As September approaches I feel like a kid getting ready for the school year. Summer was fun, but I am excited about seeing all of you again and getting started with the wonderful programming and events we have in store.
We are participating in the Great Fish Community Challenge again this year. This is a charitable giving campaign hosted by Whitefish Community Foundation to help Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations raise funds for their programs and projects. Donors can choose to give to multiple organizations with one transaction, for which they receive a tax receipt. We encourage you to give to Flathead Audubon Society and other non-profit organizations in our valley. This is our major fundraiser, so we are counting on your generosity. At the end of the Great Fish Community Challenge, the Foundation calculates a percentage match on the first $25,000 raised by each charity. You can make your donation through the online donation portal or download a donation form until the closing date of September 13, at https://whitefishcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2321 or https://whitefishcommunityfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GF_DonorForm2024_fillable-1.pdf.
Other big news for Flathead Audubon includes the return of the Birds of Prey Festival, our 15th semi-annual event at Lone Pine State Park. Bring your friends and family to hear presentations, participate in a field trip, and engage in kid’s activities including the Wild Wings raptors.
Our children’s summer series events were hugely successful, and we are looking forward to offering more of them in the coming year.
The biggest change for Flathead Audubon will be hiring an employee for the position of Operations and Education Coordinator. This position description and how to apply can be found by clicking here. We offer a big thank you to Denny Olson and Dee Baginski for their ongoing work and commitments to Flathead Audubon. You will still see them in their contracted positions as we make this transition.
We are continually working to build our Chapter to meet the needs of birds and their habitat and teach people about the beauty and importance of them in the ecosystem. Please engage yourself in chapter work or just come and have some fun with us as we delve into this new year!
Happy Birding!
Darcy Thomas