Our Chapter

Mission and Goals Board and Committee Chairs Membership - How to Join
Programs, Projects, and Goals Chapter History Constitution and Bylaws

Ruddy Duck. Ring-necked Duck. Ring-billed Gull.

Our Chapter: Mission and Goals

Mission

The Klamath Basin Audubon Society will provide the opportunity for all to experience and appreciate our region's wildlife, focusing on birds, and other natural resources.

Goals

We find ways to increase participation of new and existing members.
We promote knowledge and appreciation of our local environment.
We provide local leadership and education toward understanding environmental consequences of human choices.
We work to protect and/or restore Klamath Basin species and habitats.

Our Chapter: Board and Committee Chairs

General members are always invited and welcomed to attend the KBAS Board meetings to help in planning of future activities and discuss Board policies. Our Board Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month from September through June from 7-9 pm. Meeting sites rotate among the homes of the Board Members, so see the Calendar for listings.

Officers & Board Members	Office	Phone	E-mail
Darrel Samuels	President	541-850-5832
Dave Potter	Vice President	541-850-3808
Julie Van Moorhem	Secretary	541-882-4488
Paul Alley	Treasurer	541-273-2957
Bob Kinkead	Member	541-882-4910
Ken Johnston	Member	541-883-7671
Mary Kelley	Member	541-783-3690
Sherry Perry	Member	541-882-1980
Dave Hewitt	Member	804-832-3421

Committee Chairs	Committee	Phone	E-mail
Dave Potter	Conservation	541-850-3808
Ralph Opp	Conservation	541-882-8488
Kathy McKeehan	Education	541-882-0291
Kevin Spencer	Field Trips	541-884-5739
Marilyn Christian	Grebe Editor	541-850-0084
Ralph Opp	Historian	541-882-8488
Beth Philips	Hospitality	541-723-2161
Kathy Essex	Membership	541-273-7442
Tom Essex	Programs	541-273-7442
Mary Ellen Sargent	Publicity	541-363-2976
Jim Rooks	School Grants	541-851-0209
Diana Samuels	Winter Wings Festival	541-850-5832
Anne Wenner	Winter Wings Festival	541-882-1219

Our Chapter: Programs and Projects

Monthly educational meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, September through June in the County Commissioners' large hearing room upstairs in the County Government building, 305 Main Street. Please park in the lot at the rear of the building and enter through the back door. The meetings are held from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. and include guest speakers, unusual bird sightings, refreshments, chapter business and reports. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome!

6:30 p.m.	Refreshments and socializing
7:00 p.m.	Announcements, chapter business, local sightings
7:20-8:30 p.m.	Program

Check out the current Grebe newsletter or Calendar for scheduled speakers and topics.

Our Chapter: Membership - Join KBAS

We invite you to join Klamath Basin Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society.

Why become a member of Klamath Basin Audubon Society? To become a vital part of the effort to work on local environmental conservation issues, habitat, and education for members and the community. Efforts include the following:

Monthly programs and weekly birding trips
Repair and installation of nest boxes at Miller Island
Planning and installation of a Bluebird Trail at Moore Park in partnership with USFWS, City Parks, and Chiloquin High School
Planning for and Participation in International Migratory Bird Day [Veterans' Park & Tule Lake] and Earth Day (O.I.T.)
Annual participation in bird counts: Christmas Bird Count, North American Migration Count, and the Big Sit bird count
Annual awards of about $3000 in grants to local teachers through KBAS/Scott Grants
Annual production of the highly successful Winter Wings Festival

What are the Membership Benefits? Annual membership in Klamath Basin Audubon Society provides:

Subscription to 5 issues of the "Grebe", the newsletter of KBAS, which contains information and announcements on field trips, programs, local issues, and bird sightings.
Nine monthly membership meetings with guest speakers on a variety of topics
Birding field trips for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Opportunities to volunteer at various levels.
Part of an effort that works on local environmental conservation issues.

How do I become a Member? Easy!

Select a membership level.
Complete the Membership Application Form below.
Write your check made payable to KBAS and mail to KBAS, P.O. Box 354, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 along with the Application Form.

KBAS MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION

Local Membership Dues

Individual: $20
Student and Seniors (62 and over): $15
Family: $25
Here is my tax deductible extra contribution for $

Total Enclosed $

Check here if you are a current member of national Audubon
Not sure of national membership status

Name

Address

City/State ZIP

Phone e-mail

Klamath Basin Audubon Society Chapter Code: C9ZT600Z. Should you join National Audubon as a first time member, please use the above Chapter Code on your form - we receive additional $$.

Please contact me regarding:
Gift memberships
Volunteering for KBAS Committee activities

Make your check payable to KBAS and mail with this form to: KBAS, P.O. 354, Klamath Falls, OR. 97601

Printable Version of the Membership Form

Our Chapter: Chapter History

The Klamath Basin is a stopover to approximately 80% of the migrating waterfowl as they travel the Pacific Flyway. In addition, between 500-800 bald eagles migrate from northern climates in the winter, nesting in the region and, in particular, Bear Valley Refuge about 15 miles southwest of Klamath falls. The Basin is home to the largest wintering congregation of bald eagles in the lower forty-eight states.

Following enactment of the Endangered Species Act and Oregon's classification of the bald eagle as endangered within the state in 1973, biologists from California and Oregon learned of the significance of the Bear Valley area to nesting bald eagles. Ralph Opp, one of those biologists who mapped the Bear Valley Area, worked with The Nature Conservancy who brokered the transfer of private lands to the Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1978, 4000 acres of Bear Valley became the Bear Valley Refuge, 1000 acres being designated as the core eagle roosting area. In the same year the federal government listed the Bald Eagle as endangered.

In 1980, with the help of the Portland and Eugene Audubon chapters and the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges manager, the first Bald Eagle Conference was held in Klamath Falls. Issues of bald eagle management relative to the habitat, politics, and the economy of the area were discussed by professionals and conservationists. The conference included a fly-out experience at Bear Valley and was later recognized by birding magazines as the oldest birding festival in the United States. In 1983 the Klamath Basin Audubon Society (KBAS) was chartered and began sponsoring the Bald Eagle Conference in 1984.

The Bald Eagle Conference continued annually in February until 2005 when it was expanded and renamed the Winter Wings Festival. The Klamath Basin Audubon Society produces the Winter Wings Festival, which draws hundreds of visitors annually to Klamath Falls every February to enjoy eagles and the many other bird species that can be seen in the area.