I have been birding, educating and leading conservation activities in Ohio nature reservations over the past twenty-five years. I'm honored to steward these beautiful places for future generations.
Michelle Brosius, Director-at-Large and Field Trip Co-Coordinator. Michelle has loved nature all of her life but discovered a passion for birding in 2017 during a women’s retreat at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In 2019, Michelle completed the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) training to acquire skills to volunteer in meaningful ways and to be an advocate for and steward of Ohio’s natural spaces and wildlife. She earned her OCVN certification later that same year by completing 40 hours of volunteerism with conservation organizations, one of those being Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society. Prior volunteerism includes support of the March for Science Cleveland in its first year as administrative coordinator. She has earned a B.A. in Scientific and Technical Communication and a M.Ed. in Career and Technology Education, both from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Michelle works for a large, regional bank in the Training and Development department and is a proud mother of two young boys. She currently resides in Rocky River with her husband and children. Email
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Nancy Howell, Treasurer has been involved with Western Cuyahoga Audubon almost since the chapter was formed. Nancy presently serves on the WCA Board as treasurer, in membership and as program coordinator and is the compiler for the Lakewood Christmas Bird Count which is sponsored by Western Cuyahoga Audubon. In the past Nancy has served in the role of vice-president, president, education coordinator and field trip coordinator. Nancy is also one of the many leaders for the Spring Bird Walks, sponsored, in part, by WCAS. Email
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Kurt Miske, Director-at-Large and Chair, Conservation Committee. After many years of membership with Audubon on a national level, Kurt became a member of Western Cuyahoga Audubon in 2011. He became the editor of The Feathered Flyer shortly after, in 2012. Kurt is an entrepreneur, environmentalist, nature lover and beginner birder. A believer in thinking globally and acting locally, he is a proponent of supporting both Audubon national and Western Cuyahoga Audubon. Email
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Bruce Missig, Director-at-Large. Bruce is a long-time resident of Northeast Ohio and advocate for sustainability practices in life, business and community living. Bruce has been involved with wellness and the environment the last thirty years and believes in the symbiotic relationship between the earth and all living things. Bruce has been involved with Northeast Ohio social enterprise networks, Midtown Brews, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society, Sustainable Cleveland 2019, and the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce. Email
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Mary Anne Romito, Director-at-Large. Mary Anne Romito has been active in Western Cuyahoga Audubon since 1992. She has filled many roles in Western Cuyahoga Audubon over the years, including director, field trip leader, treasurer, newsletter editor, observer for the Rocky River IBA and behind the scenes coordinator, and webmaster of www.wcasohio.org since 2003. Her favorite local bird is the Scarlet Tanager. Email
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Tim Colborn, Field Trip Co-Coordinator. Tim Colborn’s love of the outdoors began at an early age. He spent his summers as a boy in the Eastern Townships of Quebec hiking, swimming and fishing with his brothers but it wasn’t until a quiet encounter with a Great Blue Heron on his honeymoon that his interest in birds and birding was sparked. In the following 25-30 years, he has birded in more than 35-40 states around the country as well as in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Ireland. Much of Tim’s birding has centered in New England and the Midwest where he has led field trips, participated in Breeding Bird Surveys and Christmas Counts and given presentations to bird clubs and school children. Tim is proud to be a longtime Western Cuyahoga Audubon member (and former Board Member). He is also the current President of the Ohio Ornithological Society and a past Vice President of the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club in upstate New York.
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Patti Donnellan, Naturalist Author. Patti grew up in Cleveland's western suburbs, exploring the woods, fields, and waterways near her home. Her love of the outdoors was enhanced by her parents, who taught and encouraged outdoor activities like fishing, camping, tree climbing, wildlife identification, composting and gardening. Her love of living things led to many years as a veterinary technician, an education in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, and a career as a professional naturalist. She is a Certified Interpretive Guide from the National Association for Interpretation and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist. Currently, Patti serves the community as the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Cleveland, leading rain barrel workshops, assisting with the Cleveland Tree Plan, and helping guide residents to a more sustainable way of living. She can be reached at [email protected]
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Gloria Ferris, Retired. Gloria is a life-long lover of nature. She is the mother of two and grandmother of two. She believes preserving and protecting bird habitat for our future is paramount to our well-being. Gloria grew up in the Killbuck Creek Valley and attended Bowling Green State University. Having worked in the public sector, Cleveland Public Schools, and the private sector at BP America, Gloria realizes the important role education and conservation play in our children's future. Gloria co-founded Brooklyn Centre Naturalists. She chaired MetroWest Community Development organization during its early years, moderated Midtown Brews, a monthly panelist discussion that explored topics such as water, land, air, and energy, and co-founded Meet.The.Bloggers, a citizen journalist initiative. Gloria believes citizen science and grassroots activism are critical components of our future impact on birds, wildlife, our environment and us. Gloria added financial management, facilitation and fundraising skills, community development, and government relations to the board and committee work. Email
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Tom Fishburn, Photographer and Author. Tom got interested in birding in 1980 inspired by two avid birding friends in New Jersey. In 2006 he moved to Ohio not expecting how wonderful the birding and the birding community is here. Tom only started with photography about ten years ago. Eventually, his interests grew to include butterflies, dragonflies, and wildflowers.
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Tom Romito, Director-at-Large. Tom Romito is President Emeritus of Western Cuyahoga Audubon serving from 2003-2014. During that time, he planned and organized a five-year breeding bird survey in the Rocky River (East Branch) that involved 100 WCAS members and friends. Through this survey, WCAS provided Cleveland Metroparks with data it is using to bolster grant proposals to preserve private land in the Rocky River watershed. Still a board member, Tom is also a facilitator and helps organization that want to grow. He is passionate about climate change, the healing art of reiki, Native American culture, and birding. Email
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Amanda Sebrosky, Volunteer. Having grown up on a farm in Northeastern Ohio, I have always loved animals. My father gave me a sense of the importance of birds and my mother instilled in me the importance of volunteerism and contributing to causes that would support conservation. I obtained a BA in Biology from Case Western Reserve University, an RN from Cuyahoga Community College and a MS from Cleveland State University College of Urban Affairs, Environmental Track. Since retiring from University Hospitals IT department in 2017, I have concentrated on volunteerism and currently am active at Cleveland Metroparks and Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in the Lights Out program. I am a graduate of the Cuyahoga Soil and Water District Master Rain Gardener Class of 2019. While I love all things wild, I am working to promote the use of native plants and chimney swift conservation. Email
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Kaoru Tsubone, Ambassador to Japan, Director-at-Large and Native Plant Online Sale, Chair. In addition, Kaoru manages native plant online sales. Email
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David Lindo, The Urban Birder, and WCAS Global Ambassador. David Lindo is Vice-President of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and voted 7th most influential person in Wildlife by BBC Wildlife Magazine, Member of the British Guild of Travel Writers and a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers, Proud Ambassador for Leica Birding, London Wildlife Trust, Rare Bird Alert, EcoNoja Feria Internacional and the Colombia Bird Fair, President of The Friends of Suntrap Forest Education Centre, and author of several books including the recently published, How to Be an Urban Birder.
The 'WCAS Global Ambassador' acts as a bridge between global and WCAS birding communities. For example, the Ambassador might share ornithological information, human interest stories, and activities based on a mutual curiosity and love of birds, a shared vision for healthy self-sustaining habitats, advocate for environmental conservation issues, and promote successful models and practices for inter-species thrivability on planet Earth. |
Kaoru Tsubone, WCAS Ambassador to Japan, and Native Plant Sale, chair. Kaoru acts as a bridge between the Japanese and WCAS birding communities. For example, the Ambassador might share ornithological information, human interest stories, and initiate activities to encourage global community growth based on a mutual curiosity and love of birds, a shared vision for healthy self-sustaining habitats, advocate for environmental conservation issues, and promote successful models and practices for inter-species thrivability on planet Earth. "I recognized that I love to connect to people and get involved in a community. As a part of my life, I want to keep volunteering even if I am in a foreign country. Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society gave me a great chance to do that, and I appreciate the many people that surround me who are always encouraging me!" Email
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Lisa DelRio, Director-at-Large and Bird Friendly Coffee Club Coordinator. Lisa Del Rio answered WCAS’ call for a Bird Friendly Coffee Coordinator in November 2018. She is a graduate of Project Dragonfly’s Advanced Inquiry Program through Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where she developed a passion for improving bird habitat with native plants. Favorite birding experiences include piping plovers, California condors, and a resplendent quetzal. Email
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Rynette Vall, Recording Secretary. Rynette is married and lives in Middleburg Heights with her husband of 28 years, Garry, and 2 children. Andy is 21 and is a welder. Alyssa is 17 and a junior in high school. I hold a BS degree in Medical Technology, and an M.Ed. specializing in adult education. I have lived in Cleveland, Ohio, all my life. I enjoy teaching, serving at my church, being outdoors, and traveling when I can. I truly enjoy nature and want to help keep it enjoyable for future generations.
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Suzanne Aldrich, Bird Friendly Coffee Club Coordinator. Suzanne came to volunteer as coffee club coordinator, a bird lover and the only member who pushes a rollator over grass, gravel, and hard-packed dirt trails to see the birds she loves so much. Every year, she adds a little more to her life list.
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