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VOLUME 32, NUMBER 1 SEPTEMBER 2000 NEWSLETTER TEXT ONLY
WARIOTO AT A GLANCE

REGULAR MEETING: Thursday, September 7, 7:30 p.m., Kimbrough Bldg., room 119, APSU.

PROGRAM: "Nocturnal Animals" by Natural History Educational Co., Cadiz, KY. Live animals on display will be bobcat, raccoon, barred owl, opossum, and either a mink or red fox.
HOSPITALITY: Clarksville Academy’s Key Club will provide refreshments following the program.
BOARD MEETING: In the Kimbrough Building upstairs lobby at 7:00 p.m..

FIELD TRIP: See responsible conservation farm practice put to use on the Mabry Farm, Todd Co., KY. Meet in the McCord parking lot APSU by 7:30. Bring your binoculars; there is much great wildlife habitat. See details below.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Sally Schiller

The Barn Swallows that nest under the eaves of our house fledged just a couple of weeks ago. There were two nests full this year, one way up high under a second story eave and another right next to our front door. The front door family (4 hatchling) learned to live with our coming and going and had Ms. Kitty, our cat, completely intimidated by flying close to her head and giving a warning chirp. However, when they make their departing flight from our house we know that summer vacation is almost over and it is back to work and school for us.

The new school year also means new activities for the Warioto Chapter of the Audubon Society as well. The officers and board members have been working to develop activities and programs for this academic year since early in August. We are hopeful that our efforts will be met with increased participation and enthusiasm from the membership and community at large. We will make a concerted effort at increased publicity of our activities, including reminder phone calls to other members. The 2000-2001 season opens with a meeting on September 7th in the Kimbrough Building, Room 119 on the APSU campus. Notice that this is a different meeting room from ususal. (Please see campus map below.) At this meeting we will hear a program on Nocturnal Animals presented by Natural History Educational Company (Cadiz, KY). This will be a great program to bring kids to since there will be a display of live animals. As always refreshments will be served following the meeting and EVERYONE is welcome!

The board and officers also voted to sponsor five Audubon Adventure classrooms in the community. Audubon Adventures is a program to teach children in the 4th through 6th grade about the natural world. Each teacher will receive a kit that includes, among other items, reading materials for the students and detailed lesson plans that can be integrated with the current curriculum. The materials have been developed by professional environmental educators and present basic, scientifically accurate facts about birds, other wildlife and their habitats.

For other activities please see the Year at a Glance below. Hope to see you at the next meeting!

NEW OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2000-2001 AND A CALL FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED, Sally Schiller

Below are the officers and board members for this year. Notice that we still need a program chair and one more board member. The chapter really needs someone who is willing to step up to the challenge and become the program chair to finish out this academic year and be willing to assume the presidency the next year. Many of the programs are already planned and the other officers always provide tremendous help, support and inspiration to the person in this position. Remember you would never have to do any of the work in a vacuum!!

If you don’t feel you could take on the program chair but would still like to be involved, becoming a board member is a great way to learn about the chapter and help the cause.

Other ways that you can get involved would be to assist the current officers in their duties. Call them and see if there is something you could do to help. Getting out publicity on the educational programs and activities that the chapter sponsors is one area that really needs some attention. Even if you’ve never done anything like this before, consider getting involved this year – we’re a friendly group and would welcome your involvement!!

President: Sally Schiller, 387-4071, slschil@attglobal.net
1st VP (Programs):
2nd VP (Field Trips): Rebecca Houtman, 906-8268, rahoutman@aol.com
3rd VP (Memberships): Debbie Hamilton, 645-8092, hamiltond@clarksvilleacademy.com
4th VP (Publications): Steve Hamilton, 645-8092 (h), 221-7783 (w), hamiltonsw@apsu.edu
5th VP (CEECS): Joe Schiller, 387-4071, schillerjoseph@netscape.net
Secretary : Amy Atkins, 648-5526
Treasurer: Gloria Milliken, 358-2998
Hospitality: Colleen White, 615-307-9451, faxon@aol.com
Board Members: Suva Bastin, 645-2849, Randy Ellis, 551-8741, Barry Podell, 648-1922, Barbara Wilbur, 647-4956, Jill Freethy, flame327@aol.com

SEPTEMBER FIELD TRIP

The field trip plans are almost complete as you will see in the Year at a Glance below. Some field trip dates are still open, but we will finalize the plans shortly. Some field trip dates and times have not been set as "press time," but these details will be forthcoming future Warioto Warblers. The first field trip is scheduled for Saturday, September 9 and will depart from the McCord parking area at 7:30 a.m. (see APSU map below). We will travel to south Todd County to tour the Mabry Farm, owned and operated by Susan Menees. This is one of themost beautiful farms in this area, but even more important it has a long history of excellent conservation practices. Dr. Mack Finely, APSU Professor of Biology, will lead the tour. Remember to bring your binoculars and field guides as this farm provides an outstanding variety of habitats for birds and other wildlife.  I think the schedule will offer a variety of opportunities for participation by all ages and interest groups. Field trips are open to the public, so join us and bring your friends and neighbors.

WARIOTO CHAPTER’S YEAR AT A GLANCE (unless otherwise specified monthly meetings are held in McCord Bldg, APSU, Room 102)
SEPTEMBER
Monthly Meeting: September 7th, Kimbrough 119, APSU
Program: "Nocturnal Animals" by Natural History Educational Co.
Field Trip: Visit the Mabry Farm in southern Todd Co., KY and see responsible conservation practice. Sept. 9. Meet at the McCord parking lot by 7:30a.m. to car pool.

OCTOBER
Monthly Meeting: Oct. 5th
Program: "Rise Up on the Wings of Eagles" by Bob Hatcher, TWRA
Field Trip: Guided tour of Cheekwood Museum and Botanical Gardens; view John J. Audubon Art Exhibit. There is be a $8 fee. Sunday afternoon, Oct. 8. Meet by Wendy’s at K-Mart east (Madison St. and the Bypass) by noon

NOVEMBER
Monthly Meeting: Nov. 2nd Annual Potluck Dinner and Silent Auction at 6 PM. Location TBA.
Program: "Life and Art of J.J. Audubon" by Don Boarman of the J.J. Audubon Museum (KY)
Field Trip: TBA

DECEMBER
Monthly Meeting: Dec. 7th
Program: "Postcard from Costa Rica" by Polly Rooker, TWRA
Field Trip: Annual day long Christmas Bird Count. Call Debbie Hamilton (645-8092) for details. Also see information on the web at: http://birdsource.cornell.edu/cbc/

FEBRUARY
Monthly Meeting: Feb. 1st
Program: "Postcard from the Galapagos" by Polly Rooker, TWRA
Field Trip: TBA

MARCH
Monthly Meeting: Mar 1st (Call for officer nominations)

Program: TBA

Field Trip: TBA

APRIL
Monthly Meeting: April 5th

Program: "The Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, Olympia, WA" by Laurina Lyle, Department of Biology, APSU.

Field Trip: Spring Fling at Dunbar Cave State Park.

MAY
Monthly Meeting: May 3rd (Vote on new officers)

Speaker: "Southern African Ecosystems: Diversity and Challenges" by Drs. Carol (APSU) and Steve (Vanderbilt) Baskauf

Field Trip: Annual Spring Bird Count. Call Gloria Milliken (358-2998) for details. Bird Feeder counters are needed as well as field counters.

JUNE
Monthly Meeting: June 7th

Speaker: TBA

Field Trip: Frog Call Identification

JULY  Annual Potluck Picnic at Dunbar Cave, time and date TBA
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LETTER FROM THE CONSERVATION OFFICER

While we were in our annual summer hiatus, important events took place on the conservation front. I have reproduced a slightly edited version of the July Conservation alert I received from NAS to bring you up to date. Notice that several items are issues we have addressed in some of our monthly programs.

1. Neotropical Migratory Bird Bill Becomes Law

President Clinton signed into law the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, the only bill in this Congress that directly helps songbirds. The new law establishes a fund to support partnership programs that will conserve and enhance habitat of neotropical migratory birds. At least 75% of the money will go to projects in the Caribbean and Latin America, where about 5 billion birds of 500 species winter. It authorizes $5 million per year for five years and funds a maximum of 25% of the money for each project. The remainder will be raised or contributed by partners such as businesses, non-governmental organizations and foreign nations Many thanks to Senator Abraham (R-MI), who championed this legislation through the Senate, along with Senator Daschle (D-SD) and the late Senator Chafee (R-RI), the original co-sponsors.

2. Senate May Vote on Everglades Bill in September

The Audubon-supported S.2797 authorizes a series of projects to return the natural quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of freshwater to the Everglades, which will improve the habitat of the 68 threatened or endangered species, and the hundreds of other species of birds, wildlife, and plants that make the Everglades home. Please call your two U.S. senators today and urge them to vote yes on S.2797. For information or for direct dial phone numbers of Senators, please call Shannon Mayorga at 1-800-753-5499 or e-mail smayorga@audubon.org.

3. House Votes to Commemorate Refuge Centennial

On July 12th, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R.4442, the National Wildlife Refuge Centennial Act, by a vote of 403 to 15. The Act creates a commission that will plan highly visible public projects to mark the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The bill also requires the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) to address the Refuge System's backlog of operations and maintenance needs. The measure now moves to the Senate, which will hopefully take up its version, S.2878, the National Wildlife Refuge Centennial Commemoration Act, this fall.

4. Open Season on Cormorants?

This week, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans passed H.R.3118, ill-conceived legislation requiring the Secretary of the Interior to authorize states to establish hunting seasons for Double-crested Cormorants. This Audubon-opposed legislation was spurred by sport fishing concerns that increasing cormorant populations are responsible for fisheries declines -- claims that are not supported by credible science. A vote should not be cast on this measure until such credible information is available, and we've sent a letter to the Committee stating that very fact.

5. More on Hunting & the House

The House Committee on Resources is looking at another Audubon-opposed hunting bill, H.R.4790, legislation that puts an unnecessary and unreasonable emphasis on hunting over other legitimate uses of public lands. H.R.4790 opens all public lands and waters to access for hunting, except in specific instances where hunting closures are authorized by law or when hunting is inconsistent with national security, public safety, or state limits. The bill, however, severely limits the circumstances in which public lands may be closed to hunting, without granting the same advantage to other uses. According to a 1996 study by the Census Bureau, only 7% of the American population used public lands for hunting, while nearly 50% enjoyed fishing and other non-consumptive uses, such as bird watching and wildlife photography. H.R.4790 places an unnecessary emphasis on hunting, which makes up a very small percentage of the overall use of public lands, and will compromise other wildlife-oriented recreation in this country.

6. Heritage Forests Campaign Comes Through

On July 17th, Audubon's Heritage Forests Campaign delivered 700,000 letters and postcards from individuals calling on the U.S. Forest Service to protect all 60 million acres of our pristine and wild national forests from logging and road building. This brings the number of public comments the Forest Service has received in support of this initiative to more than 1 million - nearly four times the previous record for public comments to a federal agency on a policy initiative. The comments on the Forest Services' proposed Roadless Area Conservation Rule were delivered in response to the Services' draft Environmental Impact Statement. The sheer quantity of comments sends a strong message that Americans support an effective roadless policy for our national forests. The Forest Service will now review these comments, along with those from Congress and the Clinton Administration, and then release their final policy this fall.

7. Population & Habitat Program

On Thursday, July 13, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY2001 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (H.R.4811), the annual spending bill containing funding for voluntary international family planning. The bill was passed with last year's inadequate funding level of $385 million for voluntary international family planning and population assistance programs. The more supportive Senate version of the bill, passed in June, included a requested funding level of $425 million, which is more closely aligned with the President's request of $525 million. Inadequate funding was not the only anti-family planning measure included in H.R.4811. During discussion of the bill on the House floor, Representative Greenwood (R-PA) offered an amendment to strike the global gag rule from H.R.4811. The amendment failed with a vote of 221 to 206. Although the results of the House vote are disappointing for population and environmental advocates, the narrow margin of the loss holds promise for the final outcome for voluntary international family planning and population assistance programs. The close vote demonstrates significant opposition in the House of Representatives to the inclusion of the global gag rule restrictions.

Joe Schiller, CEECS Chair

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WARIOTO WARBLER NEWSLETTER is published at nine times a year by the Warioto Chapter of the National Audubon Society, Clarksville, TN 37040. All National Audubon members in our area receive it, and nonmembers may subscribe to it at a subscription price of $4.00 per year. Checks should be made payable to Warioto Audubon Chapter. Please notify us of any CHANGE OF ADDRESS, as this Newsletter is sent by bulk mail and cannot be forwarded.

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ARTICLES AND INFORMATION FOR THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER ARE DUE 15 SEPTEMBER

MAIL TO: STEVE HAMILTON, 290 ARDMOOR DR., CLARKSVILLE, TN 37043