Dear Reader,
Well, I've been remiss in getting updates to you timely! Personally, I've been volunteering most days at the Salmon River Grange relief distribution center. We still have hundreds of people without homes - less than 10 of the 300 destroyed homes have been replaced (modular homes) or new homes built. We have a long way to go but the community has been wonderfully supportive! If you'd like to learn about the relief center and how you can help, check out the Facebook group!
While that keeps me busy, our Audubon work continues!
BIRD WALKS
Nine birders joined us for our January walk at Yaquina Bay and jetty. In
February, we'll visit Alder Island Loop Trail at Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge just south of Lincoln City. We'll get our first group look at the eight new interpretive signs we told you about a couple months ago. The signs were created in a joint ASLC/USFWS project. ASLC Board members Nora Sherwood, a scientific wildlife illustrator, and Ernie Rose, a photographer/graphic designer, worked on the project. The signs include Nora's illustrations and Ernie's graphic design. Social distancing and masks are required.
WOOD DUCK BOX PROJECT
Our education team, unable to have classroom sessions, have been hard at work on a project to restore, replace, and add new Wood Duck boxes on Devil's Lake in Lincoln City. If you would like more information about the project, please contact Education coordinator Caren Willoughby (tcwilloughby@charter.net).
CONSERVATION ACTION
Our Conservation Action Committee, in addition to working on our Rocky Habitat campaign, continues to work hard on our conservation priorities. This month, we'd like to ask you to please take action on recent attacks to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that would eliminate bird protections and give industries a free pass on bird deaths. Bird populations are at a serious risk from long-term declines and climate change. Take a few minutes of your time to demonstrate your support for the MBTA by urging the new Congress and new Interior Department leadership to reinstate bird protections. Here’s the link: https://act.audubon.org/a/reinstate-mbta
ROCKY HABITAT CAMPAIGN
We successfully submitted proposals for designating both Cape Foulweather and Cape Lookout as Marine Conservation Areas. Our proposals, along with ten other coastwide proposals, are being reviewed at this time. After the initial review, which will end in late February, there will be a 30 day public comment period and we will need your support!
Check our website for more about how you can help and to learn about our campaign and the two sites we've selected. Or contact Kent at kentd@lincolncityaudubon.org.
FOCUS ON THE BOARD:
For the last couple of months we've focused on our programs: Education, Conservation, and Citizen Science. In December, we focused on membership and held a very successful year-end membership drive. Thank you to everyone who supported the drive - we hope that you are enjoying your Wildlife Calendar illustrated by Nora Sherwood.
Our Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight and day-to-day operations of Lincoln City Audubon, operating under bylaws that are reviewed each year. We currently have ten directors on the board.
Board members serve two-year terms, with elections being held at our June annual meeting. Check out our website to meet all of our directors, and consider joining us this June! We have open positions and would love to have you aboard!
That's it for this month. Stay safe and be well!
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dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City