Audubon presents ‘birdscaping’ program
Published 1:30 am Friday, October 15, 2021
Birds and other wildlife need four components in order to survive: food, water, shelter and a place to raise their young.
Whidbey Audubon Society has invited naturalist and educator Carolyn Wilcox to describe both how and why it’s important to provide these elements at its Thursday, Oct. 14 free program meeting at 7 p.m.
In fact, Wilcox has so much to say that she will continue her presentation virtually on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. The Zoom room will open at 7 p.m. and the program will start at 7:30 p.m. Whidbey Audubon members will be voting on a change in its bylaws. Non-members who would like to attend the two-part program are invited to register on the website whidbeyaudubonsociety.org by selecting “events.” Registration will close at noon the day of the first part of the program. The Zoom link will be sent out shortly after and for part 2 on Thursday, Oct. 21. Members will automatically be sent the link via email.
The presentation may be especially useful to community groups applying for Whidbey Audubon Society’s Habitat Grant, due Oct. 31.
The grants are available to community groups and nonprofit organizations to enhance the ecological productivity of an area with native plants in order to provide food and shelter to insects, birds and other wildlife. The dollar amount requested shall not exceed $200 for any one grant.
Projects could add native plants around neighborhood water tanks, community centers, nursery schools, parking lots or pools. Sturdy native plants are ideal to replace less drought-tolerant species and can make a wet spot more attractive to birds. Establishing native plants means less mowing, more wildlife, year-round visual appeal and water savings.
Contact conservation@whidbeyaudubonsociety.org for more information.
Wilcox merged her passions for hands-on education, natural history and outdoor exploration by starting ExperienceOlympic, based in Port Angeles. She is the owner, hiking guide, birding guide and naturalist of the organization.
