VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 MARCH 2002

WARIOTO AT A GLANCE
REGULAR MEETING: Thursday, March 7, 7:30 p.m., E-106B, Sundquist Science Building, APSU
PROGRAM: Gary Tuttle, City Forester, on trees and birds in an urban environment

HOSPITALITY: Debbie Hamilton will provide the post-meeting refreshments.

BOARD MEETING: Thursday, March 7, 7:00 p.m., D-125 (Biology Conf. Rm.), Sundquist Science Bldg., APSU.
FIELD TRIP: Morning field trip to Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at 7:00 a.m., APSU McCord parking lot.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Sally Schiller

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The officers and board members sent the following letter to Senators Frist and Thompson in February:

Dear Senator,

We, the democratically elected officers and board members of the Warioto Chapter of the National Audubon Society, on behalf of our membership strongly urge you to vote against any legislation that would permit oil exploration and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The limited supply of oil that might be found beneath this land will not reduce dependance on foreign oil. The ANWR is too valuable as a natural resource to be exploited for a short-term energy source.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sarah Lundin-Schiller, President

Dr. Randy Ellis, 1^st Vice-President

Ms. Rebecca Houtman, 2^nd Vice-President

Ms. Debbie Hamilton, 3^nd Vice-President

Dr. Steve Hamilton, 4^rd Vice-President

Dr. Joseph Schiller, 5^th Vice-President

Ms. Gloria Milliken, Treasurer

Ms. Amy Atkins, Secretary

Ms. Suva Bastin, Board Member

Ms. Evette Strickland, Board Member

Dr. Barry Podell, Board Member

Mr. Alan Bottomlee, Board Member

Ms. Laurina Lyle, Board Member

Ms. Barbara Wilbur, Board Member

Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)

The Clarksville area had very good participation in the 5^th Annual GBBC. See the map below. The map is from the www.birdsource.org web site where you can view more extensive results from the GBBC. One hundred eight (108) species were observed in Tennessee during the four day count.

Polystyrene: The Bane of Recyclers

I have always been frustrated by the quantity of polystyrene (PS, # 6 plastic) that makes it way into our home because I cannot find a place to recycle all the various forms of PS. Apparently, there is little to no market for recycled PS. Some mailing companies will reuse the PS packing peanuts and some manufacturers will accept the return of molded PS packaging in which they have sent items to you. Generally, however, no one seems to be recycling the various PS types. So, I was happy to find at the Rose Acre Farms web site an address where one can send PS egg cartons to be recycled. According to the Rose Acre Farms information the average family of four uses about 1.5 lbs of PS egg cartons per year. It costs about $3.20 to mail 2 lbs from anywhere in the U.S. The address is: DOLCO PACKAGING
2110 Patterson Street
Decatur, IN 46733

If you know of any other PS recycling let me know! In the meantime, I’ll continue to try to avoid products packaged in it.

During the December program, Dr. Joe Schiller discussed the environmental impact of a hydrocarbon-based energy policy. He stated that there are many false assumptions about the current proposed energy policy. It assumes that environmental damage can be reduced or eliminated. It assumes that oil, gas, coal, and nuclear power are the cheapest energy sources (which may be true if you do not count all the secondary costs related to pollution and environmental degradation). It assumes that conservation reduces our quality of life. It assumes that renewable energy is not a viable option. It also assumes that more oil drilling will increase our energy security (however at our current rate of consumption, the US does not have enough oil reserves to drill itself to energy independence).

Joe then focused the remainder of his talk on coal and coal extraction. Coal extraction processes (which involve deep strip mining) results in the leveling of mountains, polluted streams and visual eyesores. The current trend for extraction is mountain top removal and valley fill, which completely covers up existing streams. Although the mines are supposed to be "reclaimed" after use, most mines have not been, secondary to loopholes. Coal extraction also results in significant water pollution related to increased sedimentation, heavy metals, flooding and sometimes slurry pond failures. Coal burning causes significant air pollution problems. Each year huge public expenditures are used to try to remedy these secondary problems.

Alternatives have made great progress over the past decade and will continue to improve with public support and acceptance. Energy production from wind, solar, and fuel cell sources are becoming comparably priced to oil and coal without the significant secondary costs. Energy use reduction and improved energy efficiency can also decrease our national dependence on foreign oil.

During our February program, J.R. Tate (Model T) told us of his adventures on the Colorado Trail. This trail is approximately 450 miles long from just outside of Denver to Durango. Most of the trail is above 10,000 feet. The entire hike took six weeks. From the talk and the pictures it was obvious the views were spectacular, the scenery beautiful and the muscles sore. J.R. has a new book out about his first hike on the Appalachian Trail, Walking on the Happy Side of Misery. Contact me if interested in purchasing the book. I want to remind everyone of Tennessee's own state trail, the Cumberland Trail, which will be complete in 2008.

Our March program will feature Gary Tuttle, Clarksville City Forester, talking with us about the close interaction of birds and trees. He will also discuss ways we can all attract more birds to our backyards with appropriate landscaping.

The field trip for March will be birding at Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge officially opens for the year on March 15^th however, Sarah Welker has agreed to open the refuge for us only on March 9^th. This will allow us to bird watch without the complications of traffic on the road and other visitors. Sarah may also be joining us on the field trip, which will be a nice treat. Our trip will be a Saturday morning event. We will meet at McCord parking lot at APSU at 7:00 a.m. We plan on being birding at about 8 a.m. and bird watch until noon, when we wrap up for a picnic lunch. Be sure to bring your binoculars, bird book, a jacket, water, and a picnic lunch. This trip will have mild walking involved but most viewing can be done in or near you vehicle. Hope to see you there!!!

Last week I started to provide a list of this year’s Audubon conservation initiatives. Here is the balance of those initiatives:

7. Audubon's Land & Water Conservation Priorities

Each year, Audubon State Offices & Chapters nominate sites for acquisition under the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This year, Audubon has nominated nearly 25 sites that are particularly important for America's declining avian species. We'll work to see that Congress funds these sites through the Land & Water Conservation Fund and helps to protect our nation's dwindling natural habitats.

8. National Wildlife Refuges

This year will be the 100^th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System, created in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Today, there are over 530 national wildlife refuges that span across 50 states, host more than 700 bird species, and are the primary habitat for about 250 threatened and endangered species. These refuges are critical for protecting our country's diverse bird and wildlife populations. But in spite of their important role, they face an overwhelming $2 billion backlog in operations and maintenance needs. Hundreds of refuges have no staff, no signs, brochures or restrooms, no way to serve the public and no aid for resident bird and wildlife populations. Audubon will look to Congress to secure adequate funding for these precious bird and wildlife havens during this once-in-a-lifetime centennial year.

9. Saving Birds Beyond Our Borders

Human population growth is the most pressing environmental problem facing the U.S. and the world. Population expansion exacerbates all other environmental problems. The U.S. Congress dedicates funding to provide family planning education and services to people in the developing world. International family planning improves the ability of people to manage their lives and their natural resources more sustainably, which in turn helps protect birds, other wildlife and our environment. Last year, Congress increased funding for international family planning programs for the first time in years, but still have not reached the levels set in 1995. This Audubon will ask them to do more!

10. Restoring The Everglades

11. Protecting Ocean Species

Last year, Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) introduced the Fisheries Recovery Act, legislation to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2001, the primary law regulating U.S. fisheries. For the first time, an amendment to this act will look at the larger picture of conserving ocean resources and not just on a single species of fish. The Act, bill number HR 2570, would strengthen federal laws to stop over fishing, avoid the killing of "non-targeted" fish and other species such as turtles and birds. It will also protect coral reefs, wetlands and other habitats where fish feed, breed and find protection. Audubon and our partners in ocean conservation are encouraging lawmakers to sign on as co-sponsors to this ecosystem-saving legislation.

Convince the U.S. Forest Service to implement the Roadless Rule - a publicly mandated ruling that protects the last 58.5 million acres of pristine wild forests across 39 states from road building, logging and mining. The Rule was slated to go into effect in March 2001, but has not been implemented as of yet. In fact, efforts are underway to amend the rule altogether.

Secure Funding for Conservation Projects...through the Land Conservation, Preservation and Infrastructure Act and the Conservation & Reinvestment Act (CARA) - legislation that increases our nation's commitment to local, state and federal conservation programs.

Save Special Places such as the San Francisco Bay, Upper Mississippi River, and Long Island Sound... and much, much more!