​It has been said that if you drive 100 miles to see a rare bird, and you can actually identify that bird, you are a true birder! 

​Since we love traveling to look for birds, but at the same time, we care about our environment, Western Cuyahoga Audubon offers a way to offset the carbon impact of some of this driving. It is the Carbon Offset Western Cuyahoga Audubon Project, modeled on the effort launched at the 2011 Midwest Birding Symposium.

Here is how it works: Any time we have a field trip where more than 100 miles of travel may be involved (Think Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area or Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge) participants may voluntarily contribute to a fund, based on mileage. Monies generated by carbon offset will go toward habitat preservation in our Rocky River Important Bird Area, or in another area of local interest.
While there are many carbon offset models and calculators, we offer a simple formula.
  • Compact car: driver only - 10 cents per mile, additional passengers 5 cents each per mile. Multiply these amounts by the total miles and divide by 10.
  • Mid-sized car: driver only - 20 cents per mile, additional passengers 10 cents per mile. Multiply these amounts by the total miles and divide by 10.
  • Truck or larger van: driver only - 25 cents per mile, additional passengers 15 cents per mile. Multiply these amounts by the total miles and divide by 10.
For example, if I drive to Killdeer Plains, the round trip will be 250 miles. Driving with two passengers, figure 10 plus 5 plus 5 cents per mile for a total of 20 cents per mile. Twenty times 250 divided by 10 equals 500, so I will put in $5.00 for carbon offset.  Note that rounding to the nearest 50 miles when calculating your trip distance may produce an easier payment amount.
Carbon Offset Project Update
Our special funds for the Carbon Offset Bird Project has seen a bit of a boost. Some of our members checked off the Carbon Offset funds on their application when renewing or becoming a new member. These funds will be used to assist in purchasing property for the protection of habitat, plants and wildlife within our Western Cuyahoga Audubon area. Thank you!
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 Fund total as of October 15, 2016                     $ 259.00

​This is completely voluntarily, just another way to help, and of course any donation to the fund is welcome.

Download the form below to accompany your donation:

Download: Carbon Offset Form
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