2020 MRVAC Birding Weekend is Fast Approaching
By Bob Williams, Board Member
We are only a month away from the new Birding Weekend! I hope everyone is planning to participate.
Here's how it works this year. Because of Covid-19 our chapter did not have its annual fundraising event known as the Bird-a-thon. It has been a part of our efforts to raise money for many years and has been successful in helping us meet our goals. This year we are trying something a little different: Please help your Audubon chapter by going to your favorite birding spots on either August 22, August 23 -- or both -- and keep a list of all the species that you are able to identify each day. Then let us know what birds you found so we can compile a complete list for each day. If you cannot bird on Saturday or Sunday, you can go either Friday instead of Saturday or Monday instead of Sunday.
There are prizes, too! Small prizes will be awarded for the birder who identifies the most species for each day and for the birder who identifies the most unusual bird each day. We'll publish results in the Trumpeter. Our goal is to have at least 100 birders participate. If each participant contributes or raises at least $25, we would achieve our fundraising goal. You can visit our updated and improved website at mrvac.org for ways to contribute online or you can mail a check made out to MRVAC to PO Box 20400, Bloomington, MN 55420. If you have any questions about the birding weekend, please contact Bob Williams by email at drbop6789@gmail.com or by text at 612-991-0727.
Please practice social distancing and/or wear a mask as you are birding. We want everyone to stay safe and healthy!
MRVAC Awards 2020 Grants
By Walt Stull, Board Member
The entire MRVAC family would like to congratulate the following organizations who applied for and were awarded grant funding this year. More information about MRVAC grants can be found elsewhere on the website.
- Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends
- Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center
- Red-headed Woodpecker Conservation Plan
- Wild Ones, Prairie Edge Chapter
MRVAC Board elects 2020-2021 officers, directors; reorganizes committees
The MRVAC board elected a new slate of officers and directors for the 2020-2021 year at its May 21 video meeting.
The board reelected Matthew Schaut, president; Steve Weston, vice president; Rob Daves, secretary; and Walt Stull, treasurer. They join a slate of directors that include Rita Baden, Robin Kutz, Lee Ann Landstrom, Doug Mayo, Ken Oulman, Monica Rauchwarter and Bob Williams. Doug Mayo joins the board in the seat of retiring board member Greg Burnes, whom the board thanked for his terrific service on the board and as membership chair.
In addition to new officers and a new board, the board reorganized MRVAC’s committees. The communication committee was abolished, as volunteers already were taking care of its individual tasks, including the website (Rob Daves, webmaster) and Trumpeter newsletter (Josh Sweet, editor). It combined the environmental action and conservation committees, creating an education and action committee chaired by Board Member Lee Ann Landstrom.
Board Member Bob Williams will work with the fundraising committee, helping with the auction, Bird-a-thon, and administering the GiveMN web page. Vice President Steve Weston will continue to chair the program committee and coordinate MRVAC activities with the Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge. On Greg Burnes’ retirement the membership committee chair is open. Robin Kutz continues to chair the social committee.
The complete list of directors, officers, committee chairs and other volunteer leaders is here.