June 2009

Dear Friend, 
Audubon Maryland-DC education staff can draw a sigh of relief- and take a few short weeks to 'relax' before summer programming gets underway.

Our education programs for schools, community groups and the public are made possible through the generous support of local businesses, foundations, and individuals such as you. Your support allows us to provide the future leaders, scientists, educators and concerned citizens of Maryland and DC with a continuum of education about the natural world-- providing the building blocks necessary to appreciate the amazing ecosystems of which we are a part and to better understand the complex environmental issues of our time.

Happy Birding!

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School's out for Summer!--News from the Field
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Patterson Park Audubon Center
On it's 7th year in Patterson Park, educators Callie Schwartz and Melissa Dietz, with help from Center Director, Tekla Ayers, staff had another successful year of programming for schools within walking distance of the park. Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade had multiple opportunities to enjoy and learn from the habitat offered in their own 'backyard' in the park. Accomplishments included:
More than 150 school programs, 80 afterschool programs and 30 public programs, planting a native plant wetland garden, and READ MORE...

Pickering Creek Audubon Center
Under education program leadership of Mandy Smith, Educators Kelsey Frey, Scott Stewart, Kelly Balcarczyk and Jennifer Drayna closed out a full year of connecting every student in grades 1-5 in Talbot County Public Schools with nature at Pickering Creek. New to Talbot County middle schools this year were more opportunities for hands-on learning at Pickering with a new Gateways to Conservation curriculum for grades 6-8 that bridges elementary school lessons at Pickering with the statewide high school program "Audubon Watershed Experience. "

While our educators were getting elbow deep in bugs, birds and mud with grade schools, Center Director Mark Scallion and Volunteer Coordinator Beth Wasden made significiant strides in involving more adults in learning about habitat restoration while having fun 'digging in' during numerous volunteer events held throughout the year, farm forays, nature walks and more.

** Don't forget** There are still space available for the Pickering UNBASH to benefit Pickering education programs, operations and facilities.

An AWEsome program year!

Audubon Watershed Experience (AWE) is a unique program that provides opportunities for highschool students to explore the outdoors and learn about their local region, the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The goal of AWE is to introduce ecology and the environmental issues of the Bay to the students in a fun, memorable way. Students connect with the Bay through fishing, taking a hike and pulling out binoculars to try their hand at bird watching. The past school year was the 6th year of AWE programming for both Pickering Creek Audubon Center and Patterson Park Audubon Center. Students from Talbot and Wicomico counties participated in the multi-part program with Pickering Educators along the shores of Pickering Creek while students from Baltimore City High Schools visited North Point State Park. Click here to learn more about the program and see pictures!

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Policy Update
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In May 2009, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order directing federal agencies to address coordination, funding, regulation, agency management practices, science, public access and climate change impacts on Chesapeake Bay. A new coalition made up of over 60 Bay watershed groups - the Choose Clean Water Coalition -- emerged to emphasize and renew ongoing commitment to Bay recovery. Audubon Maryland-DC is now working to advance the work of this coalition, including ensuring that good climate change legislation passes, with appropriate funding being directed to restoration of critical Chesapeake Bay habitats of conservation concern to Audubon Maryland/DC, including salt marshes, coasts and forests. The Choose Clean Water coalition is our opportunity to engage. We are asking our chapters, members and supporters to track this important effort, and become part of it. Go to the web site, get educated and become involved. We'll be reporting to you from time to time in this newsletter on other important Chesapeake Bay developments. (MORE)

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CHAPTER PROGRAMS & BIRD WALKS
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Chesapeake Audubon Society Bird Walks & Programs
Baltimore Metro Area and Eastern Shore

Prince George's Audubon Bird Walks & Programs
PG County and surrounding metro area

Audubon Society of DC Bird Walks, Lectures and more
District of Columbia and surrounding metro area

Central Maryland Audubon Society Bird Walks & Programs
Frederick, Howard, Montgomery and Carroll Counties

Southern Maryland Audubon Society Bird Walks & Programs
St. Mary's, Charles, Calvert and PG Counties

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