Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton,
OH 45414-5398
Photo by Jim Simpson
The Yellow Warbler is Going Green
Dayton Audubon Society's goals and purposes naturally include a commitment to the environment and an awareness of our responsibilities to the planet and to future generations. With that in mind, the DAS Board of Directors has voted to reduce the printing of this newsletter to significantly reduce our paper consumption and waste. The next issue, to be printed this summer, will be our last full printing and mailing.
In addition to its environmental impact, The Yellow Warbler is also our single largest expense, accounting for 12 to 25 percent of our annual budget (depending on other projects), and increased printing and postage costs are further taxing our limited resources. A reduction in printing will free up a large portion of our funds for use in other projects.
All of the information currently printed in the six issues annually will be posted on our website, www.dayton.net/audubon; additionally, a PDF version of the newsletter will be available on the website for downloading. When a new newsletter is posted, an email notice with a link to the website will be sent to any member who provides DAS with an email address. Email addresses should be sent to audubon@dayton.net.
Hardcopy versions will be mailed to DAS members by request only. Any DAS member who wishes to continue to receive the newsletter through the mail in hardcopy format should notify DAS by sending their name and address to
Dayton Audubon Society
1375 E. Siebenthaler Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45414-5357
Calendar
Saturday, May 8, 8:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Caesar Creek Gorge.
Just below the dam at the southern end of Caesar Creek Lake, Caesar Creek Gorge State Nature Preserve features a 180-foot deep gorge with trails leading from the base of the dam to the Little Miami River two miles away. Take I-75 south to SR 73, and go east through Waynesville. After crossing US 42, go about 1 mile, then right on Clarksville Road. Follow 2-3 miles to the park road on the right. Go down the hill into the Gorge to meet leader Dick Balk (886-0092) in the parking lot below the dam.
Sunday, May 16, 8:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Carriage Hill MetroPark.
Besides the working farm, Carriage Hill boasts a variety of habitats, including a large prairie, a small lake with a boardwalk, abundant meadows, and several wooded areas. Take I-75 north, east on I-70 to SR 201, north to the park entrance on the right; meet leader Mike Coogan (438-5688) at the Red Wing shelter parking lot across the road from the Visitors' Center.
Saturday, May 29, 8:00 a.m.
Spring Valley Wildlife Area.
Come see what all the excitement is about at one of the premier birding spots in this area! This could be a great day for seeing many species of warblers and vireos, including the brightly-colored Prothonotary Warbler that nests near the bike path. Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and many many more of nature's brightest will make their presence known as they establish territories, attract mates, or just fill up on insects on their way north. We should see Barn, Tree, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows swooping over the lake as Kingfishers, Herons, and maybe even an Osprey search for their aquatic prey. Go south from Spring Valley on US 42 along the Little Miami River. Turn left (east) on Roxanna-New Burlington Road; follow to Pence Jones Road and take it all the way to the end (past the trailer park) to meet leaders Cindy and Jim Beckman (937-862-4505) in the lower parking lot.
No DAS Meeting/Program in May.
Dayton Audubon Fundraiser
DAS still has reloadable Kroger Gift Cards to use when shopping. 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.
2010 State of the Birds Report
The 2010 State of the Birds Report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon, and other leading conservation organizations shows that climate change will have an increasing impact on birds and their habitat - and the ecological and other benefits they provide to people. It issues an urgent call for sound energy policy that will reduce carbon emissions, and for strategic conservation investments that will help species adapt to a changing climate - if we can help the birds weather this unprecedented threat, we can help ourselves.
To read the report or for more info go to www.stateofthebirds.org
Educator's Week
"Life on a Sandy Delta, 2010"
June 13 - 19, 2010 Sponsored by Ashland University, Crane Hollow Nature Preserve,
and Camp Oty'Okwa
An overnight retreat for educators!! Enjoy life on a "Sandy Delta" in the beautiful Hocking Hills!! Learning, new friends, and fun!! Keynote Presenter and Performer Chris Rowlands!!
Participants will spend the week experiencing the natural history of Ohio at Camp Oty'Okwa. The 700 acre camp includes a dedicated state nature preserve, beautiful woodlands, hiking trails, and wonderful rock outcrops. Teachers and naturalists will be encouraged to broaden their knowledge and learn techniques that will help them improve their skills as an educator.
The delicate balance of people, natural resource use, and technological advances is at the heart of many local, national, and global news stories. Throughout the week, participants will explore hands-on best practice strategies for introducing people to the natural world and these issues. Using their professional expertise and experience, top naturalists and educators from around the state (and Florida) will facilitate sessions using the camp and area resources. Sessions will provide opportunities to gain an understanding of topics related to state standards by immersing the participants in the natural setting and stimulating learning environment.
Participants can earn either semester hours of graduate credit or up to 50+ contact hours.
Registration will be limited to space at the camp. Final date to register is May 21 unless the week is full. If space is not available, your name will be placed on a waiting list.
For registration and other information, contact Cathy Knoop, 740-385-6638, cpknoop@hocking.net
Thanks!
Occasionally, we like to extend a note of appreciation to the volunteers who give their time on a regular basis to help put The Yellow Warbler in the mail. After the newsletters are printed, these dedicated members meet for an evening, typically at Lee and Polly Hall's house, to label and bundle the 1,400 or so copies for delivery to the Post Office. Our sincerest thanks go out to the regulars:
Jim and Annette Arnold
Dick and Karen Balk
Margaret Coogan
Jim Garber
Lee and Polly Hall
Jim and Marilyn Simpson
Bob and Diane Streifthau
Winnie Wagner
New volunteers are always welcome; if you'd like to help, call Editor Mike Coogan at 438-5688 or Lee Hall at 434-4531.
(Our apologies to anyone we might have missed.)
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!
DAS Scholarships Available
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.
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 call or e-mail DAS Projects/Memorials Chair Cindy and Jim Beckman at
You can also write to Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 East Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398 or e-mail us at audubon@dayton.net
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 937-435-0707.
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
