A New WCAS Year! by Nancy Howell, Western Cuyahoga Audubon, Board Member

WCAS plays a role in future communications to bring together National Audubon and the hard-working, local grassroots chapters. 

Editor's Note: A New WCAS Year! is the featured story for this quarter's "The Feathered Flyer", Western Cuyahoga Audubon Newsletter Vol.15 Issue 3 August 2017. 

A year goes by so quickly, probably because everyone has been busy with many activities. So has Western Cuyahoga Audubon. Believe it or not, it is chapter renewal time, so why renew or become a chapter member? The most important aspect is that as a chapter member, YOU play an important role. Volunteer opportunities, educational opportunities and just knowing that funds are used locally. Take a few moments to review what WCAS accomplished last membership year … no wonder the year went by so fast … and WCAS wants to do even more during the new membership year.
​

• Eight educational Speaker Series Programs with diverse subjects, such as bumblebees, advances in ornithology and the pleasure of photographing birds.
• Eleven Field Trips to various locations around northeast Ohio.
• Second Saturday Bird Walks in the Rocky River Reservation led by wonderfully talented birders who share their knowledge willingly.
• The Christmas Bird Count with lots of participants and lots of birds including unusual species, such as Harlequin Duck, Turkey Vulture and Common Yellowthroat. You would expect the latter two species in the spring or summer, but not the end of December.
• WCAS was a Community Partner and co-sponsor for the film, Tale of a Lake, at the 41st Cleveland International Film Festival. This led to the beautifully produced Lake Erie Legends series on our website tying in the film with our own freshwater systems right at our doorstep and the commission of the Rocky River View Scenic Slide, a decorative artwork that brings nature into your home.
• The sale of Birds and Beans Coffee, bird-friendly coffee, the ONLY chapter selling this delicious, environmentally and socially conscious coffee in Northeast Ohio!
• Participation in judging entries and awarding prizes to students at the Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair on topics of environmental concern. Support of students is key to the future.
• Exhibit Displays at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Explorer Lectures, Cleveland Metropark's Backyard Biodiversity Bash, and #CIFF41 help spread the word about WCAS.

• Attendance at a meeting of Ohio Audubon chapters with WCAS taking a lead role in future communications to bring together National Audubon and the hard-working, local grassroots chapters. More to come in the 2017-2018 membership year!
• And even easier ways to navigate our website for oodles of information.
• Memberships and other purchases can be made securely and easily online via PayPal.
• Partnership with Amazon Smile. A simple and easy way to donate 0.5% of your AmazonSmile purchases to Western Cuyahoga Audubon at https://smile.amazon.com.

While some of the things mentioned are small, they add up to a successful organization. What else adds to a successful organization? YOU as a chapter supporter. Please remember to renew and ask someone who is not a member to become one so that Western Cuyahoga Audubon continues to be a force in conservation education, habitat stewardship, and advocate for the protection of birds and bird habitats.

How to become a Member:

1. Choose from several different membership levels and purchase directly online at the Membership page.
2. Print the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Member Letter (linked below and also included in the August 2017 Quarterly Newsletter, also below), add your check, and follow mailing instructions.
3. Connect with Nancy Howell, Chapter Treasurer, at our monthly speaker programs the first Tuesday of every month through May 2018. See the Speaker Series 2017-2018 schedule for the next opportunity to do so here.

Download: Western Cuyahoga Audubon Member Letter

Download: Western Cuyahoga Audubon Newsletter Vol.15 Issue 3 August 2017

Nancy Howell 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 WCA.

---

Make A Donation to Western Cuyahoga Audubon. Your gifts guarantee chapter activities, programs and research continues to reach members and connect birding conservationists around the world. Use our safe and secure PayPal payment button below to make a donation of any amount you choose. All donations are gratefully received.

---