Hello and welcome to...

... Marilyn England, new director of Audubon's Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary (TRS) in Oyster Bay on Long Island, NY. The Sanctuary was integrated into the NAS-New York State program this year. Until October '97, Marilyn had spent 7 years working as the grassroots organizer in the Living Oceans Program. She is an ornithologist with extensive field, teaching, and research experience. Her vision for the Sanctuary includes building on its impressive bird research projects, and expanding its role in local land conservation efforts.

... Joanne Goodwin, new Earth Stewards (ES) coordinator in the NAS National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Campaign. (See article, p. 5.) Joanne's background is in the field of environmental education. Her experience includes developing and teaching water quality monitoring/testing programs for middle and high school students through the Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (MI) and the Clinton River Watershed Council (MI), and conducting research on recycling programs at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (D.C.).

... Gretel Schueller, new assistant editor for AUDUBON magazine, and new editor for Inside Audubon (see article from Gretel, re. chapter input). Her previous positions include news editor at Earth magazine, and associate editor for a science news magazine for high school students.

... Laura Sebastianelli, new development director for the Audubon Expedition Institute (AEI). She comes to AEI with nine years of development experience. Most recently she was employed by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities in Boston, MA. Other professional experience includes fund-raising for the Boston Museum of Science and the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.

... Susanna Spencer, new development director for Montana Audubon. Susanna has more than 10 years of fund-raising experience. Most recently, she worked for The Wilderness Society in Washington, D.C. From 1989 - '93, she worked for the Montana office of The Nature Conservancy. She also raised funds for the Nat'l Academy of Engineers in Washington, D.C., and researched for Summit Publications in California.

... Vicki Spencer, new executive director of our Wyoming State Program. Vicki moved to Casper, WY in late August, upon return from a Dinosaur Tracking Study Program in Bolivia that she coordinated for the U. of Colorado. Her academic background includes environmental and natural resource policy; she also has over 15 years of fund-raising experience.

... Lynn Tennefoss, new director of our new Chapter Development Office, based in Missoula, MT. (See article)

Goodbye and Farewell to...

... Susan Drennan, former NAS vice president of Ornithology. Susan left NAS for the challenges of a new career of non-retirement, having accepted an offer of early retirement, effective June 30th. For over 23 years Susan kept the flames of birds and science burning brightly at Audubon.

... Ron Klataske, vice president, West Central Regional Office. After 27+ years of service, Ron accepted the early retirement offering of NAS. Hired by another mid-western Audubon conservation leader, Charlie Callison (see Callison Awards), Ron established most of the Audubon chapters in the West Central Region. Among other accomplishments, he led NAS efforts to protect the Platte River, establish the Lillian Annette Rowe Sanctuary, protect the Niobrara River from the Norden Dam, establish a Tall Grass Prairie national preserve, and provide incentives to landowners to establish wildlife habitat. This past year Ron's work was recognized as he received the Chevron Conservation Award in Washington, D.C. (See Networker, Vol. II, No. 4)

... Walt Pomeroy, vice president, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, as of July 31. Walt served as NAS Mid-Atlantic Regional VP for 17 years. For the past two and one-half years he ran the "Chapter Services Office" which, among other things, produces this newsletter. Walt created many of the NAS chapters that exist today in the Mid-Atlantic states, and established state councils throughout the region. As Regional VP, Walt also influenced establishment of Canaan Valley (W.VA) as a national wildlife refuge, protection of Brigantine NWR (NJ) from inappropriate development of adjoining lands, and establishment of the PA Wild Resources Conservation Fund. He developed the concept and raised the financial support for a regional, three-year wetlands advocacy program, as well as the first state NAS Important Bird Areas Program (PA). Walt also served as Program Director and Coordinator for the recent (July) NAS Convention in Colorado.

... Gary Crossley, Pennsylvania (PA) Important Bird Areas (IBA) coordinator, as of August 21. He, former Mid-Atlantic Regional VP Walt Pomeroy, and others worked to create the PA-IBA Program, NAS' first IBA Program. Gary developed the mapping and record-keeping systems, and compiled data for the PA-IBA site catalog book (now available through the PA Audubon office).