Many of us in the Audubon family will share the simultaneous celebration of several significant events this October: the 25th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, National Wildlife Refuge Week, Global Population Awareness Week, and the release of the Partners in Flight (PIF)/National Audubon Society (NAS) WatchList.

As our birds fly away this fall, chapter folks and others in and beyond the Audubon family are partnering to create awareness, survey, educate, and advocate. To give just a few examples: Broward County Florida Audubon, like other chapters, is hosting a birding festival. Some chapter leaders are taking public officials on field trips to inform and educate them about important habitat issues. NAS-NY is holding workshops on organizing Audubon Refuge Keeper (ARK) support groups for the state's wildlife refuges. The Population and Habitat Campaign will distribute posters to 15,000 classrooms educating students on the relationship between human population growth and bird habitat loss. Audubon leaders in the Northeast will host the Images of Alaska Tour.

People are trading ideas and information all across the country. Those who have their plans made are encouraged to share with others who are still planning. Looking for ideas? Check in with state offices and campaigns to celebrate and draw public awareness to the Clean Water Act, National Wildlife Refuge Week, Population Awareness Week, and the release of WatchList information.

Each of these observances will excite Audubon members and other citizens in different parts of the country. Each offers opportunities to link birds and wildlife in the public mind with important approaches to habitat conservation. As we wave farewell to migratory birds, we have the opportunity to issue public calls to protect their summer and winter homes.

Clean Water Act: Section 404 of the Act created a new and remarkable level of protection for the nation's wetlands, especially those threatened with development. Wetlands, in all their forms, are the most important habitat for birds. The 25th Anniversary of the nation's greatest environmental law finds us still working, especially in our communities, to protect wetlands.

National Wildlife Refuge Week: recognizes the system of sanctuaries begun by Audubon leaders a century ago to protect bird life. Audubon's Refuge Campaign, along with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is calling on Americans to become aware of and rededicate the Refuge System to its original purpose: to maintain habitats for the full complement of birds and wildlife.

Global Population Awareness Week: Human population growth is the single greatest cause of habitat loss; habitat loss is the main cause of decline of most bird species. Awareness Week allows us to reaffirm our call for programs and policies that slow the rate of human population growth in order to halt habitat loss and the concomitant declines in bird species.

WatchList: released last year by Partners in Flight and NAS, lists birds in decline. The situation for many birds on the national list is even more grim on a regional basis. This year Audubon offices and chapters will again call attention to the plight of WatchList species in their areas. In some cases, regional lists will supplement the national list.

Activities will be listed on the NAS Web site, covered in AUDUBON magazine, and pitched to the nation's media. Help celebrate bird conservation; link your activities to those of the rest of the Audubon network!

To receive or share Fall Fly Away information, call 1-800/659-2622.