June, 2024

Pennsylvania Audubon Council

FALL 2024 CHAPTER GATHERINGS!

Help Plan the Agenda Topics:

7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 26, 2024

We are currently reviewing the availability of venues we used when we last conducted three regional meetings. We are hopeful that Lehigh Valley Audubon can host the Delaware River Watershed chapter gathering at Muhlenberg College and that the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania can again host the gathering at the western end of the state at the Succop Nature Park in Butler County. We are looking at options for a venue for the Susquehanna Watershed gathering. A venue near State College is complicated by the challenge of working around the home schedule of Penn State Football. Note that once scheduled, any chapter leader will be welcome to attend any of the gatherings.

Each gathering will be a one-day event beginning midmorning to midafternoon at each site. We invite the input of chapter leaders to identify and prioritize potential agenda items for these gatherings. Some initial ideas brainstormed by members of the Council Executive Committee include:

• Chapter Sharing—Each chapter to share selected highlights of their work.
• Chapter Support Needs
• Conservation Priorities (2025-2026) - includes Review of existing priorities (2023-2024) and Procedures for the identification of additional issues for (2025-2026)
• Bird Town — Spotlight the expansion of Bird Towns and the role of Chapters
• Bird Collision/Lights Out — including Spotlight Lights Out Existing Programs and Initiatives and Overview of the BCWG Toolkit and resources
• Grant Opportunities
• PA Bird Atlas Project
• Plants for Birds and BHR Program(s)
• Topics for future zoom webinars
• Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award Presentation(s)

This is an extensive list and includes more than can be accomplished in a single day event. We will need the input of chapter leaders to help with this process. Also note that there is potential to include some special items tailored for the region. As one example, Audubon MidAtlantic's new lead for their Delaware River Watershed Initiative would be a good fit for the gathering at Muhlenberg College.

The Pennsylvania Audubon Council has scheduled an initial zoom webinar to get the input of any Pennsylvania chapter leader to begin the conversation to identify and prioritize what agenda items should be pursued for the fall gatherings. This webinar is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 via zoom. Please register below if you would like to be part of this conversation.

(please register each attendee separately)

Pennsylvania Audubon Council

ELECTION UPDATE!

Thanks to the chapters that have already cast their official vote for the Council leadership for election to one-year terms from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. We hope to repeat participation in this election by all twenty Pennsylvania Audubon chapters. There is still time to cast your chapter’s vote for next year’s officers and executive committee.

The Pennsylvania Audubon Council

“WALT POMEROY CONSERVATION AWARD”

Nominations Update!

The Pennsylvania Audubon Council is pleased to report that three chapters have submitted nominations thus far for the Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award. Additional nominations are welcomed. The Nomination Form is available on the Pennsylvania Audubon Council website: paauduboncouncil@gmail.com! The nomination window will be open through June, 2024. Additional information and directions can be located on the website. The Council Executive Committee is pleased that several chapters are submitting nominations for 2024.

The Council Executive Committee will review the nominations and a selection for the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award will be announced. The tradition has been to present the award in an informal basis at a chapter designated location or event. The award has been presented in simple ceremonies and not intended as apart of a fundraising event for the Council.

SOLAR 4 SCHOOLS UPDATE!

On Monday, June 10^th Representative Fiedler hosted a press event to promote the Solar 4 Schools legislation.  This event featured school leaders that support the bill, who were joined by coalition partners that support HB1032. The bill passed in the house with broad bipartisan support and awaits action in the state senate. Negotiations remain productive with Senate Republicans, and we expect to be able to share some good news soon!

This spring, as part of the 2024 Solar for Schools tour, Rep. Fiedler visited Central Cambria, Moon Township, Carlisle, and West Greene School Districts, plus Admiral Peary and Greater Johnstown CTC programs. Some superintendents described the savings they are already realizing from building solar arrays, while others sought to learn more and to express their desire to go solar and start saving. More information and press coverage can be found on Representative Fiedler’s website:

https://www.pahouse.com/Fiedler/Solar4Schools

Share Your Chapter Posts on the Council Facebook Page!

The Pennsylvania Audubon Council Facebook Page is up and running as a public Facebook group. It has been established as a means for our Pennsylvania Audubon Chapters to share posts that spotlight special projects, events, and other significant activities. The goal is to demonstrate the contributions that our chapter network makes to benefit the conservation and protection of birds and the environment. It is a public Facebook group intended as a vehicle to highlight our important work in communities throughout the Commonwealth.

The Council continues to invite to any representative designated by a chapter with authority and access and post items to the Council Facebook. Please continue to alert us with contact information for any specific individuals you would like to have your authority to post to the Council Facebook! Let us know  at: paauduboncouncil@gmaii.com.

We Need Your Updated Chapter Contacts!

Many chapters have their elections for officers and directors on a fiscal year schedule. Please share your updated list. We also welcome requests for chapters for any names and contacts to be added to the DRUMMER mailing list. Similarly, contact us if individuals whose names are on the current distribution list should be removed. Members of the Council Executive Committee will also follow up as needed to confirm any changes, additions, or deletions to the contacts listed for your chapters. We simply need you to include the name and preferred email address for each person listed. Please send your most current and updated list to: paaudubncouncil@gmail.com.