The Leaflet, September / October 2000
- Off the Beaten Path by Jess Gwinn
- Fall Feeder Cleaning Fundraiser: Saturday, October 7, 2000
- Volunteers Wanted for Shoreline Cleanup
- Volunteers Wanted for Feeder Cleaning
- Other Ways to Help
- Thanks to All of Our Audubon Adventures Sponsors!
- SAS Calendar for September / October 2000
- Meet the SAS Board Nominees at our Annual Meeting
- Local Group Educating About Genetically Engineered Foods
Off the Beaten Path
Now is the time to start exercising your constitutional muscles, that is, your voting muscles - the ones that actually take you to the polls and the ones that inform you for whom to vote. By the time you read this article, our country will once again be immersed in political propaganda, push polls and negative ads. As a non-profit organization, we cannot endorse any candidate and still maintain our tax exempt status. We can, however, ask you to think about how your vote will affect the environment. Most issues only affect a certain segment or sub-population of our society. Contrary to what certain people would have you believe, the environment is one issue that impacts virtually everyone in the country. Whether the issue is clean air and water, pollution, garbage, federal lands management, fisheries management, farm subsidies, fuel efficiency standards, etc., the impact of federal and state legislation relating to these issues affects nearly everyone. It's like the old adage, "As long as you have your health." Well, our health is directly related to the health of the environment. Unfortunately, the environment is still sickly. There have been many improvements but also many setbacks. Attacks are planned in our state and federal legislatures on a continual basis. Wouldn't you rather read about new and innovative projects intended to help the environment than the affronts to the environment that seem to dominate the news? Your vote can make a difference.
Some will argue that the costs of a cleaner and healthier environment are too expensive or harmful to the economy. Like another old adage goes, "When one door closes, another opens." American ingenuity always seems to find a way to fill an economic niche. If the cost of business doesn't include the costs of doing business cleanly, then aren't those costs ultimately paid for by the public? And not just the direct costs of cleanup or mitigation. Also include the human toll and health care costs from increased rates of cancer, asthma, tumors, etc. Were greener business practices followed to begin with, many environmental problems could have been averted. We need to discontinue our "Penny wise and pound foolish" business practices. Our government was formed to protect its citizens, not its corporations.
Educate yourself on the voting records of the candidates or their platforms. A great help in this education process is the League of Conservation Voters. Visit their web site at www.lcv.org. If you do not educate yourself on the issues, remember that there are numerous web sites dedicated to "educating" other segments of the public on how environmental legislation destroys our American way of life or ruins the economy. When you head to the polls this November, remember to think and vote "green." The quality of our environment depends upon it.
Fall Feeder Cleaning Fundraiser: Saturday, October 7, 2000
Sassafras Audubon Society will use high pressure hoses and steam to clean your wood, plastic, and metal birdfeeders at Wild Birds Unlimited of Bloomington on Saturday, October 7.
- Cost: we request a $3 donation for small feeders, a $5 donation for large feeders.
- Drop-off time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Pick-up time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Cleaning your feeders will help prevent the spread of avian diseases such as salmonella and conjunctivitis. Give your birds a sanitary place to dine by having your feeders thoroughly steam cleaned! Keep in mind that steam cleaning will remove the build-up that has accumulated over the year, but it won't make your feeders look brand new. To volunteer for the event or to request more information, call Ross Brittain at 333-2121. We reserve the right to refuse feeders that are too delicate to withstand the cleaning process. Also, we regretfully cannot accept hummingbird feeders.
Volunteers Wanted for Shoreline Cleanup
- Shoreline Cleanup: How you can help
- Date: Saturday, September 30, 2000
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to around 1:00 p.m.
We need people to search for and bag trash at the North Fork Wildlife Area. The terrain will be brushy and / or wet, so participants should wear boots and long pants and bring gloves. Typical items recovered include cans, bottles, food packaging, fishing equipment, and tires. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Contact Ang Jordan at 333-1168, or aejordan@indiana.edu.
Volunteers Wanted for Feeder Cleaning
- Feeder Cleaning: How you can help
- Date: Saturday, October 7, 2000
- Time: three-hour shifts between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
We need at least four people at a time to staff the feeder cleaning. Tasks include taking in feeders and money, pre-soaking and cleaning feeders, steam-cleaning feeders, pressure-washing feeders, and overseeing drying and pickup. Waterproof gear including footwear and gloves are recommended for volunteers cleaning the feeders. Contact Ross Brittain at 333-2121.
Other Ways to Help
Our spring and fall feeder cleanings have been successful events, serving both to help prevent the spread of avian disease and to raise money for Sassafras Audubon. However, the amount of money we raise is offset somewhat by the cost of renting the equipment for the cleanings. If you have equipment you would like to donate, or would like to purchase the equipment as a donation to the organization, either contribution would be eligible for tax deduction. We typically rent the following items, so if you are interested in donating or need more information, call Jess Gwinn at 876-8623.
- Two 2500 psi gas powered pressure washers
- One wallpaper steamer with pipe thawing kit
Thanks to All of Our Audubon Adventures Sponsors
Audubon Adventures environmental education materials will be arriving this fall in over 115 classrooms in Brown, Bartholomew, Greene, Lawrence, Morgan, Monroe and Owen Counties, thanks to the generous support of the following foundations, business and individual SAS members:
| South Central Indiana
REMC Membership Community Funds, Inc. Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County Clarence E. and Inez R. Custer Foundation |
||
| Blue Sky Veterinary Clinic, Bloomington CFC, Inc., Bloomington Visteon Automotive Systems, Bedford World Wide Automotive, Bloomington |
David and Ingrid
Beery Kathleen Doering Andrew Durkin Pam and Don Harnett |
Robert C. Kissel Alice Lorenz Donna L. Ormiston Barbara Restle |
We greatly appreciate these sponsorships, which will enable about 3000 children to receive Audubon Adventures for the 2000-2001 school year. The topics will be "Living Oceans", "Nature's Banquet", "Owls", and "Endangered Species." By using the Audubon Adventures materials, participating teachers will be helping their students to develop an understanding of the natural world and a sense of stewardship for their environment. Thank you again to each and every one of our sponsors!
SAS Calendar for September / October 2000
All outings and programs are free and open to non-members.
Wednesday, September 27, 2000 September Program: "Management Strategies for Preserving Our Declining Forest Songbirds" with Don Whitehead
Come to the Monroe County Public Library, Meeting Room 1C, at 7:00 pm to learn the latest about neotropical migrant songbirds in our area. Refreshments will be provided. For more information call Steve Cotter at 349-3736.
Saturday, September 30, 2000 "North Fork Wildlife Refuge Cleanup"
Our second cleanup of this stretch of Lake Monroe shoreline will begin at 9:00 a.m., and will probably last until 1:00 p.m. Come dressed in work clothes, boots, and gloves. Trash bags will be provided by DNR, and we will provide some snacks and drinks. Persons wanting to carpool should meet at 8:30 a.m. at the NW corner of the Eastland Plaza parking area behind Ellis Floral on East 3rd Street. To volunteer contact Ang Jordan at 333-1168 or aejordan@indiana.edu.
Saturday, September 30, 2000 "Sassafras Audubon Society Annual Meeting and Potluck"
Like last year, we will hold our post-cleanup potluck at the Riddle Point Beach shelter at Lake Lemon at 3:00 p.m. Bring a potluck dish and beverage to the annual meeting; Sassafras will provide the tableware and beverages. Join in welcoming new board members and thanking those who are outgoing. Best of all, eat and socialize with other Audubon members. For more information or directions, call Jess Gwinn, 876-8623.
New Date: Saturday, October 7, 2000 "Fall Feeder Cleaning Fundraiser"
Start the fall feeding season with a clean feeder. Though in our last issue we announced this event in September, we have moved it to the first weekend in October to accommodate the expansion at Wild Birds Unlimited.
- Cost: $3 for regular feeders, $5 for large feeders.
- Drop off your feeders between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Wild Birds Unlimited parking lot on the corner of 15th and College in Bloomington.
- Pick-up will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
To volunteer or for more information, call Ross Brittain at 333-2121.
Wednesday, October 25, 2000 October Program: "Rats and Cats" with Scott Johnson, wildlife biologist with Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Learn how two state endangered species, the bobcat and the Allegheny woodrat, are being studied to see how they are faring in Indiana. Presented in the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served
Saturday, October 28, 2000 "Panther Gap Trail"
This will be an all-day rugged hike. Sometimes we will be off trail so wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. Please pack a lunch and bring something to drink. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking area between Bloomingfoods and K-Mart East on East Third St. For more information call trip leader Cathy Meyer at 339-8184.
Saturday, November 4, 2000 "Greens Bluff Hike"
Leader Jess Gwinn will lead a three hour, easy-to-moderate hike at Greens Bluff Nature Preserve in Owen County. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in front of the west side Osco on West Third Street. For more information contact Jess Gwinn at 876-8623.
Saturday, November 11, 2000 "Local Waterfowl"
This will be a half-day trip to local areas to look for shorebirds and other migrants. Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking area between Bloomingfoods and K-Mart East on East Third St. For more information call leaders Susan and Jim Hengeveld at 988-1671 or e-mail jhengeve@indiana.edu.
Meet the SAS Board Nominees at our Annual Meeting
Meet the SAS Board Nominees at the Annual Meeting and Potluck at the Riddle Point Beach Shelter at Lake Lemon. Please join us at the annual meeting at 3:00 p.m. on September 30th to thank our outgoing board members Sandy Belth, Candice Crutcher, Donald Winslow, and Don Whitehead, and vote new ones onto the board. Nominees are Fred Churchill, Rhonda Hine, Bob Kissell, and Cathy Meyer. Have fun socializing and enjoy some of our always excellent potluck food!
Local Group Educating About Genetically Engineered Foods
The Good Foods Group is a volunteer organization affiliated with the non-profit Center for Sustainable Living. The first goal they are focusing on is to get foods that are genetically engineered labeled so that consumers can make choices about what foods they wish to purchase and eat.
Meetings: The Good Foods Group meets Thursdays in September at 7 pm at the Center for Sustainable Living, 116 S. College Ave., Bloomington. Join the campaign to have genetically engineered foods labeled.
Classes: The Goods Foods Group is sponsoring a series of classes about genetically engineered foods that will be taught by Marti Crouch. Find out what genetically engineered foods are and what hazards they may pose to human health and the environment. Thursdays, October 5, 12, 19 and 26 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington, 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
For more information call 812-332-8796 or visit www.bloomington.in.us/~csl.