Clouds and Silver Linings of Property Ownership

by Bill Mees, Nature Areas Committee

Columbia Audubon Society is blessed with “silver linings” in the form of wonderful members who volunteer their time and expertise. The properties owned by CAS are another example of a silver lining. Among the properties owned is Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary (CANS) – a great birding destination open to the public.

Natural tree fall happens in nature, and not all buildings are always immune to the effects, as evidenced by the large tree that fell on CANS kiosk recently.

If clouds can have silver linings, it turns out silver linings can have clouds. So it was on November 7th that a “cloud” was discovered in the form of a tree lying on the kiosk at CANS. Closer inspection found several significant structural support timbers of the kiosk irreparably broken.

A quick email was sent to the Nature Areas Committee. Members David Neely and John Besser, after thoughtful deliberation, interspersed with unspoken expletives, offered their opinions on how to proceed. The first step, obviously, was to remove the tree. Then a trip to La Crosse Lumber and Columbia Welding and Machine for supplies ensued. Repairs were completed a couple days later.

Quick response and repairs were made to the kiosk by the dedicated members of the Nature Areas Committee members.

As stated at the top, member volunteers are certainly a silver lining. Thank you to David and John. For those wondering where your membership dues go? Owning property even for bird watching ends up costing money. We hope you agree it is a small price to pay for the advantages of ownership. Thank you for your membership!