The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm by Vice-president Vic Laubach.
Membership: Mona Bearor reported the club currently has 199 members. She was also asked about our January donation drive for the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Mona reported a very productive amount of cleaning products, pet food, seed, baby food, and monetary donations were collected and the WCV was very appreciative.
Sightings: Birds are starting to become more active. Sightings include Woodcock, Tundra Swan, Cormorant, Tree Swallows, Catbird, Pine Warblers, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow, Wood Ducks, Eagles, Great Horned Owls, Goldfinches, and a Crested Caracara in Rockingham County.
Field Trips: Jo King will lead a hike at McCormick’s Farm on 3/11, Tish Folsom will lead a hike at Spring Dale Water Gardens on 3/13. Allen Larner will lead folks to Highland County on 3/21, and Andrew Clem will lead a hike to the Boy Scout Camp on 3/28.
Education and Conservation: ABC members have been assisting a veteran create bird/wildlife habitat at the newly established Veteran’s Community Garden near the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton.
The ABC will have booths at 2 upcoming community events: Earth Day in Staunton on 4/25 and Riverfest in Waynesboro on 5/2. Volunteer help is needed for Riverfest.
Program: Linda Matkins gave us a wonderful program on Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring in North Carolina.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Nash, Secretary