Audubon chapter leaders, members, board members, staff and friends will migrate to the alpine meadows and mountainsides near Estes Park, Colorado this summer for the NAS 1998 National Convention, to take place July 6-11. We will "Celebrate Successes" through lively workshops, stimulating speakers, field trips, educational displays, photographic stories, awards and celebrations. Over 800 Auduboners from across the nation and beyond are expected to attend this fun-filled week! In addition, a complete youth program will be offered for children and youth attending with conference participants.

Keynote speakers confirmed as we go to press include: Kenn Kaufman, ornithologist and author; John Fitzpatrick, Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and NAS Board Member; Art Wolfe, world-renowned nature photographer; the Honorable Tim Wirth, President of the U.N. Foundation and former Senator; Corky McReynolds, nationally known environmental educator; and Peter Stangel, Bird Conservation Program Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Foundation. Others will be added.

Dozens of workshops will be organized along six program tracks. A special day-long Chapter Leader Development Workshop will be held under the direction of the new Audubon Academy as proposed by the NAS Strategic Plan. Opportunities to meet with others from your state will also be afforded. Gatherings for chapter presidents, new state Audubon boards and fund-raisers are also planned. Additionally, over a dozen exciting field trips will be offered.

• Bird Conservation Solutions
• Developing and Operating Successful Local Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries
• Birding Festivals, Trails and other Eco-Tourism Events
• all national issue campaigns (including Wetlands, Forests, the Everglades, National Wildlife Refuges, and Population and Habitat)
• Successful Chapter Programs and Activities
• and a variety of Environmental Education activities.

Free display space and tables are available for Audubon chapters, state offices and programs to share their stories and ideas with others. A unique Convention bookstore will offer books, binoculars and other enticing items. Portions of the agenda for the week are still evolving; your input is welcome (see below)!

For decades, Audubon members and leaders have gathered bi-annually at our national conventions to learn from one another, share stories and successes, focus on conservation and bird challenges, meet new friends and renew old acquaintances, and to have a good time. This celebration of successful activities, conservation victories, and acknowledgment of outstanding activities and efforts by many across the nation and beyond will add up to six full and memorable days. Registration for the Convention is $125 for the full week. Various room-&-board packages are available through the YMCA Conference Center, with the registration form contained in the Convention brochure.

For More Info, or to provide input, Contact: Walt Pomeroy, Convention Program Director; phone (toll-free Chapter Services Answer Line): 800/542-2748; FAX: 717/763-4981, email: wpomeroy@audubon.org. You can also obtain registration forms and a full description of Convention activities from NAS state and regional offices, through the Audubon Web site (http://www.audubon.org/), or by calling the Chapter Services toll-free Answer Line (above).