The Leaflet, January-February 2005

On Monday, November 29th, Morgan County birder Joni James and myself spent the afternoon exploring the grasslands and wetlands of western Greene County in search of some of the raptor species that spend the winter there. We were shocked and delighted to find three Whooping Cranes casually foraging in a field of corn stubble adjacent to some property that is being restored to wetland as part of the well-publicized Goose Pond project.

We are used to seeing some of the many tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes that pass through southern Indiana each fall and spring, but these three "Whoopers" were special. There are about 200 Whooping Cranes living in the wild in western North America. Thanks to a special reintroduction effort led by the International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration and other wildlife agencies, an eastern population of these endangered birds is being slowly established. So far, there are about 36 wild Whooping Cranes that are migrating each season between the Great Lakes area and central Florida. More Whoopers are being introduced to this migratory path each year. In years to come, seeing these stately, large white birds may become a less unusual occurrence in our area, but for now it is an extremely rare treat, one that I will relish for some time to come.

As I stood watching the cranes, I couldn't help but think about how important the Goose Pond restoration project has really turned out to be. This area is quickly becoming the gem of Indiana wetlands and I look forward to seeing more Whooping Cranes there in the future.

Eagle Watch Weekend has added another half day and eight new programs for 2005, promising to make this year's event the best thus far, thanks to the staff at Monroe Reservoir, the Fourwinds Resort and Marina, and several members of the Sassafras Audubon Society. Presenters from SAS will include Mike Clarke, Jim and Susan Hengeveld, Ross Brittain, and Jeff Riegel. Numerous other members will be sharing their expertise and equipment for the weekend's programs as well.

This year's festivities will begin on Friday morning, February 4, with the 1st Annual Eagle Watch Weekend Bird Count that will cover Lake Monroe's "Top Ten" birdwatching locations including four state recreation areas, Stillwater Marsh, and the North Fork Waterfowl Resting Area. All SAS members, as well as the general public regardless of level of expertise, are invited to take part in the count that will start at 8 a.m. at the Fourwinds Resort and Marina, the home of Eagle Watch Weekend. This count, while helping to establish some baseline data for comparison to future Eagle Watch Weekend counts, also responds to past participants' desires to see more of Lake Monroe and the birds that inhabit the area.

Another new program will provide an in-depth look into the lives of Indiana raptors. Jim and Susan Hengeveld will present "The Biology of Raptors" on Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the Admiral Room of the Fourwinds.

Other changes for the weekend include five programs featuring live birds of prey. Tammy Davis and Zach Walker from the Dwight Chamberlain Rehab Center at Hardy Lake will feature live owls Friday evening followed by an owl prowl with Ross Brittain, Tammy, and Zach. Laura Edmunds, owner of Return to the Wild, based in Nashville, Indiana, will be on hand for two programs on Saturday afternoon featuring a Rough-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, European Barn-owl, and possibly even a Bald Eagle. Even more live birds will be featured in a bird-banding demonstration on Sunday morning by Wild Birds Unlimited's Chief Naturalist, John Schaust. And, of course, no Eagle Watch Weekend would be complete without Maria Abel-Crecelius, and her hawk, owl, and the star of the weekend and Indiana's most famous, most-photographed Bald Eagle, C-52, from Patoka Lake.

Youngsters have not been left out either. Two programs just for the younger set are scheduled for Saturday morning and afternoon featuring Wendy Smith, Education Coordinator from the Great Lakes Research and Education Center at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Saturday afternoon will also feature bus caravans to view Bald Eagles in the wild and an update on the nongame program from state herpetologist, Zach Walker (yes, there are two Zach Walkers).

Those new to birding won't want to miss Jim Eagleman from Brown County State Park (after his folk music performance on Friday night) and Jeff Cummings from Spring Mill State Park as they team up to present "The Basics of Birdwatching" on Saturday morning. Also on hand will be Rex Watters, speaking on the Bald Eagle reintroduction program, and John Castrale, who will update us on the status of avian research in Indiana (Hint: We have a lot to celebrate!).

Other programs for the weekend will include a member of the Executive Staff from Indianapolis speaking about the "Direction of the DNR" on Saturday evening, and Phil Wilson from Lake Monroe on the "Inspiration from Nature" Sunday morning. The weekend will wrap up with a presentation by Jeff Riegel, Interpretive Naturalist at Lake Monroe, on the numerous citizen science projects occurring both locally and nation-wide where birders and nature enthusiasts from all walks of life can make substantial contributions to the conservation of nature in America.

For a complete listing of programs and pre-registration information on the event, log on to the Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs website at www.dnr.IN.gov/parklake/ or call 812-837-9546. For in-depth coverage of Indiana's eagles as well as Eagle Watch Weekend 2005, log on to www.eaglesatlakemonroe.com. For information on overnight accommodations, check out the Four Winds Resort and Marina website at www.fourwindsresort.com, or the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.visitbloomington.com.

Jeff Riegel is a naturalist-writer living in Bloomington, Indiana. You can reach him by email at jkriegel@att.net.

The following is a list of the current members of the SAS Board of Directors and the names of committee chairs. The committees welcome help from volunteers.

Cathy Meyer, President / cmeyer@kiva.net
Vice President vacant
John Byers, Treasurer / byers@bluemarble.net
Kelly Rockhill, Secretary / krocksauce@yahoo.com
Carolyn Begley / cbegley@indiana.edu
Mike Clarke / miclarke@bloomington.in.us
Kris D'Atri / krisdatri@fastmail.fm
Jess Gwinn / jagmo@bluemarble.net
Cathy Hiatt / rhiatt@indiana.edu
John Lawrence / johnnyslickster@hotmail.com
P.J. Pulliam
Staci Radford-Vincent
Conservation Coordinator: Jess Gwinn
Database Manager: Carolyn Begley
Education Coordinator: Staci Radford-Vincent
Field Trip Coordinator: Mike Clarke
Fund-raising Committee: Bob Kissel
Membership Coordinator: Kris D'Atri
Program Coordinator: P.J. Pulliam
Publicity Coordinator: John Lawrence
Webmaster: Terri Greene / tgreene@indiana.edu

The Board of Directors meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 at 521 West Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington. All SAS members are welcome to attend. Please contact the president or another board member to learn more details or send an e-mail to contactsas@yahoo.com

Beginning with this issue, the Leaflet has a new editor. After many years of excellent work, Angie Jordan has stepped down as the Leaflet editor. She has been a great help in getting me started with this new responsibility, and I hope that I can continue the fine work that she has done for so long.

Your new editor is a relatively recent member of the Sassafras Audubon Society. Well, actually I was a member back in the 1960s but (for shame) let my membership lapse. My participation to this point has mainly been attending Saturday birding trips. My interest in birding has been of long standing, starting in my early teen years in the Boy Scouts. I don't think I ever actually completed the requirements for the birding merit badge, but sure had fun working on it. Bill Brineman and Sears Crowell, both now deceased members of the IU Biology Department faculty and scouting leaders, were my early birding mentors. We still have a much dog-eared copy of an early edition of the Peterson Guide from those days. My interest in birding has stayed with me for almost 60 years since that time, but pressures of work as a faculty member in the Department of Geological Sciences at IU kept me from spending the time with birding that I would have liked. Now in an active retirement I have added birding (along with editing newsletters, biking, hiking, running, traveling, photography, Red Cross and church volunteer work, and growing roses) to my list of activities.

The job of editing the Leaflet is not all that difficult. Others, especially members of the SAS Board of Directors, write most of the articles. My job is to coordinate and modify for length the material that others give to me and pass it on to Fine Print for design and production. I would also like for our readers to help with my job. Please let me know what you like or do not like about the Leaflet, especially we would appreciate receiving items that you think would be of interest to our readers. You can contact me via e-mail at dodd@indiana.edu.

Leaflet Staff

Bob Dodd / Editor
Bob Kissel / Contributing Editor
Maureen Forrest / Mailing
Fine Print / Layout & Printing Services

Please direct address changes and requests for single issues to:
Carolyn Begley, Database Coordinator
P.O. Box 85
Bloomington, IN 47402

The SAS Leaflet is printed by Fine Print on 100% post-consumer recycled paper

The Leaflet invites readers to submit material for consideration for publication. Anyone wishing to do so should contact the Editor at dodd@indiana.edu.

Wednesday, January 26: Griffy Lake Program

Professors Keith Clay and Professor Emeritus David White of the Indiana University Biology Department will discuss Griffy Lake, its history and uses. They will show clips from a video, made by Eric White, concerning the lake (see note elsewhere in this issue). The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. in Room1B of the Monroe County Library. The program is free to all. Refreshments will be served.

Saturday, January 29: Eagle Watch Preview

Don Whitehead will lead participants to Lake Monroe to search for Bald Eagles in anticipation of the upcoming Eagle Watch Weekend sponsored by the DNR. The Lake Monroe area in January can contain high concentrations of wintering Bald Eagles that have migrated south after their home waters have frozen over. Don will take us to prime spots on the lake for finding eagles. We will also see what other wintering birds and wildlife might be present. Meet in the northeast corner of the K-mart parking lot on East Third Street in Bloomington at 7:30 a.m. We will carpool to the lake areas and return before midday. For more information, contact Don at whitehea@indiana.edu.

Friday, February 4 -- Sunday, February 6: Eagle Watch Weekend

See article elsewhere in this issue and check Eagle Watch Weekend website at www.eaglesatlakemonroe.com for details.

Friday, February 18 -- Monday, February 21: Great Backyard Birdwatch

See article elsewhere in this issue and check the GBB website at www.birdsource.org/gbbc for details

Saturday, February 19: Tree Identification Walk

Have trouble telling the difference between an ash and an elm? How about a red oak and a white oak? Winter is a fabulous time to learn to identify hardwoods without their confusing masses of foliage. Join Jess Gwinn and Maureen Forrest at Griffy Lake as we will attempt to identify some of our southern Indiana trees. Meet Jess and Maureen in the parking lot by the boathouse at Griffy Lake at 10:00 a.m. for a leisurely walk through the woods and some tips on tree identification. For more information, contact Jess at jagmo@bluemarble.net.

Wednesday, February 23: Whooping Crane Reintroduction Project

Alicia Craig of the American Bird Conservancy and director of Bird Conservation Alliance will discuss the reintroduction project of the endangered Whooping Crane. Her PowerPoint program not only tells the magnificent adventure of the birds but also describes the dedication of the people and organizations involved in the project. The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. in Room1B of the Monroe County Library. The program is free to all. Refreshments will be served.

The weather is wavering between sunny and rainy, 55 and 28 degrees, blustery winds and light snow. The neighbors' forsythia and quince bushes are blooming. Titmice flutter in a birdbath rimmed with ice. The seasons are changing from fall to winter as I write. As one year comes to an end and another begins, we reflect on accomplishments for the past year and plan with hope for the year ahead.

There have been many interesting and educational programs and outings this year. The St. Charles Boy Scout troop assisted SAS in cleaning up shoreline trash at the Pine Grove boat ramp this fall. The Lake Monroe Eagle Weekend will be coming soon, followed by spring birding activities and the Landscaping and Gardening Show.

The SAS Board has worked hard to get organized and productive. We have completed a strategic plan for the near future and will repeat this process as goals are met. A new membership brochure and note cards have been designed, featuring photos from members such as P. J. Pulliam. We are refining our methods for tracking volunteer interests and chapter membership renewals. Committees are expanding to involve more people in conservation issues.

A major goal was reached in November when we received word that our application for establishing an endowment fund with the Bloomington and Monroe County Community Foundation was accepted. This fund will enable anyone to easily make tax-deductible donations to SAS and help us with our conservation work in the future.

Many of us are discouraged by the results of this year's elections. The years to come will require additional vigilance and efforts by those who care about wildlife and natural resources. Yet, there are many reasons for hope. A condor chick has fledged in the wild after re-introduction efforts lasting many years. Whooping cranes have visited Indiana after being taught migration routes through our state. Winter will turn to spring. We can take comfort from the rhythms of nature's cycles and with a new year, we can resolve to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

The third year of the migration study of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus), sponsored by SAS, started on October 16th this fall and ended on December 2nd. This study is part of Project Owlnet (www.projectowlnet.org) and is designed to analyze the migratory population dynamics of these secretive little owls in southern Indiana, by capturing and banding migrating owls in Yellowwood State Forest. The Saw-Whet Owl is the smallest of all the birds of prey that occur in Indiana, weighing only about 85 grams on average. They breed in northern Indiana, but breeding populations are very rare in the Bloomington area.

We had 56 individual Saw-Whet Owls this year in Yellowwood, compared to 59 in 2002 and 70 in 2003, which means that this year's migration was about the same as the one in 2002. The results of this year's banding operations showed a different pattern than the previous two years, particularly in the percentage of hatch year birds. Hatch year birds are those that fledged this past breeding season. In the previous two banding seasons we had an average of 62% of our owls being hatch year birds. However, this year we only had 36% hatch year birds. The sex ratios stayed about the same. The previous two years we had 5% males, 80% females, and 15% unknown sex owls. This year was no different with 7% males, 82% females and 11% unknown sex owls.

It was known that the population of the main food prey of Saw-Whet Owls and other birds of prey, the meadow vole, crashed in Canada this year. Scientists who study birds of prey in Canada noticed that the breeding success of Saw-Whet Owls was very low this season. Thus, it is speculated that the lack of hatch year owls this year was due to their low breeding success. Interestingly, despite the pressure to migrate from a decreased food supply, the ratio of males/females stayed the same, with by far the majority of migrating Saw-Whets being females.

The highlights for the season included our first recapture of an owl we banded on a previous year. On 11/6/2004 I was lucky enough to capture a second year female that had been banded at our station on 11/24/2003 by Jeff Riegel. This was the first such recapture for our station. Also, an overwhelming majority (63%) of our owls migrated through this area over a five-night period. From 11/4 to 11/8 we banded 35 of the 56 owls we saw this season. Since we were banding from 10/16 until 12/2, what this really means is that except for this 5-day period it was a very slow migration.

As the Coordinator for the Yellowwood State Forest NSWO Banding Station, I would like to thank my colleagues, Jeff Riegel, Vicky Meretsky, and Jeffrey Hammond for all of their hard work and dedication in being willing to spend some long, cold nights in the woods. Also, I would like to thank all of the volunteers who came out to help us set up and check the nets, even on those slow nights. There are too many of you to mention by name, but your efforts were greatly appreciated. Most of all, I would like to thank our Master Bander, Dr. Ron Weiss, of Chipperwoods Bird Observatory, and also Sassafras Audubon Society for your continued support of this project. Without the contributions of either organization, this study would not be possible.

At the Newark banding station in Greene County, 42 owls were caught this fall compared with 55 in 2003. Of these 42, two were foreign recaptures, one coming from central Wisconsin near Stevens Point and the origin of the other is still unknown. Sex and age statistics are similar to those at Yellowwood State Forest but as yet have not been calculated. As at Yellowwood State Forest site, nearly one third of the birds were captured on one night, with 13 caught and banded on the night of November 4-5.

On October 11, 2004, Jess Gwinn, a Northern Saw-Whet Owl bander, came to Eminence Elementary School located in Morgan County. He gave a presentation on the Northern Saw-Whet Owl banding project that the Sassafras Audubon Society helps sponsor. Jess gave the presentation to Ms. James's 4th, 5th, and 6th grade gifted and talented class, (also known as the Reach Ornithology Lab:ROL).

Gwinn and his partners conduct research on the owls. He taught our class many facts about Northern Saw-Whet Owls. Some things the class learned were that the Northern Saw-Whet Owl is the smallest owl found in Indiana. The class also learned that the Northern Saw-Whet Owl's band size is usually about 3A-4. This is the measurement on the instrument used to measure the birds' legs for band size.

"You have a very knowledgeable class which made the program very exciting for me to give. A curious and participatory audience is very welcome," Gwinn commented in an e-mail to Ms. James.

During the presentation, Gwinn showed the class photos of Northern Saw-Whet Owls he had banded. After the presentation, Gwinn showed the class the bands that had not been used on an owl yet, but will be used soon.

The students in Ms. James's class, including Ms. James were very thankful for a very informative presentation by Jess Gwinn.

For more information visit www.projectowlnet.org.

For over 6 years, your Sassafras Audubon board has wrestled with organizational issues such as fund raising, the increasing demands on our all volunteer group, and how to ensure survival of SAS into the future. On October 22, board President Cathy Meyers and Treasurer John Byers made an $11,000 contribution to the Bloomington Community Foundation (BCF) to start our permanent endowment. Our application and contribution were approved Nov. 30 by the BCF board. The BCF is in essence a mutual fund for local non-profit organizations and public trusts. Each group's contribution is pooled and managed by the BCF in a basket of mostly conservative equity and fixed income mutual funds. Based upon the performance of these funds, the BCF annually pays out income from capital gains and dividend interest. Each organization can decide to use this income in their activities or re-invest the amount in their BCF account.

At present, SAS has a solid financial foundation to move forward with our environmental and conservation activities. However, we continue to face uncertain financial support from National Audubon. Our fund raising efforts remain a strain on the small number of active members. The number of conservation needs continues to accelerate locally and nationally.

Our BCF contribution is the first step towards our goal of 50,000 in endowment dollars. Board member Jess Gwinn and past President Bob Kissel are currently working on details of a broad-based endowment campaign of SAS member gifts, support from the local business community, matching gifts, and our regular fund raising activities. In the future SAS would like to use our endowment income to remain proactive in important local, state, and national environmental issues. We hope you will consider investing in the future of SAS.

Well, the smoke has finally cleared from Election 2004. It is hard to believe that environmental policy issues could sustain more assaults than they have in the last four years. However, looking at the election results with a jaded eye, at a minimum the next two and possibly four or more years could see an unprecedented sustained attack on the environment.

You have to love polls. Most polls that ask whether people consider protecting the environment to be important show 80% or more of the population agree. At the same time, another poll said that 59% of the population believes that the prophecies in Book of Revelations will come true. You remember, the apocalypse, Armageddon, etc? Evidently this segment of the population wants to hasten that eventuality through the electoral process. Why protect the environment when the End Times approach? Likewise, no need to recycle or conserve resources.

For those of you who despair, don't. To quote John Paul Jones, "We have not yet begun to fight." The issues at stake are too important to concede to elected officials, many of whom no longer consider the populace important except at election time. Now is the time for action. SAS would like to commence monthly meetings to discuss local, regional and national environmental issues and how to deal with them. Wouldn't you like to join us? Please contact Jess Gwinn at jagmo@bluemarble.net for more information on how to get involved and make a difference. We must win and we will with enough outrage and action.

Eric White has produced a video entitled "Griffy Lake, a 36 Minute Video Visit to Bloomington, Indiana's Nature Preserve." Indiana University Biology Professor Emeritus David White narrates the video. Eric and David are kindly donating the proceeds of its sale to SAS. The video captures the sights and sounds through the seasons around the lake. Hear the crickets; watch various insects and small creatures in this natural setting. Spend moments with Canada Geese families, bluegill, beaver, great blue heron. Revisit the spring flowers, greens of summer, fall colors and the snowy winter landscape. It is a visual gem for those of us who can visit Griffy Lake now and for those who have lived here and would enjoy a reminder of this special preserve.

The video can be purchased for $10 at Wandering Turtle Art Gallery, 224 N. College Avenue and Bloomingfoods East. Thank you Eric and David White for donating the proceeds to SAS.

Mark your calendar for February 18-21 for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), now in its eighth year. This is your chance to be part of a national project to see what kind and how many birds are living across the U.S. on this winter weekend. The GBBC was developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. The theme for this year's GBBC is "North America's Great Backyard." This is to encourage observers not to limit themselves to their own backyards but to observe on public lands, America's backyard, as well. The research goal of this project is to determine any patterns of change in distribution and abundance of birds from year to year. For example, last year's count documented a decline in number of American Crows, probably a result of the West Nile Virus, and an increase in the number of Dark-eyed Juncos.

Last year birders across the country submitted 42,509 lists including 554 species and 4,305,109 birds. However, only 18 reports and 42 species came from Bloomington observers. Can you guess what species was the most abundant across the country? Number one by a wide margin was the Canada Goose (609,629) with the European Starling a distant second (249,021). Texas reported the most species (309); but Charlotte, North Carolina had the most reports (492). The location with the most birds was Hutchinson, Kansas (155,554, probably a lot of those Canada Geese).

Come join the fun this year. Simply log on to www.birdsource.org/gbbc and follow the instructions. Unless you have a very long list of birds you can be finished in less than five minutes. You also can get immediate gratification as your results are tallied instantaneously. You can quickly compare your observations with others in the area and across the country. Perhaps you can help the European Starlings surpass the Canada Geese!

If you enjoy watching the birds at your feeders you might consider becoming a citizen scientist. Becoming a little more involved with counting birds not only adds to one's own enjoyment but helps ornithologists study bird populations in North America. Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's "Project Feeder Watch" is an annual winter-long (November through April) survey of North American birds that visit feeders in backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales. FeederWatch helps scientists track broad scale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.

Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in partnership with the National Audubon Society, Bird Studies Canada, and the Canadian Nature Federation. Since 1987, Project Feeder Watch has grown to include 12,000 participants, who count the birds at their feeders and send their data to ornithologists at Cornell.

Participants include people of all skill levels and backgrounds, including children, families, individuals, classrooms, retired persons, youth groups, nature centers, and bird clubs. After signing-up, participants are sent a research kit and the labs quarterly newsletter, Birdscope, which is packed with information. The kit contains instructions, a bird ID poster, a wall calendar, a resource guide to bird feeding, and data forms. Data may also be entered online. Even though the count period has already started, participants may join and start counting at any time during the season.

There is an annual $15 participant's fee, ($12 for lab members) that covers the cost of materials and newsletter subscription, staff support, web design, and data analysis. Project FeederWatch is supported almost entirely by participation fees. Without the support of PFW participants, the project would not be possible. Remember this is gathering real data that anyone can access and study.

For information and to sign-up contact "Cornell Project FeederWatch" at (800) 843-2473 or write to "Project FeederWatch," Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, P.O. Box 11, Ithaca, NY 14851-0011 or www.ornith.cornell.edu, click on "Project FeederWatch." Teachers, there is also a "Classroom Feeder Watch" for kids.

As an Ambassador for Project FeederWatch, Sandy Belth (belthbirds@aol.com) will be happy to help answer any questions you may have.

Terri Greene, our new SAS webmaster, has lived in the Bloomington area since 1985. She and her husband Bill Rainey purchased an old farmhouse and some land in southwestern Monroe County in 1999. There they live with several formerly stray cats and dogs, two conures, a turkey, and an assortment of ducks and geese. Terri describes herself as mostly an "armchair birder," and likes watching the birds who visit the many feeders around their home. Terri excitedly talks about the other creatures that share the land with Bill and her--including frogs, turtles, great blue herons, beavers, flying squirrels, woodcocks, and snakes.

Terri works as the Web Administrator at the Indiana University School of Optometry. When she is not working or caring for their many "critters" (as she fondly refers to their pets), Terri is busy salvaging old flowerbeds or maintaining the vegetable garden and berry patches. She is involved in fighting the new-terrain I-69 Route 3C highway and is helping revive Bloomington's Earth Garden group. (Earth Garden promotes natural landscaping and backyard wildlife habitats. The group hopes to persuade the city to revise its trash/weed ordinance to make nature legal again in Bloomington.) Terri also volunteers each summer to monitor a stretch of Ross Brittain's bluebird nest boxes.

(Editor's note: Do you know what a conure is? The editor did not, but Google revealed that it is a group of parakeets native to Central and South America. Your editor saw them in the wild in Costa Rica but did not know that they were conures!)

We would like to extend a special thanks to Vicki Temple and Bloomington Hardware for their generosity and support in allowing us to use their store for our birdfeeder cleaning fundraisers. We would especially like to thank them for their generous donation matching the money raised at our fall birdfeeder cleaning session. We encourage SAS members who shop at Bloomington Hardware to thank them for their support.

The Sassafras Audubon Society would like to invite you to become a chapter-only member. A chapter membership is the best way to directly support SAS' work in south central Indiana. As you may know, membership in the National Audubon Society (NAS) automatically includes membership in SAS. However, NAS memberships primarily support national level projects, with only a very small proportion of membership dues going to local chapters such as SAS. With chapter membership all dues go directly toward local conservation and activities. Chapter-only dues are $20/year, while the dues for NAS are $35. Chapter membership is an excellent option for members who would like to see their dues in action locally.

If you are not already a SAS chapter member we hope you'll consider joining now. Chapter members enjoy all of the same benefits as NAS members, with the exception of Audubon magazine. Please note that chapter members are not included in NAS' renewal mailing cycle, so another advantage of chapter membership will be fewer solicitations. In order to streamline the renewal process for SAS chapter memberships, the renewal date for all SAS chapter memberships will be January of the following year. For example, if you join now or in the first half of 2005, you will receive one renewal notice from SAS in January of 2006.

To join the SAS chapter, please send $20 to Carolyn Begley, SAS Database Coordinator, P.O. Box 85, Bloomington, IN 47402.