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Welcome
| We are the East King County chapter of National Audubon. We protect and restore habitat for birds and advocate for birds in the community. We give educational programs in schools and provide youth scholarships for summer camp. We offer birding field trips, events, and classes and perform bird surveys. Non-birders will enjoy our diverse monthly programs, native plant sales, and nature walks. |
News and Events
In Memory of Sunny
by Cindy Balbuena
On Thursday, February 25th, when I arrived early to help get ready for our monthly program night and Sunny Walter was not there, I knew there must be something wrong. Sunny not only never missed a program meeting, but in her position as program chair, she was always there early chatting with the speakers and helping them to get their presentation ready. Sunny would never be a no-show. At the break, Tim McGruder gave her a call to check on her, but instead of reaching Sunny, received some horrible news from her daughter. Sunny had passed away that day in her home.
I'm sure it would be fair to estimate that almost anyone who has been involved with Eastside Audubon, even if they've only been to one meeting or event, no doubt knew Sunny. She was involved in almost every facet of the chapter - Marymoor work parties, conservation committee, web committee, lobbying in Olympia, photography group, birding chair - which oversees fieldtrips and adult education classes, Birdathon chair, and serving on the board! She also, just earlier that same week began working in the EAS office as an assistant to Jan.
Sunny's influence on the board was remarkable. You may think that it would be nearly impossible to take on so many roles and tasks and do them all well. For most people that would probably be true, but that just wasn't the case with Sunny. If she was passionate about something, she was going to give it her all. She led by example and was absolutely amazing in her energy and enthusiasm. When she had a good idea, she would run with it and bring others along. Although she was on a fixed income, last year when I encouraged the board to give a stretch financial donation to the chapter, Sunny was the first to pledge a significant amount right there in the meeting and challenge others to do the same.
For me personally, Sunny was a wonderful influence. She challenged me to step out of my introverted comfort zone at program nights to spend my time socializing less with people I already knew well and instead spend more time making sure I was reaching out to and getting to know the visitors and new members so they felt welcome. I always also appreciated Sunny for her decisiveness. Although she could sometimes come across as a bit abrupt when she felt strongly about something, I always knew that, when I asked for her opinion, she would give it to me and give it to me straight. That was always very refreshing and reassuring for someone like me who tends to waffle on things too long.
Just days before she passed, Sunny and I were meeting to plan themes for the Corvid Crier. Before we started on that topic, Sunny basically told me, in the nicest possible way, that I needed to step up my Birdathon fundraising this year and not let my team down. After listening patiently to my excuses about why it was hard for me to fundraise, she asked me to commit to reviewing my contacts and letting her know how many people I thought I could ask for a donation this year. Sunny, I'm dedicating my 2010 Birdathon to you and will do my best to do you proud!
I feel very privileged to have been able to work with Sunny and get to know her over the last few years. She was a role model. It's not fair that she was taken so suddenly. At our board retreat at the end of January, Sunny mentioned how she planned to live until she was 120 and we had no reason to doubt her. She was a powerhouse. It will take many people taking on many jobs just to carry on what she was working on, but she will never be replaced. I am just thankful at as we walked together out to our cars after our meeting last week that I told her that she was amazing and that I appreciated her. We miss you, Sunny!
A memorial services is planned for later this Spring, but the date is not yet set.
Program Night: Otters of the Salish Sea
Did Did you ever want to be able to tell the difference between a sea otter and a river otter? Do you know which ones are more common in Puget Sound? Joe Gaydos, Chief Scientist at the SeaDoc Society will share this and more information about these furry and elusive creatures at our March program night.
Washington's Woodpeckers
Birding Class: Thursday, March 18
Christmas Bird Count a Big Success!
We counted 94 species which is our second highest total, compares to a high of 95 in the 2008 CBC. The total of 18,134 birds was the highest of the last 7 years. We also had a record 54 people covering eight areas (the CBC circle is centered just south of Beaver Lake in Sammamish).
Field Trip Highlight - Samish & Skagit Flats (12/1/2009)
The day started out clear and cold (34F), and as we drove up toward the Samish Flats we kept running thru fog patches. By the time we were in Burlington we had moved out of the fog into clear sunshine.
Eastside Audubon Receives REI Grant
Eastside Audubon proudly announces the receipt of a grant from REI for $5821. The Youth Education Committee will use these funds to expand and improve our youth programs. Approximately $1,000 of the grant is clothing and camping gear which will be loaned to the low-income students who receive camp scholarships each summer.
Support Our Sponsors
Last summer's Bird Festival -- as well as many other Eastside Audubon programs and activities -- were made possible in part by the generous financial and in-kind support of:
Please show your support!
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Eastside Audubon is active in Bothell, Woodinville, Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue, |
WDFW avian influenza surveillance plan
