Has your chapter ever dreamed of creating a public event that would draw people to the great outdoors and help them increase their enjoyment and understanding of "being out there" -- one so successful that it became an annual gathering? Here's an example and some tips from one chapter that did just that!

The 30th Anniversary Sharon Audubon Festival took place the weekend of July 26th - 27th at the NAS Sharon Audubon Center, headquarters of the Housatonic Audubon Society, in Sharon, CT. According to Scott Heth, Center Manager, "An event like this can be implemented by any chapter. It is a great way to increase visibility, effectiveness and membership... [and] provides ... a fun way to learn about the natural world. Through a collaborative effort like this, ties are strengthened between chapters, volunteers and the public ...".

The Festival features presentations by naturalists, speakers, artists, exhibitors and musicians from the region and beyond -- it's a chance to explore pond life, enhance birding skills, see live animals, buy the latest field guide, eat good food, listen to music and, above all, enjoy the outdoors. A main event at noon, either a concert or a keynote address by a prominent figure in the field of nature, highlights each day. Almost 2000 participants attended the event this year.

How Do They Do It?

Michael Brust of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary, Long Island, NY, and a golden eagle survey the crowd at the Sharon Audubon Festival. The Roosevelt Sanctuary is managed by 3 NAS-NY chapters (Huntingdon A.S., Lyman Langdon A.S., and South Shore A.S.) and the local community.

Chapter members and the staff of Sharon Audubon Center begin planning for the Festival months in advance -- in fact, every year on the day after the event, the people involved are polled as to what went well and what didn't, while everything's still fresh in their minds! The Festival's organizers strive to maintain the delicate balance between early traditions and new elements added each year. In late winter/early spring, the organizers contact potential participants -- naturalists, speakers, etc., and also form a committee to handle the chapter's portion of the event. That committee then seeks other chapter volunteers for various Festival tasks, such as providing visitor info., entrance gate monitoring, preparing for a volunteer dinner and assembling a wildflower display. Originally, Housatonic Audubon Society funded the event and donated the profits to Sharon Audubon Center. As the Festival grew, the Center took more of the lead, including the start-up costs; the Center now finances the Festival through its budget.

In the words of Vicki Oppenheimer, a chapter member involved in the first festival 30 years ago: "The early organizers have every reason to feel proud of the format they created. The Festival still serves the community... Each year another facet of nature is explored, another piece of scientific research is elegantly discussed, another feature is added...".

Specific Pointers from Scott, and Sharon Audubon Center:

• Start small and build. A one-day festival is a good beginning.
• Have a good idea of your goals (ours is to provide a well-rounded, fun, educational nature experience for families andexperienced naturalists alike).
• Think ahead about physical limitations; i.e., parking, septic, etc.
• Come up with a formula for the date so people will remember it year after year (ours is the last full weekend in July).
• Check on town regulations regarding tent permits, food, electrical requirements, etc.
• Have an overall chairperson, or select co-chairs.
• Set up your committees early; pick chair people carefully. Basic committees should be: publicity, fund-raising, program, food, parking, admission, set up/logistics, and information /membership. (The 'biggies' for us are: program, fund-raising, publicity, food, and set up/logistics.)
• Local businesses are often more than happy to help sponsor the event either through advertising or through an outright donation, but it takes a coordinated "ask".
• All our presenters and exhibitors are volunteers. (It works best to have a policy on this because it is tricky to pay some and not others.)

Scott has participated in all 30 of the Center's festivals, was in charge of the last 7, and was in charge of set up/logistics for several before that. He welcomes questions and is willing to consult with chapter leaders throughout the planning and implementation process, for any chapters wanting to explore developing a festival of their own (contact info., below).

Sharon Festival on the 'Net:

Students from The Gilbert School, of Winsted, CT, came to the Festival this year with digital cameras, etc., and created a site on the school's Internet Web page featuring the Sharon Festival -- a "live Audubon Web Event"! To view it, use the Internet address http://www.gilbertschool.org. To ask questions, email the students and technology teacher Michael Mino: techteam@gilbertschool.org.

For More Info, Contact: Scott E. Heth, Manager, Sharon Audubon Center; 325 Cornwall Bridge Road; Sharon, CT 06069; ph: 860/364-0520; FAX: 860/364-5792; email: sheth@audubon.org.