Dear Conococheague Auduboners and Friends – 

Let’s all give heartfelt thanks to outgoing president, Terri Kochert. She navigated our organization through the COVID-19 pandemic with grace, patience, and creativity. She made sure we held as many activities as we safely could, and we all learned about new technologies along the way. Thank you, Terri! Many thanks, too, to Debby Hook, who was extremely active as Immediate Past President and Education – Outreach chair. 

What is Conococheague Audubon Society and why do we exist? The local Conococheague Audubon Society was organized in 1961 as the Conococheague Naturalists. Anyone joining the National Audubon Society in our general area automatically becomes a member of the Conococheague Audubon Society (CAS). We are a family-friendly group with over 300 members primarily from Franklin, Cumberland and Fulton Counties. We have an active membership of 40-70 people who attend meetings regularly and support our activities. We are supported by donations and a small dues-sharing income from the National Audubon Society.  

Our mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems focusing on birds, wildlife in general, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Our goals are to promote the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment and encourage interest in the study of nature; to provide the opportunity for study and observation of birds, other wildlife, and plants; to contribute to research in the fields of conservation and ornithology by monetary support and/or active participation; and to educate the public on the need to protect wild birds and animals, trees and plants, soil, air and water and promote a better public understanding of these natural resources. 

We end this season with two critical committee vacancies: Education – Outreach and Publicity. We cannot accomplish our mission and goals without someone in each position. Some long-term members look at me and wonder why I am president – again. I stepped forward because no one else would. Won’t you please step forward now and help? In the May Naturally, Debby Hook described the Education – Outreach position. The Publicity chair shares information about our activities with local media. Please contact me about helping. 

As we wind down for this season, we still have a few great activities planned. Please call the leader in advance and be at the meeting place a few minutes early. 

• June 4, Saturday, BEGINNING BIRDERS’ WORKSHOP. 7:45-noon. Meet at Visitors’ Center in Caledonia State Park, Fayetteville; park in first parking lot beyond Visitors’ Center. Bring binoculars; a few pairs available for loan. Pre-register with Dave Cooney, 717-264-2116 or Janet Tice, 717-372-0379. We still have openings available. Come to participate or to help as a Birding Buddy.
• June 11, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 7:00 AM – 1 PM. South Mountain/ Caledonia/ Michaux Important Bird Area for SPRING MIGRANTS. Bring scopes and binoculars Meeting place: Caledonia State Park. Leave from second parking lot beyond Visitors’ Center in Caledonia State Park. Eric and Rhetta Martin, 717-597-8675. We often see/hear birds that breed in higher elevations locally.
• June 17-20, Friday-Monday, CONSERVATION COUNT. Breeding Bird Blitz Conservation Count and fundraiser organized by Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO). All day for 1-4 days, Join a team for fundraising opportunities, and/or sponsor one or more teams. PSO will select the organizations that will benefit. See www.breedingbirdblitz.org for info. Vern Gauthier, 717-385-9526. 
• June 18, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM. Easy walk on Chambersburg section of Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, with extra help for beginning birders. Bring binoculars and field guide. Location: Meet at Big Lots parking lot next to Washington Street to walk along Chambersburg section of Cumberland Valley Rail-Trail. Debby Hook, 717-372-0228. 

Please check our website for updates:    www.ConococheagueAudubon.org 

To date, Conococheague Audubon Society members have donated more than $5,000 for the Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC) in central Guatemala to support their capital campaign to purchase 390 acres on which the center is built. If you plan to make a donation, you may write out a check to “Conococheague Audubon Society” and send it to:  Conococheague Audubon, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222. Please indicate “CCFC donation” in the memo area of your check. We will accept donations until July 1, 2022. 

National Audubon is sponsoring “For the Birds: The Birdsong Project”. It is a historic outpouring of creativity by more than 200 artists to celebrate the music and joy that birds bring into our lives—and to raise awareness about the need to protect them. Listen today and all proceeds will benefit @National Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/birdsong-project. 

May you enjoy the songs and gorgeous plumages of our feathered friends, both those who are just passing through and those who are nesting locally. Good birding! 

  Valerie Barnes, President 

  Contact me at ConAudubon@outlook.com