President's Message
Welcome to the Web site of the Northern Neck of Virginia Audubon Society. Our region of Virginia is truly blessed with and responsible for over 460 species of birds and the habitat in which they live. We have a special treasure in the middle counties of the Northern Neck in having an Important Bird Area of Global Significance according to the international standards of a Global Network "Bird Life". The southern shores of the Northern Neck are critical to the survival of migratory birds. Our members truly believe that "birds are a joy to behold". We "delight in passing on this joy to all generations, present and future, through active educational experiences". Most importantly we share a common belief that "Our interest in birds and the protection and conservation of their habitat are inextricably linked - you can't have one without the other". We all seek to "contribute substantially to sharing and preserving the unique natural treasure that is the Northern Neck". Please consider joining us; to lure you, first year memberships are a bargain. We pledge to add birdwalks and programs on Saturdays with some focused especially on families with children.
Our programs and walks are updated on this site as are our efforts to work with the state IBA coordinator and our advocacy of particular concerns about local threats of habitat. NNAS also has a birding hotline that is busy with new reports of sightings. In 2009-2010 we have much business to settle that was left to us by the sudden resignation of newly elected president Martha Cousins in 2008 owing to family illness. Paul Servis stepped forward to ably serve as president in addition to assisting his wife Jessica Servis and Paula and Tom Teeples carry off the quilt auction to great success. Now we pick up the work of Peter Saam's presidency that Martha was committed to carrying out. This is a large task but it will expand our chapter's demographic and geographical reach, its membership and its financial reach.
We have a fun, active board and committees of dedicated folks, who work well together. They all bring different skills and perspectives that allow us to manage our activities and priorities. Not all our board and committee members are experienced birders, but they all share a love for the things that we stand for as noted in the first paragraph. New board members are elected in the spring. Our committees are always looking for helping hands on a year-round basis.The Northern Neck is exceptionally blessed with highly talented people from many walks of life. I never cease to be amazed at the variety of backgrounds, the wealth of experience, and the many accomplishments of our neighbors, often in their "past life". You have all "made a difference" somewhere. If you would like to continue to make a difference, if you care about the Northern Neck, if you'd like to put some of your energy into a most worthy cause and if you'd like to have a lot of fun doing it consider joining one of our committees or as a board member next spring. We would love to have you simply as a member or as a willing hand.
Thanks for reaching our site. Watch it for news of upcoming events.
Frank Jewell
President