East Cascades Audubon Society

Programs: Science: ecas sponsors and or conducts through its volunteers a number of scientific projects: (1) the winter raptor survey is an ecas-sponsored statewide program which collects and shares data about winter raptor populations along fixed routes throughout the state of oregon and parts of idaho, washington, and california. The program is carried on by approximately 200 volunteers and scientists dedicated to studying raptors. (2) volunteers collect and publish on the ecas website data on nesting birds (including lewis woodpeckers, kestrels, and mountain and western bluebirds) and migratory birds (green ridge raptor migration survey, vaux swift survey, camp polk meadow survey, and summer lake shore and water bird survey). (3) a collaborative project with the usfs for avian monitoring at the indian ford restoration project. (4) grants to a local native bird rehabilitation organization.

adult education: (1) ecas sponsors birders' night, a monthly meeting that includes discussion of upcoming event and recent unusual bird sightings, and a presentation by a speaker on birds, birding and/or conservation relating to birds. The event is free and open to nonmembers, with 40-50 attending each meeting. (2) ecas sponsors the dean hale woodpecker festival, an annual 4-day event offering field trips to areas in central oregon, focusing especially on the region's 11 species of woodpeckers. More than 100 birders attend the festival. (3) ecas conducts weekly bird walks and field trips that are free to members and nonmembers. (4) ecas also maintains a website and facebook page to share photos, birding information and resources; circulates a monthly bulletin (the chatter) and quarterly newsletter (calliope) to members via email; prints birding checklists that are available free at various community outlets; and funds a golden eagle nest cam website. (5) ecas granted funds for an educational kiosk at the prineville wetlands restoration project.

conservation: ecas makes grants and engages in volunteer activities, including (1) engaging in projects relating to sage grouse habitat conservation and mortality, including building and installing escape ramps in watering tanks and fence markers, and monistoring mosquito borne illnesses; (2) monitoring the cabin lake viewing blind for damages and providing restoration and repairs; (3) acquiring and installing vent caps on vault toilets located on usfs land; (4) sponsoring lights out bend, a program to educate the public about the effect of night time lighting on bird mortality; (5) surveying migratory bird populations at lake abert; and (6) a grant to restore the cavender wetlands near monument.

youth education: ecas sponsors and teaches birding for pre-schoolers and fledgling fun for grade school students. The student programs focus on bird behavior and biology, and include outdoor birding trips. Ecas also provides speakers for schools on subjects pertaining to birds. The ecas youth education programs are free and open to all students. Ecas members also worked with local students in designing an educational kiosk for the prineville wetlands restoration project.