Annual Plan and Review

Overview of Accomplishments

• GSBAS at the State level continued to send representatives to Audubon New York's Spring 2012 Council Meeting.
• GSBAS’ Chapter representatives, at the local level, attended Long Island Audubon Council Meetings ("LIAC") on November 5, 2011 and March 31, 2012.
• GSBAS participated in Audubon New York’s “Audubon in the Parks” program. Through a $4000 Toyota Together Green Grant, $1000 in National Audubon Collaborative Funding, and $300 in GSBAS’ funds, we were able to accomplish:
  1. worked with college intern, Lauren Schnal, and five Sayville High School students to remove non-native, invasive Japanese stiltgrass from Heckscher State Park;
  2. worked with Cathy Wilvert to plant a 2 acre food plot for the Northern Bobwhite Quail at Connetquot River State Park Preserve using native plant seeds;
  3. provided funding for a Piping Plover monitor at Robert Moses State Park
• GSBAS continued its Blue Bird Nest Box Program at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale, NY. Co-chairs Edith and Bob Wilson, along with volunteers Steve D’Amato, Judy Davis, Ken Thompson, and CRSPP Environmental employees monitored 22 nest boxes that had been erected in 2009. A Birdcam was installed on one of the boxes known to have Bluebirds. Six nest boxes successfully fledged Bluebirds, three as a second nesting. Unfortunately, a raccoon predated boxes 1 through 18. This raccoon overcame the improved baffles that were renovated after last year’s predation. An unknown number of Tree Swallow adults, nestlings, and eggs were lost.
• GSBAS continued to participate in the American Kestrel Restoration effort. This breeding season the box at Heckscher State Park was moved. Project chairperson Juliane Wohler along with volunteers Jody Banaszak, Johnna Vullo, and Tom Plant monitored America Kestrel nest boxes in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY, Heckscher State Park, East Islip, NY, and Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale, NY. Despite much effort to remove nesting European Starlings, no American Kestrels nested in any of the boxes this year.
• GSBAS continues to partner with Cathy Wilvert in her Northern Bobwhite Quail Restoration Project in Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Through the continued Adopt-A-Quail campaign and the generosity of quail adopters, GSBAS was able to offer much needed financial support for this project. On July 5, 2012, 450 Northern Bobwhite Quail were released into the Preserve.
• GSBAS continued its scholarship program to graduating high school seniors within its chapter area planning to major in an environmental science at college. Five scholarships totaling $2500 were awarded to students from Half Hollow Hills West, Half Hollow Hills East, Copiague, Islip, and Babylon high schools.
• GSBAS continues to purchase Audubon Shade Grown Coffee, which is served at its general membership meetings, Annual Outdoor Program at Brookside and other Chapter functions (thanks to Helga Merryman’s purchase of same on behalf of GSBAS).
• GSBAS held ten (10) General Membership Meetings with scheduled Speakers at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale, NY - GSBAS’ adopted IBA - meeting the third Thursday of the month, September 2011 thru April 20012. These meetings are free and open to the public and are published in GSBAS’ newsletter, The Sandpiper, posted to its Website, http://www.gsbas.org, posted on its Facebook page, and sent out in an email blast. These were our outstanding speakers and their respective presentations at GSBAS’ General Membership Meetings held September 2011 thru June 2012:
  • September 12, 2011: Sarah Monastero, GSBAS’ intern and Maria Brown, research advisor, Sayville High School presented, “Green Creek Water Monitoring Grant Findings.”
  • October 20, 2011: Eric Powers presented, “Adventures in EcoTours: Austrailia to Costa Rica.”
  • November 17, 2011: Joe Giunta presented, “Owls of the New York Area.”
  • December 15, 2011: Annual Member Participation Night. GSBAS’ Members: shared birding slide presentations and experiences.
  • January 20, 2012: Peter Priolo presented, “Great Gull Island”
  • February 16, 2012: Laura Eppig presented, “The Wildlife Around Us.”
  • March 15, 2012: Joe Giunta presented, “Birds of Costa Rica.”
  • April 19, 2012: Trudy Battaly and Drew Panko presented, “Saw-whets In Your Backyard.”
  • May 7, 2012: General meeting held at Capt. Bill’s restaurant. Speaker: Dr. Robert DeCandido presented, “The Owls of the NYC – Long Island Region.”
  • June 21, 2012: Outdoor general meeting at Brookside County Park. Bobby and Cathy Horvath, Wildlife In Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation presented, “Wild On Long Island.”
• Thanks to Program Chair, Sharon Kienzle, who secures the speakers for these meetings and thanks to Chapter Publicity Chair, Helga Merryman, the scheduled speakers and their programs get advertised in local papers. Thanks to Hospitality Chair, Mary Plant, and the many monthly Chapter volunteers, these general membership meetings are well supplied with food and beverages. Our monthly General Membership Meetings help GSBAS keep a constant presence in the local community, connect GSBAS with the public at large, and keep its members active and involved with Chapter advocacy and events.
• GSBAS convened ten (10) Board Meetings held September 2011 – July 2012 at its Brookside County Park, 59 Brook Street, Sayville, NY where the overall mission, goals, activities and programs designed to achieve them were reviewed, formulated and set into motion.
• GSBAS continues to publish six (6) editions of our award winning chapter newsletter, “The Sandpiper” thanks to our Newsletter Editor, Harry Anderson. Through its newsletter, GSBAS communicates conservation issues, which are important to Audubon at the local, state and national levels. GSBAS’ newsletter seeks its members’ participation with the submittal of nature stories, poems and related wildlife articles for publication.
• GSBAS’ Mailing Chair, Ken Thompson, and his Mailing Committee volunteers, continue to ensure that GSBAS’ 1,100 +/- members receive their Chapter newsletter – making the huge bi-monthly mailings a mission accomplished!
• GSBAS, held 46 Mid-Week and Weekend Nature Walks during this reporting period thanks to Chapter Nature Walk Coordinator, Larry Merryman, and Chapter Field Trip Leaders, Mike Cooper, Steve D’Amato, Jack Finkenberg, John Gluth, Bob Grover, Alice Heller, Nicholas Laviola, Michael McBrien, Helga Merryman, Larry Merryman, Peter Murphy, Ken Thompson, Bob Wilson, and Edith Wilson. GSBAS thanks its Nature Walk Coordinator, Larry Merryman and each of its respective Nature Walk Leaders for having made these 46 field trips a reality!
  
  Members of other local Long Island Audubon chapters often attend the nature walks, which are free and open to the public. Chapter run nature walks have resulted in GSBAS gaining many new Chapter volunteers, which help GSBAS to continue to accomplish its mission! GSBAS' Weekend Nature Walks flyer (for period August - May of each year) is printed and inserted in The Sandpiper, detailing these weekend field trips for the upcoming year. This information is also posted to its Chapter’s Website, Facebook page, and sent out in an email blast.
• GSBAS through its Treasurer, Dennis Lenz, CPA, has for 15 years provided the Chapter’s Financial Reports protecting its Not-for-Profit 501(c)(3) status. Thank you Dennis Lenz!
• GSBAS’ official Website, www.gsbas.org and Facebook page continue to remain fully reinvigorated through the efforts of our paid Webmaster, Eric Larson and with material posting oversight by President, Judy Davis.
• GSBAS’ Board approved and made a monetary donation in May 2011 to Starflower Experiences, Inc., Jericho, NY, a local not-for-profit educational organization, to sponsor two children to attend its Earth Keepers Camp at West Hills County Park, Melville, NY.
• GSBAS’ Board approved and made a monetary donation to Great Gull Island to fund the construction of a blind needed for research.
• GSBAS’ Board approved and made monetary donations to two Eagle Scout Projects: 1) Wood Duck next boxes at Connetquot River State Park Preserve and 2) bookcases at Brookside County Park.
• GSBAS donated funds to help defray the costs of the dinners for participants of the compilation at the end of the count, for the 50th Annual Captree Christmas Bird Count (“CBC”), coordinators Pat Lindsay and Shai Mitra, on December 18, 2011 that listed 116 species observed.
• GSBAS’ members participated in a Bird Feeder Survey covering over a dozen locations in GSBAS’ Chapter territory, east from Amityville to Blue Point, New York. Survey Compilation Chapter Chair, Helga Merryman, compiled the number of bird species postings submitted by Chapter members and the species results were then published in The Sandpiper. GSBAS thanks Survey Compiler, Helga Merryman!
• GSBAS’ members (thanks to Steve D’Amato, Edith & Bob Wilson, Ken Thompson, John Gluth, Bob Grover and Linda Puglielli - some of GSBAS’ regulars) continue to participate in the Fire Island Hawk Watch which, has contributed greatly to the sum of knowledge about hawk migration. The Fire Island Hawk Watch is held every year from September thru November with FIRE (Fire Island Raptor Enumerators), Parking Lot #5, Robert Moses State Park, Long Island, NY.
• GSBAS’ Beach Cleanup Chairperson & past Board Member, Carol Jansch, directed and coordinated the Ed Davis Memorial Beach Cleanup held at Sailor’s Haven, Fire Island in conjunction with the American Littoral Society’s Annual New York State Beach cleanup on September 17, 2011.

Chapter Fund Raisers

• GSBAS held its May Annual Dinner this year on Monday, May 7, 2011 at Captain Bill's Bay Shore, NY. GSBAS presented three (3) prestigious Chapter awards. GSBAS honored:
  1. Edith and Bob Wilson as the recipients of its Bob Laskowski Conservation Award;
  2. Maria Brown as the recipient of its Fran File Award ($300 award);
  3. Janet Gremli as the recipient of its President’s Award.
  4. Dara Hofmann and Sarah Monastero as the recipients of the Young Adult Conservationist Award ($100 each)
  5. Guest speaker, Dr. Robert DeCandido, presented his program, “The Owls of the NYC – Long Island Region”
• Members, guests, and friends thoroughly enjoyed the dinner, the speaker, the Silent Auction with several original art works (especially the beautiful painting of Eastern Screech Owls and a pencil sketch of a Saw-whet Owl from Board Member and artist, Steven D’Amato); a Chinese Auction with unique bird related gifts; and many door and raffle prizes. GSBAS was again fortunate to be supported by many donors comprised of its Board Members, Members, local businesses and donations from the families and friends of members and Chapter supporters. GSBAS' 2012 Annual Dinner Prize Donors flyer acknowledges each donor and the gift(s) donated and was distributed to each table the night of the dinner and this year also copied and inserted in its July/August 2012 newsletter.
• GSBAS successfully conducted its yearly Chapter Seed Sale on October 15, 2011. Thanks to Seed Sale Chair Judy Davis and volunteers Helga & Larry Merryman, and Chapter Members who participated in “prepaid orders.” GSBAS has partnered with Gary Fortcher and Kathleen Mulligan, owners of Wild Birds Unlimited, Oakdale, NY, to run its yearly seed sale.
• Annual Appeal, in addition to helping finance Stewardship Activities at Brookside County Park, is also used to help supplement funds to finance Chapter expenses for:
  1. Speaker fees at its:
  1. General membership meetings;
  2. May Annual Dinner;
  3. Annual June Outdoor Program at Brookside;
  2. Connetquot River State Park meeting room fees for general membership meetings;
  3. Newsletters printings and mailing costs;
  4. Chapter attendance fees at local Community Outreach Events;
  5. Special education programs at Brookside;
  6. College scholarships to graduating high school seniors intending to major in one of the environmental sciences;
  7. Paid Webmaster, Eric Larson, to keep its Website and Facebook page updated (thank you Eric for another great year as our Chapter’s Webmaster);
  8. Verizon service for its phone service for #631-563-7716 (thank you Board Members, Steve D’Amato for retrieving messages and Genevieve Lee for updating the recorded messages) and for the Chapter’s email address: info@gsbas.org (thank you Board Member Juliane Wohler, Communication Committee as the Chapter’s email responder);
  9. Insurance policies;
  10. Brookside Butterfly Garden;
  11. GSBAS’ library at Brookside County Park. Thank you librarian, Vera Capogna!
  12. Fees for the alarm system through Check Mate, which safeguards the historic building and GSBAS’ belongings at Brookside County Park
• GSBAS also thanks and recognizes each and everyone one of its important Chapter Annual Appeal supporters with a printed supporter’s sheet published in its July/August 2012 issue of The Sandpiper! AGAIN GSBAS THANKS ANNUAL APPEAL DONORS ONE AND ALL!

Chapter Community Outreach Events At Brookside County Park and Offsite

• GSBAS was able to participate at the following community outreach events:
• GSBAS had a booth at the Friends of Connetquot Gala held on 2 October 2011 at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, our adopted Important Bird Area. GSBAS provided photos of a Bluebird nest box taken by the Birdcam, photos of common birds found at CRSPP, and general education about birds commonly found on Long Island. We also had seven (7) Northern Bobwhite Quail, being raised for educational purposes by Cathy Wilvert, on display. Thank you GSBAS volunteers Steve D’Amato, Helga Merryman, and Judy Davis for manning the booth at the gala.
• GSBAS had a booth at the Heckscher State Park Spring Festival on April 28, 2012. We debuted our new and improved display board and engaged the public by having them make pine cone bird feeders. Thank you GSBAS volunteers Judy Davis and Harry Anderson.
• Audubon’s International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, 19 May 2012, at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, Shirley, NY. Thanks to trip leader Alice Heller.
• Board member and past president, Jack Finkenberg, presented his program on John James Audubon to the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Historical Society. He also presented his Backyard Birding program at the Fire Island Lighthouse. Thank you Jack Finkenberg for sharing your multi-faceted educational programs.
• GSBAS’ Annual June Outdoor Program, “Wild on Long Island” by Bobby and Cathy Horvath, Wildlife In Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation, was presented to the local community on 21 June 2012 at Brookside County Park, Sayville, NY.
• Young Naturalists Club meets the first Sunday of every month at Brookside County Park from 1 to 3 pm. Thank you Education co-chairs Juliane Wohler and Janet Gremli.

Chapter Conservation Advocacy

• GSBAS has been active in the arena of public opinion in the ongoing efforts to save necessary wildlife habitat and reduce pollution. We have testified at local zoning and conservation meetings, and written correspondence to political leaders concerning global and local environmental problems. We have also provided support to organizations seeking to preserve and conserve natural resources. Among our efforts:
• GSBAS continues to support and work with the “Fire Island Wilderness Committee” in an effort to see that a comprehensive plan is developed ensuring that the “Otis Pike Wilderness Area” within the Fire Island National Seashore remains in an untouched wild state.
• GSBAS participated in the preparation of Audubon New York’s Strategic Plan, and its Conservation Policy Resolutions which includes language that requested Audubon NY to actively seek removal of free-roaming and feral cats from parkland property belonging to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (NYS Parks) and language included in the above Audubon NY documents that focused on seeking a ban on the harvesting of Horseshoe Crabs in New York State. This was necessary to assist in dealing with their diminishing numbers, as well as helping many shorebirds, including the plummeting populations of Red knots that depend on their survival during their long migrations by feeding on Horseshoe Crab eggs.
• GSBAS supported Audubon New York’s many positions/campaigns/action alerts via email.

Chapter Partnering

• GSBAS and its members also belong to and serve as board members in other important organizations that have a focus on conservation, thus providing additional energy and coordination in solving important environmental issues. These organizations include, but are not limited to:
• “Sierra Club”
• “South Shore Estuary Reserve”
• “Open Space Preservation Trust”
• “The Friends of Connetquot State Park”
• “Seatuck Environmental Association"
• “Friends of Wertheim NWR”
• "Fire Island Raptor Enumerators (“FIRE”)”
• "South Shore Nature Center"
• "Starflower Experiences"
• "Suffolk County Sporting Advisory Council"
• "Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society"
• "Fire Island Wilderness Committee"
• "Coalition to Save Plum Island"
• New York State Ornithological Association, Inc. (“NYSOA”)
• “ABC-Cats Indoors!”
• “HOBAS’ Cat Indoors program partner”
• “Great Gull Island”
• GSBAS has partnered with Friends of Connetquot, Friends of Wertheim, and Friends of Fire Island Lighthouse to present birding field trips, internships, workshops and joint educational programs and supported organizational events through attendance, letters in support of issues and monetary donations.

GSBAS’ Stewardship at Brookside County Park

• GSBAS’ trained volunteer Tour Guides are available every Wednesday and Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm to give tours of Brookside County Park, 59 Brook St., Sayville, NY. Tour guides share their knowledge of the natural beauty and local history of the park.
• Brookside County Park continues to be utilized by Eagle Scouts and many students from classes at both Sayville and East Islip School Districts allowing Advanced Placement Students and science students to work on various projects. These projects are important in continuing to foster community interest in the Brookside County Park.
• The Brookside Butterfly Garden Club continues to improve and maintain the butterfly garden at Brookside County Park. Thanks to chairperson Janet Gremli and volunteers Jody Banaszak, Kathy Kozakiewicz and Helga Merryman.
• GSBAS has 118 Bird Species and counting at Brookside County Park.

Continuing Challenges and Shortcomings

• Recruiting new Officers, Board Members, Committee Members, and future volunteers needed to carry on GSBAS’ local Audubon mission and goals.
• Increasing Chapter educational outreach activities for children.
• The chapter’s efforts to enlist a Birdathon Coordinator continue to be unsuccessful.

Five Year Strategic Planning

• Continue Chapter Stewardship at Brookside County Park, working together with our Brookside Director and Brookside Committee to maintain and protect the building and grounds.
• Focus on:
  1. educational programs for children at Brookside County Park;
  2. educational programs for adults at Brookside County Park;
  3. continued Chapter attendance at Community Outreach events to promote awareness of Audubon and its local Audubon Chapter's mission and goals and try to increase membership;
  4. continue Breakfast & Birding activities at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, GSBAS’ Adopted IBA;
  5. continue to present the Chapter's Annual June Outdoor Program as another form of community outreach to make local residents aware of GSBAS’ Brookside County Park- right in their own backyards – and get them involved.
• Continue our chapter’s efforts to influence local, state and federal authorities concerning vital conservation issues through all forms of advocacy available: written correspondences, emails, telephone calls, scheduled meetings and conservation/environmental partnerships.

Plans For The Upcoming Year

• Continued strong conservation advocacy:
  1. on local issues;
  2. on concerns of the Long Island Audubon Council;
  3. on behalf of Audubon New York and National Audubon issues.
• Continue with GSBAS’ Education Chair to look forward to:
  1. presenting more educational programs for children at Brookside County Park, Sayville, NY;
• Work on scheduling additional activities at Chapter's adopted IBA, Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale, NY.
• Continue to build upon the previously listed successful accomplishments of the past year.
• Continue to plan for the orderly succession, and training of new officers for the Great South Bay Audubon Society Board and Chair positions and Tour Guides as part of its stewardship at Brookside County Park.
• Continue to work on broadening the range of interest via enlisting Field Trip Leaders who are conversant with various wildlife topics in addition to bird study.
• Again seek a volunteer to Chair a Birdathon.
• Continue to follow up and measure our progress by assessing the success our chapter has in meeting stated goals.