[chapter-communicator] Audubon Newswire: Volume 4, Number 1
- From: "TENNEFOSS, Lynn" <ltennefoss@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
- Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2006 17:28:02 -0500
Note: You can also view Newswire online at:
<http://www.audubon.org/newswire/Newswire_V4N1.html>.
Audubon Newswire - "News on Audubon Happenings"
Volume 4, Number 1
Friday, January 6, 2006
I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
-- John Burroughs
Happy New Year!
In this Issue:
-- Audubon Applauds Senate Action to Protect Arctic Refuge
-- Important Measure to Protect Water Quality of Long Island Sound Passed by
Congress
-- Audubon Center in Greenwich Hosts Winter Vacation Nature Day Camp
February 21-23
-- "Important Bird Areas of Nevada" Published by Lahontan Audubon Society
-- Audubon Maryland-DC Dedicates Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge Important
Bird Area
-- Development News: Audubon Receives Grant for Bird Conservation in Mississippi
Announcements:
-- Audubon's 2005 ACE Award Winners
-- 106th Christmas Bird Count on NPR program "Talk of the Nation: Science
Friday"
-- Note Regarding Audubon's Centennial Photo Contest
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Audubon Applauds Senate Action to Protect Arctic Refuge
New York, New York, January 6, 2006 - On December 21, 2005, in a 56-44 Vote,
the Senate blocked drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Senate
rejected a measure allowing drilling that Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) added to
the Department of Defense appropriations bill. Senator Stevens added the
provision to the Defense bill in a desperate, last minute attempt to push
forward the Arctic drilling provision, after earlier efforts to insert it into
the budget reconciliation process were defeated in the House.
"We do not need to despoil the pristine wilderness of the Arctic Refuge.
Readily available alternatives including energy conservation and efficiency
with existing technology, can have a bigger impact sooner," stated John
Flicker, President, National Audubon Society. "We applaud the members of the US
Senate who stood up to the special interests and voted to block this cynical
abuse of power. They have demonstrated their resolute commitment to the
environment, to the American people, and to protecting the great natural
heritage we all share."
Two Republicans - Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and Mike DeWine of Ohio -
joined 41 Democrats in the vote to protect the refuge today. Senator Bill Frist
changed his vote to an affirmative vote for procedural reasons.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which has been called "America's
Serengeti," provides essential habitat for a wide range of wildlife. These
include caribou, which breed on the Coastal Plain of the refuge; polar bears
which build dens and bear their young on the Coastal Plain - the only place on
US soil where they do so; musk oxen; wolves; wolverines; foxes; and millions of
birds, including golden eagles, snowy owls and many other species. Oil
production facilities built on the Coastal Plain could disrupt bird migrations
and nesting patterns that have existed for generations, and jeopardize many
vulnerable species of wildlife.
"Drilling in the Arctic Refuge will provide no relief from high gas prices,
while robbing our children and grandchildren of a true natural treasure," said
Bob Perciasepe, Chief Operating Officer, National Audubon Society.
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Important Measure to Protect Water Quality of Long Island Sound Passed by
Congress
Washington, DC, January 6, 2006 - By unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate has
reauthorized the Long Island Sound Restoration Act for the next five years,
providing up to $200 million to protect water quality in Long Island Sound.
The same bill passed the House earlier in December and President Bush signed it
into law just before Christmas. This critically important legislation, a part
of the Clean Water Act, was established in 2000 to provide increased funding
for habitat restoration and nitrogen reduction projects that seek to restore
and maintain the environmental health of the Sound. Appropriations through the
Act were set to end in December.
"For nearly two decades, Audubon has been leading an advocacy effort to restore
the water quality and protect important habitats throughout Long Island Sound,"
said David J. Miller, Executive Director of Audubon New York. "We applaud
Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, and Representatives Steven Israel
and Peter King who led the charge on this legislation, along with all the
members of the bi-state, bi-partisan Long Island Sound Caucus for ensuring that
we can continue the clean up of this federally-recognized Estuary of National
Significance."
"Thanks also go to Senator Joseph Lieberman and Representative Rob Simmons who
spearheaded Senate and House efforts, as well as Representatives Chris Shays
and Rosa DeLauro, and the rest of the Connecticut delegation who worked hard to
secure passage of this critical legislation," said Thomas Baptist, Executive
Director of Audubon Connecticut. "Since the Restoration Act was enacted in
2000, Connecticut has used this additional funding to help reduce nitrogen
discharges into the Sound by more than 25% from 1993 levels. We still have a
long way to go, however, and the states cannot do it alone. This federal
funding is essential to ensure we meet our nitrogen reduction target of 58.5%
by 2014."
The Long Island Sound Restoration Act will provide up to $200 million over five
years, with Connecticut and New York sharing up to $40 million annually for
water quality projects throughout the Sound. This funding will help continue
progress toward the restoration goals set forth in the EPA Long Island Sound
Study's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.
Audubon New York and Audubon Connecticut have joined forces with the National
Audubon Society's Policy office in Washington DC, linking their policy,
science, and grassroots strengths, to concentrate on a new Long Island Sound
campaign. This campaign is specifically designed to address the fundamental
challenges facing the Sound, and focuses on restoring water quality and
protecting important habitats, two key areas that will result in the most
significant benefits to people, birds and other wildlife. Audubon is working to
ensure that both states meet their nitrogen reduction goals for improved water
quality. Audubon is also working to ensure passage of the Long Island Sound
Stewardship Act, which will provide important funding for land conservation
protecting key access, recreation and habitat areas in and around the Sound.
For more information about the Long Island Sound, go to
<http://www.audubon.org/campaign/lis.html>.
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Audubon Center in Greenwich Hosts Winter Vacation Nature Day Camp February 21-23
Greenwich, CT, January 6, 2006 - February 21-23, 2006, the Audubon Center in
Greenwich will host a winter vacation nature day camp for children in grades
K-5.
Campers will go on snowy hikes, play games, and create crafts. Each day is
different and will be built around a new theme:
* Tuesday - Learn about what the Marvelous Mammals are doing
during the cold winter months. Examine mammal skulls and specimens, search for
animal homes, and look for tracks and traces out on the trails.
* Wednesday - Find out how Winter Brrrds spend their winter here
- and how they survive the blustery weather.
* Thursday - Focus on the Wonders of Winter when campers will
explore different wintry topics - from snow and ice, to trees and animals in
the winter.
To register or for more information, contact Liz or Lindsey at the Center at
203-869-5272, or go to <http://greenwich.center.audubon.org/>.
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'Important Bird Areas of Nevada' Published by Lahontan Audubon Society
Reno, NV, January 6, 2006 - "Important Bird Areas of Nevada," the new book
published by the Lahontan Audubon Society in Reno, NV, is the culmination of
the first four years of the Nevada Important Bird Areas (IBA) program.
The book describes in detail the 38 IBAs found across Nevada, and the
importance of each of the landscapes to Nevada's birds. More than 50
photographs are included by Nevada photographers Don McIvor, Bob Goodman, and
Dick Barrett.
All proceeds of the book benefit the Nevada IBA program of the Lahontan Audubon
Society.
The direct sales contact for the book is Jane Burnham, Audubon Sales,
775-677-4178, or jburnh@xxxxxxxx <mailto:jburnh@xxxxxxxx>. For more
information, visit <http://www.nevadaaudubon.org>.
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Audubon Maryland-DC Dedicates Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge Important
Bird Area
Bozman, MD, January 6, 2006 - On December 10, 2005, a ceremony was held by
Audubon Maryland-DC to dedicate Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Important Bird Area. Eastern Neck NWR was recognized as an Important Bird Area
of global significance because it hosts exceptional numbers of waterfowl,
including more than 1% of the global population of Tundra Swans. More than
2,000 Tundra Swans spend the early part of winter at the Refuge, feeding on
submerged vegetation and clams. Up to 35,000 waterfowl of other species also
winter here, including; 7,000 Canada Goose, 11,600 Scaup, 3,600 Canvasback,
7,000 Ruddy Duck, 7,600 Mallard and 1,000 Black Duck, an Audubon WatchList
species.
The ceremony took place at the Refuge Visitor Center, where Congressman Wayne
Gilchrest presented plaques to Marty Kaehny, manager of Eastern Neck NWR and
Phil Cicconi of the Friends of Eastern Neck NWR, and warmly praised the
Refuge's bird conservation efforts. Also present at the ceremony were David
Curson, Director of Bird Conservation of Audubon Maryland-DC, Hugh Simmons,
President of the Chesapeake Audubon Society, and Greg Butcher, National Audubon
Society's Director of Bird Conservation. The ceremony followed a morning spent
watching Tundra Swans and other waterfowl from the aptly named Tundra Swan
Boardwalk.
For more information about Audubon Maryland-DC's programs, go to
<http://www.audubonmddc.org/>.
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Development News: Audubon Receives Grant for Bird Conservation in Mississippi
Audubon received notification from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
(NFWF) that they had awarded a $75,000 grant for a project to build bird
conservation capacity in Mississippi, with emphasis along the Gulf Coast and
the Mississippi River. This initiative will support the state of Mississippi
in its preparation and implementation of its Comprehensive Wildlife
Conservation Strategy, and will work to reduce threats to beach-nesting birds,
colonial waterbirds, and bottomland hardwood forest birds. Primary objectives
will be to create an IBA program in Mississippi, site-based conservation and
educational activities, and a pilot program with the U.S. Geological Survey to
build a science-based conservation framework of best practices to improve
agricultural lands for waterbirds.
The project will be an important piece of Audubon's Mississippi River -
Headwaters to Gulf Campaign, and NFWF's matching grant requirement will help
Audubon leverage additional funds for this important program.
Thanks go to Bruce Reid of Audubon Mississippi for identifying the funding
opportunity and working with Amy Van Ry in the national office on completing
the proposal and all required supporting documentation.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Audubon's 2005 ACE Award Winners - Congratulations to the 15 winners of
Audubon's 2005 ACE Awards! The ACE (Audubon Cares about Excellence) Award
recognizes National Audubon Society staff members who have demonstrated
exemplary service and good will.
This year there were a total of 96 nominations. A special thanks to Margie Kim
and the ACE Award Committee members for their work.
The 2005 winners are:
New Star Awards
Erica Barton, Media Manager, National Audubon Society
Mark LaSalle, Coastal Project Director, Audubon Mississippi
Cheryl McNab, Rio Salado Audubon Center Director, Audubon Arizona
Tom O'Handley, Director of Development, Audubon New York
Individual Achievement Awards
Anne Brown, Director of Development, Audubon Texas
John Cecil, Director of Important Bird Areas, National Audubon Society Science
Mike Daulton, Director of Conservation and Policy, National Audubon Society
Public Policy
Larry Federman, Assistant Warden and Educator, Audubon New York
Richard Haley, Director of Centers and Education, Audubon New York
Kristy Loria, Field Finance and Accounting, Atlanta, Georgia
Tess Present, Interim Science Management Team Leader, National Audubon Society
Science
John Schoen, Senior Scientist, Audubon Alaska
Curtis Smalling, Mountain Area Biologist, Audubon North Carolina
Team Award
Audubon California Management Team
Golden Egret
Ken Strom, Director of Conservation and Public Policy, Audubon Colorado
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106th Christmas Bird Count on NPR program "Talk of the Nation: Science Friday"
- On Friday, December 23, Geoff LeBaron, Audubon's Christmas Bird Count
director, was a featured guest on the NPR program "Talk of the Nation: Science
Friday." To hear Geoff discuss the 106th Christmas Bird Count, go to
<http://www.sciencefriday.com/pages/2005/Dec/hour1_122305.html>. The interview
can be found on the right-hand side in the "Archived Audio" box under "birding."
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Note Regarding Audubon's Centennial Photo Contest - Thanks go out again to
Audubon staff and Chapter members who sent in entries for the Centennial Photo
Contest. Winners will be selected and announced in early 2006.
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