-Present off-site promotional talks about Garvies Point to civic groups
-Operate Friends of Garvies Point Museum and Preserve Gift Shop
-Support Sculpture and Jewelry/Lapidary Workshops

Check out another website
http://www.abnativeplants.com/index.cfm.
This fantastic interactive website helps people who want to plant native plants to replace lawn or non-natives. You choose the geographic area such as Northeastern US, then the type of soil and sunlight conditions and a list of plants appears with photographs. You click on a plant to find more detailed information. Now is the time to start to plan for adding native plants.

From the Bedford Audubon Society’s website,
http://bedfordaudubon.org/,
are the reasons to plant native plants. Native plants are easier to take care of and provide important wildlife habitats. Did you know that 90% of insects depend on native plants? If parent birds cannot find insects to feed their young, what will happen to bird populations? If you want to bring butterflies, birds, and other wildlife to your back yard, provide needed habitat for them. Lawns are boring and do nothing for a healthy ecosystem.

Another general but useful website you might check to improve your yard to help wildlife is
http://athome. audubon.org/.
So far I know of two places to observe native plant gardens in the spring. Stannards Brook will have a native plant demonstration garden as will

the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County in their new location on Merrick Avenue south of Eisenhower Park. However, we have several members who already have native plant gardens with water and shelter for birds, which qualifies their yard for an Audubon wildlife sanctuary certification. These yards could also serve as demonstration gardens if the owners give their permission. Three other matters also deserve to be mentioned.

Please join facebook.com and go to North Shore Audubon. Then click on “like.” The more people who like us the more viewers we get for announcements. We could start using facebook for alerting people to changes in walks or other immediate situations. Right now we are putting up announcements and information so please check it out. Secondly I want to recommend the five night stays at Hog Island starting in May and going through the summer and September. I have been three times in two years and will go to Ornithology this June. You will find excellent birding, people, food and scenery.
http://www.projectpuffi n.org/OrnithCamps.html is the website.
The best leaders will be there.
Thirdly, I volunteered for and observed the “For the Birds” program run by Richard Santangelo from TR Audubon Sanctuary at Long Island Schools and I recommend both activities. Contact Richard at rsantangelo@ audubon.org.

Young Birders Club
Comes to Port Washington
by Holly Byrne

Birds come in every shape and size, and so do young bird enthusiasts. A group of some of the smallest bird watchers flocked to the Port Washington Public Library to observe, discover, and reflect about local birds and their activities. The concept of The Young Birders Club germinated with NSAS President, Peggy Maslow and Myron Blumenfeld, a member of the board of Friends of the Library. Myron began his love of birds at a young age when he joined a naturalists’ club in his youth. With the support of the library staff, Peggy installed a bird feeder near the windows of the children’s room at the library and “The Club” was launched. As migration wrapped up and the leaves began to fall, Holly Byrne and Jill Vomacka met with a group of 7-9 year olds for two sessions and led them in games and activities to help identify different bird species and to develop their powers of observation.

Their first observations at the feeder focused on sharpening their counting skills along with the discovery that birds don’t sit still when you need them to. The rainy morning kept them inside, but the children were active and animated as they discussed field marks, size, habitat, and seasons. Their favorite activity entailed using common kitchen utensils, gummy worms, and pudding to act out how beak adaptations relate to successful feeding. The weather cooperated for the second session and they hiked to a nearby pond. Mallards, Canada geese and gulls made their appearances and thrilled the children as they swam closer to take a look at the bundled group, as the kids maneuvered gloves and binoculars. Holly and Jill led the children in new games to heighten their sensory awareness of their environment. As is often the case, the time passed too quickly and they had to leave their new feathered friends.

During both sessions, Holly and Jill guided the children to use different journaling techniques to record and contemplate their observances. Even at the youngest ages, the children could put pen to paper to capture what they experienced. The children saw that journaling can come in many forms and is a very personal experience. No artistic skills necessary, just an open mind and willingness to slow down to absorb and digest what they see. Many of the activities were developed from the program ideas and teaching skills Holly learned while attending National Audubon’s Hog Island Educator’s Week. National Audubon and NSAS sponsored her trip this past summer. She is pleased to be able to share her ideas and experience with our local children. Due to the success of this pilot program, a spring session is being planned for Port Washington with the hopes that similar programs can be offered at other community centers.

fourth grade classes in Roosevelt, and sixteen third grade classes in Westbury. A program will be starting at Jackson Annex Elementary in Hempstead this coming February. One of the most exciting FTB! Long Island lessons is the school yard bird walk. “My bird walk was exciting because it was the fi rst time I ever went on a beautiful nature walk,” said one student from Roosevelt. Students use fi eld marks to identify many local species of birds, including American robins, northern mockingbirds and red-tailed hawks. To integrate language arts, students refl ect and write about their experiences in their nature journals. The raptor lesson is also another favorite among both students and teachers because they are able to experience some of the Sanctuary’s native raptors up close.

Drawing from knowledge obtained from previous lessons, students focus on field marks and adaptations to identify the birds in their field guides. The FTB! Long Island staff is excited to continue this program in these schools and to expand to other school districts. Environmental education programs like FTB! Long Island teaches skills that help individuals make informed decisions so that current and future generations can live in a healthy environment. Getting kids excited about their local environment is the fi rst step of many to creating our future stewards. For more information about For the Birds! or to join our volunteer team, please contact:

Richard Santangelo,
FTB! Education Coordinator
516-922-3200 ext. 22
rsantangelo@audubon.org