Programs

Summer Camp Scholarships

We are pleased to announce that we have been able to award scholarships for the 2007 summer camp ecology programs at Marshlands Conservancy and Cranberry Lake Preserve to 20 elementary school students. In addition we have placed 5 applicants on a waiting list .

In order to complete the application students had to write a short paragraph about why they wanted to attend camp. A few of their responses are quoted below:

"I love exploring the wetlands and I want to protect them for the future." Jordan, Age 9

" I have been a bird watcher for 2 years now. Also, me and my sister study the 4 seasons. I love to learn new things. I will tell all my friends about everything that I have learned in camp. The last thing is I love to be outside." Nina, Age 10

"I love nature. I love hiking, studying birds, frogs and insects. When I go hiking with my brothers and parents, I will be able to share my new information with them. It will also help me be a better science student." Nina Age 9

"I want to go to Marshlands because I like the animals. I like watching birds of prey in their natural habitat. My favorite animal is a frog. I want to learn more about my favorite animal." Patrick, Age 6

Our scholarship recipients represent the next generation of environmentalists. We are proud to support and encourage them with the help of generous donations of our members. Thank you, all.

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Citizen Scientist Opportunities

I. Monitor water quality in Westchester County. No prior experience necessary. There will be 4 one-day training sessions lasting from 9 to 4. Volunteers will work in teams to collect the physical, chemical and biological data for stream sites throughout Westchester. Participants must be over 14. For more information and an application call 914-995-6535 or visit the website: http://cvmp.westchestergov.com/cvmp.

II. BioBlitz 2007 organized by Bedford Audubon Society. The goal is to conduct biodiversity surveys at 6 locations across northern Westchester from Friday afternoon, June 1 through Sunday afternoon, June 3. Volunteers will be working with top scientists to inventory all plant and animal species at the 6 sanctuaries. Call Bedford Audubon at 914-232-1999 or visit their website: bedfordaudubon.org.

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Spring Council Meeting

Audubon New York and the Audubon Council of New York State held its spring council meeting March 23 through 25 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY. Gladys Goldmann, CWAS board member, finishing her term as Chair of the Council, presided. Attending the meeting on behalf of CWAS were Frank and Jeanne Alpert and Jean Coates.

In addition to finalizing the annual conservation agenda for New York State, the meeting focused on Global Climate Change and Advocacy. Alan Belensz from the NY State Office of the Attorney General gave a power point presentation entitled, "Climate Change in New York: Science and Policy." He emphasized that action must be taken now just to maintain the current levels of CO2 emissions which contribute to the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Among the strategies suggested were: the reduction of energy demands of buildings, which account for 50% of energy usage; an increase in the gas mileage of cars from 30 MPG to 60 MPG; development of non-fossil energy sources; support of renewable energy initiatives; the purchase of greenpower; and litigation.

Sean Saville from Washington D.C. followed with some suggestions for making your voice heard in Washington by contacting your senators and representatives. The most effective ways of contacting your federal legislators are by e-mail, phone calls and post cards. Because of security concerns since 9/11, letters are subjected to screening and are sometimes late in reaching their intended destination, rendering them untimely and perhaps ineffective. To aid you, and to facilitate a grass roots response, the Audubon web site (audubon.org) covers all the current environmental issues with suggested letters and talking points. You can also become a member of the E-activist network which will e-mail you information on the current hot issues and provide you with sample communications which you should personalize for maximum impact. Similar information on NY State issues can be found on Audubon New York's website: ny.audubon.org.

On Saturday evening there was a gala dinner honoring Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) who was presented with the prestigious William Hoyt Environmental Award as a "true conservationist and a steadfast supporter of protecting birds, other wildlife and the important habitats of New York State." Also honored were Mike Bochnik of Hudson River Audubon for his many contributions to Audubon New York and to Gladys Goldmann for her contributions as Chair of the NY Council.

The meeting concluded Sunday morning with a Chapter Roundtable during which a representative of each participating chapter gave a short report on the chapter's activities during the year.

The message that we took away from this meeting was the importance of citizen advocacy in achieving legislation aimed at protecting our environment for future generations. If you can-join E-activist. It is vital that we make our priorities known to those who represent us on both the state and national levels.

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Wild Westchester
By: Libby Wagner

At the time I moved into The Osborn in Rye in May, 2006 I acquired a great deal of wall space. In order to keep track of activities, I needed several clocks. Son #1 gave me an Audubon clock which indicated the hours with wild bird calls. Midnight was designated by the call of the Great Horned Owl. In the middle of the night the Who, Who; Who Whoo, Whooo echoed down the hall and I guess crept out of the bedroom window and reverberated across the south lawn. It was apparently heard by the resident owl.

Early one November morning I heard a duplicate call outside my window. Whether the call was prompted by my clock I have no way of knowing, but it was answered by a call in the distance. I haven't heard a hoot recently, so I suspect the two owls have found each other.

I recall one 5 degree winter morning some years ago when Central Westchester Audubon sponsored a field trip to the Rye Marshlands Conservancy where we discovered a pair of Great Horned Owls nestled against the trunk of a hemlock tree. I suspect I have been listening to this pair. Other wildlife discovered at Osborn: a flock of wild turkeys, coyotes (heard but not seen), deer and squirrels.

Editor's Note: For those who are new to CWAS, Libby Wagner was one of our founding members and served for many years as President and Newsletter Editor.