The Audubon Society of Portland is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to wildlife conservancy in Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Founded in 1902 and incorporated in 1909, it is one of the oldest such organizations in the world. It is named in honor of John James Audubon, an ornithologist and naturalist who painted, cataloged, and described birds of North America in Birds of America published in sections between 1827 and 1838.
The society owns 150 acres (0.61 km2) of woodland adjacent to Forest Park, managed as a nature sanctuary and features indigenous vegetation and fauna, including a small stand of old growth timber. The sanctuary is open to the public for free.[1] Much of the sanctuary surrounds Balch Creek[2] near its headwaters and contains more than 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of hiking trails which connect to Forest Park's extensive trail system.[2]
Within the sanctuary is a nature center containing classrooms, retail store, wildlife taxidermy exhibits, auditorium, and a wildlife care center. The care center treats injured and orphaned birds with more than a hundred volunteers, and rehabilitates 3,500 animals each year.[3]
Displays of live educational birds are adjacent to the care center. Approximately seven birds are on display, having injuries too severe for them to live in the wild.[4]
Currently there is a Peregrine Falcon, Northern Spotted Owl, American Kestrel, Common Raven, Great Horned Owl, Turkey Vulture, and a Red-tailed Hawk.[5]
In 2007, there were 21,615 hours volunteered to the society's efforts,[6] including visitor reception, trail maintenance, tour guides, nature store attendant, clerical, conservation activists, and wildlife caretakers.[7] It is one of the most highly rated charities of its kind, based on operational and organizational efficiency.[8]
The conservation program manager of the Audubon Society of Portland is Cheryl Coon, who has more than 23 years experience as an environmental attorney, including work in U.S. Congress and the Oregon Department of Justice. Acclimated to having extensive staff, she notes that at the Audubon Society, "... at a nonprofit, everybody is equal. There is no support staff. You need to know everything, from fixing your computer to putting toner in the copy machine...."[9]
The society is frequently referred to for expertise related to practical wildlife questions[10] and wildlife management practices.[11][12][13]
History
Portland birders created the John Burroughs Club in 1898. In 1901, birders in Astoria—Oregon's second largest city at the time—formed the Oregon Audubon Society. In 1902 the Portland group merged with them as Oregon Audubon Society. The named changed to Audubon Society of Portland in 1966 when members agreed to affiliate with the National Audubon Society.[14]
The society has long conducted letter writing campaigns to influence legislation. They helped pass the Model Bird Law in 1903, protecting native birds from being shot and sold. A 1925 letter writing campaign to President Calvin Coolidge successfully led to creation of Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. The society takes credit for helping to establish several national refuges, including William L. Finley NWR, Three Arch Rocks NWR, Klamath NWR, Ankeny NWR, Baskett Slough NWR, and Malheur NWR.[15]
See also
References
- ^ "Visiting the Sanctuary". Audubon Society of Portland. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ a b "Audubon Society of Portland". Portland Family Adventures. August 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Wildlife Care Center". Audubon Society of Portland. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Meet our Education Birds". Audubon Society of Portland. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Sponsor a Wild Thing". Audubon Society of Portland. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Wildlife is Habitat". Audubon Society of Portland. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Volunteer Opportunities". Audubon Society of Portland. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Audubon Society of Portland". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ Mary Waldron. "From White-Collar to Wildlife: Cheryl Coon, Wildlife Protection, Portland Audubon Society". LawCrossing. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Baby Birds and the Audubon Society" (html plus SWF). KATU. April 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Associated Press (November 21, 2008). "Ore. police department told to shoot coyotes". KATU. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (November 20, 2008). "Authorities cite man for holding bear cub". KATU. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Heron Illegally Killed, Found In Battle Ground". KPTV. September 24, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Tom McAllister. "Our First Fifty Years by Tom McAllister". Audubon Society of Portland. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Our History". Audubon Society of Portland. Retrieved 2008-12-19.