by Vickie Park, Secretary

Columbia Audubon Society Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday March 18, 2026

Boone County Electric Building

Present:  Lottie Bushmann, Emma Buckingham, John Besser, Vickie Park, Eric Seaman, Greg Leonard, Shelby Thomas, Bill Mees, Ben West

Meeting called to order:  6:02 pm

Previous minutes: Bill Mees moved to accept the February minutes as written.     John Besser seconded it.  Motion carried.

Treasurer report:  Report was reviewed.  Lisa Schenker will investigate fees withheld from COMO gives contributions.  The proposed budget for 6/1/26 to 5/31/27 was discussed. Bill Mees moves to accept the proposed budget.  Emma seconds the motion.  Budget proposal passed.

Nature areas:  John Besser discussed scheduled workdays.  CAS and Missouri Conservation Corps have scheduled a cooperative honeysuckle removal event on Saturday, March 21st, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary.  Pizza and potties will be provided.  On April 18 there will be a workday at Wild Haven to work on the pavilion.   The May 16 workday location is currently undecided.

Conservation: A table will be set up along with the Sierra Club at the Earth Day celebration to increase public awareness of the importance of protecting the Gans Creek area from development.  CAS plans to contribute money to the Gans Creek Area Protector Group.  The amount will be decided closer to the time of need.

Programs: Sarah Kendrick is scheduled to present next month’s program about how Motus is being used to track and research migratory songbirds.

Field Trips: Ben West reports that a Mindful Birding program is being coordinated with MRBO.  Scheduled field trips include:

March 28 at 1pm- Birding at  Alspaugh Park

April 11 at 1pm-3pm will be a hybrid social at Cooper’s Landing and field trips to nearby sections of the Katy Trail.

April 28 at 7pm -Chimney Swift birding downtown Columbia

May 10 at 3:30 Bird walk at Bonnie View.  5:30 Potluck picnic at Bonnie View shelter.

May 29- Chimney Swift watch

 

Education: nothing new

Communications: Submissions to the April Chat need to be given to Allison Vaughn by March 29.

Membership:  nothing to report

Nominating Committee Report:  The committee has submitted nominations for next year’s board:

Emma Buckingham has agreed to be president.

Greg Leonard has agreed to be vice president.

Eric Seaman has agreed to be treasurer.

Vickie Park has agreed to be secretary.

Reagan Webb, an educator agrees to fill a 3 year board term.

David Neely and Chris Hagglund each agree to fill a 1 year term.

Meeting Adjourned: 6:55 pm