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- From: "Kurt Gaskill" <KurtCapt87@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <Gwbirds37@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 18:14:42 -0400
The Eleventh Kiptopeke Challenge is set for Sept 17, 2005
Fellow BIRDers,
The Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory is holding its annual fundraiser
birdathon, the Kiptopeke Challenge, Saturday Sept 17 (in case of terrible
weather, Sept 24). We are seeking birders and other interested people to
pitch in and help in this conservation cause; no help will be turned away!
This year, participants in the KC will receive many different kinds of
prizes kindly donated by a broad range of businesses and organizations.
Patagonia - manufacturer of fine outdoor clothing has donated many outdoor
wear garments, www.patagonia.com
Bear Mountain Retreat - a rural B&B atop the Allegheny Ridge in Highland
County has donated a night at the B&B, www.mountain-retreat.com
Birds I View - A nature store owned by Bob Jones in Staunton, VA; which
donated an Equinox 8x42 HP Binoculars, www.birdsiviewstore.com,
Blue Earth Films - producer of high quality bird films has donated Watching
Sparrows and Watching Warblers; birdfilms.com
Leupold - America's Optics Authority; www.leupold.com
<http://www.leupold.com/> , donated a pair of Wind River Pinnacles.
One Good Tern - A nature store owned by Charles Studholme in Alexandria, VA,
donating Tilly Hats for the Youth Team Prize; www.onegoodtern.com
The Sommelier Wine and Food Society - Providing high quality wine
instruction to the DC metropolitan hospitality industry for over a quarter
of century and donated a free wine tasting course.
The Nature Conservancy of Virginia - has kindly provided Field Trip access
for a limited number of people to Piney Grove Preserve - home of the
Red-cockaded Woodpecker; nature.org
Everyone who raises $500 in donations (whether or not you are on a team)
will have a choice of a Patagonia garment item (valued over $100). For
those who decide to go birding on the Big Day, your team has a chance at the
coveted bronze American Woodcock Trophy, Piping Plover Trophy or the
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Trophy. There are categories for Youth Teams,
3-hour Teams, and 24-hour Teams. CVWO also provides a Kiptopeke Challenge
Handbook which describes the event's rules and simple yet proven fund
raising strategies. Details on how the prizes will be awarded can be found
in the summer issue of Coastal Flightlines, CVWOs newsletter, and also on
our website, www.cvwo.org <http://www.cvwo.org/> .
The Kiptopeke Challenge is a very important source of funds for your
Observatory, as the Challenge accounts for nearly half of the Observatory's
operating funds. These funds are used expressly for the purpose of
supporting our research program - the vast majority of expenses are our
outstanding staff! CVWOs research focuses on migrating songbirds, raptors
and Monarch Butterflies. The information is compiled, entered into national
databases, and is used in archival publications. The data is used to
discern trends in population and provides a basis for making habitat
recommendations to land use managers. We also provide grants to students
doing graduate research on the Eastern Shore. CVWO is a 501(c)(3)
organization and all donations are tax deductible. For more information,
please see our various publications or write to me.
How can you help? Form a team, join a team, support a team or support the
event! EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS! Send a note to me at KurtCapt87 at
verizon.net or call me at 703 768 2172. All participants receive a prize
and recognition. Business partnerships are very welcome - please contact me
to learn more. Prizes will be awarded at the Eastern Shore Birding Festival
and each team will have a chance to describe a portion of their day to a
captive audience! (Guaranteed to make you laugh out loud!)
Wishing you All Good Birds!
Kurt Gaskill, KC Coordinator 2005
KurtCapt87 at verizon.net
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