President's Corner
Visions for the Chapter
by John Shenot
I’m very happy to report that I retired in December 2022. I could mark the occasion by writing a column explaining everything I hope to do with all my newly free time, but instead I want to write a column about my hopes for the future of FCAS.
My vision for FCAS is that everyone feels welcome, that appreciation of the natural world increases, and that our organization plays a larger role in the communities of Northern Colorado. We’ve made a concerted effort in recent years to be more relevant to more people. I doubt if our members know all the innovative things our committee chairs have done, so let me mention a few that didn’t get enough attention. We’ve started mapping birding hotspots for “birdability” so people with mobility challenges can decide where best to enjoy local wildlife (see page 1 for a related January guest presentation). We co-sponsored a bird walk for the blind, an introduction to birding for school children, and scholarships for students doing avian research. We reached out to younger adults with fundraisers that were fun (Birdcall Karaoke is a hit) and partnered with a local brewery to promote the Poudre River Important Bird Area (thanks Horse & Dragon). We’ve achieved gender equity on our Board of Directors and brought more young people into leadership roles.
But without question, there is more work to do. We haven’t done enough to make FCAS more racially diverse. We expanded our boundaries a year ago to en-compass Estes Park and parts of Weld County, but haven’t yet offered programs or services to people in those communities. And the important work of conserving and enhancing natural habitats and protecting wildlife is a job that never ends. I welcome input from members about how we can achieve these goals and how we can better serve you. I’ll also note that we’d love to have more volunteers on our Education Committee and our Conservation Committee. Please reach out if you want to help.
FCAS Annual Membership Renewal
It is January and that means it is time to re-new your annual membership. FCAS chapter memberships run for the calendar year from January through December. Dues are $20 to receive the Ptarmigan electronically or $30 for a printed copy through the mail.
Please use the form on the back page of the newsletter to renew by mail or renew at a program meeting. You also can renew online. Remember, your membership and contributions are tax deductible.
Your local chapter dues strengthen our efforts and make possible our programs, meetings, education, and advocacy for birds and wildlife habitat. Keep the Ptarmigan coming by renewing today.
If you renewed September–December 2021, your membership is good through January 2023. Thank you to all those who have already renewed. We appreciate your support!
Find FCAS on Facebook for Field Trip Information
FCAS has a Facebook page where we post announcements about upcoming field trips, last minute changes to scheduled trips, and highlights of most of our outings. Just click on the “Like" button in the plugin to Like our page! Our announcements should then appear on your wall. You can also click on "Fort Collins Audubon Society" to be taken directly to the Facebook page. Note: All field trips are also announced in the Ptarmigan and on our website.
Find FCAS on YouTube for Previous Zoom Presentations
Did you miss the monthly live chapter Zoom presentation? The chapter has recently created a YouTube channel to provide an easily accessible archive of our monthly chapter Zoom meetings. Be sure to Like and Subscribe!
Upcoming FCAS Education Events
FCAS and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (BCR) are now offering classes and hikes through the City of Fort Collins Recreator. Register at fcgov.com/recreator, register in person, or call 970-221-6655.
Join us for Feather and Flight Friday walks at the Fort Collins Senior Center led by Sheila Webber. As part of our partnership with the Senior Center and the new habitat hero garden, we are offering bird hikes from the Senior Center to Rolland Moore Park. All are two hours hikes that start at the garden on the patio at 9 a.m.; cost is $6. Dates: Friday, Sept. 13; Friday, Sept. 27; and Friday, Oct. 11.
Front Range Bird ID class for beginners is offered by Erin Youngberg from BCR. Learn techniques to identify birds, and how to use a field guide and binoculars. All are two hour hikes that start at the garden on the patio at 3 p.m.; cost is $15. Dates: Sunday, Sept. 8; Sunday, Oct. 20; and Sunday, Nov. 17.
