The public is invited to attend the annual all-Wenatchee Naturalist volunteer recognition social on Sunday, Nov. 18 (2-4pm) at Wenatchee Valley College Campus Theater. Audubon Washington’s Christi Norman and NCWAS Board members, Richard Scranton and Bruce McCammon, are guest speakers after the 2018 Wenatchee Naturalist volunteers have been recognized. social. Wenatchee Naturalist program coordinator, Susan Ballinger, extends a warm welcome to NCWAS members and friends to attend the gathering, held at Wenatchee Valley College campus theater (free on-campus parking). Beverages and snacks are provided (the college allows only pre-packaged purchased foods).
This mission of the Wenatchee Naturalist program is to cultivate awareness, understanding, and stewardship of the Wenatchee River region by developing an active corps of well-informed community volunteers. To date, 188 people have completed the 50-hour course, with 24 people enrolled in the Fall 2018 class offered through Wenatchee Valley College Continuing Education. Upon course completion, participants can voluntarily pledge to complete 20+ hours of volunteering in support of conservation, either through board service, land stewardship, community science, or education & outreach. For example, over 12 people have served as volunteers for the Sagebrush Songbird Survey. As of 2017, 94 people have earned their 20+ hour service pin, and a total of 8407 hours of volunteer service have been reported. On Nov. 18, volunteers will be celebrated for their 2018 service prior to the guest speaker presentations.
Christi Norman, Audubon Washington staffer
Audubon’ Washington’s Christi Norman talk will focus on the 2018 accomplishments of the Sagebrush Songbird Survey. The survey is a partnership between WA Audubon and Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife as a a collaborative, community science research program. The goal is to improve knowledge of Columbia Plateau shrub-steppe bird distribution, and to test and improve accuracy of scientific sagebrush obligate songbirds species distribution models. Now in its 6th year, over 200 volunteers have collected field data and posted that data to eBird. The data is incorporated into the WDFW Priority Habitats and Species database, a legally-recognized source for best available science in our state. Co-presenter, Richard Scranton will highlight NCWAS’s leadership team of volunteers who do essential field work logistics planning and volunteer coordination. Local community science volunteers will be recognized and celebrated.
Bruce McCammon will briefly introduce the Friends of Horan.
Horan Natural Area . Photographer Bruce McCammon
Under Bruce’s leadership, NCWAS started a Facebook page to encourage communication about conditions in the area and events that may take place in or near the Horan Natural Area. The Horan Natural Area sits at the confluence of the Wenatchee and the Columbia Rivers. The area is widely used by birders, nature lovers and people out for a walk. NCW Audubon is very committed to improving conditions in the Horan area for long-term ecological sustainability and educational use. NCWAS is working with the Chelan PUD, the City of Wenatchee, and Washington State Parks to develop a common view of desired future conditions in the Horan. Planning efforts for the Confluence Parkway project and relicensing of the Rock Island dam will provide opportunities to recognize the value of the Horan area and plan for enhancement activities that will lead to long-term benefits for birds, wildlife and our community.
For more information, contact Susan Ballinger at skylinebal@gmai.com