Dayton Audubon Society"The Yellow Warbler"The Newsletter of the Dayton Audubon SocietyOctober/November 2006Volume 69 - No. 6
Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414-5398 |
Photo by Jim Simpson
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October and November Dayton Audubon Society Meetings
Calendar
Birding With a Purpose |
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The next Audubon Assembly, the annual Ohio statewide Audubon conference, is scheduled for Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11 at the Holiday Inn on the Lane in Columbus. This year's theme, "Birding With A Purpose", will focus on the role that birdwatchers can play in enacting lasting conservation for birds and bird habitats. The Assembly will kick off on Friday morning, November 10, with an optional all-day outing to Ohio's famous Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area near Marion. We will have a chance to see the hawks and owls that make Killdeer a prime late fall birding habitat, as well as waterfowl completing their fall migration. Want a shorter and less challenging outing? Then join us on Friday afternoon for an optional three-hour visit to the Whittier Peninsula in downtown Columbus. Explore the site of the future Columbus Audubon Center and observe the ongoing transformation of this brownfield area into the future "Central Park of Columbus." Listed as one of the top bird watching areas in Ohio by Jim McCormac in "Birds of Ohio," Whittier will surprise and inspire you. Highlighting the Assembly will be keynote presentations by noted ornithologist Jerome A. Jackson, author of "In Search of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker"; Pete Dunne, author of the new "Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion"; and Kenn Kaufman, a multi-talented field naturalist and author of "Kingbird Highway". The keynote presentations will bracket a day of workshops on Saturday, covering a variety of topics. There will be something for everyone! The Assembly is presented with the support of conservation partners ODNR Division of Wildlife, Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Columbus Audubon Society, and the Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters. Audubon Ohio would like to thank USDA:NRCS, The George Gund Foundation, and the The Joyce Foundation for their generous support. The conservation of bird species through habitat conservation is the focus for the Assembly. For registration and other details, contact the Audubon Ohio office, 692 N. High St. Suite 303, Columbus 43215, 614.224.3303, Ohio@Audubon.org, or visit their website at www.audubonohio.org. |
| Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm was one of three Dayton-area nonprofits to be selected as finalists for the Eclipse Integrity Award by the Dayton Better Business Bureau. The Award recognizes organizations in the Miami Valley area that exemplify ethics, honesty and integrity. Aullwood was nominated for the award because "it is a national model for other nature centers and has a stellar reputation for integrity, programming and leadership." |
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In March of 2005, Audubon Ohio publicly dedicated the Voice of America Important Bird Area in West Chester Township, Butler County. The core grassland area of approximately 350 acres of cool-season and forage grasses supports significant populations of breeding grassland species - all of which have suffered declines throughout our region. Another site just miles from Voice of America is the U.S. Department of Energy site in Fernald, Ohio. Approximately 18 miles northwest of Cincinnati, the 1,050 acres site produced uranium metals and compounds for nuclear reactor fuel as part of America's defense program from 1953 until 1989. A majority of the site has been certified clean. With about 400 acres in woodlots, 390 acres in prairie, 80 acres in wetlands, and 80 acres of open water, there is great potential for valuable wildlife habitat to be developed. According to Audubon's 2004 State of the Birds report, almost 30 % of North America's bird species are in "significant decline." The overall state of the birds shows 70 % of grassland species are in statistically significant declines. |
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As students are heading back to school, the National Audubon Society is preparing its 22nd season of Audubon Adventures, an acclaimed environmental education publication for 4th, 5th, or 6th grade elementary classrooms. Audubon Adventures helps teachers make learning about science and nature part of students' everyday lives, integrating reading with science and other core disciplines. More educators than ever are using Audubon Adventures to bring environmental education into their classrooms, and research shows that incorporating the environment into the curriculum supports improved learning, test scores and community service. According to a 2000 report issued by the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, in which they reviewed schools that adopted environmental education as the central focus of their academic programs, the results of including environmental education in the classroom were striking - reading and mathematics scores improved, students performed better in science and social studies, they developed the ability to transfer their knowledge from familiar to unfamiliar contexts, they learned to "do science" rather than just "learn about science," and classroom discipline problems declined. This year, Audubon Adventures is focusing on four compelling topics: Home is Where the Nest Is, The Buzz about Native Bees, Bats: Mammals on the Wing, and Wild About Birds, featuring The Legacy of John James Audubon. Audubon invites elementary school teachers around the country to engage students' curiosity about the natural world by bringing science to life in the classroom with Audubon Adventures. Each issue is full of facts, activities, and action tips that connect nature with science, reading, and art, and also inspire and empower kids to care for nature in their daily lives. DAS annually sponsors Audubon Adventures for a number of area schools. If you know of a classroom that would like us to sponsor Audubon Adventures for them, or you would like to sponsor a class yourself, please contact Dick Balk at 886-0092. The cost for Audubon Adventures is $35 per classroom, and the packets are designed for a class of up to 30 students. The kids need you! We can make a difference! |
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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! |
| 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.
Dayton Audubon Society
or e-mail us at |
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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. |
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
__ Education
__ Field Trips
__ Membership
__ Programs
__ Publicity
__ Yellow Warbler
__ Other:
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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 Mike Coogan at 937-438-5688, or e-mail us ataudubon@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! |
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Southwest Ohio Rare Bird Alert937-640-BIRD (2473)To report unusual sightings, call Betty Berry at 937-836-3022, or Ralph Dennler at 937-294-5086 |
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