Where Does the Money Go?

The money we raise in Birdathon provides almost 25% of our chapter budget.  All funds stay here to fund local programs in environmental education, conservation and science, public policy, and outreach.  This money helps our chapter "keep the birds singing" which is more important now than ever!

Environmental Education

[Last year we reached 700 kids. This year we’d like to reach 1000]

• Educational workshops for kids
  [We don’t charge schools for programs and we provide all the supplies, volunteers]
• Summer camp scholarships for low-income kids
  [Last year we sent 8 low income kids to camp; this year we would like to send 10]
• Grants for teachers in environmental education
• College scholarship for high school senior
  (this year we gave one $500 scholarship to an outstanding senior; our goal is 2 scholarships)
  
• Community service projects with school kids
• Monthly programs at membership meetings
• Newsletter to educate members and our community
• Library for members and the public
  

Conservation and Science

• Conservation work to preserve habitat in natural areas throughout  East King County
• Activist workshops on climate change
• Conservation outreach presentations in local communities
  
• Environmental Lobby Day in Olympia in support of Priorities for a Healthy Washington
  
• Letter writing campaigns in support of both local conservation issues such as the Juanita Beach Master Plan and national issues
  
• Bird surveys
  
• Audubon BirdLoop at Marymoor Park 
  [We completed our 2-year project to restore habitat and build the birding trail; we need additional funding to continue our work there]
  
• Swift Night Out in Monroe
• Donations to other worthwhile environmental organizations and projects

• Annual Christmas Bird Count and Chili Feed
• International Migratory Bird Day Festival at Marymoor Park
• Many of the above activities are to help
  
• Keep Common Birds Common!

• We expanded our territory in January, 2009 to include all of East King County north of I-90 from the Cascades foothills to Lake Washington plus a smaller area south of I-90 (see map).  We will be giving outreach presentations in several of these Eastside communities and will hold a fall festival with field trips, kid events, native plant sale and conservation presentation.
  
• We staff booths at numerous Eastside community events to increase community interest in birding and conservation and to make the public aware of Eastside Audubon activities. Many of these outreach events have special kid's projects.
  
• We hold an annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to reward the thousands of hours donated by our dedicated volunteers.
• Our popular “Get Outside” activities include 35+ birding field trips each year, nature walks in local parks, native plant walks, bird photography trips, and Marymoor work parties.