by Darcy Thomas
Our Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and many volunteers have been busy putting our shoulder to the wheel on important chapter work and conservation issues that affect birds. I’d like to give a personal thank you to everyone for making Flathead Audubon a great chapter. Recently we signed on as an organization to two very important conservation issues. One was signing the Coalition for a Clean CFAC petition in support of the EPA taking a timeout on their decision-making process, to complete more analysis for removing toxic waste from the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site. Another was to draft a letter opposing the proposed subdivision adjacent to Somers Middle School and across the road from Somers Beach State Park. The subdivision would result in the development of 252 residential units impacting nesting and migrating waterfowl and prime habitat including a pond and wetland. This letter was delivered to the Flathead Planning Board on March 13.
I know we get some great work done as an organization, but I have to say I am concerned that after many months we still do not have an active Conservation or Education committee. These two areas are the crux of our mission as an organization, and we need dedicated individuals to step forward to do this important work. Many hands make light work, and we have a lot of fun doing it, as well as the satisfaction of knowing we are accomplishing something vitally important. Please come join us. I promise you will not be sorry.
So, Happy Spring all you wonderful bird lovers! Migration is full-on and you should be outside taking it all in. We all need to take time from our busy lives to get outside and just bask in the beauty of nature, and the melodious symphony of bird song.