February with Audubon Arizona
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Help protect birds and educate the next generation of conservation leaders: Please donate today.
Audubon Arizona
February 2018
Bald Eagle. Photo: Mick Thompson
Threats in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act's Centennial
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), signed into law in 1918, is among the oldest wildlife protection laws on the books. Its creation was one of the National Audubon Society’s first major victories, and has saved millions, if not billions, of birds. The MBTA protects more than 1,000 species of birds, many in Arizona. The Bald Eagle, which recently broke record counts near Lake Mead, and the Sandhill Crane, whose migration to Southeastern Arizona attracts visitors from across the nation, both dodged extinction in part to the MBTA.

Yet on the MBTA’s 100th year, legislation in Congress is moving to gut the act and remove accountability from industries that take millions of birds’ lives annually. Audubon Arizona is taking action to fight this attack, and we hope you do too. 
You've Taken Your Vitamin C—What About Your RMD?!
If you're 70 1/2 or older, you're required to take minimum distributions (RMDs) from your Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) each year. Those who turned 70 1/2 in 2017 have a deadline of April 1, 2018. Talk to your financial advisor soon to determine an RMD strategy that's right for you—and please consider Audubon Arizona when you do! We can help you navigate RMDs – contact Development Director George Martinez or call 623-377-3597.
Joey Kahn (left) and Cristina Francois (right)
New Team Members and Fellows
Linda Kennedy, Director of the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch for nearly 20 years, retired Jan. 31. We can’t thank her enough for her commitment to the Research Ranch and to Audubon. 

Cristina Francois, the new Director of the Research Ranch, is an entomologist, with a Master of Science in Ecology from California State University, Fullerton, and anticipates completing her doctoral work in Entomology and Insect Science from the University of Arizona soon. Cristina has done research on Mt. Lemmon and worked with caterpillars studying White-lined Sphinx Moth polymorphism. 

Joey Kahn joins National Audubon Society as the new Western Water Communications Manager. Joey will be working primarily on the Western Water program with a focus on the Colorado River Basin, as well as priority policy-related communications that impact the West. Joey joins us most recently from the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department as a media and policy manager. Prior to that, he was a producer and editor for an all-news radio station in Washington, D.C. Joey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Master’s from Johns Hopkins University.
 
Students on a River Pathways field trip
Thanks to a generous gift from the MacKenzie Foundation, Audubon Arizona is able to expand our award-winning River Pathways program! For the next four semesters, the River Pathways team will include two "MacKenzie Fellows": high school graduates exploring career opportunities in natural resource management and environmental education. Fellows will lead field trips, coordinate with teachers, and get an unforgettable taste of Audubon’s unique brand of conservation outreach. With the added support of the Fellows, we are expanding River Pathways to Black Canyon Heritage Park. Our first field trips are scheduled for this month.
Photo: Jonathan Buford
Western Rivers Action Network (WRAN) News
Western waters assumed a prominent role with the state’s decision-makers in January. Gov. Ducey and Arizona Chamber of Commerce both spoke to water’s importance in the State of the State Address, and the “Hammer Awards”, respectively.

Western Rivers Day took place at the State Legislature on Jan. 30, where over 30 Audubon Chapter members, hunters/anglers, brewers, and other stakeholders met with key policy-makers to educate and raise awareness on issues important to WRAN. Unfortunately, recently introduced legislation includes measures that attack sound water management policies. 

WRAN is fighting to bring water’s importance to center stage and keep it there.
An Anna's Hummingbird enjoying Mexican Honeysuckle at the Rio Salado Audubon Center.
An Anna's Hummingbird enjoying Mexican Honeysuckle at the Rio Salado Audubon Center
Plants for Birds Update
Time to get growing! Audubon Arizona's mini-greenhouse is about to kick into high gear with proper soil mix, seedling pots, and three species of milkweed seeds. We also have seeds for native bird pepper, devils claw, and sunflower. Jim Consolly of Sonoran Audubon Society trained our education staff in correct chuparosa propagation methods in preparation for planting and propagating with field trip students this semester. Our Spring “Plants for Birds” Sale starts Feb. 14— look for student-produced plant material for sale in the Fall.
Audubon Arizona Events
Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Morning Bird Walk

Feb. 10: Arizona Animal Encounters

Feb. 10: Potluck & Presentation, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch

Feb. 14: Spring “Plants for Birds” Sale

Feb. 15: Birds n’ Beer: Trains, Beaks, and Spiders: How Birds and Biomimicry can Improve Human Designs

Feb. 16-19: The Great Backyard Bird Count, statewide

Feb. 17: Conservation Workday: Rio Salado Garden. RSVP with Cathy Wise

Check the list of Audubon Chapters to find events at your local center.

  View upcoming events flyer
Volunteer Opportunities
Outreach Events:
Taste of South Phoenix: Feb. 4
Tres Rios Nature Festival: Mar. 3 and 4
theWALK: Mar. 17
Arizona Game and Fish Expo: Mar. 24 and 25
E.A.R.T.H Fair at Mesa Community College: Mar. 30

Please contact Alysse Lerager, Volunteer Coordinator, for more details.

Special Projects
American Kestrel Nest Monitoring
Outreach Event Data Capture
Important Bird Area website update
Education Program Administrative Assistance

Continuous:
Grades K-8 Field Trip Leader
Grades 9-12 Field Trip Leader
Visitor Experience Volunteer
Finance Assistant 
Fundraising and Development Assistant
  Apply to become an Audubon Arizona volunteer
The following Audubon Arizona events are held at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix unless otherwise noted.
Volunteer of the Month: Larry Callahan
As a volunteer for four years, Larry has dedicated every Wednesday to beautifying Audubon Arizona and caring for our habitat. Larry has a big heart and a smile to match. He spends his time volunteering at other Phoenix organizations, practicing yoga, and exploring nature. We are incredibly thankful to have someone who is as caring, welcoming, and kind-hearted as Larry on our team.
To sign up for a volunteer position or RSVP for an orientation, contact Volunteer Coordinator Alysse Lerager  or call 602-468-6470, ext. 110.
Donate to Audubon Arizona
View January’s Newsletter
Audubon Arizona newsletter editor: Morgan Moore
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Audubon Arizona
3131 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA
(602) 468-6470 az.audubon.org

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