PETER BERLE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD ANNOUNCED

First Lady Laura Bush visits Dallas Audubon Center

White House photo by Chris Greenberg

On November 2, the new Trinity River Audubon Center in Texas welcomed First Lady Laura Bush who spoke to a crowd of young volunteers and guests. "As the success of the Trinity River Audubon Center shows, a community that values natural resources can work together and build beautiful sites for everyone;" said Mrs. Bush. "I look forward to seeing how the boys and girls I met here continue these efforts, and make Dallas a better and more greener place for all of us to live." More than 10,000 people attended the opening weekend, twice the number expected. More at http://www.audubon.org/news/TrinityOpening.html.

Texas Trinity River Audubon In the News
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/columnists/rmiller/stories/DN-miller_26bus.ART.State.Edition1.4ab939a.html

South Carolina Governor To Issue Beidler Forest Proclamation
To honor Audubon's Francis Beidler Forest and the significant conservation and education programs being achieved there, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford will proclaim November 30 - December 6 as Beidler Forest Week. At a December 4 event at the Audubon Center, the Governor will officially sign the proclamation and unveil the new plaque commemorating the sanctuary being named a Ramsar wetland of global significance. More at http://www.audubon.org/featured/IBA_Beidler.html.

New England States partner to preserve land vital to grassland birds
Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced the preservation of about 450 acres of land straddling the Connecticut and Massachusetts border. The property will be managed jointly by the two states as habitat for a variety of migratory birds and other species. "Audubon applauds the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts for this important conservation success," said Thomas R. Baptist, vice president and executive director of Audubon Connecticut. "This site is among the most promising areas in southern New England to establish a viable nesting area for state-endangered birds such as Upland Sandpiper and Grasshopper Sparrow. Its large size, well-drained soil conditions, existing vegetation structure and the fact that grassland birds are already nesting there combine to make this site the perfect preserve to ensure the continued presence of these unique creatures in our state." More at http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3293&Q=428298 .

Audubon Issues Statements on Changing of the Guard
"Audubon believes the election ushered in a new era of hope for our environment; and the people, birds and other wildlife that depend on it," said Betsy Loyless, Senior Vice President, National Audubon Society, as part of a November 13 teleconference with reporters and representatives of wildlife conservation organizations. To hear audio of the news conference and other statements including those by Mike Daulton, Audubon's Legislative Director, visit http://web1.audubon.org/news/pressRoom.php.

News coverage included an NBC-TV report in Chicago, home town of the President-elect and base for the Transition Team
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/green/Enviros__Obama_To-Do_List__Safeguard_Climate__Water__Wildlife.html

Grist, the top online environmental magazine
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/11/5/165710/317

U.S. News & World Report
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2008/11/05/environmental-groups-congratulate-obama-on-victory.html

The Environmental News Network
http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/38651

Alaska Audubon Creates Video on Teshekpuk Lake
You've read the news articles and action alerts. You've sent letters and emails to BLM and Congress. Now see this awesome, remote wetland for yourself: check out the online video at http://www.audubonalaska.org/IssuesAction_Teshekpukvideo.html.

Christmas Bird Count December 14-January 5
Bird watchers from Alaska to Belize will spend part of their holiday season far from shopping malls, looking for birds in the great outdoors. The longest running Citizen Science event in the world, Audubon's annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will take place between December 14, 2008 and January 5, 2009. Information gathered helps scientists learn more about how birds are faring throughout North America, adding to over a century of data collected by generations of volunteers.

Audubon President John Flicker will participate in the December 14 count in Central Park. Where will you volunteer? Find out when and where the counts are on the new CBC web pages at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/index.html.

Share the new CBC "I Count" button with your friends. Click here to download, and send them to "http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/getinvolved.html".

Maine Audubon Director of Conservation Earns University of Maine Award
Dr. Sally Stockwell was awarded the University of Maine's Award of Professional Excellence for her longtime contributions to wildlife conservation in Maine. "We all play an important role in advancing wildlife conservation," said Stockwell. "Given the pressures from development and sprawl, widespread contamination from a range of environmental toxins, and stresses from global warming, it is clear our prized wildlife will continue to need all the help we can give." Learn more about Maine Audubon at http://www.maineaudubon.org.