Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton,
OH 45414-5398
Photo by Jim Simpson
DAS Annual Meeting
The 2009 Dayton Audubon Society Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 17 at Wegerzyn Garden Center, 1301 East Siebenthaler Avenue, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Officers and Directors will offer reports of the past year's activities and what is planned for the future. We will also elect Officers and Directors for the coming year:
Elections
The Nominating Committee has recommended the following candidates:
President: Jennifer Monahan
Vice President: Mike Coogan
Treasurer: Karen Balk
Recording Secretary: Betty Leve
Corresponding Secretary: Linda Sharp
Directors - term expires 2012:
Lee Hall
Dick Balk
Nominations from the floor will also be accepted.
Program
We are pleased to welcome Aullwood's Tom Hissong as our program speaker for this year's annual meeting. Tom, Education Coordinator and naturalist at the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, will present a program entitled "The Travels of an Ohio Naturalist". The Earth is filled with tremendous natural beauty and wonder, and Tom has had the opportunity to travel to many exciting destinations around the world and experience the beauty and excitement of the "natural world". In this program Tom (an award-winning nature photographer) will share some of his most favorite color photographs and experiences from such destinations as Ohio, South Florida and the Everglades, the north woods of Michigan, the canyons and mesas of the southwestern United States, Australia, the Peruvian Amazon and Andes, Panama, Kenya, and the High Arctic of Norway. This program will take the audience on a special trip of beauty and wonder.
After graduating from Ohio State with a degree in environmental education, Tom worked as the Curator of Education at the Dayton Museum of Natural History for nearly sixteen years. Tom directed the many educational programs of the museum including summer classes, school group visitations, adult education and natural history trips.
In the spring of 1992 Tom took a position as naturalist with the Five Rivers MetroParks in Dayton, Ohio. For two years Tom provided a wide variety of public walks and programs for the MetroParks.
Tom began his position as Education Coordinator at Aullwood on June 1, 1994. He is responsible for directing the many education programs at the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm.
This will be a casual, pleasant evening, and a good opportunity to meet other members and share some light refreshments. We meet in the lower level at Wegerzyn - entry is via the ramp to the west of the main entrance. Parking is free. Please join us!
Dayton Audubon Society Announces its First International Birding Trip!
Members of Dayton Audubon Society are invited to travel to Belize with a group of fellow members and other birders from March 19 to 28, 2010. Our guide, native Belizean Glenn Crawford, is one of the most knowledgeable birding guides and naturalists in Belize, and he will provide us with an excellent introduction to tropical birding as we travel to various habitats within this English-speaking Central American country.
The group, which is limited to 12 participants, will spend three days/nights at Crooked Tree Lodge, where we will visit wetlands, savannas, and gallery forests. From here, we will visit Lamanai, a Mayan ruin that offers excellent birding in low-canopy gallery forest.
Next, we will travel to the coast where we will spend three days/nights at Mama Noots Lodge, convenient for birding in broad-leaf rainforest, coastal mangroves and beaches.
Our last three days/night will be spent at Five Sisters Lodge, located in the scenic Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. This is the largest protected area in Belize, boasting an immense Rain Forest and natural Wildlife Sanctuary. Here we will search for species that inhabit higher elevation pine-oak forest and broad-leaf rainforest. From this location, we will visit Caracol, the largest of all the Mayan cities. Its tall canopy is rich with life, especially raptors.
The price (from Belize City) is just $1,995, and includes all lodging, meals, private transportation during the tour, entrance fees, and expert guide. In addition, pre- and post-trip materials such checklists, detailed itinerary, trip report, and digital photographs (on CD) will be provided. Cost does not include international airfare, departure tax ($20), tips, or items of a personal nature such as extra drinks, snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
Sign up early to reserve your spot on this once-in-a-lifetime trip!
For a detailed itinerary and information on how to register, please contact Cindy or Jim Beckman:
Home phone: 937-862-4505
Cell phone: 937-974-0802 or 937-974-0803
Email: oz1221@sbcglobal.net
3061 Clear Springs Road, Spring Valley, OH 45370
Win 50% Off the Belize Trip!
One lucky Dayton Audubon Society member will receive 50% off the land cost for the DAS Belize trip in March, 2010. The trip is priced at $1,995, but the winning member will pay just $997.50 for the land cost of this trip.
To be eligible for this award, you must be a DAS member and must participate in at least one of the following DAS activities:
* Attend any DAS meeting between March 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009
* Participate in any DAS field trip between March 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009
* Participate in a DAS volunteer activity between March 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009
Each time you participate in one of the approved DAS activities, you automatically receive one entry into the drawing, which will be held at the November 2009 DAS monthly meeting. There is no limit to the number of entries you can receive.
You can earn additional entries for each $250 you load on a DAS-sponsored Kroger Gift Card (see below) between March 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009, you will receive one entry.
The drawing details and conditions have not been finalized, but this award will have no cash value, and there is a possibility the trip could be cancelled if registrations do not meet the minimum number to justify the trip.
Start your participation as early as possible to increase your chances of being selected!
Dayton Audubon Fundraiser
DAS is asking members to support our organization by using a reloadable Gift Card when shopping at Kroger. This costs nothing but a few seconds of your time, and all proceeds go directly to our (your!) environmental education and scholarship projects.
Participation is easy! Send a $5.00 check payable to Dayton Audubon Society to:
Cindy Beckman
3061 Clear Springs Road
Spring Valley, OH 45370
or you can get a card at any Dayton Audubon Society meeting. The card is FREE because it comes preloaded with $5.00.
Calendar
Saturday, June 6
Field Trip: Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Kentucky.
We will be looking for the secretive and uncommon Swainson's Warbler, which nests at its most northern range in Natural Bridge State Park. We will also be looking for other southern nesters, such as Worm-eating, Hooded, Kentucky, and Cerulean Warblers. The resort is 52 miles southeast of Lexington off the Mountain Parkway on KY 11. To find out more, visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/nb. For further information about this field trip, contact field trip leaders Jim and Cindy Beckman, 937-862-4505, or Jennifer Monahan, 937-654-3301.
Saturday, June 13, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Young Birders Walk:Spring Valley Wildlife Area.
This is the third of the young birders walks at Spring Valley. As the northern migrants leave the area, we will search for nesting birds. At this time last year, in just 100 yards of habitat along the bike path, we have found nesting Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Orchard Oriole, Northern Flicker, and Downy, Red-headed, Red-bellied, and Pileated Woodpeckers. Who knows what we'll find this year! Leaders: Cindy and Jim Beckman (937-862-4505).
Wednesday, June 17, 7:00 p.m.
DAS Annual Meeting.
See article above.
DAS Dively Scholarship Winners
Jared Merriman of Xenia and Andy McCray of Lebanon are the two winners of this year's Dively Scholarships.
Jared is a senior at Xenia High School, and plans to attend Ball State or Miami to major in zoology, then pursue a master's degree in ornithology.
Andy is a senior at Springboro High School, and plans to attend The Ohio State University to major in meteorology, with the goal of a career in climatology.
Congratulations to these two fine scholars!
DAS Scholarships and Grants
The Dayton Audubon Society is deeply committed to education
and,in part, shows that commitment by offering scholarships annually to
individuals who can make a difference in our community. Perhaps you know
someone who might benefit from the DAS mission. Read on and, if you can,
help us find deserving scholars.
Charlie Breish Memorial Camp Scholarships
Dayton Audubon offers financial assistance for teachers and other adults to attend National Audubon's summer ecology workshops in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, the woodland community of Connecticut, and the coast of Maine.
While the camps and workshops are open to everyone these days, they are still especially popular with teachers. If you know of a dynamic elementary or secondary teacher, let us know about them!
National Audubon also offers a summer camp in Maine to youngsters ages 10 through 14.
The Dively Scholarship
Since 1982, DAS has offered tuition help to college students
through the Dively Scholarship Program, originally endowed in memory of
DAS member Dick Dively. Though we cannot offer a lot of money, the Dively
Scholarship has helped both undergraduate and graduate students reach academic goals in fields that further the cause of environmentalism and conservation. Dively scholarship recipients are not restricted to scientific fields; other connections, such as environmental law, are possible.
Applications will be accepted from January 1-March 15, 2010, for the 2010-2011 school year.
The Shawen Grant
The Bob Shawen Memorial Youth Ornithology Grant was established in
memory of long-time DAS activist Bob Shawen. The goal of the program is
to provide funds, materials, and/or speakers for elementary classrooms,
youth groups, or field experience settings to promote knowledge of birds,
their habits, and their habitats.
What can you do?
Help us find scholarship candidates. Talk to interested people or people you think ought to be interested. Spread the word!
To recommend candidates, apply for scholarships, or receive further information, please write, call, or e-mail DAS Projects/Memorials Chair Jim Beckman at
Jim Beckman
Projects and Memorials Chair
3061 Clear Springs Road
Spring Valley, Ohio 45370
phone 937-862-4505, or e-mail DAS Projects/Memorials Chair(oz1221@sbcglobal.net)
You can also write to Dayton Audubon Society
1375 East Siebenthaler Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398
or e-mail us at audubon@dayton.net
Get Involved!
Are you fond of birding-related activities? Are you interested in the environment? Do you wish the Dayton Audubon Society offered more for YOU? Well, we can use you!
DAS is always seeking new Officer and Director candidates. If you or someone you know is interested in helping to develop and lead your DAS, please contact President Mike Coogan, or any of the officers or Board members listed on the Organization web page. A simple commitment of time, with a wealth of satisfaction!
Environmental Legacy
A bequest of any size to Dayton Audubon can have a lasting effecton on
ecological concerns and environmental education in the Dayton area. We ask that you consider leaving a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after other bequests, to
the Dayton Audubon Society.
For more specifics on this, or other information about gift planning, please phone Tom Schaefer, 937-276-2162, or write to Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398.
Time and Talents
Dayton Audubon is an organization of volunteers committed to education, the natural sciences, and an environmental ethic. Help and new ideas from the ranks of the membership are needed in order for the organization to reach its goals. If you would like to help in any of the following capacities, please let us know. Your involvement will be welcome.
I would like to help with:
__ Birdathon
__ Conservation Committee
__ Education Committee
__ Field Trips
__ Membership Comittee
__ Publicity
__ Yellow Warbler
__ Other:
________________________
Send with your name and phone number to Dayton Audubon Society,
1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398. You can also
call DAS President Jennifer Monahan at 937-654-3301, or e-mail us at
audubon@dayton.net.
As a member of the National Audubon Society, you are also a member
of the Dayton area chapter. There are no local dues, and you receive your
newsletter automatically. To find out more about the Dayton Audubon Society,
contact one of the officers whose numbers are listed in the Dayton Audubon
Society Organization webpage. Better yet, come to
a meeting or join us on a field trip!
The DAS meets at 7:00 p.m. at the Wegerzyn Center, 1301
East Siebenthaler Avenue, on the third Wednesday of every month from September
to June. See you there!
Southwest Ohio Rare Bird Alert
937-640-BIRD (2473)
Includes updated information on DAS activities.
To report unusual sightings, call Betty Berry at 937-836-3022, or
Ralph Dennler at 937-294-5086
