Ad Hoc Long-Range Planning Committee: Laura Hillman (Chair), Denny Donnell, David Bedan, John Besser, Andrew Forbes

Introduction.

Columbia Audubon Society (CAS) will strive to achieve the following chapter goals and objectives in a manner consistent with the mission of National Audubon Society, “to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.”

A. Education

A1. Re-activate the Education Committee

• Develop programs utilizing the Trailside Museum facilities
• Recruit staffing to permit regular opening of the museum (goal 50 days /year)
• Develop long-range plan for future exhibits and educational activities
• Promote school and youth-based nature and environmental programs using outdoor classroom areas at schools and our own facilities
• Explore participation with MO Environmental Education Association.
• Explore using Audubon Adventures
• Explore again providing scholarships for teachers to NAS camps

A2. Renovate the Trailside Museum and exhibits by April 2005

• Hold open house for members––-March 2005
• Hold well publicized open house for the public in April 2005
• Promote use of native plantings around the museum building
• Promote signage to encourage visitors to use the lower lot and signage from that lot to entrance

A3. Increase the educational use of CAS Nature Areas by members and outside groups.

• Conduct field trips to Nature Areas for CAS members and the public.
• Increase outreach to schools and other youth organizations about educational opportunities at Nature Areas.

B. Public Policy

CAS will publicly advocate for protection of our environment and especially for the habitat of birds and other wildlife.

B1. Local Issues – Collaborate with other organizations and government agencies to advocate for protection of critical environments in Boone County and central Missouri.

• Support the development of greenbelts in Boone County.
• Encourage Boone County to establish a system of County Parks and Nature areas and a County Parks Department.
• Encourage the City of Columbia, Boone County, MDNR, MDC and the USFS to manage their parks, nature areas, conservation areas and forests in Boone County so that protection of wildlife and their habitat is a major management goal.
• Encourage the City of Columbia to maintain their Russell Property in a relatively natural condition so that habitat conservation and restoration are a primary purpose along with nature education and compatible with the goals of the CAS Russell Nature Area.

B2. State issues – CAS will collaborate with Audubon Missouri and other conservation organizations and government agencies to enhance protection of Missouri’s environment.

• Cooperate with Audubon Missouri’s Important Bird Area (IBA) program and the Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative (MOBCI) to protect and improve the areas and habitat needs identified by these programs.

B3. National and International Issues – CAS will support the National Audubon Society in advocating for protection of critical environments in the United States (e.g., protect ANWR and the Mississippi River) and worldwide (e.g., promote shade grown coffee).

C. Nature Areas

C1. Habitat Management: Protect and restore natural plant and animal communities.

• Remove invasive non-native species that threaten native species and their habitats
• Reintroduce native plants and animals into appropriate habitats
• Cooperate with private landowners, public agencies, and other conservation organizations to encourage appropriate management activities.

C2. Research: Make Nature Areas available for research to increase our understanding of plant and animal communities and to improve management of these communities.

• Conduct inventories of natural features and prepare lists for use by members and the public.
• Evaluate the success of management activities (controlled burns, exotic removal, native plantings.

C3. Public Access: Make CAS Nature Areas available for public use that is safe and consistent with Nature Area objectives

• Install and maintain informational signage for boundaries and points of public entry.
• Construct, mark, and maintain nature trails to allow safe enjoyment of natural features while protecting sensitive features
• Cooperate with public and private groups to include Nature Areas in a regional network of greenbelts and pedways.

C4. Real Estate Management: Ensure that properties owned and managed by CAS provide appropriate ecological or economic benefits.

• Manage Wild Haven rental residence to provide rental receipts that are adequate to cover maintenance costs and to provide a significant net income for the chapter.
• Review CAS real estate holdings to determine if these properties adequately facilitate the Audubon missions of education and habitat protection.