Milestone: Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society celebrates 50th anniversary

October 11, 2023 1:30 am
Photo courtesy of Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society members celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary. Pictured are (back row, from left) Bob Boekelheide, Kendra Donelson, Audrey Gift, Sue Dryden and Marie Grad, with (front row, from left) OPAS president Ken Wiersema, OPAS President; Dow Lambert and John Gussman.
Photo courtesy of Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society members celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary. Pictured are (back row, from left) Bob Boekelheide, Kendra Donelson, Audrey Gift, Sue Dryden and Marie Grad, with (front row, from left) OPAS president Ken Wiersema, OPAS President; Dow Lambert and John Gussman.

Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society (OPAS) members celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization recently at an open house at the Dungeness River Nature Center.

Since 1973, chapter volunteers have been educators and stewards for birds and habitat conservation. Members give monthly talks about Backyard Birding and bring in experts for programs on topics such as “Snowpack Glaciers and the Future of Olympic Rivers” and “Wildlife Rehabilitation and Falconry in Washington.”

Everyone is welcome to join OPAS members in the field on Wednesday Bird Walks, annual bird counts and field trips, members say.

Community Science Projects offer opportunities to participate in bird and wildlife conservation efforts. Current projects include the Trumpeter/Tundra Swan Study, Bird Safe/Strike Program, Pigeon Guillemot Survey, Puget Sound Seabird Survey, Purple Martin Nest Box Project and the Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Study.

Find out more about OPAS programs, membership, Clallam County birding and how to volunteer at olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org.