The March NAS Board meeting was held in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico on March 6 - 9, 1997. Six of the eight Latin American Audubon chapters were represented and gave compelling presentations. Detailed summaries of each Latin American chapter program presentation will be included in the next Networker. Glenn Olson, Senior V.P. for Field Operations, was recognized at the Board meeting for beginning his 20th year of service to National Audubon, to a standing ovation by all present. Glenn has also served as a Western Regional Representative and as the Western Regional Vice-President.

Cindy Adams Dunn submitted her resignation from the Board effective at the end of the meeting because it was announced she was being hired in May to be the Executive Director of the new Pennsylvania State Audubon Office (see welcome). A unanimously adopted resolution acknowledged her "enthusiasm, warm humor, wisdom, good judgment, grace under pressure, and her commitment to conservation". While on the Board Cindy served as Co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, Chairman of the Education and Communications Committee, and as a member of the Presidential Search Committee.

Education & Communications:

A wide-ranging discussion about AUDUBON magazine was held. A status report and review of the magazine based on a June, 1996 Board resolution will be scheduled as part of the September, 1997 Board meeting. It was reported that two new Audubon videos (Beringia and Barro Colorado Island) will be produced bilingually. Increased use of the new Audubon web page by chapters and others was acknowledged. The new web page has been well received. A resolution will be prepared for the next Board meeting on ways to expand the Audubon presence in Latin America, based on presentations from the Mexico Board meeting.

Public Policy:

The new Population and Habitat Campaign directed by Pat Waak of National Audubon was discussed and reviewed. Fulltime organizers have been hired in a number of states and their work will develop a model that can be used in other states to link birds, wildlife and habitat issues with people and growth concerns. A Board resolution was passed supporting the Campaign and acknowledging that chapters will be involved in the state campaigns, that educational materials on the Campaign will be developed, and that efforts will be made to link population and habitat issues in the Western Hemisphere, with initial emphasis on selected states in the U. S.

Field Operations:

The Committee heard reports on two properties donated to National Audubon. There was an extended discussion on the development of the new state Audubon offices and their support by the chapters in those states. The Committee will begin review at the next Board meeting of the current requirements and definitions of an Audubon chapter and how it might change under the new state office structure. Field staff will be involved in this discussion and they will involve chapters.

Science:

The current status of the BirdSource computer database and the WatchList (see WatchList) was discussed. BirdSource is being tested and will include Christmas Bird Count data. Access will be open to all. Specific bird species information will be easy to obtain. Work is beginning on a specific NAS Bird Conservation Program and how it will involve Partners In Flight. The Important Bird Area program will be an integral part of this effort as well. The idea of brief "white papers" on specific scientific concerns was proposed. This could become part of a new "Citizen Science Library" developed by Audubon.

*Tentative dates and locations. For specific information on meeting sites, dates and schedules, please contact Midge Smith, c/o President's Office, National Audubon, 700 Broadway, New York, NY 10003; 212/979-3156; email <msmith@audubon.org>.