OFFICERS
President – Rebeca Ladrón de Guevara – astarlingmurmuration AT gmail DOT com
Vice-president – OPEN
Treasurer – Catherine Camp – ccatherinecamp AT gmail DOT com
Recording Secretary – Jaci White – jpw48 AT cwo DOT com
Corresponding Secretary – Jeanette Carroll – jeannettemcarroll AT gmail DOT com
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Conservation – Bruce Webb – webbfarm AT gmail DOT com
Education – Tricia Ford – triciathebirdnerd AT gmail DOT com
Field Trips – Tim Kashuba – ebkashuba AT gmail DOT com
Membership – Randy Bush – rbush10 AT hotmail DOT com
Newsletter – Larry Jordan – webmaster AT shastabirdingsociety DOT org
Programs – OPEN
Webmaster/Publicity – Larry Jordan – webmaster AT shastabirdingsociety DOT org
Directors at Large:
Dan Greaney, Connie Word, Dan Bye, Stephanie Hughes, and Erika Iacona, Brigit Bowman
Advocacy Guidelines of the Shasta Birding Society Board of Directors
Decisions by the Board and it’s Conservation Committee on responding to development proposals or public or private activities which may impact birds or wildlife will be guided by the Shasta Birding Society’s Mission Statement: “The Wintu Audubon Society was founded in 1975 as a chapter of the National Audubon Society serving Redding and the Shasta County area. After much thoughtful conversation and consideration over this past year, the Board of Directors has concurred with the Chapter Name Committee to change the name of our conservation group from Wintu Audubon Society to Shasta Birding Society. The mission of the Shasta Birding Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. We promote enjoyment of the natural environment through education and interactive programs.” The following questions will serve to additionally focus any Board or Conservation Committee decision:
1. Might the proposal affect birds and/or wildlife and/or habitat (directly or indirectly), using citable evidence (preferred) or common sense argument of adverse effect? Consider especially the effect on special status species and/or their habitat.
2. Is the mitigation proposed sufficient/commensurate with potential loss? Is it easily implemented and/or feasible?
3. Has Shasta Birding Society been asked to comment by the proposing governmental entity or by an opposing governmental entity or by a citizen group? Will Shasta Birding Society have the resources to effectively follow through on amendments, final EIR, public hearings, mitigation monitoring, technical committees, etc.? Do we have time to comment?
4. Will Shasta Birding Society members likely support their chapter commenting as contemplated? Does the scope or importance of the proposal argue for approval in advance by the full Board of the position statement or letter?
5. Is the proposal consistent with known or stated positions or policies of Audubon California or the National Audubon Society?
6. Types of activities which Shasta Birding Society may publicly comment on include but are not limited to those listed in the attached Appendix 1.
Appendix 1 – Shasta Birding Society Advocacy Guidelines
Types of proposals or government actions Shasta Birding Society may address:
1. Development proposals: City/County Use Permits; CEQA or NEPA documents; Extractive industry; Commercial/residential/industrial land developments; Co-generation; Transmission Lines; Electrical Generation (turbines, solar, nat gas); MET or Cell Towers;
2. Regulatory proposals: Tree ordinances; general or specific plan amendments or updates; zoning changes; changes to or decisions involving Cal. Fish and Game Code or Fed ESA or CESA or MBTA or Raptor Act or Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (and related);
3. Governmental or quasi-governmental activity that affects birds, wildlife or habitat (such as park or riparian maintenance);
4. Private property landowner activity of significant scope that affects birds, wildlife or habitat and may violate existing rules/ordinances (eg tree ordinance/FGC 1600/etc);
***
Shasta Birding Society Strategic Plan for 2024 – 2025
The purpose of this plan is to establish goals and objectives that may be achieved in the coming years. Nevertheless, it is a plan and subject to change and revision as circumstances dictate. This plan should be used as a road map for activities as the chapter functions and participates within the community.
Annual Plan
- Provide ten membership meetings with programs on conservation, birding, science, and natural history subjects.
- Provide one full day and two half-day field trips per month, excluding July and August.
- Continue and expand youth training and support through school and community outreach presentations, including our 2nd Saturday bird walks, and provide binoculars and field guides to children for these events. As our budget allows and requests are made, continue to support youth participation in birding festivals.
- Provide a Chapter Newsletter on a bi-monthly basis, excluding July and August.
- Review, comment, and provide guidance on EIRs, Forest/BLM management plans, and other activities which affect bird habitat or a safe environment in our area.
- Support and participate in Christmas Bird Counts for Redding, Anderson, Red Bluff, Shingletown and Fall River Valley, and participate in other counts in the surrounding area.
- Maintain liaison with and actively support the following: Shasta Environmental Alliance; Shasta Land Trust; California Native Plant Society, Shasta Chapter; Local Watershed Projects; Horsetown Clear Creek Preserve; City Parks development; California Department of Fish and Game; the National Park Service; and the Nature Conservancy at Dye Creek Preserve.
- Participate in the following events as fund-raising and outreach activities:
a. Provide a booth at the annual Redding Earth Day/Watershed Festival.
b. “Return of the Salmon Festival” with a booth at the Coleman National Fish Hatchery.
c. Co-host “Garden & Birding Tours” with the Shasta Chapter California Native Plant Society in May.
d. Explore the benefits of having “The Big Day” in our area. - Provide an active Website with links to the world of birding, plus special features such as backyard birding, care of hummingbird feeders, green activities, alerts on avian botulism and other bird diseases, where to bird within the county, a free county birding checklist, and a myriad of other information subjects.
- Continue fund raising activities through T-shirt sales and website donations, and search for other sources of income, including grants and grant opportunities.
- Expand chapter outreach through greater public visibility and working with local media facilities.
- Improve chapter participation.
- Review the Strategic Plan annually to ensure progress toward stated goals.
- Monitor and protect local Important Bird Areas.
- Work with local watershed groups, providing bird surveys and other support.
Five Year Plan
- Improve local chapter membership by twenty five (25) percent overall.
- Conduct a five year review of by-laws in years ending in 0 and 5.
- Review and revise the Shasta County Bird Checklist.
- Recognize personal achievement within the chapter by members and officers.
- Conduct a property inventory.
- Research, find and develop an area to be habitat friendly for birds. Work with the local Native Plant Society for appropriate plants.
- Continue membership in the Technical Advisory Committee to oversee mortality at the Hatchet Ridge Wind Farm.
Ten Year Plan
- Survive and grow providing service to the community and its critters, especially birds.