The December 3-6 Board meeting took place at Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort in Santa Barbara, CA.

Board Forum: NAS President John Flicker described the "Audubon 2020 Vision" statement draft (see page 1). The Board discussed the draft concept and expressed unanimous support for it. The California State Office presented speakers, highlighting state program areas: The City (Melanie Ingalls presented the new Los Angeles Audubon Center in East Los Angeles -- which the Board visited on a field trip that Sunday), The Farm (discussed how the state office is partnering with the farming community to promote wildlife corridors on the edges of agricultural fields) and Wild California. Brian Walton, Executive Director of the Peregrine Fund, summarized his presentation to the Science Committee (see below).

Field Operations: The Southwest Region emergency election process to fill the Board position vacated by Ted Eubanks was discussed; Susan Hughes was chosen in an election with a very high level of chapter participation. Vicki Spencer, the new Wyoming State Director, shared her program -- now in its third month at the Garden Creek Audubon Center in Casper, WY. Tamar Chotzen of the Hawaii Nature Center (HNC) spoke about the history and current programs of the HNC. NAS has signed a letter of intent to form a partnership with Hawaii Audubon Society, Hawaii Nature Center and National Audubon Society. Lynn Tennefoss, Director of Chapter Development, discussed revisions of the chapter Annual Reports format and of the Chapter policy. NAS General Counsel Scott Hoot reported on chapter tax-exempt status updates. Each chapter will be mailed a letter from NAS detailing their current tax-exempt status, with recommendations on how to apply for 501(c)(3) status if the chapter does not have it, and how to protect and take maximum benefit of that status if they do.

Public Policy: Audubon is the lead organization in The American Heritage Forest Campaign, a large group that has received a $1.4 million grant to protect roadless wilderness on public forest lands; Ken Rait will direct the campaign for NAS from an office in Oregon. Audubon's Agenda for the 106th Congress was also unveiled: the National Audubon Society has identified 10 key early actions that Members of Congress can take on environmental issues. Each of these actions will help provide critical support on urgent environmental problems. Eric Draper gave a progress report on Audubon's Citizenship project, designed to support grassroots effectiveness using computer technology and increased membership training.

Science: The Science Committee received issue updates on Snow Geese and feral cats, and requested input for a "white paper" on Deer Overabundance. Dr. Brian Walton of the Peregrine Fund discussed the successful conservation and proposed delisting of the Peregrine Falcon as a Federally Endangered species. The Peregrine Falcon has recovered throughout its range often at population and individual levels exceeding previous historic numbers, and data support delisting this species as Federally Endangered -- the position of NAS. Dr. Walton also indicated that it may well be logical for Audubon Chapters to take a different position based upon the local situation of the Peregrine Falcon. A five-year monitoring plan needs to be put in place and funded to track populations of the Peregrine Falcon once delisted. A presentation on BirdSource clearly showed that this database allows scientists to pose and answer questions that could not previously be considered. One example suggests that the eastern race of the Bewick's Wren may have gone extinct during a ten-year period without our knowledge because population data were not monitored and analyzed. BirdSource also plays a major role in Citizen Science with programs such as the 2nd Annual Great Backyard Bird Count, and offers interactive teacher and student participation.

Education: Lisa Gosselin, Editor, and Kevin Fisher, Art Director, previewed a new design format for AUDUBON magazine. The Committee examined the potential for Audubon Centers to fulfill the educational goals of NAS, by looking at the successful models of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, described by President Jerry Bertrand, and the Hawaii Nature Center, detailed by Executive Director Tamar Chotzen. The upcoming redesign of the Audubon Web Site was also discussed.

Board of Directors Meeting Schedule

NAS members are welcome at all Board of Directors Meetings.

For copies of agenda or minutes from the Board meetings, or for more info, contact: Betsy Hax, NAS-HQ, 212-979-3156 or bhax@audubon.org.