[chapter-communicator] Newswire #5, October 20
- From: "Lynn Tennefoss" <ltennefoss@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: ltennefoss@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 20:54:15 -0400
Audubon Newswire
Volume 1, Number 5
October 20, 2003
In this issue:
-- 104th Christmas Bird Count: Audubon Invites Birders to Take Part
-- Public Policy Priorities Sought from Chapters
-- Audubon Ohio and Dayton Chapter Conduct AIM Training Workshop
-- Audubon North Carolina and Whistleblower Featured in Editorial
Coverage
-- Bob Perciasepe Named Chief Operating Officer
-- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Releases "Birding in the United
States" Reports
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Audubon Invites Birders And Nature Enthusiasts To Take Part In 104th
Annual Christmas Bird Count: Health of Boreal Birds is Focus this Year
New York, NY October 20, 2003 - The National Audubon Society calls
upon volunteers everywhere to join with birders across the western
hemisphere and participate in Audubon's longest-running winter-time
tradition, the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). This year, nearly
2,000 individual counts are scheduled to take place throughout the
Americas from December 14, 2003 to January 5, 2004.
This year, Audubon scientists are highlighting the fact that many of
the birds to be counted are produced in the great North American
boreal forest, which extends from Alaska to Eastern Canada. Boreal
species traditionallly seen on the CBC that appear to be declining
include Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, White-throated Sparrow,
White-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and especially Rusty
Blackbird.
The data, 100% volunteer generated, have become a crucial part of the
U.S. Government's natural history monitoring database. Articles
published in the 103rd CBC issue of American Birds helped
ornithologists better understand the effects of West Nile virus on
regional bird populations. For the full story, visit www.audubon.org
.
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What Advocacy Issues Matter Most to You?
Public Policy Priorities Sought from Chapters
Washington, DC October 20, 2003 - Audubon wants to hear from you! As
the effort to protect birds, wildlife and our nation's great natural
resources continues to become more of a challenge, Audubon seeks to
strengthen our grassroots deployment strategies to protect precious
resources. Audubon, with its commitment to policies based on sound
science, a knowledgeable staff, and a dedicated and energetic corps of
Chapters, is uniquely positioned to operate effectively in this
environment and meet these new challenges. But in order to do so
effectively, and best use our resources in Washington, D.C. and in
states across the country, we need your input!
Every Chapter President is asked to watch their mailbox for a special
letter from Audubon COO & Vice President for Public Policy Bob
Perciasepe. The mailing includes a special, postage-paid survey form
listing the national-level legislative, regulatory and budgetary
avenues Audubon's national policy office can engage in to protect our
great natural heritage. By completing and returning the survey, each
Chapter will let us know how important these areas are to you and
fellow Auduboners. That input will enable Audubon to better use our
resources and ensure we are engaged on those issues deemed priority by
a majority of Audubon's leading advocates - the Chapters.
We ask that the surveys be completed and returned by Friday, December
12, so that staff will have time to compile the results and present
the findings to the national board in January. We will also provide a
summary of the results to all Chapters and state offices. So keep an
eye on your mailboxes! If you have any questions or need more
information, please contact the Audubon Public Policy Division at
audubonaction@xxxxxxxxxxx .
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Audubon Ohio and Dayton Chapter Conduct AIM Training Workshop
Dayton, Ohio, October 15, 2003 - On October 4, Audubon Ohio and Dayton
Audubon Society offered birders a chance to become make a difference
for Important Bird Areas through a workshop at Germantown MetroPark
near Dayton. Count, own, act - this was the theme; using your birding
skills to count birds, taking ownership of an Important Bird Area, and
acting for bird conservation by becoming involved.
Eighteen citizen scientists enjoyed the full-day workshop focused on
counting birds and gathering data on IBAs using techniques such as
point counts, and transect counts. It was a good opportunity for
groups to adopt an IBA and engage in some form of regular bird
censusing suited to the site. The workshop also focused in on what to
do with data once collected. The October weather was just right for
outdoor sessions and during lunch, participants were treated to a
small flock of migrant Tennessee and Black-throated Green Warblers
bathing and drinking at a bird observation window. Audubon Ohio and
Dayton Audubon extend their thanks to Doug Horvath of Five Rivers
MetroParks for making the venue available and to the George Gund
Foundation for their generous financial support.
*Attention Ohio Chapters. If you would like to organize a birding and
monitoring workshop in your area please contact Audubon Ohio. You will
be providing a wonderful opportunity for member and non-member birders
alike to have fun while putting their birding to good use.
For more information, contact Audubon Ohio at ohio@xxxxxxxxxxx , or
614/224-3303.
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Audubon Presser Featuring Whistleblower Raises Grave Concerns Over
Navy Jet Field and 'Erroneous' Final Navy Study; Charlotte Observer
Posts Editorial
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Thursday, October 16, 2003 - An expert on
bird and aircraft safety issues, Ronald Merritt, contracted by the
Navy to perform studies at the site of a proposed jet training field,
has revealed serious concerns about the use of his research in the
Navy's final decision-making. The revelations, made at an Audubon
press conference this week, corroborate objections to the plan to
construct a field within a few miles of the Pocosin Lakes National
Wildlife Refuge in Washington County, North Carolina.
Merritt's and Audubon's information gained the following Chorlottle
Observer editorial:
<http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/opinion/7025027.htm>
...and also coverage in today's Observer:
<http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/7016439.htm>
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Robert Perciasepe Named Chief Operating Officer: Former Assistant EPA
Administrator To Head Audubon's Operations And Planning
New York, NY, October 20, 2003 - Robert Perciasepe, Audubon's Senior
Vice President for Public Policy and interim acting Chief Operating
Officer, will officially take over the duties of COO immediately, it
was announced today by Audubon President John Flicker. Perciasepe,
former Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation for the EPA, will
work from both Washington D.C. and Audubon headquarters in New York.
"I have the greatest confidence in Bob's judgment and abilities as he
assumes increasing responsibilities for managing and leading Audubon's
operations," said Flicker. "Because he is so uniquely qualified -
with experience in local, state, and federal government - and because
he led our Washington office so effectively, he will also continue to
help with Audubon's public policy work when needed."
For more information, visit www.audubon.org
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Releases "Birding in the United States"
Reports
Washington, DC, October 11, 2003 - A new federal economic report found
that 46 million birdwatchers across America spent $32 billion in 2001
pursuing one of the Nation's most popular outdoor activities according
to a report from the Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. The report, Birding in the United States: A Demographic and
Economic Analysis, is the first of its kind analyzing data from the
2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated
Recreation.
"Nearly one in five Americans is a bird watcher," said Service
Director Steve Williams. "This report recognizes what we always
thought to be true. Birdwatching is very popular and contributes
greatly to our economy, so it is important that we continue to work
with our partners to restore and protect habitat to ensure healthy
bird populations."
Montana, Vermont and Wisconsin led the Nation in birding participation
rates as a percent of total state population. California, New York,
and Pennsylvania had the most birders. Birders spent $32 billion on
gear such as binoculars, travel, food and big ticket items such as
canoes, cabins and off-road vehicles. This spending generated $85
billion in overall economic output and $13 billion in federal and
state income taxes, and supported more than 863,000 jobs.
To be considered a birdwatcher, an individual must take a trip a mile
or more from home for the primary purpose of observing birds or must
closely observe or try to identify birds around the home. Those who
notice birds while mowing the lawn or picnicking at the beach were not
counted as birders. Trips to zoos and observing captive birds also did
not count as birdwatching. Watching birds around the home is the most
common form of bird-watching. Taking trips away from home counted for
40 percent (18 million) of birders.
The full report - and a second report, the 2001 National and State
Economic Impacts of Wildlife Watching Addendum - is available on-line
at <http://federalaid.fws.gov>.
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