As we roll into summer and the end of our fiscal year, let’s take a moment to applaud the efforts of our Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and Officers over the past 12 months. Without these stalwart volunteers, it would be impossible to accomplish the conservation, education, and citizen science projects in which we take such pride. We appreciate your ongoing service and contributions to the chapter. We look forward to your continuing leadership and participation in our activities.
If you would like to volunteer, we would love to have your help. Contact the committee chair or any officer to step up. Volunteer opportunities this summer include:
- Clean up and help maintain the native plants garden at Norlo Park. Contact Josh Donaldson, jd425@embarqmail.com or 717-264-6920.
- Monitor birds on Michaux State Forest, Contact John or Sue Greer, jngreer@aol.com or 443-255-8871
- Appalachian Trail Festival on Saturday, June 10 from 10 AM- 4 PM at Red Run Park in Waynesboro (12143 Buchanan Trail East). Contact Debby Hook at 717-372-0228 or debbyk@pa.net.
- Display table at Chambersburg Farmers’ Market on 4th Saturdays, 9 AM – noon, June – September. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692.
NEW event in July! The Conococheague Audubon Society is planning an educational and conversational tour of our chapter’s Native Plants Garden at Norlo Park (3050 Lincoln Way E, Fayetteville, PA 17222) on Monday July 17th at 9am. We’ll begin with a short Master Gardener class on native plants by MG and garden volunteer Anne St. John, followed by a tour of the garden focused on the plants as well as the butterflies, bees, and birds which depend so much on native plants. It will conclude well before noon. Our walk will be on lawn grass which may not be dry. Rain date is Wednesday July 19th, 9am. This will be the first of what we plan to be an annual event, open to the public. We hope to see you there! Please contact tour host Josh Donaldson with any questions at 717.264.6920
Other Upcoming Activities: [as always, please call the field trip leader in advance and be at the meeting place a few minutes early. It’s a good idea to double-check the details about a trip on our website’s calendar.]
June 3, Saturday, WORKSHOP. 7:45 AM Beginning Birders’ Workshop. 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, jwtice1@comcast.net.
June 10, Saturday, FIELD TRIP, 7:00 AM South Mountain/Caledonia/Michaux Important Birding Area (IBA) for RESIDENT SONGBIRDS. Leave from second parking lot beyond Visitors’ Center in Caledonia State Park. Bring scopes and binoculars. Eric and Rhetta Martin, 717-597-8675.
June 16-19, Fri.-Mon., CONSERVATION COUNT, All day for 1-4 days. Join a team for fundraising opportunities. Breeding Birding Blitz for Conservation by the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology. See www.breedingbirdblitz.org for info. Vern Gauthier, 717-385-9526, verngauthier14@gmail.com.
June 17, Saturday, FIELD TRIP, 7:30 AM Especially for BEGINNING BIRDERS. Chambersburg section of Cumberland Valley Rail Trail. Meet at Big Lots, 184 Southgate Mall, parking lot next to Washington Street. Bring binoculars and field guide. Debby Hook, 717-372-0228.
Thank you for your continued support and interest, and good birding!