New York City school children and teacher using Audubon Adventures in the classroom. Photo courtesy of Elaine O'Sullivan, Audubon Adventures.

One of the top ten most popular environmental education projects for K-12 teachers just got better for Chapters in these states: CA, FL, IL, MO, NM, NV, NY, OH, PA, WY. It is now easier than ever to use Audubon Adventures to meet your state's academic achievement standards!

Audubon Adventures has produced (and soon will post on the website): Your State Guide to Education Standards and Audubon Adventures. Each guide is specific to a given state and correlates the content in Audubon Adventures classroom resource kits to a state's academic achievement standards. Having the standards alignment information will make it easier for teachers to weave environmental education activities and lessons into class work.

Should you have any questions or comments on this or other ways to improve Audubon Adventures, please do not hesitate to contact the toll-free help line: 1-800-813-5037 or send an email to education@audubon.org.


GEORGIA BIRDING SKILLS SERIES

Atlanta Audubon's Tim Keyes, Georgann Schmalz and Jim Wilson hosted the first "Train the Trainers Workshop" in January. The workshop had 15 representatives from seven Georgia Audubon chapters attend the training session. Photo courtesy of Georgann Schmalz.

The Georgia Birding Skills Series (GBSS) kicked off to an enthusiastic start on January 21, 2006, at the first "Train the Trainers Workshop." Taught by Atlanta Audubon's Tim Keyes, Georgann Schmalz, and Jim Wilson, the GBSS program is the product of Atlanta Audubon and is co-sponsored by the Georgia DNR, Georgia Ornithological Society, and National Audubon Society. Through the workshop the birding organizations seek to produce birding programs that, through education and advanced field experience, will attract beginning and experienced birders, resulting in better appreciation and increased monitoring of birds and their habitat.

The objective of the workshop was to provide techniques, tools and materials (including three PowerPoint presentations on bird identification, birding by ear and bird photos; iPods with local bird play lists; posters; field guides; 150 bird flash cards and many handouts) that the seven participating Georgia Chapters could take back to their communities and use to begin teaching the Birding Skills Series.

Part I in the Series, "The Art of Birding: Practical Steps to Learning About and Enjoying Birds in your Neighborhood" includes four hours of lecture in which participants learn how to identify local birds by sight and sound using binoculars, field guides and other birding equipment and materials. Part I also includes six hours of field work where participants can practice the techniques they have learned for identifying and listening to local birds.

Part II, "Mastering Birding Skills: Learning about Regional Birds, Their Habitats and Conservation" builds upon previous birding knowledge and skills that are used to become a better birder. Part II stresses advanced bird identification and birding by ear, surveying techniques used to monitor local birds on IBA sites and to conduct breeding bird surveys, as well as skills needed to lead field trips for their local Audubon Chapter.
-Georgann Schmalz
Atlanta Audubon Society

FOR MORE INFO:
Contact Georgann Schmalz at georgannschmalz@alltel.net.




NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE

Deadline for Submitting Materials to the Chapter Networker:

Summer 2006 Issue:
Friday, May 26, 2006

Fall 2006 Issue:
Friday, August 25, 2006

Send Networker articles and Chapter Services inquiries to:

Audubon Chapter Services
Building 30, Fort Missoula Road
Missoula, MT 59804
Phone/Fax: (800) 542-2748
Email: chapter_services@audubon.org

Editor: Carrie Cummings
Design: Randy Stekly, Double Click Design


CONTRIBUTORS

Rosemary G. Bell
Steven D'Amato
Susan Hughes
Harry Noyes
Kirsten Munson
Georgann Schmalz


USEFUL BIRD FEEDING BROCHURES AVAILABLE

What types of seeds will attract which species of birds? How do I choose a feeder? If I feed birds will it prevent them from migrating? As Chapter leaders, no doubt you are familiar with questions such as these posed by individuals who would like to begin feeding birds.

Answers to these queries are now available in the form of two informational brochures written by Stephen Kress, Audubon's Vice-President of Bird Conservation and author of several books on how to attract birds to your yard. The brochures were produced by Audubon in response to requests from the field.

The "Bird Feeding Basics" brochure introduces readers to the essential elements needed by birds-food, water, and cover-and explains where to locate feeders; describes a variety of supplemental foods to offer such as seeds, suet, fruit, and nectar; and how to discourage squirrels. It also details how you can keep birds safe by reducing the chance of window collisions, keeping your cats indoors, and cleaning feeders regularly.

The "Seed and Feeder Selection Guide" describes and illustrates several food types, including sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, safflower, thistle, suet, and peanuts. A reference chart indicates preference of each food by species. The brochure also describes and illustrates a variety of bird feeders available and which species use them. Both brochures list Web resources and recommend books for additional information.

TO ORDER:
Please use the Chapter Services Distribution Center order form online at:
http://www.audubon.org/local/outreachHome.html.


AUDUBON CENTENNIAL DVD

The Chapter Services Office has several hundred copies of "100 Years of Conservation: The Story of Audubon" available. This DVD was produced in 2005 for the Audubon Centennial celebration and is approximately 16 minutes in length. If you are looking for a great way to kick-off a Chapter event, this is the perfect presentation for you. Share the mission of the National Audubon Society while learning about the bold and dedicated efforts of a far-sighted group of men and women who were successful in saving the Great Egret and other birds from extinction.

TO ORDER:
Email a request to Carrie Cummings at ccummings@audubon.org.


2006 BIRDATHON PINS

A limited supply of Birdathon pins is now available from the Chapter Services office. The cost is $1 each, 5 for $4 or 10 for $7.50.

TO ORDER:
Please use the Chapter Services Distribution Center order form online at: http://www.audubon.org/local/outreachHome.html.


CHAPTERS NOMINATE REGIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

Chapter Presidents in the new Central, Central Great Lakes, Northeast and Western Election Regions have received ballots to nominate representatives to the National Audubon Society Board of Directors. Each Chapter is encouraged to vote and return the ballots by mail before the deadline of June 30, 2006!

FOR MORE INFO:
Please see details on the Web at http://www.audubon.org/nas/board/regional/index.html#newRegions.


AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Global warming is emerging as a critical environmental issue for wildlife and habitat. An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore's documentary on global warming, will be opening at theaters around the country starting May 24. The film provides information and perspective on this pertinent topic.

FOR MORE INFO:
And to view a trailer of the film, visit http://www.climatecrisis.net/.


MEMBERSHIP INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The Audubon Membership Incentive Program continues this year, whereby a Chapter earns 100% of the first year's membership paid by new National Audubon Society members recruited by the Chapter. National Audubon Society's introductory rate for new members is $20. When a Chapter recruits a new member, the entire $20 will be returned to the Chapter. Incentive payments will be made by direct deposit to the Chapter's bank account on a quarterly schedule through the coming year. To ensure the Chapter gets accurate credit and receives the funds for this program, please make sure the Chapter code and a source code are clearly listed on the membership form.

FOR MORE INFO:
Or for questions about membership incentive payments, please contact Kathy Vullis at kvullis@audubon.org or at 800-935-2473.


MESSAGE FROM JOHN FLICKER

New Opportunity on the Mississippi River

Dear Audubon Chapter Leaders,

The Mississippi River is a natural resource of global significance. The largest watershed in the country, the river basin drains approximately 40% of the area of the lower 48 states. Up to 90% of all freshwater entering the Gulf of Mexico comes from the Mississippi River, and taken together, the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico encompass more than 40 million acres of large river floodplain, coastal wetlands and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A flyway of world wide stature for 326 bird species, the basin is used by 60% of all bird species in North America and 40% of North America's waterfowl.

Yet the Mississippi River has never been more at risk than it is today. For 200 years, the river's natural processes have been severely altered, in turn destroying habitat, degrading water quality, and threatening the lives and livelihoods of residents along the river. Nearly 300 species of plants and animals in the five-state region of the Upper Mississippi River alone are threatened or endangered. In addition, the withholding of river sediment from coastal wetlands has impoverished those lands while concentrated nutrients in the remaining flow contribute to a dead zone in the Gulf that is the size of New Jersey.

We know that the history of diking, damming and diverting the Mississippi River and its tributaries has been the primary cause for the river's degradation. And at the same time, we see some comprehensive solutions. Audubon is launching the Mississippi River - Headwaters to Gulf Program this year, in a bold attempt to restore the Mississippi River ecosystem top to bottom to a more natural and healthy ecosystem and thereby protect the hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife as well as the people who depend on the river for survival.

Audubon Chapters, leaders and members are already key partners in this cause. More than 80 active Chapters and 67,000 members are located the ten state region bordering the river, and many have been involved with the initial Upper Mississippi River Program since its inception. As of the recent addition of IBA Coordinator Melanie Driscoll in Louisiana, every River state has an IBA Coordinator or Committee in place and more than 86 IBAs have already been identified. With more than 646,000 acres in active conservation management by Audubon entities, from the Twin Cities Mississippi River IBA in St. Paul, Minnesota to Baton Rouge Audubon's Peveto Woods Sanctuary and the Paul J. Rainey Audubon Sanctuary in coastal Louisiana, Audubon has strong roots and an empowered voice in this ecosystem.

I invite you to learn more about the Mississippi River - Headwaters to Gulf Program by visiting the Web site at www.audubon.org. I recently appointed Roger Still, who has served as our Audubon Missouri State Director, to pull all of Audubon's resources together in a coordinated effort on behalf of the Mississippi. Roger and I look forward to partnering with Chapters to build the educational, scientific and outreach tools necessary to restore the mighty Mississippi.

John Flicker
President


POSTERS INVITE YOU TO CREATE HEALTHY PLACES THAT ATTRACT WILDLIFE

Audubon At Home has just released a series of five posters that teach people how to manage their personal landscapes for birds, bats, and butterflies. The posters were developed by Audubon in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA, which funded the project.

The colorful posters "invite" individuals to create healthy yards, apartments, country homes, schoolyards, and neighborhoods, and guide them in attracting wildlife to each of those settings: limited outdoor space such as in urban areas, typical suburban lots, larger parcels such as subdivided working lands, and broader community landscapes, including school grounds. The publications also ask landowners to consider managing their properties for birds of special conservation concern--those species that are in particular trouble but that may be helped with specific habitat improvements.

Concurrent with release of these posters, Audubon At Home launches its Healthy Yard Pledge, which asks individuals to pledge to adopt the six Audubon At Home principles: reducing pesticide use, conserving water, protecting water quality, removing invasive exotic plants, planting native species, and supporting birds and other wildlife on their property. By gauging participation in these principles, Audubon At Home aims to measure the collective impacts on bird conservation and environmental health. (See accompanying story.)

Chapters are wonderfully situated to implement these Audubon At Home principals in communities in a personal, hands-on manner. We ask that you help us to promote the pledge and encourage your volunteers and community members to sign on to it.

We hope that you'll find these posters helpful in our joint effort to create, restore, improve, and protect bird habitat. To view pdfs of the posters and to learn more about creating healthy environments, visit the Audubon At Home Web site, www.audubonathome.org.

TO ORDER:
Please use Chapter Services Distribution Center order form online at http://www.audubon.org/local/outreachHome.html.


TAKE THE HEALTHY YARD PLEDGE!

Audubon At Home is asking you and others across the country to create and maintain a healthy environment for people and local wildlife by taking the Healthy Yard Pledge.

The pledge, which can be accessed online, asks you to adopt the six basic Audubon At Home principles:

• Reduce pesticide use
• Conserve water
• Protect water quality
• Remove invasive exotic plants
• Plant native species
• Support birds and other wildlife on your property

FOR MORE INFO:
Visit www.audubonathome.org/pledge today to make the pledge online.


BIRDING FESTIVALS, WORKSHOPS AND OTHER AUDUBON-SPONSORED EVENTS

Is your Chapter sponsoring a birding festival, workshop or special event with regional or national draw? The Audubon Web site now offers a great way to advertise your event.

FOR MORE INFO:
Visit the National Audubon Society site at www.audubonathome.org/pledge and complete the online form to list detailed event information.


EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY 101

People often ask "what is the most effective way to communicate with elected officials?"

Without a doubt the best way to convey your concerns about an environmental issue is to set up a meeting with your elected official while he or she is back home - almost every weekend and for longer periods around federal holidays. Town meetings or other public venues may offer an opportunity to raise a concern or ask a question. Don't be disappointed if you don't get in to see your Senator or Representative; you'll meet instead with a legislative aide, another important relationship to cultivate. Be assured your views will be carefully conveyed to your legislator.

Phone calls, email and written letters, delivered the old fashioned way, are also excellent, quick options to convey your thoughts and views. Be mindful that letters sent to Washington D.C. are put through a scanning process that slows delivery for at least three weeks. If you want to write, try sending it to the district office address. But remember that when timeliness is important, there's nothing better than email or a phone call.

Congressional offices are finally getting the hang of email. According to a report underwritten by the Congressional Management Foundation entitled "Communicating with Congress, How Capitol Hill is Coping with the Surge in Citizen Advocacy," Congress received over 200 million emails in 2004. Does the Congressman read all that mail? No, of course not, any more than he read postal mail before the advent of the Internet. But staff do and it is carefully logged and without question factors into voting decisions, especially when issues are controversial. One key point: if you are responding to an alert with a sample letter, PLEASE add at least a sentence or two to personalize the message. Many people find this difficult but there is no magic to it. Simply express your passion, your concern for wildlife, your interest in the issue in your own words. If you have a local slant on the topic, even better. But the key is to demonstrate to the staff processing your email that indeed a real person is behind it and that you took the time to personalize it, even a little bit, will go a long to raising its value.

Phone calls are actually starting to emerge as one of the best means to offer your position on an issue. They are quick, they are counted just like other contacts and there is no question that a committed individual cared enough to make the call. If you are not happy about making an out of state call, convey your views to the staff in the district office. Be advised, though, that if the vote is imminent, you should be sure to ask the staffer you speak with to forward your thoughts without delay to their offices in Washington, DC. Every office handles communications differently but in some cases reports from the district may not make it back to D.C. soon enough to be counted if a vote is looming.

Is your elected official lousy on the environment? Write her anyway; she should know she has constituents who care about our issues. Does your Member of Congress pretty much always vote the right way? Your job, then, is to make sure he gets the proper thanks. Our Alerts will mostly target swing votes, that small group of House or Senate members who can make or break protection for birds, wildlife and habitat. Make sure they hear from you.

We all play the numbers game and there is no question that our goal is to generate as many email or phone communications as possible. We know it makes a difference. There are countless stories where even a few letters or calls changed the political dynamic and carried the day. But in these difficult times and with much political pressure coming from anti-environmental forces, keeping our elected officials' feet to the fire is critical. There's nothing like a slew of emails or the phone ringing off the hook to keep the pressure on. Such "endless pressure, endlessly applied" will again be needed if we are to save the Arctic, the Endangered Species Act, and much more. Thanks for writing, thanks for calling and please keep it up!

FOR MORE INFO:
Sign up for our Audubon E-Activist network at http://takeaction.audubon.org.


MAY 13TH IS INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY

International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebrates bird migrations through education programs, bird walks, and multi-day festivals in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. In 2006, the focus is on the importance of the Boreal Forest to billions of migratory birds, representing 325 bird species. Many Audubon Chapters and Centers are celebrating with special events; visit Audubon's calendar of events at http://www.audubon.org/birdingcalendar/index.html to add your listing or to see what is taking place locally.

FOR MORE INFO:
And for resources about migratory birds, the Boreal Forest, and conservation, please visit www.birdday.org or call IMBD at 1-866-334-3330. In addition, the Chapter Services Distribution Center has a limited number of IMBD catalogs featuring posters, t-shirts and education materials available - Please use Chapter Services Distribution Center order form online at http://www.audubon.org/local/outreachHome.html.


CHAPTER LEADER REPORT FORMS

Just a reminder - as your Chapter holds its annual meeting and election and has changes in Chapter leaders, please send your state office or the national Chapter Services Office an updated Chapter Leader Report Form (CLRF). It is important we receive your changes as quickly as possible so you don't miss any information mailed or emailed regarding National Audubon Society programs and you keep up-to-date on the latest happenings in the conservation world. To download a CLRF form, go to the Audubon Web site at http://www.audubon.org/local/cso/chapter-ar/doc/chapterleaderreport.doc

FOR MORE INFO:
Contact Carrie Cummings at ccummings@audubon.org.


CHAPTER AWARD PROGRAM

National Audubon Society offers several awards to Chapters for recognizing special individuals, organizations and/or businesses who aid in the accomplishment of Audubon's goals and support local Chapter efforts. These include the Meritorious Service Award, the Great Egret Award and the Presidential Recognition Award.

Meritorious Service Award
Purpose: To publicly acknowledge and thank outstanding Chapter activists. Eligibility: Awarded to members who have sustained a level of activity beyond that of the average Chapter member. Each Chapter selects the members they choose to recognize. The criteria for selection include: outstanding or sustained leadership as a Chapter officer, committee chairperson, special project leader, fundraiser, activist, membership recruiter or other category appropriate to Chapter. Nominations: Chapters are asked to forward the name, position and any additional information for each nomination to Lynn Tennefoss, ltennefoss@audubon.org. Award: Certificate, signed by Chapter President or National staff as requested.

Great Egret Award
Purpose: Awarded to individuals who have made significant long-term contributions to Audubon and conservation in pursuit of the Audubon mission. Eligibility: Individuals have been in the "trenches" for 20 years or more working for the Audubon mission, either as a volunteer or staff member. This individual has made significant contributions at one or more levels within the local Chapter, center, state, regional and/or national level. Nominations: Chapters send name and biographical sketch of the nominee to their state office or the Chapter Services Office. Award: Certificate, signed by National Audubon Society President and Chair of Audubon Board of Directors.

Presidential Recognition Award
Purpose: Awarded to individuals or businesses within a Chapter who have made significant contributions. Eligibility: Recognition for individuals or businesses who have aided the Chapter in achieving their mission. Often used for individuals who are not active Chapter leaders, or to recognize business contributors. Nominations: Chapters send name and brief rationale behind nomination to their state office or the Chapter Services Office. Award: Certificate, signed by National Audubon Society President


CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP LISTS ARE COMING

Audubon is in the process of consolidating the various databases and services that have historically managed our membership records. This summer, an important change will occur when we bring all of the Audubon membership records in-house. In the past, as many of you know, Audubon contracted with an outside vendor to manage all membership and magazine services. Since we are a unique organization, often we had to make do with products and services that were designed for other uses and did not fit our needs. With this transition, we will have much more control and flexibility over the way we can use our membership database for programmatic purposes.

One of the most important of those purposes is sharing lists with Chapters. Not only will membership lists continue to be shared with Chapters, a number of improvements that many have asked for will now be possible. Password protected access by membership chairs to current membership lists via the Web, downloadable formats available at any time as sortable database files, the ability to upload changes in member files into Chapter database programs without additional manual data entry, and separate accounting for membership incentive payments will all be provided. In addition, for Chapters with simpler needs, there will be several options that allow for mailing label production on demand.

Over the next two months, as these products come on-line, we will be encouraging you to try them out and provide feedback so we can make them work well for you. By the beginning of August, we anticipate transitioning completely to the new system. At that time, older products including paper copies of full membership lists and Chapter Change Reports will no longer be produced.

This information has already been shared with Chapter Presidents, Membership Chairs and CCR Recipients via email. If you are a Chapter President, Membership Chair or CCR Recipient and have not received this communication before, please let us know so we can obtain your correct contact information and keep you updated as the process proceeds.

FOR MORE INFO:
Contact Carrie Cummings at ccummings@audubon.org.


BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY - PULLING CONSERVATION GROUPS TOGETHER

Bexar Audubon Society and other local San Antonio Conservation groups working together last August on critical conservation issues and joint strategies. Photo courtesy of Harry Noyes and Susan Hughes.

Last August, the Bexar Audubon Society successfully organized a group of conservationists in the San Antonio area by hosting an informal lunch meeting for conservation leaders. Their goal was not only to open up communication lines between similar organizations, but to ask the groups to come together to discuss similar long-term conservation strategies and goals. Bexar used an informal method in a casual setting to exchange ideas on what the hot local conservation issues are and what strategies should be pursued to deal with them.

Harry Noyes, Vice President of Bexar Audubon Society, reported that the discussion was lively and creative, and numerous ideas were collected. The group plans to keep these meetings going with hope that they will continue to produce an efficient coalition of all the local groups that care about conservation and habitat enhancement in their area.

Opening the lines of communication between groups with similar goals doesn't have to be a burden or even complicated - sometimes it just takes initiative. Way to go Bexar!

Harry has graciously offered to give input and answer any questions from fellow Chapter leaders if help is needed in your area.

FOR MORE INFO:
Contact Harry Noyes at (210) 490-3124 or by email at harrynoyes@satx.rr.com.


AUDUBON ECOLOGY CAMPS AND WORKSHOPS FOR FAMILIES, ADULTS, AND KIDS

At Audubon Camps there is something for everyone: adults, families, kids, teens, and teachers. Spend your summer vacation exploring the natural world in extraordinary locations.

FOR MORE INFO:
Or for a complete list of Audubon Camps and staff to contact for more information, please see the Audubon Web site at http://www.audubon.org/educate/cw/index.php.


ONLINE ROYALTY-FREE PHOTOS FOR CHAPTER USE

The following is a list of government-based online resources for royalty-free photos of birds, wildlife, landscapes and more. When using these materials, it is essential to review and honor any requirements for image use; for example, some may ask to include the photographer's name and affiliation.

FWS (Excellent Bird and Conservation Images): http://images.fws.gov/
Natural Resource Conservation Service: http://photogallery.nrcs.usda.gov/
BLM: http://www.photos.blm.gov/
USGS: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/photos.asp
NASA (for maps of deforestation, development, etc): http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/index.html
USAID (family planning/Africa photos): http://www.dec.org/partners/afr/photogallery/
Forestry Images: The Source for Forest Health, Natural Resources and Silviculture Images (free registration required) http://www.forestryimages.org



NEW! CHAPTER SERVICES WEBSITE

Be sure to check out the new, improved Chapter Services Web site at http://www.audubon.org/local/cso/.

The new site features a cleaner look, easier navigation to useful documents and many links to frequently used forms. New content will be added regularly, so you are encouraged to return often! Comments and suggestions for additional content are very welcome - please send them to chapter_services@audubon.org.