Pennsylvania Audubon Council
Education and Outreach Workshop
“Lights Out” and “Mitigation of Bird Collisions”
7:00 PM, Tuesday, June 6, 2023
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The Pennsylvania Audubon Council has scheduled a webinar that will focus on ways to become engaged with the issues of “lights out” and the “mitigation of bird collisions with reflective surfaces.” The webinar is a virtual event and is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The program will be offered via zoom with registration through Eventbrite. The webinar is intended for leaders of Audubon chapters, Bird Towns, and other partner organizations. The goal of the evening program is to outline opportunities to become engaged in these issues and act at the individual, community, and/or State or Federal levels.
Panelists will include Constance Sanchez from the National Audubon Society, Alexandria Bowling from Appalachian Audubon Society, Peter Saenger from Muhlenberg College and Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, and Mark Southerland with the Maryland Ornithological Union. An additional panelist from the American Bird Conservancy has been invited.
The purpose of this event is to outline the variety of ways that chapters, Bird Towns, Bird Clubs, and others can choose to become engaged in this priority conservation issue!
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State Audubon Councils:
Long Time Partners in the Audubon Network!
A very relevant historical document was recently uncovered in the archives of Walt Pomeroy. Walt was the Regional Vice-President of the National Audubon Society that served six states in the late 1970s, the 1980s and into the 1990s. The document is labeled “Audubon Councils” and dated in 1989. It profiles each of the Councils that existed in each of the states across the country with interesting data on their organizational structure and the issues each Council prioritized. This document was most likely compiled by the network of vice presidents from the original network of nine Regional Offices that existed at that time.
This document is more than a mere historical artifact or curiosity. It has significant relevance today. Note that Audubon Councils continue to exist in many states. Councils are active today within the current array of Audubon State or Regional Offices. Councils are an important part of the Audubon Network with “chapters” as the Council members. In many states and regions there is a viable and close working partnership between the Councils and the State or Regional Audubon office. The effectiveness of these partnerships is reflected in the positive outcomes for birds and the environment especially at the state and Federal levels.
The Pennsylvania Audubon Council is one among many Audubon Councils that continue to function in many other states. Our Council existed informally in the 1980s and our predecessor, the Audubon Council of Pennsylvania (ACP), was formally incorporated in 1987. ACP worked closely with Walt Pomeroy and the original six-state Audubon MidAtlantic Regional Office on a range of environmental issues. In that era the Council and Audubon worked closely to provide support to strengthen chapters and coordinate support for environmental issues. ACP became inactive when Audubon Pennsylvania was formed and led by Cindy Dunn, the first Executive Director of Audubon Pennsylvania. The Council was reactivated and reincorporated as the Pennsylvania Audubon Council after the Audubon Pennsylvania Office was merged into Audubon MidAtlantic. The Pennsylvania Audubon Council has worked with our Pennsylvania chapters to identify our conservation issues of highest priority with the goal to have a positive role and impact on our conservation issues of highest priority!
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ABOVE: A snapshot of the profile of the Audubon Council of Pennsylvania in a 1989 document labeled “Audubon Councils.” The full document contains profiles of each of the Audubon Councils across the National Audubon Society network at that time! |
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Join AMA on June 11TH at Wildwood Lake!!
Audubon MidAtlantic Pennsylvania Chapter Gathering
Audubon Mid-Atlantic is hosting a Pennsylvania Chapter Gathering from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the Olweine Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110. There will be opportunities for chapters to share their work and learn more about regional and national priorities. Please reach out to Tess Wilson at tess.wilson@audubon.org for more information or questions. Refreshments and lunch are included with registration.
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Organizational Milestones for Bird Town Pennsylvania!
Connecting With Our Audubon Chapter Network!
The leadership of Bird Town Pennsylvania has increased contact with chapters and chapter leaders across the Commonwealth. Appalachian Audubon Society hosted a Bird Town presentation at their May meeting. Over seventy members attended. This invitation occurred after an earlier meeting with leaders from Appalachian Audubon’s “Bird Friendly Communities” Committee. After this general presentation in May, Heidi Shiver, Bird Town President, met with leaders in Clearfield Township in response to interest in becoming a Bird Town. Earlier this month the Tiadaughton Audubon Society received their new Bird Town Pennsylvania Signs and official certificate documenting their leadership in establishing the Wellsboro Borough Bird Town. Just last Friday Heidi Shiver presented a program to the Presque Isle Audubon Society. The Council leadership is pleased to see this important program spreading state wide and enjoying the support of our chapters.
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Bird Town Pennsylvania is Federally Registered and Trademarked!
Bird Town Pennsylvania, with the Pennsylvania Audubon Council, has worked for nearly a year in the legal process to secure our “mark” for “Bird Town Pennsylvania” name! Earlier this month we received formal notification that this goal was achieved. Our name “Bird Town Pennsylvania” and logo is now a Federal “trademark” with all the rights and privileges that go along with this registration. This means that the Pennsylvania Audubon Council and Bird Town Pennsylvania retain exclusive rights for the use of our name. No other organizations or programs can be profligate under our name. Guidelines for the appropriate display and reference of our mark are forthcoming for our Bird Town leaders!
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Bird Town Pennsylvania Joins the Bird City Network!
Over the course of the last two years, the leadership of Bird Town Pennsylvania has been meeting with a coalition of leaders of “Bird City” and “Bird Town” initiatives from many other states and countries. The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Environment for the Americas are the organizing force behind this coalition. The benefit of this coalition is that it links us with other programs like Bird City Wisconsin, Audubon Texas, Bird Town Indiana, Bird Friendly Iowa, and others. We can learn much from one another by enabling us to share resources and ideas. We can also share challenges and solicit advice from others in the network! It is important to note that our independence as Bird Town Pennsylvania is maintained while receiving added value through our association with ABC and Environment for the Americas! This “new” coalition and the participation of Bird Town Pennsylvania will be included as part of an official announcement and press event scheduled for June 6, 2023.
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The “AUDUBON” Name:
A Brief Report on the April 19th Conversation with Pennsylvania Audubon Chapter Leaders
Last April 19th, the Pennsylvania Audubon Council hosted an open forum for interested Pennsylvania Audubon Chapter Leaders. This provided an opportunity to engage in a conversation regarding the decision of the National Audubon Society to retain the “Audubon” name. Shelly Cihan, the National Audubon Society Board Member and Regional Director of the Atlantic Flyway North, joined us for this conversation. There was no formal agenda for this meeting. It was simply a chance for chapter leaders to share concerns and considerations in a thoughtful exchange. We heard a range of views and responses. We heard from the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and their extended process for their consideration of the continued use of “Audubon” name. We heard from other participants who indicated that it was not an issue for their chapter. Still other leaders indicated that they intend to conduct a review in the coming months as part of their business. The Council will host another forum as an opportunity to share updates if such an exchange will prove helpful.
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Pennsylvania Audubon Council:
Nominations for Officers and the Executive Committee!
The Nominating Committee of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council was appointed earlier this year and includes Vince Smith, President of the Valley Forge Audubon Society; John Carter, Past President of Juniata Valley Audubon Society; and Heidi Shiver, President of Bird Town Pennsylvania and Past President of Bucks County Audubon Society. The Nominating Committee is charged to recommend a slate of Officers and additional individuals to serve with the Officers on the Executive Committee of the Council. The call for nominations concluded earlier this month . Note that there is still need for a nominee to serve as Council Secretary. The Nominating Committee welcomes any suggestion from our chapters. All positions are for election to one-year terms from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The recommended slate includes :
Officers
President: Leigh Altadonna, Wyncote Audubon Society
Vice President: Paul Burroughs, Presque Isle Audubon Society
Secretary: No Nominations Received – Nominations are Welcome
Treasurer: Jim Bonner, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
Executive Committee Members
Laura Jackson, Juniata Valley Audubon Society
Susan Murawski, Presque Isle Audubon Society
Peter Saenger, Lehigh Valley Audubon Society
Jeff Stratford, Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society
Bird Town Pennsylvania Liaison
Heidi Shiver, President, Bird Town Pennsylvania
The Officers and the Executive Committee members conduct a monthly meeting and can hold additional meetings if needed.. A candidate for Secretary is also needed. The Nominating Committee will put forward this slate of nominees for election by virtual ballot. Each chapter will be invited to submit one ballot for the 2023-2024 Slate. We hope to replicate last year’s election that witnessed all 21 Pennsylvania Audubon Chapters participating in the election!
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Update on the Council Facebook Page!
The Pennsylvania Audubon Council had a “soft launch” of its’ Facebook Page! 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 is issuing invitations to a chapter representative to have the authority and access to post to the Council Facebook. Look for an invitation to participate soon. Note that anyone can join, but only those who are directly invited or granted permission will be able to post/comment. Please 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: paaudubon@gmail.com
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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 once your elections take place this spring. 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. Please send your most current and updated list to paauduboncouncil@gmail.com
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Manage Your Email In Box!
A Recommendation:
The Pennsylvania Audubon Council uses a Gmail address for many routine communications. To be sure messages do not go into your spam or junk folders, please add paaboncouncil@gmail.com to your list of contacts so that future messages will appear in your regular “inbox”.
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