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Spring Brings Bird Song and Birdathon
On Saturday, May 10, three teams of expert birders from Putnam Highlands Audubon Society (PHAS) will undertake the annual Birdathon fundraiser, experiencing exhaustion and exhilaration in their effort to find as many bird species as possible in 24 hours.
Each team covers one segment of an area ranging from eastern Long Island to the Catskills. Team Captains this year are Steve Golladay, Lew Kingsley, and Ralph Odell; team members include Rich Anderson, Marc Breslav (Birdathon Coordinator), Dylan Jeannotte, Ian Kingsley, Paul Kuznia, Eric Lind, Esther Recio Lorente, Joe Potyak, Pete Salmansohn, Arlene Seymour, and Bonnie and Gary VanAsselt.
Last year the PHAS Birdathon set three records: their Birdathoners saw 198 species, raising $13,196 from 138 generous donors! PHAS is grateful for the community's wonderful support of the PHAS mission: to preserve and maintain those lands and waters that have been entrusted to our stewardship; to inform and educate the public on issues involving birds, wildlife, and the environment; and to encourage membership in the chapter and participation in its activities.
Contributions are fully taxdeductible, and all funds are used locally. Support goes to the nearby Constitution Marsh Audubon Center & Sanctuary and to Audubon Adventures, a cost-free nature and environmental education program reaching local K-6 school classrooms throughout the school year in the communities they serve, from Garrison and Putnam Valley to northern Wappingers Falls. Equally important, the funds also support informative PHAS programs for adults/children; a biannual full scholarship for a local educator to attend a weeklong National Audubon Workshop for Educators; maintenance of three PHAS wildlife sanctuaries in Putnam and Dutchess counties; summer internships at Constitution Marsh for 1-2 high school students; and the bimonthly 12- page newsletter to inform members (or contributors of $25 or more) of a variety of environmental issues, local events and programs, and PHAS-sponsored programs.
The Board of PHAS extends its deep appreciation to their fabulously dedicated Birdathoners. Individuals and corporations are gratefully acknowledged for their tax-deductible support. Checks, payable to PHAS, should be mailed to: PHAS, PO Box 292, Cold Spring, NY 10516.
A contribution form appears in this edition of the PCN&R.
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