. Carl appeared on a local ABC-TV affiliate speaking about problem of albatross bykill in longline tuna fisheries. Carl was also featured in a fisheries piece that was widely aired by CNN. A three-quarter-page profile of Carl appeared in the New York Times and was reprinted throughout Europe in the International Herald Tribune. Merry was interviewed for a global radio broadcast by Voice of America on the problems facing shark populations and by a film crew for an upcoming special on shark conservation for Discovery's Shark Week. On the West Coast, Paul Englemeyer was interviewed by a California Radio station concerning the Sustainable Fisheries Act, essential fish habitat, and other issues related to salmon recovery efforts. Membership and Outreach. Our activist list has increased by approximately 300 new members to a force of 2500. During this quarter we sent out Action Alerts on two issues facing marine conservation. In anticipation of the release of draft recovery plans required by the new provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Sustainable Fisheries Act, our activists were asked to write letters to push for strong measures to rebuild the overfished populations of Atlantic highly migratory species (sharks, swordfish, and tunas) and for Atlantic bluefish. Carl represented National Audubon at workshops on the problem of albatross bykill in longline tuna fisheries in South Africa and Hawaii. Carl has recently appeared and keynoted at the League of Conservation Voters' annual dinner in New York City; at a press conference for Save Long Island Sound; at environmental writers' forums in Southampton, Long Island, and Boston; and at a re-election rally endorsing Congressman Mike Forbes. He was recently given awards by the South Fork Natural History Society, Soundwatch, and was elected a "Fellow Resident" of the Explorers Club. Through the work of Living Ocean's office manager, Pat Paladines, a close working relationship has developed between Living Oceans Program and Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. This resulted in Carl's participation as keynote speaker for the aquarium's Oceans Day event and the inclusion of the Audubon Seafood Guide in the aquarium's newsletter, the WaterShedd, with a distribution of 12,000. The Aquarium has promoted the seafood guide in the Chicago area and in the Aquarium's own restaurant, stimulating media interest, which is now spotlighting the menu choices of other aquariums as well. Merry Camhi, Staff Scientist, was an invited speaker at the American Museum of Natural History's series "Living with Biodiversity." Merry spoke to the more than 300 attendees on how to eat lightly on the marine food chain, while Living Ocean's Pat Paladines and Licencing's Sandy Clough "manned" an Audubon table to provide information on the Living Oceans Program and shade-grown coffee. Once again, Audubon's Seafood Guide was a great hit. Paul Englemeyer participated on the oversight team for the Oregon Salmon Recovery Plan concerning salmon spawning escapement goals and by-catch issues, the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Salmon Advisory Subpanel and Habitat Steering Committee, and the Midcoast Watersheds Council Technical Team on the Governors Watershed Enhancement Board's (GWEB) draft watersheds assessment manual. Species Recovery. Our fisheries biologist, Jim Chambers, collaborated with NRDC, EDF, and CMC to press for adequate recovery plans for overfished species as required by the Sustainable Fisheries Act. This work is the follow through to our successful 4-year campaign to overhaul the Magnuson Fisheries Act. Some very good news: The media exposure following the release of Sharks on the Line: A State-by-State Analysis of Sharks and Their Fisheries, by Living Ocean's Merry Camhi, has resulted in some exciting measures. After receiving the lowest rating of all the states, Louisiana recently announced proposed regulations for its shark fishery. If implemented as proposed, the regulations will go far to reduce shark mortality in Louisiana's state waters. New Jersey, also cited in the report and media for its lack of shark fishery management, released proposed regulations in October as well. Living Oceans will now work with our activists in these states and others to ensure that their shark fishery regulations are as strong as they can be. International Negotiations. Michael Testa, special counsel to the Program, served as an advisor to the U.S. Delegation to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization annual meeting in Lisbon in September, where he also attended WWF's "Creating a Sea Change" conference to discuss innovative solutions to the global fisheries crisis. Mr. Testa is a member of the government's Consultative Committee for NAFO. He also advised on the U.S. position at forthcoming meetings to further FAO's consultations on reducing seabird bycatch, management and conservation of sharks and reduction of fishing overcapacity. Merry Camhi organized and chaired a meeting of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group at the American Elasmobranch Society's annual meeting in Guelph, Canada. |
John Flicker described the "Audubon 2020" vision. Where will we be in 2020? If we adapt and duplicate what Massachusetts Audubon did, in the other 49 states, what would we look like? We would average 1000 acres per Audubon Center, for a total of 1,000,000 acres by 2020; we would average 20 centers per state. It's been done, so let's use it as a goal. One in four children would visit a center in a year - it would make us the most powerful education player in the country. We also have a goal of 500 active volunteers at every center. Our membership goal is 1% of the nation's population. Direct mail does not go to a representative slice of the population; centers will reach out to the people we are missing. We have the capacity and no other organization does.
DraftAUDUBON 2020 VISIONIn 1995, Audubon adopted a visionary strategic plan that called for establishing state offices and Audubon Centers across the country. Eighteen state offices have already opened, and we are well on our way to a state office in every state. The primary goal of each state office will be to establish and operate a network of Audubon Centers. An Audubon Center is a community-based program located on protected land that is used by Audubon or one of our partners to save land and to engage people in environmental education and conservation action. Audubon Centers will be permanent institutions in the community that teach conservation values, and that serve as local hubs for conservation action. Like schools, churches, libraries or museums, Audubon Centers will be part of the community, will be supported by the community, and will add real value to the community. Our vision for the future is bold and ambitious. By the year 2020, Audubon will have 50 state offices. Each state office will support an average of 20 centers, for a total of 1,000 centers nationally. Audubon Centers have a clear mission that defines Audubon in the next century: to save land and to engage people. SAVE LANDWe know that protecting habitat is essential for the survival of birds and wildlife. But it is equally important to save land for people. People will protect what they value, and will value what they understand. That understanding happens out of doors, in the natural world, on the land. Audubon will therefore protect land that is important habitat for birds and wildlife, and that is also accessible and usable by people for educational purposes. Our goal is for each Audubon Center to protect an average of at least 1,000 acres, resulting in an Audubon sanctuary system of over one million acres. ENGAGE PEOPLECommunity-based Audubon Centers will create a new model for social activism for the next century through: Environmental Education
Conservation Action
Joining and Volunteering
Through this community-based infrastructure, Audubon will be the most influential and effective conservation organization in the world. From a thousand communities, involved citizens will forge the environmental solutions of the next century. |
This is intended to be an early start in the formation of the final budget for fiscal 1999/2000.
Annual
Plan
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As in the last few years, the overall financial state of NAS is very good. Projections for meeting the budget in 1998-99 are pretty much on target. We have been very fortunate in bequests, and expenses are very close to predicted.
As this series of presentations was done with the lights off, not many notes were taken. We were shown how the state office is partnering with the farming community to promote wildlife corridors on the edges of ag fields; the difficulties of getting bureaucrats and the private sector together; the problems to every side of lawsuits from the extreme right and left; the expansion of the Wattis Sanctuary and its problems with "home rule" county government; the amazing success of the Wattis Sanctuary itself. Comments after the presentation rated it among the best state presentations seen by the board.
This was a summation of the Science Committee presentation to be made later.
Lynn Tennefoss reporting: in general the procedures worked well in Southwest emergency election; tone was very constructive; held a forum in TX which attracted 1/2 the chapters; supplied video for those who couldn't attend. Addresses of presidents is very important in mailings; keeping track of leaders is a challenge; there was much interest in using fax or web for voting; none of the forms are on the web; we might give chapters option of no-mail in favor of the web; should we tell candidates who voted for them? Chapters have said they don't want to make their votes public.
Tamar Chotzen of the Hawaii Nature Center (HNC) was our guest speaker. NAS has signed a letter of intent:
| November 20, 1998
To Whom it May Concern, National Audubon Society, Hawaii Audubon Society and the Hawaii Nature Center enter into this letter of intent in an effort to form a partnership as the first step in a bold attempt to forever change the face of conservation in the State of Hawaii. The National Audubon Society (NAS) is a 100-year-old conservation organization committed to environmental education and conservation action. The Hawaii Audubon Society (HAS) is a 60-year-old organization with a history of protecting nature, wildlife and habitat in Hawaii. The Hawaii Nature Center (HNC) has a l7-year history of providing nationally acclaimed environmental education field programs serving more than 600,000 children and families. These organizations are separately incorporated, independent non-profit organizations which share a common belief that site-based, hands-on environmental education, supported by science, and evolving into positive citizen action and stewardship, is the singular key to the future of conservation. Furthermore, NAS, HAS, and HNC share in a common commitment to stop and eventually reverse the trend of net habitat loss and native species decline in the State of Hawaii which now bears the unfortunate distinction of being the endangered species capital of the nation. Each of these organizations currently fills a unique niche in the environmental movement and has achieved credibility in its area of expertise. Working together we could significantly increase our collective ability to instill a conservation ethic in the 1.2 million citizens of Hawaii. Therefore, utilizing this letter as a starting point, NAS, HAS and HNC have joined together in an attempt to articulate and achieve a common vision which includes the following key items:
We recognize that the first step of achieving such a bold vision requires the partners to exercise due diligence to determine the details of this union of organizations. This includes an examination of our common vision and differences; determination of a partnership structure; development of a membership and fundraising understanding; determination of a mark; development of a human resources agreement; development of a strategic plan; development of an operation plan; dialogue with current donors and members of the individual organizations; development of a roll-out plan; and any other research or problem solving that is necessary to achieve the above stated goals. NAS, HAS and HNC have participated in the drafting of this letter in confidence and goodwill, and of their own willingness, recognizing that this letter is non-binding and without obligation to any party. Furthermore, all parties recognize that both the process and the final union will be subject to the satisfaction of due diligence and approval by the Boards of Directors of NAS, HAS, and HNC. Signed: John Flicker, President and CEO, National Audubon Society Linda Paul, President, Hawaii Audubon Society Tamar Chotzen, Executive Director, Hawaii Nature Center |
See also a description of the Kawai Nui Marsh. They had been talking to TNC for months and not getting to the education component. There were and are concerns from HNC about Audubon's activist component. The Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation has been fighting to protect Kawai Nui Marsh for 20 years; they are interested in the education component; they partnered with three other orgs, of which Hawaii Audubon was the lead, to promote this project.
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Contact: Dana Kokubun.President September 9, 1997
Kawai Nui Marsh:An opportunity for cultural and environmental education
The largest remaining freshwater marsh in Hawaii at 750-plus acres, Kawai Nui marsh, located on the windward side of the island of Oahu, was once the site of a large settlement of ancient Hawaiians, and a significant habitat for Hawaiian waterbirds. Although it's now invaded by alien grasses, eucalyptus trees, and water hyacinth, the wetland was at one time actively managed as a fishpond, ringed by terraced fields of taro, the starchy tuber Hawaiians use to make poi. The Hawaiians called it "aina momona" -- the fat land. The Hawaiian fishpond and taro agricultural complex existed at Kawai Nui for several centuries. A large body of Hawaiian legends, chants, stories and song exist about Kawai Nui places and people, testament to the historical stature of this site to the Hawaiian people. Kamehameha the Great himself is said to have labored at the ancient fishponds and taken fish to refresh his warriors before the conquest of Oahu and the eventual unification of the Hawaiian islands under a single monarch. Kawai Nui could provide a historical context for teaching about Hawaiian culture and the environment. Over the last 20 years, there has been a renewed interest in the native Hawaiian people's interaction with the environment: How did they rate as stewards? How did they sustain themselves and the land?
KAWAI NUI HAS UNIQUE CULTURAL RESOURCES So important was Kawai Nui to the ancient Hawaiians, that three major heiau, or temples, were erected to honor their gods. The most massive of these rock structures, Ulupo heiau, is actively cared for by a local Hawaiian Civic Club. The Kailua Professional and Businesswomen's Association is the caretaker of neighboring Pahukini heiau. The third heiau, Holomakani, is on private property and has been nearly destroyed by time, ungulates, and off-road vehicles. Holomakani heiau has been adopted by the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation which plans to restore it with volunteer labor.
THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF COMMUNITY CONCERN FOR KAWAI NUI Volunteers provided the impetus for securing protective status for the wetland in the mid-70's. Alarmed by developer's attempts in the 1950's and 60's to put everything from residences to a floating shopping center in the marsh, concerned citizens from the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle formed an ad hoc committee to protect Kawai Nui. Eventually, a blueprint for preservation of the marsh -- the Citizen's Directional Plan -- emerged from community input facilitated by the committee. In 1983, the committee was incorporated as the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation. The Foundation's efforts led to a state-sponsored conceptual plan, and a Master Plan in 1994, as well as nomination for listing on the National Register for Historic Places, not only as a single site, but as a district. The marsh is zoned under the most protective city & county and state designations, and large buffer areas around the marsh have been acquired by the state from private landowners. Now entering its fifteenth year, the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation has achieved protective status for the marsh, and is moving its Citizen's Directional Plan forward towards restoration of the damaged ecosystem, and initiation of interpretive and educational programs. Recently, the Hawaii Audubon Society, the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation and other groups successfully lobbied the state legislature for an $855,000 appropriation which qualifies Kawai Nui to receive $3.675 million more in federal funds for ecological restoration under the 1983 Water Resources Development Act. Combined with state appropriations from previous years, the total money available for restoration of endangered waterbird habitat, predator control operations and fencing, and alien weed removal will be $6.6 million.
RESTORATION OF KAWAI NUI WETLANDS WILL BRING BIRDS & VISITORS Kawai Nui marsh is located only 11 miles from downtown Honolulu on the island of O'ahu, but a relatively small number visit there. The four endangered endemic waterbird species: the Hawaiian Stilt, Coot, Duck and Gallinule, are to be found in greater number in smaller wetlands nearby than in the much larger Kawai Nui marsh, which lacks the proper habitat conditions. The state/federal wetlands restoration project will undoubtedly draw the birds back to Kawai Nui, and the new-look wetlands, visible from the highway into nearby Kailua town, a popular visitor destination, will lure visitors and residents alike. No other freshwater wetland of this size is situated so close to Honolulu. Construction of the waterbird ponds and predator fencing is scheduled to begin in winter of 1998, but the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation has already begun re-introducing people to this significant natural and cultural center. With volunteers, they have built a small loop trail on the northeastern edge of the marsh up to a hillside where large basaltic boulders protrude from the landscape, affording panoramic view of the watershed. From there, the trail winds down a gentle slope until it touches the edge of the marsh, where one can actually walk upon a floating mat of introduced and native vegetation. It is a sensation not unlike treading upon a waterbed. Discussions about the use of the loop trail for environmental and cultural education are ongoing. A parcel of state-owned conservation land adjacent to the trail is a potential location for a cultural/environmenta1 education center, from which tours could be staged.
OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR A EDUCATIONAL JOINT VENTURE AT KAWAI NUI The private, non-profit Hawaii Nature Center provides day programs for thousands of Hawaii elementary school children annually. Their philosophy of environmental education is centered upon providing hands-on experiences and they are looking for a windward Oahu site to run their third grade wetlands program, starting in 1999. They currently use a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuge on Pearl Harbor on the leeward side of the island for this program, but would like to expand service to include windward area schools. The Windward YMCA is interested in providing a cultural educational experience for elementary school students, as part of their regular after-school program. The YMCA is conveniently situated literally next door to Ulupo heiau and the marsh. According to their executive director, an off-site facility with interpretive material (currently limited to signage at Ulupo) and programs combining field and classroom instruction would be an appealing option.
THE FOUNDATION KEEPS THE COMMUNITY ACTIVELY INTERESTED The Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation has organized a series of natural and cultural history tours within the watershed this month. Noted educator and native Hawaiian kupuna (elder) Kawao Durante led the first tour on the cultural history of the Kailua ahupua'a on September 7th. Other monthly topical tours will follow about geology, archaeology, plant and aquatic life, 20th century development issues, and of course, birds (led by Hawaii Audubon birder Robert Pyle). The sixth-month tour series will be videotaped to be used for volunteer decent training, and repeated in March. At this time, the tours are available to members of the Foundation, the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, and the group, 'Aha hui malama i ka Lokahi' (Hawaiians for the preservation of native ecosystems). However, the tours will be opened to the general public next fall. Local residents, students, and others are encouraged to take an active hand in caring for the marsh. This summer, the Foundation celebrated the removal a million pounds of roadside garbage taken from Quarry Road which follows the eastern edge of the marsh. A city dump, now being closed, sits upslope from the marsh and has attracted roadside dumping, a problem that required quarterly attention from Foundation volunteers. Other community members attend the monthly trail maintenance workdays at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. Beginning next month, volunteers will also be able to participate in the restoration of the Holomakani heiau site. |
Lynn Tennefoss is our new Director of Chapter Development. Among other things, she presented us with an aggressive and ambitious plan for her first year:
| Dear Field Operations Committee Members,
Glenn Olson has requested that I send you a copy of my job description and work plan for the first year of my position, and three primary goals for the year. They are attached below in a document titled "Goals, Objectives and Activities for Year 1". I look forward to your comments and suggestions at the December Field Operations Committee Meeting. Thank you, Lynn ______ Three Primary Goals/Objectives for the Year:1. Insure that all chapters without state offices become aware of Chapter Development position, and know that they can receive assistance and referral from Chapter Development. Use the Networker, Web, word of mouth, and direct contact with chapters through Council Meetings to accomplish this goal. 2. Improve services to all chapters. Develop and implement needs assessment, complete responses to Annual Reports, review and improve Networker content and format so it becomes primary tool for leadership training and connectivity, update Chapter Leaders Guide, and support state offices in their work with chapters to accomplish this goal. 3. Support ongoing National Audubon Society programs for chapters. Coordinate elections for Regionally-elected Board members, review NAS awards and recognition, compile lists of incoming and outgoing presidents, maintain accurate leader database, and support Board of Directors and staff in their work with chapters to accomplish this goal. Director of Chapter Development
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Scott Hoot has designed four letter packets that will be mailed to all chapters. Which packet will depend on his analysis of the chapter's legal standing. This analysis has proven to be much more difficult than anticipated. The majority of chapters have received Letters of Determination from the IRS and are fully exempt under 501(c)(3), but a significant number are either unsure, or know they are uncovered, or in several cases, are sure they are covered because the US government told them they could claim non-profit status because they were under National Audubon' umbrella, but in fact they are not covered. NAS considers chapter 501(c)(3) status very important for chapters and NAS. Many funding sources are closed to non-501(c)(3) organizations; NAS cannot send the dues share to non-501(c)(3) chapters without assuming some legal oversight and responsibility for the way chapters spend the dues share (and who wants that?).
Attached are three documents that will be very helpful as background and as a resource for chapters:
TAX-EXEMPT? MAYBE NOT!Each chapter of NAS is autonomous and has its own governing board. Because chapters are independent organizations, the tax exemption of NAS does not extend to the chapters or their activities. Many chapters are incorporated in their state and have been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Incorporation is a state process; tax exemption is a federal one. Both steps are best undertaken together by a chapter with the help of local counsel who can provide guidance in related areas as well, i.e. other issues of state law and reporting requirements. Once a chapter is incorporated, it may then apply for tax-exempt status by filing an application (Form 1023) with the IRS. If the application is filed within 27 months of incorporation, the exemption, when approved, is retroactive to the date of incorporation. The application process generally takes about six months. The IRS informs an organization that it is exempt under Section 501(c)(3) by sending it a Determination Letter to that effect. Once an organization is exempt, it is required to file an annual information return with the IRS. (Form 990, if gross annual receipts are normally $100,000 or more; or the simpler Form 990EZ, if annual receipts are more than $25,000 and less than $100,000. If gross annual receipts are normally not more than $25,000, the form is optional.) In general, it is a good idea for every chapter to incorporate and also to obtain a tax exemption. There are benefits with respect to limiting individual liability, obtaining sales tax and property tax exemptions, and most important - fundraising. Many individuals and corporations will not donate to an organization unless it has 501(c)(3) status, which allows a donor to take an income tax deduction for the donation. In addition, law and internal policy preclude many foundations and governmental entities from making grants to an organization that is not exempt under Section 501(c)(3). The IRS publishes Publication 78, which it describes as a comprehensive nationwide list of 501(c)(3) entities. Publication 78 is used by many donors in deciding whether or not to make a donation or grant. We have learned that the IRS has been dropping many organizations from Publication 78 because they have not filed Form 990 or 990EZ each year even though many of the omitted organizations are not required to file because their annual receipts are below $25,000. In such cases the tax-exempt status continues, but the de-listing may cause fundraising problems because some donors contribute only to listed organizations. Annual Audubon Chapter Report Forms were mailed to all chapters in early May 1998, to be returned by July 31. Chapters were asked their status regarding incorporation and 501(c)(3) exemption. Using current chapter information and this year's reports, we are working to determine the status of each chapter. In September [revised to December] we will write to each chapter president and treasurer with regard to their reported status, with additional information on incorporation, exemption, annual reporting requirements, state fundraising solicitation laws and related issues as appropriate. In the meantime, for those chapters that are interested, Publication 78 is found in many libraries, and may be searched on-line a t the IRS Web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov/bus_info/eo/index.html. If your chapter is not in Publication 78 and you believe it should be, or, if you do not have a copy of a Determination Letter for your chapter and are not sure whether or not your chapter is exempt, you may contact IRS Exempt Organizations' Customer Service by writing to: Internal Revenue Service, EP/EO Division, Customer Service; F.O. Box 2508; Cincinnati, OH 45201; or calling: 513-241-5199. When writing or calling, provide the IRS with, if possible, the exact name of your chapter, its address and its federal employer ID number (required for all exempt organizations with or without employees). If you have misplaced your Determination Letter and are, in fact, exempt, it is my understanding that the IRS will provide you with a replacement if you request it by writing to them at the above address. If you determine that your chapter has 501(c)(3) status but is not listed in Publication 78, you may want to consider filing Form 990 or 990EZ (also available at the IRS Web site). Filing must be done within four months and fifteen days after the close of your fiscal year, or you may request an extension of the filing deadline. -- Ruth Russell, Vice-Chair, NAS Board of Directors |
Chapter Leaders'
Guide on
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[ed. note: the origin of this document is unknown] SUMMARY OF KEY RULES FOR ACKNOWLEDGING CONTRIBUTIONSJanuary 1997 The internal Revenue Service recently issued final regulations that provide guidance relating to (1) the substantiation rules for charitable contributions, and (2) the disclosure requirements for quid pro quo contributions. The Internal Revenue Service also recently issued the 1997 adjusted amounts for determining whether a benefit is "insubstantial". The following is a brief summary of the substantiation and disclosure rules, which updates our prior memos on this subject. Contributions of $250 or more: The Donor's Substantiation Requirement and The Charity's Role.A donor will receive an income tax deduction for a contribution of $250 or more only if she obtains from the charity (including her own private foundation) a written acknowledgment of the gift on or before the earlier of the date of filing her income tax return or the due date for filing her income tax return, including extensions, for which the deduction is claimed. A canceled check is not good enough; nor will the donor receive her deduction if she files an amended return to include a contribution that she missed an the initial return, if the written acknowledgment was provided after the filing date for the original return. The written acknowledgment must state the amount of cash donated, describe any property donated (but not provide a value), and include either a statement as to the estimated value of any benefits received by the donor or a statement that no benefits were received. Quid Pro Quo Contributions: The Charity's Disclosure Requirement.Donors may claim a charitable contribution deduction only for the excess of their payment over the fair market value of any goods or services received from the charity in return for the contribution. Where the total payment to the charity is $75 or more, the charity must inform the donor of the estimated fair value of any benefits received in return For the contribution (e.g. the fair market value of the concert ticket, the rubber chicken dinner, the wine and cheese, etc.). Disclosure of the value of the benefits may appear either in the solicitation or in the written acknowledgment of the payment. The Internal Revenue Code imposes financial penalties on charities for insufficient disclosure. Disclosure of the value of benefits is not required if a donor makes a contribution to a charity in the context of a fundraising campaign and the value of the benefit is "insubstantial". A benefit is "insubstantial" if either (a) the fair market value of the benefit is not more than the Lesser of $69 or 2% of the contribution, or (b) the payment by the donor is at least $34.50 and the only benefits are token items bearing the charity's name or logo and the aggregate cost to the charity is $6.90 or less. (The cost and benefit value amounts shown here apply to payments made in 1997. They are adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.) In addition, newsletters not of commercial quality and low-cost items provided to potential contributors without an advance order are considered to have insubstantial value. Special rules apply to organizations that have members who receive benefits in return for their membership payments. Certain membership benefits can be disregarded when calculating the tax-deductible portion of the payment. Such benefits include: (a) free admission to low-cost members-only events; and (b) membership rights that are available to members who pay $75 or less per year and that can be exercised frequently (such as discounts on the purchase of goods or services and free admission to facilities or events). These rules are complicated; call us if you need an explanation. Recommended ProcedureBecause the requirements for donors and those for charities do not mesh very well, and because the consequences of noncompliance (inadvertent or otherwise) are quite costly for both donors and charities, we suggest the.following as a safe routine approach:.
Sample Written Acknowledgment[NAME OF CHARITY] Dear ________: Thank your for your gift of $___X___ [or 100 shares of ABC stock; or two [brand] notebook computers, model number ___, with XYZ software programs, etc.] [THEN STATE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING] The value of the [dinner, television set, or whatever was provided] is $ Y . Therefore, the amount of your contribution that is deductible for Federal income tax purposes is $ Z [X minus Y] [OR] No goods or services were provided to you in return for your donation. [OR] The benefits being provided to you are insubstantial; therefore the full amount of your contribution is deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Sincerely, ________________ REMEMBER:1. If a donor buys a ticket to an event her deduction is not increased if she doesn't attend Therefore, always give donors the option of not purchasing a ticket but still making a contribution. 2. Raffle tickets and other chances to win are valued at the full contributed amount Therefore, either give the donor the option to decline participating in the raffle or offer raffle books for an additional, separate payment. 3. Keep a copy of the dated acknowledgment letter provided to the $250-plus donor, in case the donor misplaces the original. 4. Even if a solicitation properly discloses the value of benefits that a donor receives (thereby satisfying the "quid pro quo" reporting requirement), the $250-plus donor to the event will still need a written acknowledgment of the contribution in order to claim her deduction. |
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National Audubon Society Board Meeting Field Committee Minutes 4 December 1998 - Santa Barbara, California Present: Board members: John Bellmon, Jerry Bertrand, Chuck Bragg, Don Carr, Doug Costle, Jack Dempsey, Helen Engle, Pat Heidenreich, Reid Hughes, Susan Hughes, Vivian Johnson, Donal O'Brien, Dave Pardoe, Ch. Ruth Russell, Amy Skilbred, John Whitmire, Bernie Yokel. Staff: John Byrne, Jim Cunningham, John Flicker, Kevin Fuher, Marty Fujita (Dir., Richardson Bay Audubon Center), Dave Henderson, Scott Hoot, Beth Huning, Susan Lewis, Carol Ann May, Carole McNamara, Glenn Olson, Talbert Spence, Vicki Spencer, Lynn Tennefoss, Carol Warden, Rick Werwaiss. Guests: John Borneman, Tamar Chotzen (Hawaii Nature Center), Dick Cuneo, Mark Lindner (Food, Land and People), Ike Livermore, Lee Moldaver (Santa Barbara AS), Katie O'Brien, Devon Olson, Peter Stent, Jane Swanson, Rosalie Valvo (Morro Coast AS). The meeting was opened with introductions of staff, board members, and guests. State Office Update: Glenn introduced Vicki Spencer, new State Director for Wyoming, who spoke of her plans for the Garden Creek Nature Center. Director Emeritus Bart Rea, chair of the nominating committee for the new center, is working with Vicki to contact potential board members and to develop a board orientation program. They will also be creating advisory boards for education and for science. Steve Sedam has been hired as the State Director for Ohio, and Tom Baptist at the Greenwich Audubon Center will assume the duties as State Director for Connecticut. Work continues on the unification of the Center and Greenwich Audubon Society. Glenn announced that Mrs. Shackleford died following a stroke in October, leaving a trust fund that will benefit Audubon activities in the region. The March NAS board meeting will be held in Memphis, and will include a trip to her Strawberry Plains estate in Mississippi. Elections: Lynn Tennefoss announced the results of the emergency election to fill an unexpired term for the Southwest Region, which includes Texas and Louisiana. There were three candidates, and all three participated in an election forum held in Fort Worth. The forum was taped, and copies made available to all interested chapters. Several questions arose during the election concerning the process and the time allowed for the election. One candidate wished to know the results of the balloting by chapter, but it was explained that the election rules stipulate that NAS will not publicize the individual chapter ballots, only the total results. Members of the committee agreed that those results may be made public by the chapters, but not by NAS. This was the second election to fill a vacancy due to resignation and there will probably be more, so it was agreed that questions regarding the election process should be addressed, preferably by those who participated in the process. Lynn and Susan Hughes, the winning candidate, agreed to coordinate this and make recommendations at the March meeting. MOU's: John Flicker and Glenn Olson have been working with Hawaii Audubon Society (HAS) and Hawaii Nature Center (HNC) to develop an Audubon state program. The chapter has a long history of active, successful involvement in conservation issues, science and outreach programs. They will be meeting in January to discuss future plans and goals; Jerry Bertrand will join them to serve as a facilitator for their planning and vision retreat, and to explore ways to achieve the partnership. Tamar Chotzen, Executive Director of the HNC, addressed the committee. HNC provides hands-on environmental education for over 30,000 children each year. The Center's interest in expanding to meet the needs of a growing population meshes with our interest in strengthening our outreach in Hawaii. NAS could help the Nature Center with fund raising: in return, they could provide a successful, innovative education program which would benefit through use of the Audubon name. A combined effort would benefit both organizations through the creation of a strong partnership for conservation in Hawaii. Tamar spoke to the committee of her involvement at the Center, and her interest in working with NAS and HAS to create a unified organization. There was discussion regarding the funding needs of such a partnership, and possible ways they could be met, including the suggestion of NAS assisting the members and staff of HNC by providing benefits such as retroactive retirement and years of service as an employee benefit. Tamar then introduced a letter of intent for the merger partnership, signed by all three entities, which the committee voted to recommend with enthusiasm to the board. John Flicker concluded with a brief report of continuing work on the proposed partnership with Maine Audubon. Chapter Annual Report: Several suggestions from Norm Shapiro were presented, with Lynn Tennefoss agreeing to incorporate appropriate changes and have the 1998-99 forms in the mail by mid-March, to enable chapters to make better use of the form as an evaluation tool. Chapter Policy is in need of revision to reflect the changes in the chapter reporting structure. Chuck Bragg has already rewritten parts of the policy and will provide Lynn with a copy; they will do the final edit and will plan for distribution of the new version. Chapter 501 (c)(3) status. Scott Hoot summarized the effort to date to appraise all chapters of the importance of this issue, and to encourage chapters to incorporate and obtain federal tax exempt status. The first task has been to ascertain the status of each chapter, and with the help of Lynn Tennefoss this job is nearing completion . By mid-January a letter will be sent to each chapter acknowledging their current status, and informing those not yet finished with the process how to accomplish 501 (c)(3) status. Lynn will maintain a permanent record of chapter status and exemption letters. Membership Plan: Dave Pardoe reported on the pilot project for the new membership plan approved by the Board at the September meeting. Initial concerns have been worked out and plans are underway to provide training to chapter volunteers in the five states involved in the pilot. Conventions and conferences: The chair appointed a task force to compile guidelines for planning large meetings, based on the experience of those involved in previous Audubon conferences. Appointed were Janet Ellis, Helen Engle, Susan Lewis, Dave Miller, Steve Sedam, Jill Shirley, Lynn Tennefoss, Joyce Wolf, and Paul Zeph, with Ruth Russell as chair. Each will be asked to contribute a one or two page summary of their suggestions on how to plan a meeting, to be incorporated into a guide for chapters, council, and state offices. Protocol for Planning a State Office: Dave Pardoe agreed to chair a committee to develop guidelines for planning a new state office, incorporating lessons learned from progress to date. Named to that committee: Janet Ellis, Hardy Eshbaugh, Susan Hughes, Susan Lewis, Jeff Parsons, Lynn Tennefoss, with Jack Dempsey serving as advisor. This committee will focus on governance as a priority in building the framework for establishing a state office and program. Budget Priorities: Jack Dempsey suggested the committee consider budget priorities, and asked Glenn to list his goals for 1999-2000. His number one priority, supported by the committee, is to sustain what we have started, second will be to assure that any new ventures have what they need to succeed. The chapter/center connection was discussed, and it was agreed that this topic will be continued at the next meeting- perhaps in a joint meeting with Education. Also on the March agenda: continuing discussion of budget priorities; an assessment of the `white states' on the map- where is help needed and what can we provide; a review of state offices - their viability and funding; MOU progress; protocol for planning a state office; meeting planning guide. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. |
About 216 Auduboners and guests attended the annual Medal Dinner on Friday night. Julie Packard was awarded the 1998 Audubon Medal, adding her name to a list that includes Rachel Carson, Roger Tory Peterson, E.O. Wilson and Hazel Wolf. The event was a benefit for the Los Angeles Audubon Center and it was announced that the net to the Center would be $75,000.
We heard opening remarks and praise for Julie from John Flicker (President, NAS), Carol Browner (Director of the Environmental Protection Agency), Carl Safina (Vice-President, NAS, Living Oceans Campaign), Donal O'Brien (Chairman of the Board, NAS), and Norman "Ike" Livermore, (longtime Auduboner, member of both Republican and Democratic administrations, a friend since college of Julie's father, David Packard, and repository of anecdotes supreme). Julie herself gave a very modest acceptance speech, but the program notes belied her (as did the introductions):
Julie Packard receives the Audubon Medal for her remarkable contributions protecting California's most important natural areas and her leadership of one of the world's most significant environmental education centers: the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In the late 1970's Julie helped found the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the nation's first major public aquarium dedicated to interpreting a single region, the Monterey Bay. In 1973 she became the aquarium's project director, with responsibility for overall management of the project which opened in 1984. Julie was appointed Executive Director in 1984 and has led the institution through its first decade of hosting nearly 20 million visitors, a series of new exhibitions and financial self-sufficiency. In March, 1996, the aquarium completed a $50 million expansion, the Outer Bay Wing, providing the public with their first-ever exposure to the animals of the open sea.
Grounded in a lifelong passion for conservation and the natural world, Julie is involved with numerous boards and committees dedicated to conservation activities. She currently chairs the David and Lucile Packard Foundation's Conservation Program Committee and is a member of the Board of the California Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund's National Council. Julie serves on advisory boards of numerous organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Conservation International and the Big Sur Land Trust. She is a professional fellow of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Remarks by John Flicker, Santa Barbara, December 4th, 1998We are here tonight to celebrate Julie Packard and her tremendous accomplishments in conservation, particularly at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. If you are a member of the MBA, you receive a wonderful newsletter that includes an editorial column from Julie in each issue. In one recent column, she said something that goes to the heart of what Audubon is all about. She said: "As a society, we've lost our connection with nature. That, I feel, is the biggest obstacle between a future of indifference and a future of care of the environment...." That single statement articulates the central challenge we undertake as an organization. We are committed to removing that single biggest obstacle to the future of our environment. We must reconnect people with nature, out on the land. People can be exposed to nature in many ways, in the classrooms, on television, or through books. While these are all good, I believe there is no better way than by getting people, particularly young people, out on the land, with the real thing, experiencing the unpredictability and spontaneity of nature. That is where people best learn an appreciation of nature, and develop the values that will lead them to be good stewards of this earth. I believe that nature is its own best teacher. It is my vision for Audubon that by the year 2020 we will establish 1,000 Audubon Centers in communities across the country. Each center will be located on land that we are committed to protect. We estimate an average of about 1,000 acres of land for each center for a total of 1 million acres permanently protected. But we are not protecting this land just for its own sake. We are protecting it so that people can use it to learn about nature. It is where we engage people and reconnect them to nature. By the year 2020, at least one in every four school children will visit an Audubon Center every year. We will also engage at least 500 volunteers at each center for a nationwide network of 500,000 community volunteer activists. Our membership base will shift from people who join because of direct mail, to people who join because of an Audubon facility in their community that they feel a part of, and that adds real value to their community. Our Audubon Centers will be fundamentally different from nature centers of the past. They will first of all be outdoor experiences, on the land. Our programs will go well beyond basic identification to an understanding of the relationship between people and nature, and to what you can do to make a difference. Our purpose is to not only teach stewardship, but to make sure stewardship happens in the community. We will do more than chronicle the decline of our natural systems. We will lead people to reverse those trends, and to protect the places where they live. I believe it is time for a new paradigm for social action in the environmental movement. Over the past three decades, we have built a movement on the premise that the best way to solve environmental problems is to hire really good lobbyists in Washington to pass federal laws, and then hire really smart lawyers to go to court to enforce these laws. A great deal continues to be accomplished in this way, and Audubon has some of the best lobbyists and lawyers in the business, led by Dan Beard. But Dan will be the first to tell you that we are hitting the limit of what we can do because of the one fundamental problem Julie identified in her newsletter. The role of our members and the public has been too much relegated to just sending us money through direct mail appeals, and as direct mail becomes less productive, through telemarketing appeals. Our members and the public are losing their connection with nature. I believe that without a constituency that values nature, and that shares some appreciation of birds and wildlife, and that feels some connection to the land, all of our environmental laws are a house of cards that will not stand. A century ago, Andrew Carnegie saw a fundamental need for literacy to make democracy work. To meet that need, he set out to build a library in every community across the country. His vision inspired over one thousand communities to meet his challenge and to create permanent institutions in their community to educate and to convey values to future generations by making books available to people. We can only imagine how many lives he changed by the power of that vision, and the impact he has had on our country. We are setting out to do for birds and wildlife what Andrew Carnegie did for books. Audubon Centers will be the libraries of our natural world. There is a particular urgency to our task. As our population continues to skyrocket, there are more and more children who need access to outdoor education experiences. At the same time, urban sprawl is gobbling up what precious little open space remains. Most children today do not grow up on a farm like I did, or even near any usable open space. We must first protect our remaining open spaces and then make them available for education programs before we lose a whole generation of environmental leaders. We all know that the face of the public that will decide our environmental future is also changing. It looks very different from most of the people in this room. Many of the fastest growing communities are not represented in the traditional direct mail lists that make up our membership pool. By the year 2025, 70% of California will be Latinos, Asians and African-Americans. In Dade County, the community that will decide the future of the Everglades, 56% of the households do not speak English in the house. Our Audubon Centers must be in those communities, not just in our wealthier suburbs. We must become part of those diverse communities, and we must help connect the full diversity of our population to nature. That, as Julie said, is our biggest obstacle. Fortunately, Audubon is well positioned and off to a running start. Our newly established state offices are already upgrading or beginning new centers in over 20 communities from Casper, Wyoming to Lincoln, Nebraska, and from Brownsville to Santa Fe. But none is more exciting and more challenging than the center now being developed by the California State Office at Debs Park in East Los Angeles. When you think of establishing a new community nature center, East LA is not the first place that comes to mind, but I cannot imagine a place that is more important. Congressman Xavier Beccerra represents East LA. He summed up our challenge when he said "... half the kids in my district have never seen the ocean. How can you appeal to the hearts of people who don't have time to think about the environment or to know it first-hand?" I want to thank Robert Stephens, Chairman of the Board of California Audubon, Dan Taylor, California Executive Director, and Melanie Ingalls, our LA Education Director for their powerful leadership in undertaking this project. I invite you now to watch a short video showing you more about this exciting project. What you will see is the future of Audubon. |
Lynn Tennefoss reprised her presentation on Regional Elections in the Field Committee.
Some states have asked to receive the dues share from non-affiliated members to finance state newsletters or some other means of communicating with these members.
See the discussion in Field Committee.
Dan Beard gave us a presentation on how his department is set up and what it does. His main points were that, unlike many other organizations, we go way beyond lobbying. Staff is dispersed all over the country. The grassroots are an integral part of Audubon Public Policy. Contrary to what some members feel, the budget for Policy is way up in the last four years.
Overview of Audubon’s Public Policy Division
The roots of Audubon activism run deep.
Strategic Plan Charts Change...
Management of Policy Division...
D.C. Office
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National Audubon Society
Public Policy Division
Revenues vs. Expenses, 1995-1998
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Difference | Difference as % of Expenses |
| FY98-99 | $5,039,500 | $5,920,508 | ($881,008) | 14.9% |
| FY97-98 | 3,975,778 | 4,835,859 | (860,081) | 17.8% |
| FY96-97 | 3,316,450 | 4,303,034 | (986,584) | 23.0% |
| FY95-96 | 1,283,975 | 1,877,720 | (593,745) | 31.6% |
Click on Budget Priorities for the handout.
Audubon is the lead organization in a large group that has received a $1.4 million grant to protect wilderness on public forest lands. Ken Rait will direct the campaign from Oregon.
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AMERICAN HERITAGE FORESTS CAMPAIGN AMERICAN LANDS ALLIANCE * EARTHJUSTICE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND * DESKTOP ASSISTANCE * NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY * NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST * NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL * THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY (AND ITS EIGHT REGIONAL OFFICES) * U.S. PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
Background on Forest Roads "There are few more irreparable marks we can
leave on the land than to build a road." I. The National Forest System The U.S. Forest Service (part of the Department of Agriculture) manages 192 million acres of public forest lands. Of that:
Such remaining wild public forests serve a variety of important public values. They are sources of our cleanest drinking water and some of our most important fish and wildlife habitat. They are a haven for the human spirit and a wellspring from which future wilderness protection efforts will rise. For these reasons, conservationists have made the protection of our America’s Heritage Forests their highest priority. II. The Moratorium Last January, the Clinton Administration proposed an 18-month moratorium on the construction of new roads in some roadless areas on national forest lands. It was meant to be the first phase of Administration plans for a comprehensive transportation policy for forest lands that will be developed over the course of the next year. This initiative is clearly the best opportunity for the American public to protect what remains of our legacy of America’s Heritage Forests. However, the interim moratorium -- expected to be formalized soon -- will halt new road construction only temporarily, and only on about 45 million acres of these forest wildlands. Even at that, it is riddled with loopholes for timber corporations. The public has 30 days to comment. III. Forest Roads, Taxpayer Subsidies Protection of this scenic wilderness is fought out each year in the Interior Appropriations process, during which time Congress intensively debates funds for road building within the Forest Service's $3.3 billion budget. Dirt roads, carved with bulldozers through what had been wilderness, wreak havoc on wildlands ecosystems. They fragment habitat for endangered wildlife such as grizzly bears and lynx. Trucks traveling on the roads strike and kill wildlife. They introduce exotic pests, pathogens and plants. Such roads often become deeply eroded. This causes landslides, fills streams with hundreds of tons of sediment per mile, chokes fish and other aquatic species, and increases toxic pollution from runoff. The Forest Service says 60% of its roads cannot be maintained adequately. And forest roads carve up the wilderness, increasing noise pollution and access for off-road vehicles and other motorized use. In recent years, the conservation community has played an increasingly important role in reducing the Forest Service roads budget through the appropriations process. In 1997 efforts to dramatically reduce the agency's roads budget came closer than ever to succeeding, failing in both chambers by just one vote. Members of Congress from the Pacific Northwest and the southeastern States wrote letters to the Administration asking them to move forward with a comprehensive policy to protect municipal drinking water supplies and large roadless areas from the degradation of road building and logging. The Administration took the close votes in both the House and Senate as a signal to develop policies to defuse the contentiousness of the forest roads budget IV. Science and Economic Values In December 1997, 169 scientists from across the United States wrote to President Clinton in support of protection for the last remaining roadless areas larger than 1,000 acres in the National Forest System. Their letter reflects a growing scientific consensus that roadless areas play a vital role in conserving biological diversity and providing high quality water:
Economists, too, have protested the below-cost sale of a public resource which is often then harvested in an unsustainable manner. A January 1998 letter to President Clinton signed by 31 respected economists urged recognition of values other than extractive resources. These other values "constitute a large portion of the total economic value of public forestlands" and yet are fragile enough that road construction poses "serious threats to many of the economic goods and services that flow from public forestlands." Nationwide, the value of recreation in the National Forest wilderness and primitive areas ($594 million in FY 1996) now exceeds the value of timber logging ($544 million), according to the Forest Service's 1996 annual report. Roads also lose money for the public more directly, since sales of timber to private logging companies fail to cover the costs of the roads built at public expense to reach the timber. The Wilderness Society estimated the annual shortfall at $204 million in 1996. V. An Opportunity for Change Perhaps at no other time in the Forest Service's history have the stars been better aligned for a visionary roadless area protection policy. President Clinton promised action in his statement accompanying the signing of the Interior Appropriations legislation on November 14, 1997:
Vice President Gore, who in the closing months of the Clinton Administration is likely to be the final arbiter on the future of these Heritage Forests, has written, campaigned, and lectured against the "short-term thinking and misguided development" that destroys precious natural resources like forests. In Boston on October 28, 1995, he told the Society of Environmental Journalists, "I'm reminded of something Thoreau once wrote: ‘Thank God they cannot cut down the clouds!’" And on January 27, 1996 he told the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation:
Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck is clearly the most forward thinking of the agency's chiefs in decades. In a July 1, 1998 memo to his employees, he said:
The public strongly believes wild forest areas deserve protection. A nationwide survey, conducted by well-known pollster Celinda Lake for The Wilderness Society in the summer of 1998, found that 65% of voters support a proposal to "stop all timber cutting in roadless wild forest areas." Support was bipartisan: 68% of Democrats, 60% of Independents and 64% of Republicans supported the moratorium. And it was consistent: 69% of respondents in the Northeast, 61% in the Midwest, 64% in the South and 66% in the West wanted logging in wild public forests to stop. The Administration wants to develop a comprehensive policy to stop potential budget reductions by Congress. However, while President Clinton extolled roadless areas, the Forest Service has limited the scope of the interim policy to just some roadless areas. What is most notable about their announced interim moratorium is it has that loopholes the size of logging trucks. VI. Loopholes in the Moratorium The Forest Service's draft "interim" policy explicitly exempts roadless areas in 26 National Forests that have revised forest plans or are covered by the Northwest Forest Plan (also known as "Option 9," which arose from President Clinton's 1993 Forest Summit). As a result, about 15 million acres get no reprieve (including 9.5 million in Alaska, 3 million in the Northwest, 1.4 million in Colorado, 0.8 million in Idaho, and more in California, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina, South Dakota, and other states). This equals about 30% of inventoried roadless land in the National Forests. Another 10 to 15 million acres of roadless areas have never been officially included in the Forest Service's roadless area inventories. Because the Forest Service arbitrarily limited its roadless area survey to areas larger than 5,000 acres, thousands of ecologically important areas between 1,000 and 5,000 acres have never been formally recognized for their roadless characteristics. This is especially a problem in the East. Finally, the interim policy fails to halt ecological degradation even in roadless areas in the national forests that are included in the interim policy. It allows logging to continue in roadless areas through helicopter timber sales and ground-based logging techniques that do not require roads. The interim policy also does not protect roadless areas from oil and gas development activities, or illegal motorized activity. The moratorium is simply a "time-out" until a final policy can be developed on the forest roads issue. The Forest Service has taken the position that the final policy should be limited to only four components:
If the moratorium and eventual policy were limited only to these four components, it would be a lost opportunity. We would lose an opportunity to protect America’s Heritage Forests The moratorium is expected to expire in May 2000, just as the presidential primaries are ending, and six months before the general election for the next President. VII. Permanent Protection, Not Broken Promises Clearly, a disconnect developed between the President's inspiring statement about roadless areas and the interim policy adopted by the Forest Service. Although President Clinton envisioned a sweeping roadless area protection initiative, the Forest Service has developed a watered-down loophole-ridden policy to simply suspend roadbuilding in only some federal forests. If the result of this 18-month policy making effort is just a policy to carve "environmentally sensitive" roads into the last of our unprotected forest wilderness, it will be viewed by the conservation community and the public as a dismal failure. Conversely, the foresight shown by a strong policy develops important leverage and impetus for the Congress to move forward with reforms in the forest road budget and protection of roadless areas. The Forest Service could develop such a policy in tandem with an existing part of its forest planning process, under which it is supposed to conduct new forest-by-forest wilderness inventories and recommend to Congress additions to the nation's wilderness system. This mandate derives from release language accompanying the statewide wilderness bills of the 1980s, known as "RARE 2." A "Committee of Scientists" is currently revising the rules for this forest plan revision. Chief Dombeck could seize the opportunity to unite it with the roadless policy initiative. A reasonable and publicly supported outcome would be the protection of unprotected scenic wilderness on Forest Service lands. VII. Conclusion The Clinton-Gore Administration should adopt a policy that protects roadless areas 1,000 acres and larger on all national forests, with no regional exemptions, from logging, road building, off-road vehicles, mining and other commodity development. With most of our wild forests already destroyed, we can ill afford to lose any more of America’s Heritage Forests. With the dawning of the new millennium, this is the least we can do for future generations. For more information, please call Peter L. Kelley at 202-887-8831, and consult www.ourforests.org |
Discussion:
AUDUBON SOCIETY
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Discussion:
AUDUBON CITIZENSHIP PROJECT UPDATE
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Q: should NAS take a position on Federal flood insurance? Ecologically valuable and sensitive lands (e.g. barrier islands, riparian habitat in floodplains) would not be developed without the aid of flood insurance.
Recent Litigation Decisions and ActionsThe following is an update on recent activity in several cases in which National Audubon is a party. Selkirk Grizzly Bears. (Carlton v. Babbitt) On October 28, 1998, a D.C. federal district court judge rules that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) has failed to protect the critically endangered Selkirk grizzly bear population in the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho and northeastern Washington. In June, 1993, Audubon joined 15 other conservation groups in this suit challenging the FWS' failure to reclassify the Selkirk grizzly population as "endangered" from its current "threatened" status. In September, 1995, the district court ruled in favor of the plaintiff conservation groups and remanded the case to the FWS for reconsideration of its decision not to upgrade the grizzlies' listing. Thereafter, the FWS again decided not to reclassify the grizzlies, relying on a new set of rationales; the plaintiffs challenge the agency's new decision and biological information. In its October 29 ruling, the district court judge reconfirmed his 1995 ruling that the FWS' refusal to reclassify the Selkirk grizzly population is arbitrary and capricious. The ruling requires the FWS to provide further justification for it action if it continues to resist reclassification or the grizzlies as endangered. If the agency decides to reclassify the bears, critical habitat must be defined and protected, and human intrusion into that habitat regulated. Wolf Case. (Wyoming Farm Bureau v. Babbitt). the Tenth Circuit issued an Order in response to our Motion to Realign. the court did not expressly grant our motion, but ruled that if we want to join the federal government, intervenor and amicus briefs, we must file a separate motion to do so. Don Carr will file the motion after all briefs have been submitted. Kissimmee Prairie Sanctuary. (National Audubon Society v. 101 Ranch). The final consent decree has been filed with the federal court. The final decree includes some important additions to the settlement in concept reached earlier this month that strengthen the agreement. First, a paragraph was added that expressly terminates the old reciprocal water use agreement. Second, the final decree more clearly sets out the procedure to be followed in the event any of the culverts or ditches are not operating sufficiently. Hawaii Crow. (Hawaii Audubon Society v. Les Marks Trust). National Audubon has agreed to dismissal of this case, without prejudice. The case was filed in June, 1996, in an effort to protect the habitat of the endangered Alala crow on the island of Hawaii. In the 1980s, the FWS developed a recovery plan for the endangered crow. Recovery efforts were successful for several years the the crow was again placed in jeopardy when the owner of a large ranch announced plans to log a koa forest on his land on which the crow depends for breeding, nesting and feeding. Audubon sued to enjoin the logging. After the lawsuit was filed, the FWS purchased the ranch; it will be managed as a national wildlife refuge. Consequently, the case is now moot and must be dismissed. Audubon did not expend all of the $5,000 retainer fee paid to Earthjustice at the commencement of this case and therefore will receive a refund of just over $1,000 in the next few weeks. Marlyn Twitchell, Assistant Counsel, NAS |
Ed/Com gave a brief report to the Board; much of their report blended with the Science and the Field reports; discussions were about "seamless" Audubon and Vision 2020 (with which they were supportive).
Most of this was previously reported (click Field Com). The Letter of Intent with Hawaii Audubon and the Hawaii Nature Center was approved unanimously.
Again, most of this committee's discussions were previously reported (click Policy Com).
John Fitzpatrick reminded us that only a little while ago Audubon Magazine was a major problem. He said we all should recognize how much as been done - the magazine has been fixed, in spades. Kudos to Lisa Gosselin and Jim Fishman, but this was a remarkable team effort too.
Meeting Adjourned
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