June 19, 2010 is Natural Areas Appreciation Day
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On June 19th, the Washington Department of Natural Resources will offer several field outings in celebration of the first annual Natural Areas Appreciation Day. This is a great opportunity for the public to see, experience and learn about some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring landscapes remaining in the Northwest. This event is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Natural Areas Committee, a group of governmental, and non-profit agencies whose purpose is to promote the recognition, establishment and management of Northwest natural areas. See the below announcement for details about the five outings and please contact
Help the birds - vote for Audubon
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The American Express Members Project is offering Audubon a special grant for its conservation efforts. National Audubon needs your help and that of your friends to secure the votes needed to qualify. Start by clicking the picture to register. Then, vote for Audubon today and once a week through August 21.
The top vote-getting group in each category of this effort will receive a $200,000 donation for its work. So tell your friends and family to vote too! It will take only a few clicks to make a difference.
Avian Bird Signs Featured on History Walk
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On May 15, Longview Park Superintendent, Al George led 20 citizens on a walking history tour of Lake Sacajawea. As well as lake history, the Avian Interpretive Signs were featured on the tour. These signs were designed and installed through the efforts of Willapa Hills Audubon Society in partnership with the City of Longview and are now a prominent feature on the lake, offering both art and educational opportunities to Park patrons. WHAS member, Margaret Green spoke to those gathered,
What should the future of Mt St Helens look like?
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A recent commentary in the Oregonian presents a limnologist's perspective on the future of Mt St Helens, arguing in favor of continuation of long-term research projects and for granting the monument National Park status.
WHAS Alerts
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Do you know that WHAS provides an announcement email list?
Receive notices about birding classes, new field trips, changes to classes or events, calls to action on conservation issues, requests for volunteers.
Birding as Medicine
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Researchers have documented that just 5 minutes a day of physical exercise in a pleasant natural environment (urban parks qualify) is beneficial for mental health (in addition to the benefits of exercise in any environment.) Read this article on the benefits of green exercise if you need one more reason to make time and get out into the natural world. If you're looking for inspiration, consider joining WHAS for a volunteer or field trip activity. The researchers encourage folks to self-medicate with outdoor exercise; birding as medicine!
May / June 2010 Whistler is online
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The May / June 2010 Whistler is available now.
Some of its content:
- May Program: Falling Off the Edge: Four Decades of Environmental Change at the Top of the World
- Member Form and WHAS News
- Honoring our Volunteers
- LNG Update
- Nelson Creek News, Book Review
- Annual Meeting Report, Call for Photos
- Book Review, Birding Classes
- WHAS Programs, Volunteer Activities
Bird Brains
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I stumbled on an article on neurogenesis (growth of new brain cells) that provided a clear example as to how basic research in non-humans can have such a concrete impact on human health. I think it's important to be reminded of such benefits in times of budget cuts and attacks on funding for basic science.
"About 20 years ago, research on the ability of adult songbirds to learn new songs showed that their brains created new cells and that these neurons helped them form memories of the new songs. This opened up debate on whether the same process occurred in humans.
Amphibian Egg Mass Surveys in the News
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"Under Kastberg's enthusiastic oversight, dozens of volunteers have hopped to it during the county's first official amphibian survey. Adults and youth groups are wading through local ponds and wetlands, counting frogs, salamanders and the egg masses they lay this time of year." Read an article in The Daily News by Tom Paulu about our local amphibian egg mass survey efforts.
March - April 2010 Whistler is online
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The March - April 2010 Whistler is available now.
Some of its content:
- Annual Member/Dinner Meeting; Bird Poem
- Member Form and WHAS News
- Birding Bits, Recent Birding Class
- LNG Update, Earth day, Fox Creek
- Citizen Science Amphibian Survey
- Christmas Bird Count Updates
- High Lakes, Backyard Birding
- WHAS Programs and Field Trips
- Amazing Bird Songs
- Egg Mass Surveying
- A Fascinating Hunting Behavior
- Learn about the most promiscuous bird
- 2009 Christmas Bird Count Results from Leadbetter Point
- 2009 Christmas Bird Count Results from Wahkiakum County
- Christmas Bird Count discussed on NPR's Science Friday
- January - February 2010 Whistler is online
- Deery Memorial Signage
- New 'Palouse to Pines' Birding Trail Map