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NEW MEXICO SPRING 2011
Th e Ne w s l e T T e r f r o m T h e Ne w me x i c o sTaT e of f i c e o f T h e NaT i o N a l au d u b o N so c i e T y
Continued on page 4
CAN WIND ENERGY AND WILDLIFE COEXIST?
It’s a fact: New Mexico is well-regarded as an energy-producing state. We have many resources and many royalties associated with energy production, which provide enormous amounts of funding for our state’s income. But there’s another fact that’s growing in importance: for inland wind power generation, New Mexico ranks in the top five in the nation. We’re a state with more than just oil and gas—we’re a state with wind. As report after report predicts drastic effects of climate change, it’s time to seriously consider our renewable energy options – and what the best practices are for their implementation.
The production of wind energy remains a critical component of any state or community’s renewable portfolio and it’s something that Audubon New Mexico strongly supports. Energy production from wind contains no air pollution, no water pollution, no mercury emissions and no carbon dioxide, which results in a climate-friendly and healthy way of generating electricity.
Despite these benefits, Audubon also believes that the siting of wind power development in New Mexico should contain appropriate terms regarding the movement of birds and wildlife, air-strike mitigation, and species monitoring, as well as the cumulative effects of expanded development.
In February 2011, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar issued new federal guidelines for developing wind power, which is a huge step forward. Working with Audubon’s policy experts and others, these guidelines work to balance our need for clean energy with protections for wildlife and wild places. Unfortunately, these guidelines are voluntary and there are only a few environmental laws such as the Migratory Bird Act and the Endangered Species Act standing in-between wind farm construction and birds, wildlife and wild spaces.
One of the largest concerns of Audubon New Mexico is the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation as a result of human activities, including poorly sited wind farms, and the wildlife
Lesser Prairie-chickens in eastern New Mexico/Rob Hampson
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STAFF
Karyn StocKdaleVice President and Executive Director
Beth BardwellDirector of Freshwater Conservation
dana VacKar StrangDirector of Education
carl BealOffice Manager
Michelle MianoDevelopment [email protected]
Staci SteVenSCommunications and Policy Manager
JiM garVin Nature Store Manager
aMy roBertSEducation Specialist
SteVe caryCommunity [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
toM JerViS - President, Santa Fe
al SanBorn - Vice President, Santa Fe
SteVe thoMpSon - Treasurer, Santa Fe
ruth BurStroM - Secretary, Albuquerque
chriStopher ruStay - Council President, Albuquerque
reed BenSon - Albuquerque
laurie Keaton - Las Cruces
Margaret “peg” Madden - Santa Fe
SuSan McgreeVy - Santa Fe
charlie Sanchez, Jr. - Tome
peter VenneMa - Santa Fe
eleanor wootten - Gila
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S PERCH:
Audubon New Mexico’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.
OUR APPETITE FOR ENERGY
MISSION STATEMENT
P.S. We recently had to say goodbye to Rob Hampson, our Facilities Maintenance Coordinator and Groundskeeper at the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary. He was a wonderful help to us, and he will be greatly missed. We’ve also welcomed Steve Cary to our staff, as a Community Naturalist. We are excited to have him on the Audubon Team!
I wasn’t ready for it. My second grade daughter announced she was saving her money to buy an iPod, and by the way, would I buy her an iPhone too? A few minutes into our conversation, it was clear she wanted them because her classmates already have them. It made me realize that far too often we fail to think of the implications of our energy consumption and habits, particularly with all the fascinating technologies available today. Every new gadget takes even more energy – and where is this energy going to come from?
In this issue, we highlight wind energy and Audubon’s efforts to craft a common sense approach to balancing this emerging source for our power. Compared to traditional energy sources, wind power, along with other renewable energy and energy conservation, provides significant environmental benefits for birds, wildlife, and their habitats. Audubon has developed a policy statement to this effect, declaring our support for wind power development provided that it is sited, designed, constructed, and operated to responsibly minimize harmful impacts on the environment. We believe – most simply – that all energy development should be sited on previously disturbed lands.
The confluence of substantial wind power potential and significant wildlife resources in eastern New Mexico, including many National Wildlife Refuges located on the Central Flyway and the areas for our beloved Lesser Prairie-chicken, spurred Audubon New Mexico to actively participate in statewide working groups to prevent negative effects on our state’s wildlife heritage. In the face of unregulated energy development and the associated infrastructure, we are crafting a new version of Best Management Practices for wildlife based on consensus with wind industry.
We are working to make sure that our grandchildren won’t have to depend on movies for a glimpse of the iconic species in the American West. As for my family, we’ve managed to keep my daughter unplugged for now. She is now saving for doll clothes for her American Girl Doll that Grandma sent.
Thank you for your support,
Karyn Stockdale Vice President and Executive Director
A “blitz” according to the online dictionary of slang is “to be hit suddenly and without warning by multiple sources.” When you combine a “blitz” with the study of living organisms, you get a “BioBlitz” and Audubon New Mexico is bringing one your way on May 14th and 15th on the Lower Rio Grande at New Mexico State Parks’ Broad Canyon Ranch just north of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Experts in insects, aquatic macroinvertebrates, mammals, plants, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish will arrive en masse at Broad Canyon Ranch at 3:00 p.m. on May 14th and count their way through the next 24 hours to amass the total number of living organisms they can find within the 700 acres of Broad Canyon Ranch. It’s a fun and exciting way to learn about the biological diversity in our own backyards that should help us better manage New Mexico State Park lands to support native species and to ward off invasive exotics.
The general public will be invited to participate in live exhibits, including reptiles, raptors, and other hands-on environmental education events at the base camp from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday May 15th. During the BioBlitz wrap-up, they’ll also be able to witness the final countdown of just how many living organisms live on the Ranch property — at least those that we can uncover in a single 24-hour period in mid-May! The public can also pre-register to participate in smaller events to meet the experts and share the excitement of field investigations into birds, butterflies, and other critters.
Broad Canyon Ranch is located in a narrow 9-mile canyon along the Lower Rio Grande, twenty miles north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. New Mexico State Parks acquired the Ranch in January 2009 with assistance from New Mexico State Legislators, Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund. The Ranch is more than 700 deeded acres are located along a 1.5 mile reach of the Rio Grande and contains two of New Mexico’s most rare and threatened habitats: a 30-acre semi-permanent wetland locally known as “Swan Pond” and 40-acres of riparian bottomlands and seasonal wetlands. Audubon New Mexico and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are partnering with New Mexico State Parks to restore habitat for fish and wildlife at the Ranch.
To learn more about the BioBlitz on May 15, 2011 and to pre-register for public events stay tuned for announcements and updates at the Audubon New Mexico website: http://nm.audubon.org. To volunteer to help host the event, contact Beth Bardwell at 575-522-5065 or email at [email protected].
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GET BIOBLITZED! By: Beth Bardwell, Freshwater Conservation Director
WELCOME TO AUDUBON, STEVE CARYBorn and educated in Wisconsin, Steve has BS and MS degrees in Geography from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he specialized in river geomorphology. Steve came to New Mexico in 1980 and has spent 30 years working to enjoy, protect, conserve, and properly manage the state’s remarkable natural heritage. He was a water resource specialist and mid-level manager with the New Mexico Environment Department for 12 years, then Deputy Director of the state’s Office of Natural Resources Trustee for five years. Most recently, Steve served for 12 years as Natural Resource Planner and Chief Naturalist for New Mexico State Parks, where he created “Reach for the Stars” astronomy programs, co-created Parks’ statewide interpretation and education programs, and was responsible for inventorying, protecting and interpreting natural resources. When not working, Steve can be seen out in nature all over the state studying and photographing New Mexico’s butterflies. By publishing scientific reports, popular articles and a poster, and through countless informal butterfly walks and talks, Steve has become New Mexico’s unofficial Butterfly Guy. His beautiful book, “Butterfly Landscapes of New Mexico,” was published by New Mexico Magazine in 2009 and remains the only book about New Mexico butterflies.
Photo: TogetherGreen volunteers in southern NM./Ken Stinnett
that is caught in-between. It’s been demonstrated that the numbers of nesting grassland birds, such as the Lesser Prairie-chicken, are significantly reduced in the near vicinity of wind turbines. Human disturbance, turbine noise, and physical movements of turbines during operation all may contribute to the decline, but it is also likely that tall structure avoidance plays a key factor in nest site selection among breeding grassland birds. While some grassland species are able to tolerate a limited amount of habitat fragmentation, many factors such as roads and petroleum operations have already created a high degree of fragmentation in places such as eastern New Mexico, where many wind projects are planned.
Fortunately, different groups are coming together in New Mexico to develop a unified vision, determine the wildlife resources affected by wind energy, and establish recommendations to mitigate the impact of wind and transmission line sitings as part of the New Mexico Wind and Wildlife Collaborative. In addition to Audubon New Mexico’s participation, organizations such as Playa Lakes Joint Venture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the BLM, the State of New Mexico, and wind energy companies and others, are working together to address the wind energy impact in our state and continue research.
Additionally, according to the State of the Rockies Conservation Report project issued in February 2011 by Colorado College, people who live and work in western states agree that there are common sense solutions to integrating wind farms into the landscape, including strategically placed energy development in areas already scarred by industry rather than in pristine or threatened habitats. The report revealed strong support of our current environmental laws. Across all political camps and philosophical alignments, the majority of western voters believe environmental protections and a strong economy can co-exist. Voters also believe that clean water, air, natural areas and wildlife are fragile aspects of life in their state that could change if not protected. In the five states surveyed, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah and Montana, 84% of voters agree that “even with state budget problems, we should still find the money to protect our land, water and wildlife.”
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Wind and Wildlife: continued from cover
Tellingly, voters solidly support EPA reductions in carbon emissions from power plants, cars and factories, to reduce global warming.
What’s happening in the West is happening elsewhere, and our Congress needs to hear about what we value as Westerners. From coast to coast, our communities, our landscape and our wildlife bear the scars of short-sighted energy development.
As National Audubon Society President, David Yarnold, has recently said, we face a defining moment in our American history: “Driven by a sense of urgency to stem our dangerous demand for oil, we must also tread cautiously so that energy development in all forms – including planting transmission lines for wind turbines – does not damage unnecessarily the landscape that is the birthplace of the American spirit.”
Western voters view renewable energy as job creators for their state’s economy. Two-thirds (67%) in this region say that “increasing the use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power will create new jobs” in their state.
There is broad agreement with the idea of “replacing coal with other energy sources like wind and solar power,” as seven-in-ten (70%) across the region agree with this concept.
MORE INFORMATION FROM THE STATE OF THE ROCKIES CONSERVATION REPORT
Across these states, the survey also found that voters say they would be willing to pay more per month in order to “increase the amount of our energy coming from renewable energy sources.” In fact, when provided with a range of amounts from 50 cents up to fifteen dollars, a majority of Western voters (54%) say they are willing to pay ten dollars or more per month toward meeting this goal.
FreeFoto.com
Golden Eagle/USFWS
There’s nothing like purchasing and remodeling a home to provide an opportunity to put your energy conservation convictions to the test and, in doing so, become part of the solution for the climate challenges our beloved planet faces. I recently purchased a house – a house that is new to me, but is 30-years old. You can say I did a good thing by recycling an existing house, an important component to energy
conservation. But, I’m giving up my passive solar house in Eldorado to move to town to a house that faces primarily east. However, where it used to require a 16-mile drive to get to the Plaza, I now can walk there. Can you visualize the scales swinging back and forth as I measured the energy pros and cons?
Now, back to that 30-year old house! The furnace was original to the house, so it was the first thing to be replaced. Though I could have gone all the way to a 97% efficient furnace,
budget constraints dictated a 95% efficient one. I added a programmable thermostat, which I hope will reduce usage that somewhat compensates for that lost 2%.
I also learned something that makes no sense to me whatsoever. I have earned the maximum Personal Property Energy tax credit of $1,500 for that new furnace, but the tax credit is tied to me, not the “improved” house. This means I can never earn another Personal Property Energy tax credit, regardless of how many improvements I might make to this house or any other I own. So much for enjoying a tax benefit from several thousand dollars of new energy-efficient windows!
The contractor and I are also striving to recycle existing materials, both onsite and off. As a result, 2 x 4s were carefully removed from existing framing to become part of the new framing. But that old carpet pad – it can only be recycled in Albuquerque, so does the energy expended to get it there make sense? Then there’s the stuff that has to go to the dump like old toilets no one can install in some other home due to code and good water conservation practices. It grieves me to see how much is going into that dumpster in the driveway.
Finally – I have one change ahead about which I wish that I could consult with Miss Manners. You see I’m putting in dual-flush toilets and wondering how I discreetly inform people how to use them, without embarrassing both of us. Though a sign on the toilet seems commercial, I haven’t come up with anything better. I may be pondering this one for a while!
Carolyn Cadena is a New Mexico native with a lifelong love of desert wildlife and concurrent interest in environmental policy. She received her BA from Grand Canyon University and her MA from University of Cincinnati in Political Science. She is currently pursuing her JD at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. Carolyn was compelled to enter the legal profession by a deep desire to
make a positive impact with her work, which is what also led her to Audubon. She is excited to be contributing her skills and passion to the mission of Audubon while simultaneously gaining meaningful experience in the field of environmental policy.
Sharon Wirth is a lifelong resident of Albuquerque and completed both of her degrees at UNM: a BS in Biology and an MS in Landscape Ecology. Sharon’s technical expertise is in plant physiology, arid land ecology, and ecological risk assessment. Sharon’s experience also includes staff management, project management, and technical support to a wide variety of ecological risk assessment projects and
environmental assessment and cleanup of contaminated soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater. She has one grown daughter, Carli, and is a recent grandmother to her greatest joy, 2-year old Isabella. She is grateful for the opportunity to work for Audubon this summer and hopes to help make a positive impact on conservation issues in New Mexico.
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REMODELING FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION 101By: Anne Beckett, Audubon Volunteer and Conservation Advocate
WELCOME POLICY INTERNS, CAROLYN CADENA AND SHARON WIRTH
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swnmaudubon.org
THE RAVENS NewsletterSouthwestern New Mexico Audubon Society
A Chapter of the National Audubon Society Spring 2011
FIELD TRIPS
International Spring Migratory Bird Count on Saturday May 14, 2011
This annual Migration Count is a single day event. It is similar to a Christmas Bird Count, but covers all of Grant County. This requires many birders to cover the large area. All birders are welcome to take part. There is also a need for drivers and recorders.
Contact compiler Jerry Bird 575-534-4940 or email him at [email protected]
The first Saturday of May is the traditional date for the Gila River Bird Count. Groups or individuals are assigned routes to cover along the Gila River from the Arizona border up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
If you are interested in participating, call Roland Shook at 388-3441 so he can assign a route.
ANNUAL MAY BIRD COUNTS The Gila River Count, May 7th
On Saturday, April 2 there will be a field trip to The Nature Conservancy’s Iron Bridge property on the Gila River in search of early migrants. We will meet at the south parking lot of the WNMU Fine Arts building 7:30am and carpool to the Iron Bridge site.
The hiking will be easy unless the vegetation is high or the trails are muddy. Those not wanting to walk the trails may spend their time on or around the bridge viewing birds. Plan to bring water, snacks, a hat and bi-nos. We should arrive back in Silver City sometime in the late afternoon. For more information contact Jerry Bird at 575-590-4654.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2011TNC’s Iron Bridge Property
Our destination for birding on Saturday, June 4, is the Glenwood fish hatchery and the Catwalk. Because of the distance, we will meet at the south parking lot of the WNMU Fine Arts building 7:30am and carpool to Glenwood from there.
It will be an easy walk at both sites with some uphill walking at the Catwalk. Plan to bring water, snacks, a hat and binos. We will be looking for the Common Black Hawk and the American Dipper along with any other interesting birds that we can find. We should ar-rive back in Silver sometime in the late afternoon. For more information contact Jerry Bird 575-590-4654.
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011Glenwood Fish Hatchery & Catwalk
Penny Park Earth Day CelebrationApril 23 10AM until 2PM
This year's celebration is sponsored by the Gila Resources Information Project and the Town of Silver City Department of Community Development and the Silver City/Grant County Joint Office of Sustainability.Second Annual Event for Electronic Waste Collection
The second annual electronic waste collection event will be held at the same time in the parking lot just North of Penny Park. All computer equipment and other electronic items can be recycled at this event. This event is made possible by donations and a grant from Freeport McMoRan mining company. Last year over 200 people walked, drove or biked in and recycled five tons of electronics.
Single Stream RecyclingSouthwest Solid Waste Authority will also be on hand to collect recycling acceptable in the single stream recycling program. This includes most paper products, tin and aluminum cans, glass and #1 and #2 plastic bottles that have a neck or handle. For more information on what can be recycled call 534-0457.
Aldo Leopold Film Friday, April 22A special feature will be the showing of the film “Green Fire” on Friday evening at the Silco Theater in Silver City at 7 pm. The film traces how Leopold shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. PR
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Dave Mehlman, Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Mig ratory Bird Program, will present an overview of the state of birds in the world on down to birds of two habitats of particular interest to New Mexicans: grasslands and forests. A short summary of threats to migratory birds and a review of the life cycle of a mi-gratory bird, with an analysis of where New Mexico’s migratory birds go, follows. The program starts at 7pm at WNMU’s Harlan Hall, 12th & Alabama Streets.
Flyways of the World: Migratory BirdConservation & the Nature Conservancy
Program – FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2011
FROM THE CHAPTERS
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The Ryan BeaulieuMemorial Education FundThis is the fourth year CNMAS is able to accept applications for the Ryan Beaulieu Memorial Education Fund. The fund provides scholarships for youth between the ages of 13 and 20, or educators of youth, to attend a specific program, camp or course pertaining to the candidate’s interest in the natural sciences.
For more information about applications, please e-mail both members of our Education Committee, Helen Haskell at [email protected] and Lynn Lorrain Schuler at [email protected] and visit http://newmexicoaudubon.org/cnmas/ where you can follow links to the application form and instruc-tions. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The grant will be awarded by May 31, 2011.
Ryan Beaulieu was a young orni-thologist, environmentalist and conservationist who filled his life with the joy of exploration and discovery of nature. This scholar-ship fund was established to give testimony to the living legacy of what Ryan gave to all of us as
family, friends and community. CNMAS wishes to thank the Lannan Foundation for its generous support of the fund, as well as the family and friends of Ryan.
Recycling BinocularsOn behalf of the Education Commit-tee, we have another option to send-ing your used binoculars to ABA, and this one won’t involve shipping costs: Bring them with you to the next CNMAS meeting or field trip and give them to us! We regularly receive requests for “loaner” binoculars from Scout troop leaders and others. Similar to ABA’s binocular exchange, we will collect donated binoculars and give them to groups or individuals whose requests meet criteria developed
by CNMAS for our Educator Resource Grant. People wishing to contribute may also send in a check earmarked for “Educator Resource Grant.” It could be an eye-opening experience for a child in more ways than one!
Welcome to the Central New Mexico Audubon Society! Come join us. All our meetings and fi eld trips are open to the public.
May 21 Field TripBirding the Mora RiverLeader: Christopher Rustay, [email protected] the King Ranch north of Las Vegas. This private ranch has some great riparian forest along the Mora River. Meet at the All-sup’s Convenience Store west of the second Las Vegas exit off of I-25 (exit 345) at 7:30 a.m. We’ll look for migrating songbirds and local residents in some spectacular habitat that is normally closed to public access.
Visit our website for our expanded fi eld trip schedule:
cnmas.newmexicoaudubon.org
Central New Mexico Audubon Is On Facebook!Become a Fan and get Facebook updates: go to the following link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ and type “Central New Mexico Audubon Society” in the search box. Then click on the link “Central New Mexico Audubon Society” and it will take you to our page. There will be a button that you can click on that says, “Become a Fan.” If you would like to receive an e-mail reminder about meetings rather than joining Facebook, e-mail Judy Liddell, Publicity Chair, at [email protected]
2010-2011 Teacher Resource Grant RecipientsThree educators have received grants from CNMAS to support their science-based educational programs for young people.
Jay Follett with Boy Scouts of America was awarded $323.17 to purchase binoculars for use at the Gorham Scout Ranch by scouts working on their Bird Study Merit Badge.
Elizabeth Osborn, a 4th grade teacher at Sandia Base Elemen-tary in Albuquerque, was awarded $208.63 to purchase hands-on activity tubs in electricity, human anatomy, and the solar system.
Nancy Woodward, Director of Dragonfl y School, a non-profi t school in Santa Fe, whose motto is “Community, Creativity, Ecology,” was awarded $170.00 for binoculars and bird seed. The students have made their own bird feeders that have been placed throughout the school yard. The binoculars will be used to view visiting birds and for fi eld trips.
Central New Mexico Audubon Society
March - May 2011 Vol. 40, No. 2
FROM THE CHAPTERS
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FROM THE CHAPTERS
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Sangre de Cristo Audubon Society Activities
Evening Programs
Wednesday, April 13 THERE AND BACK AGAIN:
A TALE OF BIRD MIGRATION Phred Benham
Each year billions of birds undertake demanding migratory journeys between their breeding and wintering grounds. These incredible migrations intrigue scientists and lay people alike. Join Phred Benham, a graduate student at UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology, as he explains how scientists unravel the mysteries of how and why birds wing their way not just across the continent, but also across the globe. Phred’s studies include work on the Canada Warbler, a species that illustrates some of the fascinating phenomena involved in migration and conservation issues facing migratory birds. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of September–November and February–April at the Unitarian Church in Santa Fé (at the corner of Galisteo and Barcelona Sts .) at 7:30 PM . Everyone is welcome. There is no charge; the building is wheelchair accessible and smoke-free. A short update of environmental issues and chapter activities precedes the program. This is not an activity of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
F IELD TRIPS
Sunday, March 6
RIO GRANDE NATURE CENTER Winter Birds
The Center offers great views of waterfowl from its indoor observation room. We’ll be walking outdoors as well. This half-day trip is appropriate to all levels of birders. Leave from Santa Fe Place at 7:45 AM or at the Rio Grande Nature Center at 8:45 AM. Contact leader to check on trip status. Leader: Adele Caruthers (505) 984-3279 [email protected]
Saturday, April 23 MAXWELL NWR Migrating Species
Leader: Mary Ristow (505) 820-0906, [email protected] This trip to Maxwell NWR (an Audubon IBA) should yield songbirds and waterfowl and shorebirds. Meet at Santa Fe Place Mall at 6:15 a .m . Contact leader to check on trip status .
Saturday, May 7
BIRDING WITH BATKIN
Sangre de Cristo Audubon is delighted to announce that Jonathan Batkin, Santa Fe County birder extraordinaire, will lead a fundraiser/birding class/field trip on Saturday, May 7, a good date for migration this far north.
The emphasis will be on the west side of Santa Fe County. For information or to reserve space for this exciting nature opportunity, contact: Mary Ristow: 820-0906 [email protected]
Saturday, May 14
INTERNATIONAL SPRING MIGRATION COUNTS
Leaders: Santa Fe: Sheila Gershen, (505) 988-3143 Los Alamos: Steve Fettig, (505) 662-6785 Taos: Karen Epperson, (505) 758-7035 Colfax: Agnes Gibson (575) 377-6128 Rio Arriba: Dale Stahlecker, (505) 466-3453 This is a team event. Less experienced birders will be placed with more experienced birders if possible. Talk with a count leader at least one week before the count day .
Saturday, May 21 ORTIZ MOUNTAIN PRESERVE
Join Lawry Sager in exploring the Ortiz Mountains Preserve looking for spring migrants. Reservations required . There is a $5 entry fee per individual to defray cost to the nonprofit preserve. Access to the preserve is behind a locked gate on a road requiring a high
clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle. We will need people with appropriate vehicles to help drive up the road. Maximum number of attendees is 12. To make a reservation contact: Dawn Foy (505) 820-1658, [email protected]
Sunday, June 5 ORILLA VERDE
Songbirds, Raptors Leader: Jerry Friedman (505) 753-1946, [email protected] On this half-day trip along the Rio Grande we’ll be looking for raptors and a variety of song birds. Meet at DeVargas Mall at 6:45 a .m . or at the Rio Grande Recreation Area Visitors Center in Pilar at 8:00 a .m . Contact leader to check on trip status . Carpooling Locations: Santa Fe Place: Located on Cerrillos Road just south of Rodeo Road. Meet in the parking lot west of what was once Mervyn’s (between the mall and Applebee’s). De Vargas Mall: Located at Paseo de Peralta and Guadalupe Street. Meet in the parking lot in front of Starbucks on the south side of the mall. When carpooling, please arrive 10 minutes ahead of time so we can leave promptly at the scheduled time.
Sangre de Cristo Audubon Society Field Trips are designed to promote understanding and appreciation of wildlife and their habitats. Our aim is to cultivate awareness of outdoor ethics in an atmosphere of friendly companionship. Field trips are free and open to the public. Some area entry fees are required and driving costs are shared. Participants are expected to carpool whenever possible. On all field trips, wear walking shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Bring water, lunch, and binoculars. No pets, please. Always call the trip leader before the trip. Trips may be cancelled for a variety of reasons.
FROM THE CHAPTERS
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GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
JOIN US FOR AUDUBON NEW MEXICO’S SPRING EVENTS
A new interpretive sign now graces the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary garden. Visitors may recall the “garden sign” highlighting butterflies and hummingbirds – beautiful, but a peculiar pinkish purple. That’s because the original sign quickly lost its green and yellow hues. When notified of the problem, Discovery Exhibits, the Santa Fe firm that designed the sign and arranged for its fabrication and installation in November 2009, was quick to replace it with a new version that should last much longer. Visit the Audubon Center to enjoy the beautiful new sign in its proper glory.
Events leading up to the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)at the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary started in early January when Santa Fe area teachers participated in an orientation to the GBBC. They received free feeders and bird seed from the Feed Bin to establish a school feeder watch and pledged to participate in the event with the assistance of staff and volunteers. This event was quickly followed by a bird class at our local REI store which brought over 50 individuals together to learn about attracting birds to their backyards and the simple steps to participating in the GBBC. During the GBBC, over 65 people visited our Center to participate in the count while visiting Flights of Fancy, a student art show featuring the interpretive work of 6th graders at El Dorado Community School. All proceeds generated went to Audubon’s Education and Scholarship Fund. These events, and the many counts across the State, resulted in 184 different species being counted in New Mexico from 644 checklists. Communities from Truchas to Rodeo, and Portales to Bloomfield, New Mexico contributed to the more than 64,000 birds that were sighted during this four day, annual citizen science event.
OUR SNAZZY NEW SIGN
Student artwork from the Great Backyard Bird Count Art Show.
Canyon Tow
hee
April 2-3, 2011 - All Audubon Volunteer Weekend at Broad Canyon Ranch (Las Cruces, New Mexico). Check our website for details.
April 30, 2011 - Birdathon is Audubon’s largest annual fundraising event and the world’s largest bird watching competition. Join in the fun and help support the New Mexico Birdathon Team. Funds raised will directly support New Mexico’s programs. Thank you for your support!
May 14-15, 2011 - BioBlitz at the River of Birds Festival at Broad Canyon Ranch (Las Cruces, New Mexico). See article on page 3.
May 20, 2011 - Third Annual Randall Davey Invitational Wildlife Art Show - Join us as we honor Randall Davey’s 126th birthday at the Audubon Center by bringing in celebrated artists and their wildlife-themed work from around the state to Santa Fe.
May 21, 2011 - Open House at the Randall Davey Audubon Center to showcase the beauty and activities of our wonderful sanctuary. Mark your calendars!
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Randall Davey House Tours: Tours of the historic home and studio of Santa Fe artist Randall Davey are held every Friday at 2pm. Call ahead to reserve your tickets today.
Bird Walks: Join us every Saturday morning at 8:30am for a hike with expert birders.
The Nature Store and Visitor Center is open from 10am - 4pm every day.
Explore our trails every day from 8am until dusk.
Ask a Master Gardener starts again in June and runs throughout the summer. Join us for this event every Friday from 10am - 12pm.
HIBERNATION IS OVER - VISIT THE AUDUBON CENTER!
CENTER & SANCTUARY
JOIN US FOR AUDUBONAZA EVENTS AT THE AUDUBON CENTER!
April 1, 2011 – 7:30 PM – Fiesta de EstrellasAstronomy expert John Remaly presents on The Year of the Solar System, followed by time outside for telescopic views of Saturn and other celestial wonders.
April 28, 2011 – 6:30 PM – Attracting Birds to Your Backyard: A Month by Month GuideAnne Schmauss and Dawn Graber own Wild Birds Unlimited in Santa Fe and are ready to answer your questions about feeders, food, water, habitat and housing and explain how to best welcome a wider variety of colorful songbirds.
May 6, 2011 – 7:30 PM – Fiesta de EstrellasAstronomy expert John Remaly regales the audience with pictures from the Hubble telescope, then go outside for telescope views of Mars, Jupiter and other celestial offerings.
May 26, 2011 – 6:30 PM – The Incredible Feather: Hidden Tales of Avian Life Knowledge of feathers provides a sneak peak into the incredible workings of avian life. Casey McFarland will start with a brief history of feather evolution, then cover bird physiology and flight.
June 3, 2011 – 9:00 PM – Fiesta de EstrellasAstronomy expert John Remaly tells stories of the Voyager spacecraft missions, before going outside to see what the June night sky has to offer.
June 11, 2011 – 9:30 AM – Partnering with Beavers Sharing time and place with beavers can be an experience of both special challenges and extraordinary opportunities. Join us to examine the beaver’s process and how these amazing animals benefit other species.
July 9, 2011 – 9:30 AM – Critters Different From the Cities Different Lizards and amphibians (herps) of the Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Espanola areas will be the featured guests in this presentation by Ted Brown, past president of the New Mexico Herpetological Society.
Visit our website at http://nm.audubon.org for more information and event listings!
A special thank you to all of our Audubon Center volunteers for your dedication to our programs and our mission. We truly value all you do for us. Thank you!
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A gift through your will can be an appealing way to make a lasting difference for the cause you care about. Your gift is made only with the money that is left after your lifetime needs have been met.
Consider putting aside a percentage for a charitable gift to Audubon New Mexico. Percentage bequests are particularly convenient because you will not know the total value of your estate in advance. By using a percentage, the dollar amounts will automatically adjust to the size of your estate. All gifts made to Audubon New Mexico will stay in New Mexico for the benefit of in-state programs.
Sample Bequest Language: “I bequeath ___% (or $____) of my residuary estate to the National Audubon Society, Inc., a not-for-profit conservation organization located at 225 Varick St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014, for its New Mexico state office known as ‘Audubon New Mexico.’”
Audubon’s federal tax ID number is: 13-1624102.
