11-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

8/9/2019 11-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

1/12

Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 40 No. 9November2009

Announcements page 11

BirdSongs page 8

Calendar page 12

Education page 4

Environment Matters page 3

Executive Directors column page 2

Field trips page 5

New members page 11

Quizzical Owl page 8

Volunteer recognition page 10

Inthisissue:

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

A lovely fall walk around Wapato Park

and Wapato Lake on a balmy fall morning

sounded like such a good idea! So thought

George Schonhard, who scheduled himself

to lead such a bird walk on the morning of

October 17, 2009. As you know, all of

George's plans were suddenly canceled by

the fates (see accompanying obituary on

page 6), but his eld trip was still held to

honor his vision because he would have

wanted it thus. Ken and Nell Batker gra-

ciously agreed to step in as leaders of the

bird walk, and it was a good way to remem-ber George and enjoy the things he enjoyed.

The morning turned out very wet, and

again we thought of George, as he had the

right gear for every occasion.

As we were donning our wet-weather

garb, a Great Blue Heron was seen posing

over the water on a horizontal tree branch,

an artists vision. We set off to walk around

the lake, sure that the rain would let up

soon. It was a warm tropical kind of rain to

begin with. A flock of Cackling Geese, the

... and a day trip becomes a tributeOn a Wapato Park

walk, we remember

George Schonhard

Photo/Diane Yorgason-QuinnWapato Parks signature pergola, with its Doric columns, welcomes visitors.

Ruth Sullivan on George Schonhard:George was my best birder and never missed a meet-

ing. I went to his Memorial. His son showed photos of

him and his many hobbies. He died too soon; he was

only 70 years old. I am going to miss him. He was a gi-

ant of a man in so many ways and was involved in many

activities. He climbed mountains, was an experienced

sherman, collected butteries, and knew his trees and

plants well. And he liked to photograph the many things

he did.

We are all going to miss George.

SeeGeorgesobituaryonpage6

See"Wapatoonpage6

Editors Note: it is with sadness that we say good

bye to a friend and volunteer of Tahoma Audubon,

George Schonhard. George was scheduled to lead

our trip at Wapato Park, a place he visited often.

Our successful Early Bird Breakfast eventwas held October 22nd.At right, Board Member Melissa Paulson sits

with husband Jamie Paulson. Melissa present-ed Tahoma Audubons ve year membershipgoals at the event, looking to increase mem-bership by 50% by 2014!

See page 7 for more photos.

DonatetotheTahomaAudubonSocietyCommon birds at risk, sharp decline of sea

birds in Puget Sound, Global warming ef-

fects on habitat, and near extinction for the

Spotted Owl. These are some of the recent

headlines that add urgency to our work to

preserve habitat for wildlife and humans.

Your donation is critical to the success of

our important work. Donate today!

Your donation is tax deductible. Clickhere

to go to our donation webpage. Photo/Robert Kelton
http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/Default.aspx?pageId=30314&wstepNo=1&wctxId=fe4dc6ea2e20434fb88177133037f089http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/Default.aspx?pageId=30314&wstepNo=1&wctxId=fe4dc6ea2e20434fb88177133037f089


2/12

By the year 2030,

Pierce County is

expected to grow by

almost 250,000

people. This

population growth

is larger than thenumber of people

who live in the city

of Tacoma today.

Far too many adults

and children are

already removed

from nature, and this

disconnect is likely to grow as the population increases.

The challenges of climate change, increased suburban

and rural development, and shrinking public dollars

mean that the work to protect wildlife habitat in Pierce

County will be especially daunting in the coming

decades.

2009 is Tahoma Audubon Societys 40th anniversary.

As we enter our fifth decade, Tahoma Audubon isfostering a new generation of leaders while celebrating

the conservation victories of our founding generation.

This new generation of leadership will ensure that there

continues to be a voice of habitat conservation in Pierce

County.

The strength of Tahoma Audubon has been and will

continue to be our strong base of volunteer leadership.

Tahoma Audubon will advance a culture of conservation

through our work in advocacy, stewardship, and

education, connecting the next generation with nature.

Tahoma Audubon has ambitious goals:

Conservation: Influence public policy to conserve,

protect, and restore the more than 267,000 acres of

connected open space indentified in Pierce County. Conserve or restore important habitats and

ecosystems through partnerships and the Important

Bird Area campaign.

Empower citizens to protect and preserve

ecosystems and habitat in their communities and

neighborhoods.

Education: Expand education programs throughout

Pierce County to serve more than 40,000 children and

adults annually by 2014.

Membership: Increase membership 50% by 2014.

How will we accomplish these goals?

We will achieve our Conservation goals by

expanding our citizen science efforts such as the

Seabird Survey, 24 Hour BioBlitz, and Christmas BirdCount. We will take a lead on the newly created Open

Space Task Force to seek new ways to fund open space

acquisition. We will take Audubon into the community

to connect our members and others with the rich

biodiversity in their neighborhoods.

To increase oureducationprograms we are developing

a Volunteer Stewards Training beginning in January. We

will be training volunteers to deliver our programming

throughout the community. We will be expanding

partnerships with Schools districts, community groups

and institutions in all parts of the County.

Membership in Tahoma Audubon gives folks the

local face to the larger Audubon family. We will be

organizing quarterly membership orientation meetings

to better introduce ourselves to new members. There

are a tremendous number of ways we connect people

with nature, and expanding our membership brings thatto so many more in the community.

These are ambitious goals indeed. As I have seen

time and time again, the volunteers and staff of

Audubon are able to accomplish anything they put their

mind to. We will need everyones help to achieve these

goals and ensure that Audubon is around to protect the

environment for the next generation.

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org November 2009

executive directorsCorner

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.

The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates for the protec-

tion of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its

members experiences in and with the natural world.

The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/

Jan issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history,

conservation, and environmental education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by

the editor. Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or

typed.

Editor: David Lev: [email protected]

Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings

Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com

Printing: Consolidated Press

Printed on recycled newsprint

Contact Bryan at 253-565-9129.

Or [email protected]

TahomaAudubonStaff

Flint,Bryan Executive [email protected] 253-565-9129

Kyer,Krystal Conservation [email protected] 253-232-9978

Swaim,Stephanie Education Coordinator

[email protected] 253-327-9480

Kesinger,Cami Development [email protected] 253-565-9129

Taylor,GrahamVolunteer 253-565-1884Kerrigan,JulieCoordinators [email protected] [email protected]

Benton,Ken Education [email protected] 253-565-1884

TahomaAudubonBoardOfficers

John Garner President

Marjorie Shea Vice PresidentJane Brosius Secretary

Kathleen Nelson Treasurer

TahomaAudubonBoardMembers2009

Thelma Gilmur

Dick Carkner

Marcus Roening

Peggy L. Kopf

Darby Veeck

ThePierceCountyChapterofTheNationalAudubonSocietyLocatedinUniversityPlace'sAdrianaHessWetlandPark

2917MorrisonRdWUniversityPlace,WA98466Officehours10a.m.-1p.m.Frontdesk253-565-9278

Ione Clagett

Melissa Paulson

Bill Smith

Tanja Scott

Charles Griffin

As we enter our fifth

decade, Tahoma

Audubon is fostering a

new generation of leaders

while celebrating the

conservation victories of

our founding generation.

Ambitious goals for the future

Introducing the Towhee's

newest editor, David LevHello all, my name is David Lev,

and Ill be the editor for The Towheefor this issue and the next one. Ima senior English major and Historyminor at the University of PugetSound, and Ive worked as a writerfor several publications for a whilenow, but this is one of my firstexperiences editing.

Im originally from Corvallis,Oregon, and Ive always loved thewild (which probably comesfrom growing up in ahouse in the middle of theforest).

Ive previously volun-teered for an organic com-munity garden, but aside fromthat I havent really doneall that much workfor environmental-ist groups, so Ifigured I might as

well start now.

My other passions include LGBTrights and fostering local arts andculture in the community.

Ive lived in a diversity of places,including France and New Zealand,and Ive seen a lot of cool placeson this planet Earth, so I know all

about the importance ofpreserving our wilder-

nesses. Im look-ing forwardto this job,and I hopeyou all like

my results!

David Lev
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


3/12

Fall is upon us, and so is the season for Citizen

Science projects volunteer opportunities that connect

people to nature AND contribute to scientific knowledge

and decision-making. National Audubon and Tahoma

Audubon have a long history of these types of volunteer

opportunities. The December Christmas Bird Count is

the longest continuous running citizen science projectanywhere, now in its 110th year! The Great Backyard

Bird Count is another winter project that occurs every

February.

Last year, Tahoma Audubon expanded our citizen

science projects in a conscious effort to engage members

in activities they love, like bird watching and nature

walks, with the goal of gaining more local knowledge as

to what is happening with our local birds and habitats.

This knowledge will be used to then engage the wider

community in support of our conservation goals.

For example, collecting baseline data on all types of

species (plants, animals, birds, bugs) in the Ohop

Valley this past year in collaboration with Northwest

Trek Wildlife Park will help us better evaluate the

success of a major stream restoration project that gotunderway this summer. The last field trip was in

October, and more are being scheduled for 2010 to

discover what species are returning to the newly

restored valley.

In 2008, we began participating in three more new or

existing citizen science projects, and the great

enthusiasm and interest for these programs has led us

to continue to offer them once again. Heres what we

are doing in 2009-10:

PUGET SOUND SEABIRD SURVEY

Lucky for you, you dont have to wait until

Decembers Christmas

Bird Count to get

involved. In October, we

launched the secondseason of the Puget Sound

Seabird Survey, in

collaboration with Seattle

Audubon, adding eleven

new sites and a dozen new volunteers in Pierce County.

The PSSS survey is done by volunteers standing on the

shorelines of Puget Sound from as far north as Everett

and as far south as Olympia. The survey gives us a

snapshot in time of all wintering seabirds in the central

and south Puget Sound area. Both returning and new

volunteers stormed the shorelines on October 3rd for thefirst of seven monthly surveys. You can learn more

about the survey and results from previous years by

visiting www.seabirdsurvey.org.

PROJECT FEEDERWATCH

If cold windy

winter days arent

your cup of tea,

consider watching

winter birds from

the comfort of the

Adriana Hess

Wetland Park and

Audubon Center in

University Place.

Starting inNovember, we will be observing wintering birds that

come to our feeders, stream, and pond, just outside our

windows. Volunteers are needed to help make a list of

species seen and count them on Tuesdays and

Wednesdays between mid-November and early April.

Come in and volunteer for a shift, and well even

make you a cup of tea! Or, if you would

like to participate in Project

FeederWatch from the comfort of your

own home, you can sign up online and

learn more at: http://www.birds.cornell.

edu/pfw/. If you would like to help at our

office contact Graham Taylor, AmeriCorps

Volunteer Coordinator, to sign up at 253-

565-1884.WINTER BIRDS OF ROY;

a NATUREMAPPING field trip

Last May we conducted a BioBlitz in the

Nisqually area, near the City of Roy, just east

of Fort Lewis. Over

80 volunteers came

out in one 24-hour

period to collect as

much data as

possible on the

species found in thebiologically diverse

area. The area

includes streams,

wetlands, oak

woodlands and

remnant prairies.

We found 468 species, including spiders, birds, plants,

butterflies, bats, frogs, plants and much more. This gave

us a great picture of the areas biodiversity, but as

birders know, migratory birds seen in May arent

necessarily going to be the same ones found in the

wintertime. Therefore, we are offering a field trip on

December 5th to explore the area once again, and

capture more bird species. A trained NatureTracker

volunteer will be on hand to record the data in niftyhand-held computers. University of Puget Sounds Dr.

Gary Shugart and members Nel and Ken Batker will

lead the trip through some of the areas covered during

the BioBlitz, including a rail line walk, the Roy City

Park, and some private property. To sign up, for this field

trip, call our office at 253-565-9278 between 10am-

1pm Mon-Sat. You can also learn more about

NatureMapping and the Roy BioBlitz by visiting:

http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/bioblitz/roy/

Last, but not least, well have

more information in next months

Towhee about Christmas Bird

Count in mid-December. Learn

more at: http://www.audubon.org/

Bird/cbc/Want more information? If you

have questions about any of these

projects please contact Krystal Kyer,

Conservation Coordinator, at 253-232-9978.

November 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

Contact Krystal at 253-232-9978.

Or [email protected]

eNviroNMeNtMatters

Citizen Science opportunities abound

ByCarterRubin

From Portland, ME to Port Angeles,

WA independent family shermen have relied on

generations of accumulated experience and local

knowledge to bring fresh seafood to our dinner ta-

bles and jobs to our coastal communities. But likeso many other areas of commerce in this country

agriculture, manufacturing, etc. a handful of large

corporations have risen to dominate commercial

shing, leaving behind a

wake of environmental

and social destruction.

The factory trawler

boats used extensively in

large-scale shing indis-

criminately haul in thou-

sands of pounds of sh in

one fell swoop of their nets, killing not only many of

the sh they intended to catch, but also those they

did not including other sh species, sea mam-mals, birds, and invertebrates. The practice of

bottom trawling in particular effectively clear-cuts

everything living on the ocean oor...using large,

heavy nets kept open by doors, weighing as much

as several tons each, that drag across large areas of

seaoor to catch sh that live on or near the ocean

oor (http://oceana.org/north-america/what-we-

do/stop-destructive-trawling/about/).

A plan is underway to radically change the way

we manage our public ocean resources, and it's

only going to make things worse. Under the guiseof conservation, a system known as catch share

would cap the amount of a sh that can be re-

moved from the ocean and allocate those shares of

the catch to shermen. While this sounds promis-

ing on paper, in practice the rights to sh will only

be given out to those who have shed the hardest,fastest, and least sustainably over a period of ve

years, a.k.a. the large corporate shing operations.

Not only would this increase the already severe

threat to our ocean ecosystems, it would force

small-scale shermen out of business by privatizing

our public ocean resources. To continue shing, a

local sherman would have to lease the right to sh

from the corporation at extortion prices. Already,

similar policies in Canada have ravaged the liveli-

hoods of shing families and communities

in Nova Scotia and British Colombia, while

hastening the ascent of factory shing.

However, in the United States we can take action

now to prevent further privatization of our sheries.

This fall, the consumer action non-prot, Food &

Water Watch, is building a grassroots movement ineight cities, including Tacoma, to add citizen power

to its Fair Fish Campaign. Community groups are

raising awareness and putting pressure on key

members of Con-

gress to take deci-

sive action in order

to protect our ocean

ecosystems, pro-

vide consumer ac-

cess to sustainable

seafood, and ensure

the vitality of our coastal shing communities.

In October, the Conservation Committee of Ta-

homa Audubon unanimously agreed to sign onto a letter to Sen. Maria Cantwell expressing our

concerns over the unfair catch share policy. We

encourage you to get involved by signing the online

petition right now or contacting Tacoma Fair Fish

Organizer, Carter Rubin at 310.200.1088 or Cart-

[email protected] for more information.

You can learn more about this campaign online

at: http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/campaign.

jsp?campaign_KEY=27754&track=hp-090209-main

isNotFair

CatchShare
http://www.seabirdsurvey.org/http://www.seabirdsurvey.org/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/bioblitz/roy/http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/bioblitz/roy/http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27754&track=hp-090209-mainhttp://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27754&track=hp-090209-mainhttp://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27754&track=hp-090209-mainhttp://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27754&track=hp-090209-mainhttp://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/bioblitz/roy/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/http://www.seabirdsurvey.org/


4/12


educatioNMatters

Call Steph @ 253-327-9480. Or

[email protected]

2917 Morrison Road W.,

University Pl. WA 98466

253-565-9278

www.TahomaAudubon.org

Open Mon Sat. 10a.m.-1p.m.

1919 South Tyler Street,

Tacoma WA 98338

253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.org

Open Tues. Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

& Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

See class schedule on next page, or check our websites for the latest updates.

stephanieSWAIMEducationCoordinator

Help us foster a sense of

wonder about the natural

world.

With expert instructors, andknowledgeable staff you will

learn to guide youth and their

families to see nature as a

place to treasure.

Classes are forming, call for

more information: 253-327-

9480, or email: Naturalist@

TahomaAudubon.org.

Become a Volunteer Naturalist!

We are passionate about this because nature is becoming a foreign place. Each year our environ-

mental educators teach about the habitats and wildlife of Puget Sound. We teach outdoors andin classrooms. We teach in kayaks and on hikes! We teach this because we love it.

Fun Classesbeginin January2010: Introduction to Interpretation,Forests, Birds, Wetlands, Tidepools, & Mammals.Fun Workshops: Wildlife Tracking, Wild Edibles, Kayak EcoTours,and much more!Perfect for Recent Retirees, College Students, Homeschool

Parents, and Teens aged 16+. It's more than fun; it's rewarding!

We are grateful for a second year of

funding from TogetherGreen.org for the

continuation of our Prairie Restoration

Project at the Morse Wildlife Preserve, a

collaboration between Tahoma Audubon Society, Cascade Land Con-

servancy and the 4th and 5th graders at Rocky Ridge Elementary

School in Graham, Washington.

Learn more about the exciting things happening at the Morse Wild-

life Preserve on page9.

At Morse Wildlife Preserve, students collect data, learn about water

quality testing with Mrs. Case, and plant 5 x 5 plots.

Morseisaneducationalforce

Connect others to nature
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


5/12


6/12


George Philip Schonhard of Tacoma passed away on

September 23, 2009, at the age of 70.

George was born on August 2, 1939, in Bremerton,

WA. He graduated from Everett High School and the

University of Washington. George married Judith Ann

Clinkingbeard in 1962, and they had one son, David.

George was a retired chemist, and is survived by

his wife of 46+ years, Judy, son David Schonhard and

daughter-in-law Nancie, grandchildren Michael, Rachel,

and Jill, sister Judy Lee Schonhard, and many other

relatives and friends. Donations may be made to the

Tahoma Audubon Society.

George Philip Schonhard} }

smaller relatives of Canada Geese, swam right

up to us with the usual Mallards and park

ducks, showing how similar in size these little

geese are to ducks. A pair of Pied-Billed

Grebes actually became airborne by about one

inch as they were suddenly startled. Im not

sure Ive ever seen a P-B Grebe fly, and thisprobably wouldnt qualify! Wood Ducks were

wending their way between Coots, putting

those drab fowl to shame. A huge long-necked

white goose (domestic x Chinese goose?)

swam for shore and ran up the hill, making us

chase it a bit to be sure it wasnt an early

Swan! Suddenly, an intrusion put all the

waterfowl on alert!! A Bald Eagle swooped in,

giving the scare to all and strafing the waters

surface with a line of white foam, but coming

up empty-taloned to a nearby conifer to recon-

noiter.

Wapato Park is truly an urban gem. Police

sirens screamed by several times, reminding us

just how urban it is, but otherwise one might

imagine themselves in an idealized country-

side far away in place and time. Paths veer off

from the main lake walk, where you can peer

into the swift-running streams and ponds, allof which were finally brimming with water

again on this wet morning after a dry summer.

Little islands of dense marshland and dark

woodlands provide diverse habitats for birds

and birders alike. In the rain, songbirds were

scarce, but those reliable Song Sparrows came

through as usual, as well as some Golden-

Crowned Kinglets and Black-Capped

Chickadees calling out incantations for the rain

to stop. Our only shorebird was an American

Crow, doing its best to fill that niche and many

others. A Red-Tailed Hawk flew overhead,

and I believe he shook water off his feathers

onto us.

As the morning progressed, the rain increased,

the skies grew darker, and the temperature

dropped. Luckily we were only scheduled for

a couple of hours, but due to finding some

paths becoming slippery with mud and autumnleaves, we found ourselves actually finishing a

little early for a change. The skies were con-

tinuing to weep copiously as we paddled our

cars away in the darkening morning, weeping

with needed rain after our dry spell, but also

weeping for George and others not there to

enjoy what we experienced that morning.

... Wapatofrompage1

Top: Cackling Goose surrounded by raindrops on Wapato Lake. Below: Double-Crested

Cormorants having fun with sh. Right: Our soggy group taking cover under a picnic

shelter at Wapato Park: Adam Trent, Leaders Ken and Nell Batker, Diane Yorgason-Quinn,

and Beverly Webber. Photos/DianeYorgason-Quinn


7/12


ByDianeYorgason-Quinn

This fall has been terrific for rare birds seen in Pierce County and surround-

ing areas. The sightings have been exciting enough to cause the most agree-

able of birders to become a chaser. As an example, Melissa Sherwood has

successfully chased three rare birds, all lifers, in two weeks, and shes not

done yet! She went down to Tokeland in early October and found the Bar-

Tailed Godwit hiding amongst the hundreds of Marbled Godwits, then scooted

up Kent a week later and saw two Sharp-Tailed Sandpipers, followed two days

later by successfully observing the Black-Tailed Gull off of Marine View Drive

in Tacoma, found the previous day by our own Charlie Wright. Others have

also been flocking to Browns Point to see a remarkably tame Lapland

Longspur. Melissa is locked and loaded for the next rarity and might even find

it herself and report it to the world.

How can you get in on the excitement? Theres a new feature available

from Tweeters, the Northwests e-mail birding group, called Tweeters Alerts,

which is just for reporting and reading about desired birds. For more informa-

tion on Tweeters and Tweeters Alerts, please see their web page: http://

www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/tweet.html. Many of us would like to extend a

thank-you to the Burke Museum at the University of Washington for hosting

Tweeters on the internet.

Although we all love to just go out and see whats around, sometimes hav-

ing a specific goal bird adds an element of excitement and motivation like

nothing else can, plus it gets you out of the house!

SpecialtyBird

HuntingPhoto/Melissa Sherwood

Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper, center, Kent, WA

Photo/Diane Yorgason-QuinnBar-Tailed Godwit, Tokeland, Oct 09

WayneandSallyLarson

PeggyKopfandPatMail

Thankstoourpresentingsponsor:

Thankstooursponsors:

Former board member Terry Conner (center) talks with Lara Her-rmann (left) and David Hirst (right)

Volunteer Coordinator Graham Taylor thanks our Table Captains byoffering them complimentary Tahoma Audubon Calendars.

Table Captain David Seabrook (center) and his wife Vergia (left) chatwith Tahoma Audubon President John Garner (right) at the Early BirdGets the Worm Breakfast.

Audubon board member Margie Shea (left) andTacoma Nature Center intern Daisy Garcia (right)spoke to the audience about the success and im-portance of the Tacoma Nature Centers paid in-ternship.

Knute Berger signs books as volunteers RyllaGoldberg (back left), Karen Bloustine and MonicaWeidman (sitting, table) try desperately to keepup with the demand, selling 60 of the 50 bookson hand!

Judith Krill, Steve Wyant and Don Dresser of the Nisqually DeltaAssociation.

AndthankyouTableCaptains!American Leadership Forum, Ken & Nell Batker,CalPortland, Richard Carkner, John Garner, GaryGeddes, Kristy Gledhill, Debby Hyde, KathrynKravit-Smith, Ryan Mello, Ian Morrison, Cindy

Niemi, Nisqually Delta Association, MelissaPaulson, Nancy Pearson, Port Of Tacoma, Da-vid Seabrook, Margie Shea, Bill Smith TacomaPublic Utilities, Darby Veeck, Brian Ziegler.

Photos/BillWhite
http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/tweet.htmlhttp://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/tweet.htmlhttp://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/tweet.htmlhttp://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/tweet.html


8/12

1. At one time this colorful bird was a popular caged bird.

2. What common species was formerly known as the Winter Finch?

3. How many species of penguin are in the southern hemisphere?

4. What owl can detect movement up to 2 ft. under snow?

5. Nesting in "seabird cities", the world's most numerous gull species is the ____________.

wlquizzical

the

ByThaisBock


BIRDSONGS

byPhilBul

y

Let'srenewourdedicationtotheNisquallyRefuge

(Answers below.)

ByHelenEngle

Tahoma Audubons involvement with the Nisqually

River estuary is a big part of our history. Our field

work produced flora and fauna data to add to the

growing bank of information about this last undevel-

oped major river estuary on Puget Sound. Audubons

respected advocacy voice joined in the chorus toSave Nisqually. With our allied organizations, such

as Nisqually Delta Association, League of Women

Voters, Black Hills Audubon, Washington

Environmental Council, The Nisqually Tribe and hunt-

ing and fishing groups, we returned to the legislature

every session for years to pass bills to protect the

Delta.

The 100-year old network of dikes built to create

pasture and farmland, had shut off seven sloughs of

Puget sound marine waters . Early in the 1970s this

area, then known as the Brown Farm Duck Club was

for sale and our lobbying efforts were diverted to

obtain federal funding to purchase what we knewwould be an outstanding National Wildlife Refuge.

For decades Auduboners have loved the 5.5-mile

trail on the perimeter dike and scheduled year-round

field trips to count the diverse birds and animals that

thrived in the combination or saltwater and freshwa-

ter habitat. Although not advertised along I-5, the

Refuge drew 180,000 visitors a year. Loss of the

popular Brown Farm Dike Trail will be softened in

part by construction next year of a mile-long board-

walk extending out over the estuary to the mouth of

McAllister Creek.

Meanwhile some 80 percent of Puget Sounds

estuarine habitat has disappeared diked, filled and

developed. Restoring wetland habitat is the corner-

stone of many of our salmon recovery plans.

Estuaries provide places for young salmon to hide,

rest and feed as they leave their rivers and enter themarine waters.

Audubon supported the 12-year, $12 million proj-

ect to restore the estuary on the 3,000-acre Nisqually

National Wildlife Refuge. In 2008 we watched as the

new, exterior dike was built across the refuge. And

it was with some pangs and feelings of dj vu this

summer when we saw 4 miles of the old dike exca-

vated -- more than

350,000 cubic yards of

dirt and rock.

On the Pierce County

side of the river the

Nisqually Tribes restora-tion project on the for-

mer Braget Dairy farm

has been successful. All

this work on the

Nisqually estuary has

boosted the total south

sound estuary habitat

by 55 percent. Fisheries

scientists predict this

will double survival of the rivers Chinook salmon

population a stock that was federally listed as

threatened in 1999.

Auduboners, do go to the Nisqually National

Wildlife Refuge. Refresh your sense of ownership of

this sacred place where the life of the water and the

life of the land converge in a biological blur.

Help renew our collective dedication to this placein its new incarnation. Join our friend Jean Takekawa,

US Fish & Wildlife Service Refuge Manager, as she

marvels at the tides moving into the sloughs and

reassures us, This is all for the good of Tahoma

Audubons special refuge.

Feedback, comments and reminiscences welcome,

253-564-3112, [email protected].

U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceFourmilesoftheolddikewereexcavatedthissummer.

ANSWERS:1.PaintedBunting2.HouseFinch3.Seventeen4.GreatGrayOwl5.Black-leggedKittiwake


9/12


The Morse Wildlife Preserve is a green jewel in

eastern Pierce County that exists as a credit to the

dedication and hard work of many Tacoma

Audubon Society (TAS) members and community

volunteers. That dedication is now focused on an

enhancement that will help protect and restore

wildlife on the property and for the Preserve to

better serve as one of the premier open-airenvironmental education centers in the region.

Planning for this BoardwalkandTrailProject

began about two years ago and is now at a critical

fundraising stage.

A bit of history: Lloyd and Maxine Morse

deeded the original 53 acres to the local land trust

(now Cascade Land Conservancy) in 1994. That

group and TAS immediately created a joint

operating agreement and created the Morse

Force to manage the property. In the 15

intervening years TAS and CLC have overseen the

development of a trail system and educational

curriculum, the addition of 185 wooded acres, theconstruction of a beautiful observation tower,

restoration of the historic barn, and several

projects at the on-site caretakers residence. The

Preserve is one of two Monitoring Avian Productivity

and Survivorship (MAPS) sites in the region at

which the vitality of bird populations is studied

over decades. Last year we tallied nearly 1,000

hours of education provided on the property and

about 1,350 hours of volunteer activity devoted to

the Preserve, including restoration of critical

habitat zones. A total of 119 bird species and over

250 plant species have been identified on the

original parcel.The Boardwalk and Trail Project will open up

about 75 acres of unique habitat that have not

been accessible before now. The results will be

the creation of new education and restoration

activities for the growing number of visiting

students, better ecological stewardship of the

property, and the opportunity to discretely

observe wetland and aquatic species at close

range. TAS will remain as the gatekeeper,

coordinating access to the Preserve and

overseeing all educational

events and programs.

The project to date: The

Morse Force has made

considerable progress so far

The locations of the

boardwalk, bridges, and

trails have been specified. The numerous county

permits and sign-offs have

been purchased and granted.

The construction

system has been designed,

specifically adapted for this

site, especially to minimize

the environmental impact on

the land. A scale model was

fabricated to demonstrate its

unique interlocking modular design.

Detailed construction management plans

have been made, covering such aspects asbringing power to the site, transporting materials,

creating jigs, and locating staging areas along

the route.

Individual donors have funded the project

to this level and slightly beyond.

The overall price tag will be about $150,000a

relative bargain at todays construction costs.

Securing the first $50,000 will trigger the ordering

of materials and first-phase construction. All

available avenues for funding will be pursued

during the building period, but help is needed now

to kick start the work. We are currently $12,000

shy of placing the first materials order. CLC (253-

274-4955 or 206-292-5907) has set up an account

for donations or these can be directed through the

TAS office.

Further details concerning construction or

funding can be obtained from Tom Galdabini

([email protected]).

Tom Galdabini

Chair, Morse Force

New wetland and forest access at Morse Wildlife Preserve

Thesephotosdepictthetypeofboardwalkconstructionthatisenvisioned.Belowisamapofwheretheboardwalkwillbe.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


10/12

voluNteerRecognition


A tribute to Tahoma Audubons front desk volunteers and leadershipTahoma Audubons

front desk volunteers

have served as a core

volunteer force within

the organization.

They are an effective

team, sharing anenormous workload

of about 93 hours a

month among the 17

of them. While

Audubon does not

have specific numbers

on volunteer retention,

observation shows

that our front desk volunteers have the highest retention

rate of all our volunteers, with at least nine of them

serving in their positions for over eight years each. In a

world where people change paid positions regularly, one

might wonder why and how Tahoma Audubon has had

such a high retention rate with these volunteers. One

reason in particular stands out: Sally Sloat.As a past president of Tahoma Audubon and

Administrative Chair since 1990, Sally has been deeply

committed to her team and Audubons mission. Although

her first work with Audubon was focused on direct

conservation efforts in the 1980s, her interest narrowed

as she specialized in Administrative Service. Sally

recognized Audubons need to present a refined, yet

simultaneously wise face to the world. She has met this

need by meticulously recruiting, training, and advising

her unique volunteer force. However, Sallys constructive

intentions and positive influence did not begin with

Audubon.

As a trained psychologist, Sally ran a full gambit in her

own working life, starting her first job in a mentalhospital and ending her psychology career years later,

working in a state prison. It is perhaps then that she was

prepared for the responsibility at Audubons front desk;

her first job offering her talents to deal with callers and

her last job ensuring her a certain understanding of how

to manage volunteers. In fact, Sally Sloat was one of the

first female psychologists to work in a Washington State

mens prison facility. Although her friends say that her

work there changed her lexicon, it did not alter her

determination to help others. Altogether, Sallys work

with Audubon and elsewhere has been a major success.

Since Audubon has lived at Adriana Hess Wetland

Park, Sally has made sure that Audubon has fulfilled its

lease agreement: to staff the office six days a week for

three hours each day. When someone cannot come in,Sally does (or finds someone). When a new volunteer is

interested in serving at the front desk, Sally trained them.

This has been going on for almost 20 years!

It is with all of this in mind, that Tahoma Audubon

regretfully accepts Sallys decision to step down as

Administrative Chair. We are comforted in knowing that

she will not wander far, promising to continue

volunteering at Audubon in a

more relaxed role. We are

hopeful that her continued

support will ensure some

needed continuity with the

operation of our front desk.

Altogether, Audubon istremendously grateful for

Sallys outstanding service

and for her continued

dedication to the process of

connecting people with nature.

As Sallys era of front desk leadership draws to a

close, Audubon is excited to announce that front desk

volunteer and former conservation coordinator Kris

Quinn has agreed to step forward and take responsibility

for training new front desk volunteers and retraining

veteran volunteers. Kriss decision to take on this

important task illustrates the familiar mind-set at

Audubon. As one volunteer steps down to rest, another

stands up to serve. Tahoma Audubon greatly appreciates

this attitude that is so deeply rooted in our membership.It is this willingness to serve that allows Audubon to

continue to offer the community such excellent

environmental advice, education and advocacy. From

the hearts of all of us at Audubon, we offer a special

thank you to Sally, Kris, and all the rest of our front desk

volunteers that make this organization such an

environmental beacon in the cloudy Pacific Northwest.

GreenTacomaDay

Over 381 people from all

over Tacoma came out to

celebrate the Green Tacoma

Partnership's 2nd annual

Green Tacoma Day and

National Public Lands Day

on Saturday, Sept. 26th.

At Titlow Park opening

remarks were made by Cityof Tacoma Mayor Bill

Baarsma, U.S. Representative Norm Dicks' District

Manager Clark Mather, and Metro Parks Board

Member Ryan Mello. Each spoke to the importance

of open spaces and the communitys work to restore

them.

Green Tacoma Day hosted a variety of activities

encouraging community members to explore, tour,

and help restore Tacoma's natural areas. Natural

areas that hosted events were Julias Gulch, Swan

Creek, First Creek, Puget

Creek, Blueberry Park,

Meadow Park Golf Course,

Oak Tree Park, University

of Puget Sound, Wapato

Hills, Point Defiance,

Wright Park, Tacoma

Community College, The

Tacoma Nature Center

and Titlow Beach Park.Individuals, families and

community groups participated in the event.

Over 130 freshmen from Tacomas new Science

and Math Institute helped remove English ivy from

Point Defiance Park. After the event site sponsor

volunteers were thanked and honored with a free

barbeque lunch at Titlow Beach Park. Thank you to

everyone who made Green Tacoma Day possible.

GreenTacomaPartnershipHabitatSteward

TrainingReflection

On Saturday October 10th nine dedicated

volunteers attended the Green Tacoma Partnerships

first ever Free Habitat Steward Training at Point

Defiance Lodge. These volunteerswill be stewards of local natural areas,

parks and private property. They will

work to restore areas to their natural

habitat by removing invasive species

and trash as well as replanting native

plants. The training focused on site

management, plant identification, a

powerpoint presentation about the

history of Tacoma and the Green

Tacoma Partnership and how to

organize a volunteer event. Upon completion of thetraining participants received a comprehensive field

guide with lots of tips & Best Management Practices

and will receive continued support from the Green

Tacoma Partnership in their restoration efforts.

HabitatStewardSpotlight

Our very own Cami Kesinger plans on being a

Habitat Steward for Titlow Beach Park. She and her

son are frequent visitors of Titlow and enjoy

exploring the beach and the forested areas. Through

leading volunteer work parties focused on invasive

species removal and other habitat restoration

projects Cami will be instrumental in preserving this

park for generations to come.

SallySloat

The Green Tacoma Partnership works to engage the Tacoma community in the restoration and maintenance of viable,

healthy natural spaces by connecting stewardship groups, providing resources and training, and organizing public outreach.

eNviroNMeNtMatters

These volunteers will be stewards of local natural areas.

Green Tacoma


11/12


Tahoma Audubon is the Pierce County chapter of National Audubon. As

an Introductory member of Tahoma Audubon you also receive a National

Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine for one year. Renewing

your Chapter Membership ensures that we can continue to do our work in

Pierce County. Chapter membership includes: Towhee newsletter sub-

scription, free family events, birding trip invitations, class & book dis-

counts, conservation activities, annual celebrations and more. Joint TAS/

National Audubon membership includes: Chapter membership, National

membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of

Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas. Checkspayableto:TahomaAudubon2

917Morrison

Rd.

W.

UniversityPlace,

98466Taho

maAudubon

Society,establishedin1969,

isa501(c

)(3)nonprofit

organization.

Donationsaretaxdeductible.

Membership Fee:

___ Introductory (first year) $20

___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50

___ Chapter member renewal $30

___ Other Contributions _____________

Member(s) Name: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

City______________________________ Zip__________________

Phone: home ___________________business _________________

e-mail: ________________________________________________

Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)

Membership

C9ZY020Z

aNNouNceMeNts

welcoMeto New and Returning Members

Chapter New and Renewing:

Mike & Carolyn Barry, Robert & Anne Caughey, An-

drew Clarke, Greg Cook, Joyce & Colin Ehli, Gerry &

Susan Elston, Grace T Eubanks, Cam & Dave Fore-

man, Phil Kennedy, Cami Kesinger, Margaret Kraft,

Dorothy Leyden, Marilyn T Mahoney, Scott Markow-

itz, Franky Marsh, Diana & Jim Noviello, D Pederson,

William & Berrit Price, Victoria Ray, David Rich-

ardson, Phil Schneider, Dennis & Melissa Sherwood,

Morry & Mary Stafford, Norita Stewart, Ruth Sullivan,

Dorothy & John Swanberg, Della Taylor, Steve & Julie

Thomas, Linda Van Nest, Warren & Mary Woodard,

Alex Zaffee.

Chapter Joint with National,

Recruited through Tahoma Audubon Society:

Lynn Andrews, Lois Currie, Jo Egan, Carol Gould-

Harris, Bob Hennings & Debby Hyde, Jean Jacobson,

Kathleen LeGreid, Janice Pittman, Kenneth Query, Ed

Sakai, Tom Sawyer, Carol Smith, Margaret Sullivan &

David Schutt, Audra Taylor, Dale Thompson.

Introductory,

Recruited through Tahoma Audubon Society:

Phil & Liann Arnold, Rob & Michelle Baird, Will Car-

huff, Eric & Lisa Ellis, Jennifer Federighi, Karen Kon-

rad, Verona Lunsford, Monty & Kelley Manseld, Da-

vid Miller, Candy Nigretto, Jennifer Pasquier, Nancy

Paxton, John W Ratko, Lynette Schimming, Lorraine

Simpers, James Tran, Cate Tschannen, Ingrid Wachtler,

Cheryl White, Candy Wies, Ken Zugner.

Introductory, Recruited through

National Audubon Society:

In September we received these new, trans-

fering-in, and returning members---Robert

Billington, Allan Warner, Karen Ander-

son, Bobbie Bayda, Thomas Biuur, Bon-

ney Boyd, Dana Boyer, Bob Brand, Mary

Cogger, Valerie Cordova, Eric Dahl, Mar-

jorie Dickson, Family Quigley, Johnny Foster, Janet

Frind, Mike Grant, Ann Green, James Hilderbrand,

Lita Hodges, Lila Howe, Judith Kinslow, Sharon Ko-

rtright, Charles Larsen, Patricia McGill, Masu Mue-

hike, Marti O'Connor, Ted Sanford, Mark Sinclair,

Patty Smallwood, Joleen Sorenson, Cathy Thompson,

Maridee Wildermuth, Cindy Williams, Rosemarie Wil-

liams, Helene Wingren, Gary

Witherspoon, Dave Zink, Lynn Boldenow, John &

Cynthia Dillon, Jean Elmer, Mary Lou Ferguson, Mary

Fox, Tokio Hayashi, Rowena Jackson, Kenneth E

Jones, Guisevin Kayihan, Lila F Keiler, Dianne Raw-

lins, Karen Ries, Deborah Rodriguez, Tammi Stewart,

Jeannie Walker, Bill Widener, William A Zindt.

In October we gained these new or returning members-

--Will Betz, Betty Dowie, Arden & Julie Johnson,

Charles Jones, Jr, Jungle Fever Exotics, Muriel Sch-

ramm, Erika & Daniel Sprague, Rebecca Stonestreet,

Jennifer Wasankari, Gayne & Ann Mar Williams,

James A Barnhart, Melvin Bill, Mary A Black, Alice

Certo, Constance Childs, James Clark, Sharon Collins,

Virginia Colyer, Roy Crouch, Carol Drysdale, Carol

Eckrom, Janis Elias, Janis Endsley, Eulalie Fisher,

Kenneth Graves, Wanda Gustafson, Diana Hamilton,

Dani Hart, Thomas Hayes, Kathy Higbee, Mary Hunt,

Cynthia Iies, Winogene Ivins, Jeff Jennings, Al Kehr,

Dena Kinzer, M G Messersmith, Moore, Caroline Mul-

lins, Dorothy Nelson, Margaret Oliver, Terry & Shelley

Petersen, Judie Price, Jose Rivera, Kris Ross, Blake E

Smith, Mary Voigt, Debra Watson, Al & Nancy Weaver,

Eddie West, Michael Bailey Long, Brynn Doyle, Ma-

mie Jackson, Jeff Lundbeck, Melba McGinnis, Colleen

Mishler, Agnes Nussie, J Opferman, Wesley Pollock, S

Pond, Georgia Pope, Jeanette M Smith, Muriel Taylor,

Germaine Wells, Mary P Bates, Ervin Boehl, Joan El-

dredge, Robert Haggard, Kate Packard, Ellen Vickrey.

All introductory members please take note:

When renewal time comes, you must renew through

TAS. We'll send you a renewal form a month before

your membership expires. You may get several re-

newal forms from NAS that you should ignore because

renewing through NAS will not give you our Towhee

newsletter.

Glad to have you with us. Hope to see you get involved!

Thelma Gilmur, Membership Chair

Thank Goodness Its Friday(TGIF) Restoration Fridays in November from 10:00

AM to 12:00 PM - Nov 13th, 20th, 27th, at Adriana

Hess Wetland Park. Come enjoy the outdoors and help

beautify the grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!

Mark your calendars

for Saturday, Feburary 6th

, 2010!The 2010 membership banquet is right around the

corner! Last years 40th Anniversary celebration was a

huge success and we want to repeat the fun for this

years event as well. But to make it great, we need your

help on two important pieces of this party:

1)We need auction items! Please consider donating

something to this years silent auction. Most donations

are tax deductible and all proceeds go to support our

endowment. Donations large and small are appreciated.

Ideas from past auctions include art, books, tickets to

museums or sporting events, homemade goodies, guided

birding trips and other fun experiences. Please call the

TAS office for more ideas or to make a donation.

2) We need party planners! This is the biggest

single event of the TAS calendar year and it takes lots

of people to make it run smoothly. If you are interested

in helping out with the banquet in any way, please

contact Melissa at [email protected] or

(253)306-0037. Well need people to help with the

program, decorations, materials and day-of logistics.

With your help, we can put together a great event to

celebrate Tahoma Audubons fantastic members and

activities. We look forward to seeing you at the 2010

banquet!

Just a reminder for youto save the date for

this fun holiday tradi-tion.Join Audubon Chapters

across the country incounting birds on this 110thannual event. Stay tuned for more news inthe December/January issue on Areas tosign up for, who to call, etc..or if youcant wait, call or e-mail the CBC Compilernow! Faye McAdams Hands 253-942-9233,or [email protected].

And on December 27th, VashonAudubon will hold their CBC. ContactDiane Yorgason-Quinn, 253-857-3367,[email protected].

ChristmasBirdCountiscomingDecember19th.Savethedate!

September 16, 2009 to October 15, 2009
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


12/12

Foradditionalinformation:TahomaAudubon-253-565-9278;orwww.tahomaaudubon.orgOrTheTacomaNatureCenter:253-591-6439orwww.metroparkstacoma.org

CalendarNoveMber prograM

Fri, November 13, 7pm 9pm at Tacoma Nature Center,

1919 S. Tylor Street

Monthly membership meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All are

welcome. Celebrate our veterans this week! This month's

program will feature Mark Fischer from the WashingtonState Veterans Conservation Corps. Learn how this im-

portant WA State Department of Veterans Affairs program

helps protect and restore wilderness throughout our region,

while providing valuable volunteer opportunities for our vet-

erans. Learn how to get involved. Call (253) 565-927

Adriana Hess Park Photography Class.

Mon Nov 2 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Location: Adriana Hess

Park. Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373.

Beginning Birding: Winter Birds.

Mon Nov 2 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM.

Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 18+. $45 Audubon Member, $55

non-Member. This class is designed for beginners to learn

basic skills needed to start discovering avian inhabitants of our

area. Local Field trips on Sat. Nov 7, 9:00 to noon and on Sat.

Nov 14, 9:00 to noon. Call 253-591-6439.

Weekly Bird Walk at Nisqually.

Weds Nov 4 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM.

Beginning Homeschool ScienceNov 5 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Location: Tacoma Nature Center.

TGIF Restoration Activity.

Fri Nov 6 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

Mon Nov 9 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

Enjoy a guided bird walk through the park!


Mon Nov 9 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Conservation Committee.

Tues Nov 10 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.

Location: Pacific Lutheran University, Reike 112, Parkland.



Budding Scientists "Washington Wildlife."

Weds Nov 11 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Ages 5-7, $9.00 per

student. Register at least two days prior. 253-591-6439.

Budding Scientists "Washington Wildlife."

Weds Nov 11 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. .

Intermediate Homeschool Science "Evergreen State"

Thu Nov 12, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Contact Margie with

questions or for more information at 591-6439 or marjories@

tacomaparks.com. Ages 10-12, $12 per student.

TAS Board Meeting.

Thu Nov 12, 2009 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Guests Welcome, please call

ahead at (253) 565-9278.


Fri Nov 13 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Come enjoy the outdoors and

help beautify the grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!

Membership Meeting at Tacoma Nature Center

Fri Nov 13 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

See box in upper left corner for details.

White-tailed Kites in the Fall

Sun Nov 15 7:30 AM to Late Afternoon

Leader: Roger Orness Bring: Scopes, binos, lunch, and

snacks. Be prepared for a long drive, and a long day returning

to Tacoma in the late afternoon. Meet: At the McDonald's

Restaurant at the Hwy 512 P&R at 7:30. Depart promptly.

Directions: Take I-5 to Hwy 512 south of Tacoma. Turn right

and take an immediate left on South Tacoma Way. Travel

south one block, and turn left into the P&R. Meet near

McDonalds. Sign-Up: Call or email Roger Orness, 253-922-

7516, [email protected]

Plant Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

Mon Nov 16 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park.


Mon Nov 16 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Snake Lake Science Club


Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 10-14, no charge for

club meetings, $10 per student to join the club. Call The

Nature Center to register 591-6439.

Intermediate Birder's Class


Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Continuation, see Nov 3.



Homeschool Advanced Science "Pacific NW Ecology"

Thu Nov 19 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Contact Margie with


tacomaparks.com. Ages 12-15, $15 per student.


Fri Nov 20 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Come enjoy the outdoors and

help beautify the grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!

Nature Storytime Raccoon and Friends.

Fri Nov 20 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Adriana Hess Center, Ages 2-6, $6 per child, $3 Audubon

member, free to adults and U.P residents. Space is limited to

the first 20 registered guests (adults and children). call 253-

591-6439 to register.

Homeschool Adv. Science LAB "Pacific NW Ecology"

Fri Nov 20, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Tacoma Nature Center. Contact Margie with questions or formore information at 591-6439 or marjories@tacomaparks.

com. Ages 12-15, $15 per student.

Nature Alphabet P is for Pumpkin.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.

Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 3-6, $6 per child. Adult

participation is recommended, children under four require an

adult present. Register by the Saturday before the program.

Call 591-6439 to register.

Family Walk at Adriana Hess Park.

Sun Nov 22, 2009 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373




Fri Nov 27 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Adriana Hess Park.

Kent to East Lake Washington

(After Thanksgiving Walk-Off-The-Calories trip)

Sat Nov 28 8:30 AM to Mid Afternoon

Leader: Carol SchulzBring: Warm clothes, lunch (turkey

sandwiches?), hot drinks, snacks, and water. Scopes are

welcome.Meet: 8:30 AM at the Kent-Des Moines

P&R. (People who wish to leave early may bring their own

cars.)Directions: Take I-5 to exit 149. Go east on Kent-Des

Moines Rd. approx. one block. Turn left (north) 1/2 block on

Military Rd. The P&R is on the left. Sign-Up: Call or email

Carol Schulz, 206-824-7618, [email protected].

Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually

Weds Dec 2 7:30 AM to 11:00 AMLocation: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Leader: Phil Kelley Bring: Good walking shoes or boots,

raingear, water, snacks, and $3 for entry fee unless you have

a pass. Scopes are welcome. Meet: At the Visitor's Center.

Directions: Take I-5 south from Tacoma and exit to Nisqually

NWR at exit 114. Take a right at the light. Sign-up: Call or

email Phil Kelley to confirm details. Phil Kelley, Lacey, (360)

459-1499, [email protected]. Nisqually NWR has started

a 3-4 year estuary reconstruction project. For more information

about trail closures for the dike removal and reconstruction

project, go to ttp://www.fws.gov/nisqually/ and click on

Events and News.

Beginning Homeschool Science Planet Earth

Thu Dec 3 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 8-10, $12 per student.

ContactMargie with questions or for more information at 591-

6439 or [email protected].

Beginning science students should be able to add and subtract

numbers.


Fri Dec 4 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Adriana Hess Park.

Nature Alphabet Q is for Queens

Fri Dec 4 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 3-6, $6 per child.

Register by the Sat. before the program. Call 591-6439.

Winter Birding in Roy

Sat Dec 5 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Roy, WA. We will be carpooling from University of

Puget Sound's Thompson parking lot off of Union & N. 14th

at 7:15am - we will depart at that time. If not carpooling, meet

at Roy City Park at 8:00am. Call 565-9278 to sign up or for

driving directions.

Adriana Hess Park Photography Class

Mon Dec 7 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Location: Adriana Hess Park. Call Dixie Harris 564-6373.

Christmas Irisfolding Card Class

Mon Dec 7 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Cost $12 per personto be paid at class. Call Adriana Hess Audubon Center @ 565-

9278 to reserve your spot. For more details, call Rosanne

Becker @ 564-7115.

Conservation Committee

Tues Dec 8 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Location: Pacific Lutheran University, Reike 112, Parkland.

Weekly Bird Walk at Nisqually

Weds Dec 9 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Leader: Phil

Kelley.

Budding Scientists World of Wonder

Weds Dec 9 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Ages 5-7, $9.00 per

student. Register at least two days prior. 253-591-6439.

Budding Scientists World Of WonderWeds Dec 9 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM

Intermediate Homeschool Science

Think Globally, Act Locally

Thu Dec 10 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM



tacomaparks.com. Ages 10-12, $12 per student. Intermediate

Science Students should be able to multiply and divide

numbers, add and subtract fractions.

TAS Board Meeting


Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Guests Welcome,

please call ahead at (253) 565-9278.


Fri Dec 11 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.


Membership Meeting

Fri Dec 11 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Location: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street.

Monthly membership meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All

welcome. Call (253) 565-9278.

Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park

Mon Dec 14, 2009 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

Snake Lake Science club

Tues Dec 15 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 10-14, no charge for

club meetings, $10 per student to join the club.Pre-registration

for each program is required as space is limited. Call The

Nature Center to register 591-6439.

Weekly Bird Walk at Nisqually

Weds Dec 16 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Leader: Phil

Kelley.

Homeschool Advanced Science The Ecosphere




tacomaparks.com. Ages 12-15, $15 per student. To participate

in this class, students should be able to calculate averages,

percentages, and solve simple equations.


Fri Dec 18 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.


Unless otherwise stated -

To register for eld trips can (253) 565-9129

To register for all education classes call (253) 591-6439

See further descriptions inside the Towhee

Check out our calendar at www.TahomaAudubon.org

for more information and updates

deceMber 2009

NoveMber 2009
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.fws.gov/nisqually/http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.fws.gov/nisqually/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

11-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society