Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton,
OH 45414-5398
Photo by Jim Simpson
Members Show and Tell
September's DAS program will feature the return of the popular "Members Show and Tell." All DAS members are invited to share items and experiences that might be of interest to other Auduboners. Bring your slides or photos of birds or other wildlife; paintings, sketches, crafts, other artwork; those new binoculars or that nifty spotting scope you just picked up; souvenirs or other memorabilia; or other items that fellow DAS members could appreciate.
This is a great opportunity to escape the oppressive heat and back-to-school blues - come out for an evening of easy friendship and share a few experiences, see some nice things, and join in a few laughs. We'll provide a slide projector, if necessary, and some light refreshments. Even if you have nothing in particular to share, you're welcome to join the gathering.
As always, the program will be held at Wegerzyn Garden Center, 1301 East Siebenthaler Avenue from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. We meet in the lower level - entry is via the ramp to the west of the main entrance. As always, the general public is invited to attend and there is no admission fee. Parking is free.
Sunday, September 9, 8:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm.
Tuesday, September 11, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting.
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Saturday, September 15, 8:30 a.m.
Field Trip: Germantown MetroPark.
Saturday, September 16, 8:30 a.m.
Field Trip: Twin Creek MetroPark.
Wednesday, September 19, 7:00 p.m.
Dayton Audubon Society Meeting.
Featuring Members' Show and Tell. Please see above
for details.
Saturday, September 29, 8:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Englewood MetroPark.
Victory for Clean Energy!
On August 4 the U.S. House of Representatives, in a rare Saturday session, voted on the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) amendment offered by Reps. Tom Udall (NM) and Todd Platts (PA). The Udall-Platts amendment was one of the most hotly contested issues during the debate on a comprehensive energy bill, and passed by a solid vote of 220-190.
This is a major step forward on clean energy and our efforts to stop global warming. Thank you for all of your help and hard work in recent months - the e-mail actions and phone calls kept the pressure on and made a huge difference, especially in the closing hours when it appeared the amendment might come apart because of bitter opposition by some industry lobbyists.
The RES provision would require that 15 percent of our electricity come from clean and renewable sources by 2020. The amendment allows for a smaller percentage of electricity to come from improvements in efficiency in order for utilities to meet the standard.
The House energy bill also included several other important measures such as strong lighting efficiency standards, increased incentives for investment in renewable energy, and safeguards to protect sensitive public lands from oil and gas drilling. The final bill did not contain provisions to increase fuel economy (CAFE) in cars and light trucks, however.
The Senate passed its own version of an energy bill earlier this summer and we are expecting leaders in the House and Senate to combine the two bills later this fall. The Senate version did not include a RES provision, so Audubon will be working hard in the coming months to ensure that the standards passed by the House make it into the final version of the bill. On the flip side, the Senate bill did contain modest improvements to fuel efficiency for cars and light trucks and we hope to keep those provisions in the final package as well.
We cannot state strongly enough how important each phone call, each email has been in this effort. Your persistence kept the pressure strong and we passed a good bill. Thanks!
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 DAS Projects/Memorials Chair Tom Schaefer at 937-276-2162, or e-mail him at tom@earthspeaks.org. You can also write to
Dayton Audubon Society
1375 East Siebenthaler Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398
or e-mail us at
audubon@dayton.net
Audubon In The Classroom
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!
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
__ Education
__ Field Trips
__ Membership
__ Programs
__ 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 Mike Coogan at 937-438-5688, 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
