DAS News

(Last Updated April 27, 2008)

Volunteers Sought For DAS Board
The May program is when DAS traditionally holds its “election” for new Board members. The main qualification to be a Board member is the ability to raise your hand and volunteer.

Yes, it’s usually that easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less important or significant. Consider that serving on the Board…

(1). Gives you the opportunity to give something back to your community.

(2). Allows you to have greater input in local conservation and environmental issues.

(3). Provides you with the opportunity to help make DAS the kind of organization you would like it to be.

(4). Looks great on your resume, and gives you a chance to network with some of the “big shots” in the community.

(5). Will impress your friends and relatives.

(6). May give you the opportunity to enjoy new and different experiences in your life.

The Board typically meets the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Gander Mountain in Hermantown.

If you don’t want to be a Board member, yet you’d like to contribute some time and effort to the organization, please consider serving as a committee chairperson.

Volunteer(s) Sought For DAS Newsletter, Website
The DAS webmaster and newsletter editor, currently the same person, is relinquishing his duties after a year of heading up both committees.

While it is not necessary that one person perform both functions, since most of the stories in the newsletter also appear on the website, it is usually more time efficient for one person to handle both jobs.

If you would like to take over one or both of these positions, beginning late summer, please contact a Board member or email us at das@duluthaudubon.org.

  March DAS Local Chapter Membership Sets Record
DAS local chapter membership reached a record total of 51 in March, besting the all-time membership record of 50 set back in September of 2004.

Membership had been in decline over recent years, setting an all-time record low of 17 in August of 2007.

March figures show 51 local chapter members, 22 with dual membership in DAS and national Audubon and 229 belonging NAS.

Interestingly, national Audubon membership in our region was also at an all-time high of 286 back in September of 2004, but national membership has been on a relatively steady decline to a level of 229 in March. It hit a record low of 191 in January of 2006.

  Backyard Birders Wanted To Share Observations
Where are all the pine siskins this year? Is everyone else being overrun by redpolls? What happened to my regular gray jays? Why do my friends across town have cardinals all the time while I’ve never seen any? What feeders or feed should I add to attract more birds?

These are just a few of the questions DAS hopes to help local backyard birders to answer by promoting a greater sharing of information and observations at our monthly programs.

If you’ve been to DAS programs in the past, you know that the evening has traditionally begun with everyone sharing any sightings of unusual or interesting birds. Now, however, we are expanding this portion of the program to share backyard observations of both common and uncommon species with the hope of creating an overview of just what’s happening in backyards all across our area.

This new focus was initiated at our January program, and it didn’t take long to confirm that backyard birders are fascinated by how their observations compare with fellow birders. And, we also discovered that many of us have interesting or amusing stories to share.

In the short term, we can all enjoy being able to gloat or commiserate about the good times and the bad at our feeding stations. In the long term, such observations over a period of time may help us to answer some very interesting and relevant questions, including how does backyard birding for different species vary from one area of our region to the next - and why.

Come to our programs and share the fun!

DAS Begins Ambitious Birding Site Cleanup Program 
DAS is in the process of planning an ongoing project whose purpose will be the cleanup of the 30 geographically diverse sites listed on the new Duluth-Superior Birding Map. Most of the sites are open to public access and considerable litter and debris is often found scattered around the sites. Because the sites are listed on the DAS birding map and used by area and visiting birders as well as tourists and visitors from outside the area, a dirty site (and sight) does not portray the DAS or our communities in the best light.

Ideally, the DAS project will result in the organization of an adopt-a-birding-site program similar to that used by the State to keep roadways clean. One or more individuals can select a favorite birding site, or perhaps a site close to where they live, and assume ongoing responsibility for its upkeep. Alternatively, small groups of DAS members might travel from site-to-site on a rotating basis to ensure an appropriate condition.

Not all the sites require major cleanup work. Evaluations are being conducted to determine the condition of each and the resources needed to effect cleanup efforts. Sites will be prioritized on the basis of condition and resources required. Because these sites often fall under the ownership or control of different entities, a contact list will be created to ensure the correct individual can be contacted for assistance with site access, if special equipment is needed or if recurring problems need to be addressed.

For additional information, or to volunteer to assist with this effort, please contact Harold Nordin at 525-6085.

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