The Sanderling Inn of Duck, NC was the site of the September 10 - 13 Board meeting.

Board Forum: Membership Vice President Celia Tennenbaum presented the Membership Task Force report, which articulates the need for new membership categories to include groups that demonstrate their commitment to NAS, but do not necessarily pay dues to NAS or read AUDUBON magazine. The Board voted to adopt the recommendations. John Flicker led a discussion on the branding of and the need to clarify the identity of NAS (Audubon Centers can play a major role in the new primary identity). Board Member Leslie Dach presented the recommendations of the Board Structure Committee, formed to reevaluate the structure of Board meetings. The Committee took the Board's comments into consideration and agreed to present amended recommendations at the December Board meeting.

Education & Communications: At the June '98 meeting, Committee members appointed a Task Force on Education, to define a broad vision for education in NAS, within the context of the expanding role to be played by our new State Office system and Audubon Centers. A number of general recommendations for implementation over a three to five year period and longer were presented and discussed. The Task Force report focused on the dynamics that would make an Audubon educational experience unique. The Task Force believes that the optimum way to reach our education objectives is to assign our HQ Education staff to work directly with state directors and Audubon Center directors and staff to develop collaborative educational products, services and programs. The full Committee agreed to accept the Task Force recommendations, and that the roles of Audubon's multi-tiered organization (national, state, chapters, Audubon Centers) be presented for adoption at the full board meeting.

Field Operations: Of primary interest were three MOU's that deal with governance issues affecting NAS, state offices, chapters, and councils. The PA Audubon Society has been working with Cindy Dunn, PA executive director, on a model working agreement that was signed in a ceremony following the meeting. Two other merger proposals, one between Greenwich AS and the Greenwich Audubon Center, and one between NAS and Maine Audubon, are in the planning stages. The 1998 Convention was reviewed and suggestions are now being taken for 2001 Convention sites. Board members are working on a plan to promote regional and multi-state conferences and to assure that information and planning resources will be available for states, councils, and chapters interested in sponsoring such meetings.

Public Policy: The Committee undertook discussion of how Audubon Centers can be active in public affairs and advocacy. Two policy resolutions were adopted: the first addressed the issue of whether to open the 23.5 million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) to oil and gas development. The position adopted recommends that before any decision on leasing in NPRA is made, a guarantee of permanent protection must be provided for two special areas that have significant biological resources within the reserve. The second resolution addressed the issue of oil and gas development on the outer continental shelf off the coast of North Carolina. The resolution encourages Congress to support legislation prohibiting the U.S. Dept. of the Interior from approving or permitting drilling on existing leases off the NC coast until such activity is in compliance with all provisions of the Coastal Zone Management Act, and all litigation and administrative appeals have been completed.

Science: The Science Committee addressed four major topics, including two presentations by invited scientists. First, the Committee approved a draft white paper prepared by Vincent Muehter on cowbird parasitism. Second, Dr. David Lee of the North Carolina State Museum reviewed the global importance of "The Point," a rich section of ocean waters off Hatteras, for seabirds and marine mammals. The Committee approved a resolution, discussed also by the Policy Committee, warning against the costs to wildlife of proposed drilling for natural gas in this area. Third, Dr. Sidney Gauthreaux continued his presentation on the importance of forested wetlands for migratory birds, based on new radar surveys of their launching (rest and re-departure) places. The Committee passed a resolution calling for recognition of the critical importance of coastal stopover habitats for migrants. Fourth, the Committee addressed the need for a general policy on the management of overabundant animals, especially predators, that damage habitats and their wildlife populations.

Board of Directors Meeting Schedule

For copies of agenda or minutes from the Board meetings, or for more info, contact: Betsy Hax, NAS-HQ.