Third
Annual Tim McKay Birdathon
Though our winter
winds are still blowing and rain is pelting down we can take heart
because Spring is just around the corner and with it comes another
opportunity to get out for a great day of bird watching while you
help support two wonderful local organizations. In May, individuals
and teams will once again sally forth to amass a list of birds seen
during a 24 hour period. With every different species that is tallied
the cash register “ka-chings” and money collected after the event
will be donated to the Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC) and the
Redwood Region Audubon Society (RRAS). Birdathons have been taking
place throughout America for over thirty years now and they have
proven to be a fun filled activity that can make a huge difference to
the volunteer organizations they support.
This year the Birdathon
will begin May 6th
and last until May 14th
giving participants nine days to pick a period of time in which they
can maximize their efforts. It’s not too early to begin putting
your team together and planning your route for your “Big Day”. As
we have for the last two years, prizes will be awarded to those teams
(or individuals) that garner the most sponsors and donations. We know
that some people have difficulty asking anyone for money but remember
you are not pandering for yourself you are working on behalf of two
organizations that operate on a shoestring and yet provide our
community amazing benefits with regard to our environment. We are
likely sailing into troubled waters these next four years and groups
like the RRAS and the NEC will be at the forefront of the fight
helping to guard our resources and threatened ecosystems.
Register your team at
<yournec.org/birdathon> and watch that site for pledge sheets,
prizes, and other information. Tim McKay worked his entire adult life
as Director of the NEC and waged battle after battle on our behalf
against those that would overuse our resources for short sighted and
immediate profit. He began the local Birdathons back in the 80s’
and we trust that his motto: “Endless
pressure; Endlessly applied” will stand for the continuing work we
must all help accomplish.