by Lori Turner, CAS President

CAS Makes a Difference Through Education and Outreach

With the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count behind us, and 2023 ahead of us, it’s almost time to start making new bird lists! It’s also a good time to make a list of the many ways that Columbia Audubon has participated in Outreach and Education missions this past year. What fun our volunteers have had working with many students from Columbia Public Schools, Centralia Public Schools, and the Home Schoolers Association, leading field trips and introducing enthusiastic youngsters to bird identification by sight and sound!

We have also teamed up with the Missouri River Relief and First Chance for Children to help children discover our feathered friends in nature. In addition, we are working to establish a relationship with the Missouri Young Birders Club. If you know of someone who is interested in joining other young people on a bird hike you should check it out. The website is https://www.moyoungbirders.org/ and it’s a great way for kids to connect with people and birds.

Finally, Columbia Audubon continues to support area teachers by sending deserving applicants to Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine. During a week-long summer program, teachers are immersed in environmental education and learn how to better engage students with nature. Programs like this take dollars—like the ones we receive through CoMoGives. We are so grateful for your support!