Wilson's Snipe by Bob Keener
During the upcoming seasons of flu, COVID-19, and RSV, we encourage you to be safe. We urge you to check on an event’s status via the Calendar on this site before you attend.
Attention all young people between the ages of 5 and 18: Conococheague Audubon Society is conducting two different contests designed with you in mind. This is your chance to win a cash prize! Both our “Longest Bird List of the Year” and “Best Bird Photo of the Year” contests involve your love of nature and your keen observation skills. The contests will be judged in two different age groups – ages 5 to 15 and ages 16 to 18.
Details about the current contests can be found here.
Winners of the 2022-2023 contests can be found here.
Conococheague Audubon Society is pleased to offer scholarship support for educational activities in keeping with our mission: promoting the conservation of wildlife and the environment by appreciating, studying, and observing nature. Please see the Scholarships page for information about how to apply.
- December 2024 from the President
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of good food and family traditions. Perhaps you saw some good birds in November, too. A Hermit Thrush and a pair of Eastern Bluebirds stop by my yard every now and then, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and a Brown Creeper are here more regularly. The leaves from my oak trees are mostly down, and the (non-native) Burning Bush has no berries left. I was remiss in not discouraging you from planting Burning Bush. They are not native and can become really invasive. You might try a native viburnum or native shrub dogwood instead. There will be a list of good options in an upcoming Naturally newsletter.
Just in time for holiday gift-giving, at the December meeting we will display more than 20 fine art prints from the collection of Jim and Deb Wheeling. The Wheelings are generously donating the prints to Conococheague Audubon, and we are offering them to you. Any voluntary contribution would be welcome. The prints will be available for viewing starting at 6:30 PM.
At our December program, Diversity in the Andes, Debby Hook and Terri Kochert will highlight the spectacular plumage of bird species in “the birdiest place in the world.” After learning how folks in Colombia and Ecuador are benefiting from birding tourism, the program will finish with a colorful slide show of beautiful equatorial birds. The meeting will take place at 7 PM on Monday, December 9 at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, (off Route 997, near Scotland exit off I-81) 2695 Luther Dr, Chambersburg, PA 17202. You may also participate via Zoom.
Conservation Chair John Greer reports that the legislature passed and the Governor signed a bill this summer that directs PENNDOT to landscape state-owned roads using native plants. This new law will benefit the public by reducing pollution run-off and beautifying our roadways.
John also reports that the legislature included $50 million for the Clean Streams Fund, which extends the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) in the state’s budget for fiscal year 2024-25. ACAP will receive $35.75 million of the $50 million. Under ACAP, decisions to reduce agricultural pollution run-off are made at the local conservation district level.
If you haven’t already, please consider donating to Conococheague Audubon to keep things rolling. Mail your donation to CAS at PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222. Good birding and Happy Holidays!
Valerie Barnes, President
Calendar of Events
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| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Saturday Bird Walks 8:00 am First Saturday Bird Walks Nov 2 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am  SOAR (Studying Ornithology Around the Region) walks, 8:00 AM first and third Saturdays; various locations in Franklin County. Larry and Sharon Williams, 717-655-7414; see Buttonwood Nature Center, 717-762-0373 for schedule. | ||||||
| Gen Mtg, Nov: Youth Contests; Breeding Bird Surveys in our National Parks: Catoctin’s Top Ten 7:00 pm Gen Mtg, Nov: Youth Contests; Breeding Bird Surveys in our National Parks: Catoctin’s Top Ten Nov 11 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm  Topic 1: Youth Contest Winners announced tonight. Topic 2: Breeding Bird Surveys in our National Parks: Catoctin’s Top Ten Presented by: Member Becky Loncosky Arranged by: Lisa Coombs Available in-person or via Zoom Location:[...] | Nature Film: Islands of Wonder: Madagascar (CAMS) 7:00 pm Nature Film: Islands of Wonder: Madagascar (CAMS) Nov 14 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm  Nature Film: Islands of Wonder: Madagascar, PBS. The oldest island on Earth, Madagascar has been isolated longer than any other place in the world. Life here has had time to evolve in unusual ways, resulting[...] | Third Saturday Bird Walks 8:00 am Third Saturday Bird Walks Nov 16 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am SOAR (Studying Ornithology Around the Region) walks, 8:00 AM first and third Saturdays; various locations in Franklin County. Larry and Sharon Williams, 717-655-7414; see Buttonwood Nature Center, 717-762-0373 for schedule. | ||||
| Joint Executive Committee / Board of Directors Meeting, November 6:30 pm Joint Executive Committee / Board of Directors Meeting, November Nov 18 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm  Joint Executive Committee and Board of Directors Meeting Committee/project chairs also invited. Others welcome. In-person or via Zoom Leader: Valerie Barnes, president Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7211203928?pwd=RXNwMjZpQVNvSHJGRld3cWZFQjJiZz09&omn=89459519789 Meeting ID: 721 120 3928 Passcode: cardinal20 | ||||||
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ABOUT US
Conococheague Audubon Society
The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.
Conococheague Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society based in Fayetteville in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The group started in 1961 as the Conococheague Naturalists. Through programs, field trips, nature films, displays, and a newsletter, we promote conservation of wildlife and the natural environment with a focus on appreciating, studying, and observing birds.
We are a family-friendly organization. The membership includes over 400 people residing primarily in Franklin, Cumberland, and Fulton Counties.
Conococheague Audubon meets monthly September through May on the second Monday at 7:00 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202. At a pot luck supper in January, held at 6:00 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, members share stories, photographs, fellowship, and home-made food.
Please make a difference in our local community by being good stewards of the earth in your daily lives. Share our passion for conservation, birding, and the natural world by coming to our meetings and films, going on field trips, helping with projects, and participating in bird counts. Our experienced birders love to teach beginners. Read Audubon Magazine and our Naturally newsletter to stay abreast of national, international, and local environmental issues. You and your family can enjoy educational opportunities at Audubon’s Nature Centers and Sanctuaries across the country. Take peaceful walks and learn the wonders of nature.
We welcome new members! Anyone who joins the National Audubon Society from our area automatically becomes a member of our chapter. Similarly, anyone who joins the local chapter can also join the national organization. To join, please go online to the National Audubon site or click here to go the Join or Renew page or contact our current membership chair, Lisa Coombs.
In 2016 the CAS leaders updated the chapter’s 10-year plan to help guide our future actions and strengthen the organization. To volunteer, please contact our current president, Valerie Barnes. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please mail your check payable to CAS.
What we do
Conococheague Audubon Society meets the second Monday each month, September through May, at 7 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
Program topics focus on birds, wildlife and conservation. All are welcome.
Nature films, produced by PBS are shown each year at Chambersburg Area Middle School South.
CAS leads many free field trips throughout the year.
Projects
Norlo Park Native Plants Garden
