President’s Message

Brian Dusseault

 

 

Welcome to the New Year with Bay County Audubon Society!                                                                                                                               We’re excited to share some new ideas for the year, running from September to May. Our goal is to improve the membership experience and connect with more people to spread our mission of environmental education and conservation, with birds as our symbol. Here are three key initiatives:Welcome Packet

The Hospitality Committee has created a “Welcome Packet”                                                                                                                                       for new and recent members. This packet will showcase what the Audubon Chapter offers and how members can get involved. It’s designed to cater to different interests and help members find their place within our community. Big thanks to Teri Floore and Lauren Williams for putting this plan together.

Bird Sit
We want to make our outdoor programs more accessible. At our first birding event on September 13, we’ll introduce a “Bird Sit” option for those who may not be able to do a traditional bird walk. Participants can stay in a designated area and observe birds with the help of an experienced member. This is ideal for people with physical limitations or those who prefer to relax and birdwatch. Special thanks to Ron Houser and Joe Morcate for this great idea. If you’re interested, reach out to us at www.baycountyaudubon.org.

Home School Programs
We’re also reaching out to the homeschool community. Bay District Schools reports around 1,700 homeschooled children in our area, and we want to engage with them. We’ll offer birding and other environmental programs tailored to their needs. For example, we’ve scheduled a bird walk for homeschooling families on October 23. Stay tuned for more opportunities, including our “Nature Connection 2026” program next March. If you’re a homeschooler or know one, get in touch via our website.

In Summary
We want all members—new and long-time—to consider new ways to connect with the natural world through our programs. Look out for more opportunities in this newsletter, which will be published four more times this year (November, January, March, and May). We’re also updating our website to make it more user-friendly and informative. Special thanks to Aleighsa Wright, Norm Capra, and Aaron Rich Marketing for their work on the website.  Check out the website and stay tuned for updates!

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