President's Corner
Member Input
by John Shenot
The theme of my column this month is member input. We are a little different from many of the national environmental groups that take dues and donations from “members” and use the money to do good deeds without the members’ direct involvement. FCAS strives to engage our members as partners and directly provide services to them. We are an all-volunteer organization, and I view every member as a partner in achieving our mis-sion. That’s why every so often I like to take the temperature of our members through feedback and ideas. If you have thoughts about any or all of the following questions, I hope you will contact me at johnshenot@gmail.com.
- Have you attended an FCAS program, field trip, or community event in the last year? Was it a good use of your time?
- What is FCAS not doing that you think we should?
- What are we already doing that you think we can we do better? How might we improve?
- Is there anything FCAS does that you think we shouldn’t spend time/energy on?
- Do you have suggestions for topics or speakers that you’d like to see at one of our monthly programs?
- Have you been to any recurring local community events where you thought that FCAS should have had a booth/table/display?
- Is there a local birding hotspot where we haven’t recently taken a field trip that you want us to put on the schedule?
- If we offered workshops or clas-ses on birding skills, bird identification, bird photography, or other nature ap-preciation topics, would you consider attending? How much would you be willing to pay?
- Do you have any ideas to share for how we can better connect with a wider/more diverse demo-graphic, including younger audiences?
Find FCAS on Facebook for Field Trip Information
FCAS has a Facebook page where we post announcements about upcoming field trips, last minute changes to scheduled trips, and highlights of most of our outings. Just click on the “Like" button in the plugin to Like our page! Our announcements should then appear on your wall. You can also click on "Fort Collins Audubon Society" to be taken directly to the Facebook page. Note: All field trips are also announced in the Ptarmigan and on our website.
Find FCAS on YouTube for Previous Zoom Presentations
Did you miss the monthly live chapter Zoom presentation? The chapter has recently created a YouTube channel to provide an easily accessible archive of our monthly chapter Zoom meetings. Be sure to Like and Subscribe!
Upcoming FCAS Education Events
FCAS and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (BCR) are now offering classes and hikes through the City of Fort Collins Recreator. Register at fcgov.com/recreator, register in person, or call 970-221-6655.
Join us for Feather and Flight Friday walks at the Fort Collins Senior Center led by Sheila Webber. As part of our partnership with the Senior Center and the new habitat hero garden, we are offering bird hikes from the Senior Center to Rolland Moore Park. All are two hours hikes that start at the garden on the patio at 9 a.m.; cost is $6. Dates: Friday, Sept. 13; Friday, Sept. 27; and Friday, Oct. 11.
Front Range Bird ID class for beginners is offered by Erin Youngberg from BCR. Learn techniques to identify birds, and how to use a field guide and binoculars. All are two hour hikes that start at the garden on the patio at 3 p.m.; cost is $15. Dates: Sunday, Sept. 8; Sunday, Oct. 20; and Sunday, Nov. 17.
