Birdathon Fundraiser

We've decided to do things a bit differently in 2012: this year's Birdathon will take place during fall migration. Check back here toward the end of summer for updates!

Every spring, members of EMAS get together to run a friendly Birdathon to raise money for conservation. Birdathon is the annual major fundraising campaign by our chapter, with the goal to raise money for the Cerulean Warbler Reserve in Colombia and for a UNCA scholarship.

*Birdathon donation form*

What is it?

A Birdathon involves teams of birders trying to see (and hear) as many species of birds as possible within a set time period. This can mean either spending the day watching feeders, walking around the local bird sanctuary or even organizing teams to scour our region for birds. Money is raised by donors either sponsoring a team for a certain dollar amount per bird or by simply donating a fixed amount. Each team generally counts between 110 and 120 species in a given day. The list of birds seen will be posted on the EMAS website after the teams have completed their Birdathon.

When?

As teams are trying to see as many species as possible, it's best to run the Birdathon during spring migration season and the chosen window is usually from the middle of April through the middle of May. Teams can run their Birdathon whenever they wish during this time period.

Who benefits?

Asheville is the only city in North Carolina with Cerulean Warblers in its backyard. Between 12 and 24 male Cerulean Warblers hold territories on the Blue Ridge Parkway each year from Craven Gap to Lane Pinnacle Overlook. EMAS has adopted the Bull Creek IBA and volunteers have monitored its small population of Cerulean Warblers since 1998. Birders from all over the southeast come to Asheville to see and hear this beautiful blue songbird, whose overall numbers are decreasing precipitously. Cerulean Warblers spend the winter on the eastern slope of the Andes. There they inhabit remnants of native forest and shade-grown coffee plantations, where they join other songbirds foraging for insects in the tall trees that shade the coffee plants.

The Cerulean Warbler Reserve was established in 2005 in Colombia by ProAves, a Colombian non-profit organization "dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats through research, outreach and direct conservation actions in collaboration with local communities." ProAves has partnered with the American Bird Conservancy on this project, and the Reserve has grown ten-fold since its inception. More funding allows more land to be purchased for the Reserve. A small lodge has been built for eco-tourists, local people are being trained as guides and as researchers, and local communities are being educated about the importance of birds in the local economy.

The EMAS board thinks that investing the proceeds of Birdathon into the Cerulean Warbler Reserve will bring the most conservation "bang for the buck."

In addition, $400 raised by Birdathon goes to our EMAS Scholarship, given each year to a UNCA Environmental Studies student, to assist toward a viable, effective career dedicated to environmental salvation.

How can I help?

Our goal this year is to raise $5000 and it's easy to help out! If you'd like to sponsor an existing Birdathon team, just choose the team name from the list below:

Golden-wings (led by Charlotte Goedsche)

Team members: Nancy Casey, Peggy Franklin, Charlotte Goedsche, Jamie Harrelson, Gail Lankford, Janie Owens, Marilyn Westphal

2011 results for the Golden-wings

Peregrines (led by Simon Thompson)

Team members: Romney Bathurst, Wayne Forsythe, Rob Goulding, Chris Jaquette, Doug Johnston, Simon Thompson

2011 results for the Peregrines

Beaver Lake Bluebirds (led by Len Pardue)

Team members: Len Pardue, JoAnne Rittenburg, Vin Stanton, Tom Tribble

2011 results for the Beaver Lake Bluebirds

Rappin' Raptors (led by Pam Raymond)

There are several ways you can donate:

Click on the "Donate" button below. There, you can use a credit card or Paypal account. Enter your donation amount and click "Update total," then enter your payment information. To sponsor a particular Birdathon team, click on "How do you want your donation spent?" (located on the Review Your Donation page) and enter the team's name.

Mail a check with the Birdathon donation form to EMAS at PO Box 18711, Asheville, NC 28814.

To pledge an amount for each bird species counted by a particular team, fill out the Birdathon donation form and mail it to the address above. After the species totals are in, we'll let you know how many species your team counted.

Attend the EMAS spring meeting at the UNCA Reuter Center on May 17 when Simon Thompson will give a presentation on the Cerulean Warbler Reserve in Colombia. The requested $5 admission donation goes toward Birdathon.

You can also drop your donation by the Asheville Wild Birds Unlimited store on Hendersonville Rd.