2016 North Cascades Audubon Society AccomplishmentsThe purpose of this society is to promote the study and conservation of birds and other wildlife, their habitat, and the environment; to increase public appreciation of the values of wildlife, plants, and the natural environment; and to stimulate action to protect and preserve them for the future.Consistent with the mission statement, the North Cascades Audubon Society accomplished the following in 2016:1. To promote the study and conservation of birds and other wildlife:• In collaboration with ReSources and the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Citizens, NCAS trained citizen scientists to assist with the Cherry Point Bird Survey. Participants attended five training sessions and then, throughout the year, conducted eight bird surveys in three locations in the Reserve. Data is compiled in accordance with the MESA Study protocol.• In partnership with the Whatcom Land Trust, 20 citizen scientists/birders conducted bird surveys on twelve select Whatcom Land Trust properties. Bird surveys were conducted in May, June and September.• Coordinated all aspects of the annual Whatcom County Christmas Bird Count, involving over 70 volunteer citizen scientists• Provided three scholarships to WWU students engaged in research relevant to conservation of birds and their habitat• Provided $500 in youth scholarships to attend the Whatcom Museum Summer Bird Camp• Entered into a collaborative agreement with the Whatcom Land Trust2. To increase public appreciation of the values of wildlife, plants and the natural environment:• Hosted eight educational programs for the public at the monthly NCAS meetings• Partnered with the Whatcom Museum in five educational programs at the Syre including a bird photography workshop, two summer Bird Camps for youth involving field trips and presentations, and the Museum’s 75th anniversary celebration• Co-sponsored Wings Over Water in Blaine and Birch Bay• Organized 26 field trips for the public to identify birds in Whatcom and Skagit Counties• Hosted the annual campout, with birding field trips, at Pearrygin Lake State Park• Built and distributed swallow and chickadee nest boxes• Participated in Backyard Habitat and Native Flora Fair• Presented to various community groups including Sue Taylor’s Green Gardening class, Parkway Chateau, Adult Day Health, and Summit Place Senior Living• Hosted bird walks at Birch Bay State Park• Wrote three articles for the Bellingham Herald• Accomplished fundraising effort for George and Lois Garlick Memorial which will be used to present a mounted trumpeter swan to the Whatcom Museum in their name3. To stimulate action to protect and preserve them for the future:• Formed a Climate Change Action Group and held five meetings• Paul Woodcock represented NCAS on the Whatcom County Wildlife Advisory Board and Pam Borso represented NCAS on the local Environmental Caucus Working Group.• Actively supported Initiative I-732 (the Washington Carbon Emission Tax and Sales Tax Reduction), including covering the issue in the newsletter and distributing flyers at monthly meetings and other events• Joined with local chapters, WA State, and National Audubon in submitting comments on issues related to public policy implications for birds and their habitat. Issues included: supporting Presidential Policy Protecting Public Lands & Wildlife; protecting imperiled seabirds; opposing construction of a pellet plant and the export of raw logs from the Bellingham waterfront; preserving Important Birding Area (IBA) in Clark County; opposing Army helicopter training in North Cascades National Park; opposing development in Burns Bog, B.C.; opposing coal terminal at Longview; opposing development in the buffer area of the Bellingham heron colony; opposing expansion of the Twin Sisters Swen Larson Quarry in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; opposing industrial development at the Weyerhauser Campus in Federal Way; supporting Congressional funding of programs and policies that protect our nation’s birds and other wildlife; urging PSE to replace their Colstrip coal mine in Montana with renewable energy; and urging the Army Corps to finally publish the BP Cherry Point EIS.