Common Raven - Photo: Dow Lambert
PRESIDENT’S NOTES
May — June 2024
by Ken Wiersema
Ken Wiersema
BirdFest 2024
The forecasted net revenues for this year almost certainly will exceed those of 2023. Our Great Thanks to the excellent accomplishments of our field trip leaders, again led and organized by Bob Boekelheide. I extend a special thanks to those who stepped up to help with field trips for the 1st time. And there were several new events this year with new volunteer leaders taking the reins. Well Done! Vanessa Fuller, again did a superb job at putting together a successful, educational, and fun event. Many thanks to her, and the Center’s staff for a week in which we can each take pride. BirdFest is a unique event for the Center, as it’s not purely a fundraiser, in contrast to dinners on the Bridge, “Give Big” campaigns, and golf tournaments. It’s emphasis on seeing and learning about wildlife and the regional habitats essential to their lives. BirdFest renews our commitment to the core missions of both OPAS and the Center.
Farewell to Powell Jones
On 30 April, Powell Jones departed from his role as Director of the Dungeness River Nature Center. He leaves after serving the Center in progressively responsible roles as one of its 1st AmeriCorps volunteers, then joining the staff as our 1st education lead, and for over 10 years as our Center’s Director. He takes with him our respect and appreciation for his leadership and dedication to wildlife and the natural world. He and his family will remain in his native Sequim community, as he takes on his new role as lands manager for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. Our best to yah! Big Thanks Powell… and we’ll see you around! Note: Annette Nesse will be serving as the interim director of the Center until a new director is hired.
Birdathon 2024
As you read these notes, you should have received our letter asking you to participate in Birdathon 2024 and to contribute financial support to OPAS’s programs. Bob Boekelheide has an article in the May-June Harlequin Happenings newsletter with bird counting instructions. This year we have decided to commit a portion of our annual income to initiating a scholarship program for local high school graduates. We plan to have this be a continuing annual contribution to the young folks of our community. You will also see in this newsletter edition the count sheets for our County wide annual bird census. Please get out and count birds in your yard and neighborhood. Your letter explains Birdathon activities and the ways we encourage you to participate. This year Birdathon occurs on Saturday May 11th, also International Migratory Bird Day. Please join us to Count Birds and to Give! For those who have not renewed their membership yet for 2024, you may also renew as a supplement to your Birdathon contribution. Thanks!
Audubon and Naming
Due to the workload of BirdFest, and Birdathon, we have again delayed polling our members on making a change to our name. As you know, several of the larger urban chapters removed “Audubon” from their name. In the West, those include Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. Those chapters remain in the Audubon network. Your OPAS board will consider renaming our chapter. We too would plan to stay in the national network. In the near future we plan to survey OPAS members on whether we should remove Audubon from our name. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Our “Harlequin Happenings” Editor
Our newsletter editor for over 15 years, Rob Hutchison, is in recovery from a 2nd surgery. The timing of his return remains undetermined. Our OPAS Board and article writers have again put together this newsletter edition, led by our multi-skilled, and dedicated Webmaster, Mary Porter-Solberg. In times of need, Mary again answers our call! Thanks!