What Our Volunteers Do

We are currently looking for volunteers to work with local governments and monitor development and other issues that impact birds, wildlife and natural areas in our communities.  We will train them in the art and practicalities of local activism.

Issues may change, but what we do usually includes one or more of the following activities:

• Monitor Issues
  Many cities issue bulletins listing permits that have been applied for; volunteers can monitor these.  They can also attend or watch city or county council meetings, which may bring an issue to our attention.

• Testify at Public Hearings
  Public hearings are held by local and state governments on a regular basis. Any citizen can usually attend a council meeting and speak for three minutes at the beginning of the meeting on any topic they choose.  We can coordinate citizen efforts to testify at those hearings and council meetings and assist you with how to testify and how to make your point.

• Write Letters
  If public speaking isn't in your comfort zone, local governments also accept written communications as testimony regarding issues before them.  Emails are much more effective locally than on a national basis.  And an old fashioned "snail mail" letter has even more of an impact. Both are entered into the official record of an issue in question.

• Build Relationships
  Participation in the process at the beginning is almost always more effective than waiting until there is a crisis or the public process is nearly completed.  Many local governments have citizen committees or boards they listen to before a decision is made.  Members of these committees can be part of the planning process and make sure that issues impacting birds, wildlife and natural areas are considered up front. Eastside Audubon members with an interest in participating on such committees will find it a very rewarding experience.