In mid-October, the Wetlands Campaign celebrated Audubon's progress toward meeting our goal to save, protect and restore to health one million acres of wetlands. On and around the time of the 25th Anniversary (10/18/97) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), chapter leaders and NAS staff celebrated the values of wetlands. Everything from "wetland tours" to music festivals were held. All these chapter activities add up to saving wetlands...for the birds! We aim to continue working together to save and restore wetlands until birds reverse their decline. Chapters are already gearing up for events to celebrate the return of spring migrants during American Wetlands Month (May), and International Migratory Bird Day (5/9/98).

A Sampling of Chapter Activities for the 25th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA):

CONNECTICUT -- Jerry Connelly, Pres. of Menuketuck AS (CT), chapter leaders, NAS Sanctuary Manager Fred Hill and NAS-CT State Rep. Patty Pendergast took Hugh Baird, candidate for the first selectman of Guilford on a wetland/birding tour of the Guilford Salt Marsh Sanctuary. The tour presented the values of tidal wetlands habitat and the importance of protecting upland buffer areas from commercial development along the CT shoreline; it was so successful that another was scheduled at the sanctuary with the present selectman. (Contact: Patty Pendergast, NAS-CT State Rep.; PO Box 1028; Old Lyme, CT 06371; ph: 860/526-4686.)

U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-ID) (right), is introduced to bird-spotting with Coeur d'Alene AS (ID) on their wetlands tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. (Chapter Treasurer Corrine Cameron in background) -- photo by Susan Weller

IDAHO -- Several weeks prior to the Anniversary, Coeur d'Alene AS leaders took Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-ID) on a birding trip to a wetland that the chapter adopted. Mike Mihelich, Susan Weller and other chapter leaders discussed with her the values of wetlands and clean water. Several weeks later the chapter decided to hold a "birthday party" for the CWA at the Idaho Audubon Council meeting -- replete with a cake formed in the shape of a wetland! (Contact: Mike Mihelich, Coeur d'Alene AS; 626 North 18th St.; Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814; ph: 208/664-4741.)

KANSAS -- The Jayhawk AS incorporated the Anniversary into the Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance's "Rollin' Down the River" celebration, a month-long event honoring the culture, history and natural resources of the Kansas River. Joyce Wolf, Jayhawk AS leader and NAS board member, mentioned the importance of the CWA in the opening ceremony and emphasized the importance of wetlands to the state. The chapter also took citizens on a tour of Baker Wetlands, an area which KS Auduboners have long worked to protect. (Contact: Joyce Wolf, Jayhawk AS, 2535 Arkansas; Lawrence, KS 66046; ph: 913/749-3297.)

MICHIGAN -- Mike Boyce, Michigan AS Baker Sanctuary Manager, coordinated the chapter's "CraneFest" (3rd annual Sandhill Crane and Art Festival) at Baker Sanctuary in north-central Calhoun County, the weekend of the Anniversary. The event, honoring the 1000+ migrating sandhill cranes taking refuge on the sanctuary, drew over 2000 people. (Contact: Mike Boyce, Michigan AS; 21145 15 Mile Rd.; Bellevue, MI 49021; ph: 616/763-3377.)

NEBRASKA -- Ione Werthman of the AS of Omaha held a press conference with other groups for the Anniversary. "... the message ... is that the CWA should be strengthened, not weakened!" (Contact: Ione Werthman, 11649 Burt St., #11; Omaha, NE 68154; ph: 402/493-9308.)

OHIO -- Dan Melcher, Pres. of the AS of Greater Cleveland, used the Anniversary to kick off the dedication of two of the chapter's sanctuaries -- the Blanche Novak Sanctuary and the Aurora Bird Sanctuary, as state nature preserves. Over 50 citizens braved the cold to attend, along with NAS Great Lakes Regional V-P Steve Sedam and several state agency officials. Dan used the event to stress the importance of wildlife habitat conservation as well as the need for stronger resource protection within Ohio. (Contact: Dan Melcher, AS of Greater Cleveland, The Park Building; 140 Public Square; Cleveland, OH 44114; ph: 216/861-8110.)

PENNSYLVANIA -- Several days after the PA House of Reps honored the CWA Anniversary, Cindy Dunn, NAS-PA Director, Marci Mowery, NAS-PA Population Director, Gary Crossley, NAS-PA IBA Coordinator, Walt Pomeroy, NAS Regional V-P, and others took 13 state legislators canoeing down the mighty Susquehanna River (not without spills!). The advocates spoke during the trip about the importance of the CWA, and the value of the state's river resources. The section of the river visited is one of PA's Important Bird Areas. (Contact: Cindy Dunn, NAS-PA, 1104 Fernwood Ave., #300; Camp Hill, PA 17011; ph: 717/763-4985; email: cdunn@audubon.org.)

SOUTH CAROLINA -- Kim Gundler, Education Chair of Columbia AS, guided schoolchildren through the Congaree Swamp around the time of the Anniversary, pointing out the wildlife and plants that live there, explaining the wondrous functions of the rare, bottom land hardwood swamp ecosystem. Using a sponge to explain how wetlands absorb stormwater, Kim entertained the youngsters at various stops along the way. The chapter leader also used an egg beater and a coffee filter to demonstrate the nutrient mixing that goes on within wetlands as well as the wetland's ability to filter pollutants from the water column. (Contact: Kim Gundler, Columbia AS, 2500 Wild Flower Rd.; Blythewood, SC 29016; ph: 803/735-3037; e-mail: kgundler@juno.com.)

TENNESSEE -- On Oct. 18th, Scott Banbury of Memphis AS, in cooperation with "Save Our Shell," coordinated a folk-music festival at Overton Park in honor of the CWA. On the same weekend, Larry Smith, Director of the Wolf River Conservancy and past conservation chair of the chapter, led over ten nature lovers and NAS members on a nature hike along the Wolf River's Ghost River section near LaGrange, while discussing the values of wetlands and the importance of a strong law. Several days prior, Larry was able to secure over 30 minutes of (radio) air time to discuss the value of the CWA and the need to act now. (Contacts: Scott Banbury, Memphis AS, ph: 916/452-5086; Larry Smith, Wolf River Conservancy, 4819 Barfield Rd.; Memphis, TN 38117; ph: 901/685-5643.)

WASHINGTON (state) -- The Audubon Council of WA used the Anniversary as the central theme of their meeting in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. Attended by over 80 chapter activists from both east and west of the Cascades, the ACOW kicked off Sat. a.m. with a slide-illustrated talk on the "...CWA and Habitat" by Jacques White of People for Puget Sound. The talk covered the CWA's history, the state of WA's waters and the state's political situation. Field trips and a wetlands tour on the southern part of the island rounded out the agenda. (Contact: Jeff Parsons, NAS-WA, PO Box 462; Olympia, WA 98507; ph: 360/786-8020.)

For More Info on how to conduct a wetland tour, or how to help, Contact: Mac Blewer, NAS-DC.