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Payne County Audubon Society is dedicated to many projects, some changing with the year or
season and some -- such as the Christmas Bird Count -- remaining the same year after year. Read
about the Chapter's different projects by clicking on the links below:
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Each year, PCAS sponsors this annual fall event, which gathers dozens of resource experts so that they can
present interactive displays and activities to Payne County families. It is an event that the public can attend, free
of charge, to learn about and experience many natural phenomena in a relaxed, enjoyable, and beautiful setting.
Again, the objective of this event is to help instill a sense of stewardship toward the earth.
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PCAS sponsors a very popular summer Audubon Nature Camp in June each year. This day camp runs for 5
consecutive mornings for children going into first through sixth grades. The enrollment limit is 40 children, but
interest in the camp was so popular in 2008 that PCAS expanded and ran two camps in 2009, allowing 80
campers to participate. In 2010, Nature Camp is scheduled to again run two 1 week camps June 7-11 and June
14-18.
Most years, PCAS awards some scholarships to deserving individuals to help defray the $90 tuition. These
scholarships were made possible in 2009 by donations from WalMart, the Stillwater Mill, and the generous
donations and support of PCAS members and caring local citizens. If you would like to sponsor a child or make a
monetary or in-kind donation, please click here for details.
Each morning at Nature Camp focuses on a different theme (e.g., Monday might be Animal Day; Tuesday, Plant
Day; Wednesday, Water Day; Thursday, Eco-Activity Day; with Friday as Friendly Finale). On the last day, the
families of each camper are invited to a picnic where all can see some of the activities and crafts that the campers
have been involved with during the week.
Each camp has six senior counselors, all of whom have strong backgrounds in environmental science and/or
environmental education. Six junior counselors (campers who are too old for camp, yet want to continue their
camp experience and are wonderful with younger children) also contribute significantly during camp week.
Each camp week is loads of fun! Please contact our Nature Programs Director, for more information about these
great activities or to enroll a child.
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The Payne County Audubon Society partners with the Teal Ridge Wetland Project and the Oklahoma Adopt a
Highway Program.
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In an effort to conserve areas in Oklahoma that are vital to bird populations, PCAS is working with National
Audubon and other Oklahoma Audubon Chapters to establish Important Bird Areas in Oklahoma. Go to Important
Bird Areas for more information.
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The Payne County Audubon Society maintains a Bluebird Trail, a series of bluebird nesting boxes along Highway
51 west of Stillwater. Each March, volunteers begin by cleaning out, repairing/replacing, or relocating any boxes
that need it. Monitoring begins April 1st and ends when there are no more bluebirds to be fledged—usually Aug.
1st. If you would like to help with this project, get in touch with Olen Thomas.
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Each year PCAS awards two $1000 research scholarships to support students doing field research on native
plants and animals. Special consideration is given to projects concerning the behavior, conservation, or natural
history of birds. Students at both the secondary school and collegiate level are eligible. The deadline for
applications is usually January 31. Contact Jim Ownby for additional information.
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GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
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The GBBC, a joint project of National Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, takes place in February each
year. In 2007, for the third time in the past four years, Stillwater led the state in participation for the Great
Backyard Bird Count, submitting more checklists than any other locality. What's more amazing, however, is that
we shattered the previous record of 76 checklists (Tulsa 2001) with an incredible 129 submitted in 2007! More
information about this enjoyable winter event is available at Great Backyard Bird Count. Be sure to check out the
results and photos.
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Each year PCAS members participate in the ODWC Winter Bird Survey. This bird survey is similar to the Great
Backyard Bird Count above, but it is statewide rather than nationwide.
The ODWC Winter Birds Survey has taken place each January for the past 18 years. The information learned from
birders across the state has helped the ODWC compile a history of the upward and downward trends of birds
visiting Oklahoma winter feeders.
Click OK Winter Birds Survey for some helpful hints to bird identification and/or to take the survey.
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Since 1947, PCAS has been part of the National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count, the
longest-running database on wintering birds in the Americas. See the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird
Count for more information.
The Stillwater Christmas Bird Count, takes place in the same 15-mile-diameter circle each year. Each year, on the
first Thursday of December, PCAS members and those in the community interested in participating, meet at the
Stillwater Public Library to prepare for the Count. At this time, coordinators Jim Ownby and Tim O'Connell, help
assemble count groups and assign each group a portion of the Count circle. The Stillwater CBC count circle area
map can be enlarged and printed for use during the actual CBC, which generally takes place, as its name
suggests, sometime in the week or weekend before Christmas.
The PCAS conducts two area Christmas Bird Counts, the one in Stillwater, above, and one coordinated by John
Couch, at Sooner Lake. Get in touch with John for more specifics on the Sooner Count.
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Birdathon is The Payne County Audubon's major FUNd-raising activity. During April and May, birders count bird
species during a 24-hour period and collect pledges from sponsors. Some sponsors pledge an amount per
species (e.g., $.20 per species) and others pledge a flat amount per event (e.g., $20.00). It's not unusual for a
good birder to see 80-100+ species in late April, when migrants and summer residents arrive in Payne County.
Click on one of the links below to find out more or to print out a form:
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