The Warbler
HOUSTON AUDUBON 2022 SPRING NEWSLETTER
OUR FLOCK IN ACTION Spring was in full effect this year with the greater conservation and birding community excited to return and reengage in the workings and thrills of the season. Houston Audubon staff and volunteers were just as excited. We launched new programs like the Birdathon Team, Odd Ducks, on the McGovern Canopy Walkway
Bird-Friendly Spaces recognition, expanded our community science efforts, organized new events like Evening on the Canopy, and fostered greater opportunities for schools to be involved in Birdathon. We broke ground on construction of the new Morse Field Station and celebrated the operational opening of the Entergy Coastal Natives Nursery. New partnerships were also forged to help advance piloted efforts to connect with more diverse groups and communities.
Great Egrets at the Rookery, Smith Oaks Sanctuary (JVSmith)
This edition of the Warbler, as eloquently narrated through the lens of members, volunteers, and program participants, vividly captures the growth and excitement we experienced and wonderfully reflects what makes Houston Audubon special–its people and their passion for birds.
Helen E. Drummond Executive Director Natives Nursery volunteers with Bird-Friendly Spaces Sign
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THE FACES OF HIGH ISLAND By Tony Dang, Houston Audubon Board of Directors, High Island Volunteer Upon walking through the entrance of Boy
This year we had the opportunity to stay near
Scout Woods and up to the friendly, familiar
High Island on long weekends. I wanted to get
faces at the kiosk, my wife Marylene and I looked
involved, so I chose a few days to volunteer at
at our High Island patches and wondered
the welcome kiosk at Smith Oaks. The most
how long it had been since our first visit. We
enjoyable moments of volunteering were spent
heard of High Island by chance from a scuba
chatting with visitors and hearing about their
diving instructor who was suggesting places to
bird sightings, as well as getting to know the
photograph nesting bald eagles. Since Marylene
other dedicated volunteers. We met first-time
enjoys photography, we were curious and
visitors, committed birders, and visitors who
visited Boy Scout Woods in 2012. I remember
were getting back to High Island after 10+
passing the kiosk and the main grandstand,
years. I also got to see many familiar faces and
and the first bird we saw was a male Painted
great friends who visit and support High Island
Bunting, followed by a male Indigo Bunting.
each year. Many visitors were excited to see the
We thought these birds were unreal. We passed
McGovern Canopy Walkway for the first time,
Prothonotary Pond and the next bird we saw
enjoying better views of warblers and nesting
was a Hooded Warbler, which became my ‘spark
birds at the rookeries. Faces lit up when people
bird’ because it triggered my passion for birding.
talked about their rare and uncommon bird
We’ve been visiting High Island for spring
sightings and getting to check ‘lifers’ off their
migration ever since. 2022 marked 11 years!
list. (A lifer is a first-time bird sighting). Continued on next page.
Hooded Warbler (Greg Lavaty)
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Witnessing the sheer excitement of spotting a first-of-the-season bird and helping other people find it helped me discover a joy in sharing my passion for birding at High Island. My highlights from this season were directing visitors to a Prairie Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, and Cape May Warbler on the canopy walkway, a Black-throated Blue Warbler and Duskycapped Flycatcher at Grackle Pond, a Goldenwinged Warbler, Western Tanager, and Palm Warbler at Boy Scout Woods. This year gave me a new appreciation for all of the volunteers who commit their time to transform High Island into this magical, welcoming place. I took for granted the time and effort it takes
High Island Volunteers Assisting Visitors at Smith Oaks
to prepare these sanctuaries for what we see
The wonderful people you encounter at the
during spring migration. Volunteers at monthly
kiosks at Boy Scout Woods and Smith Oaks and
workdays maintain habitat by removing invasive
the helpful people on the canopy walkway are
plants, installing nest boxes, and planting
mostly volunteers. Kiosk volunteers assist with
native plants, shrubs, and trees. They upkeep
day passes and patches, merchandise sales,
the sanctuaries for visitors by clearing trails,
and provide sanctuary information and bird
repairing boardwalks, upkeeping the driveways
sighting locations to visitors. Smith Oaks birding
and parking areas, installing benches, picnic
volunteers are stationed along the canopy
tables, and signage, and much more. These
walkway and the levee trail to answer questions
workdays are critical and volunteers end the
and to help visitors get a good look at nesting
morning in good spirits with a banana and an
birds. There can be as many as 4 volunteers at
excellent burger for lunch.
each sanctuary for a duration of 8 hours every single day for 6-10 weeks. Many thanks to the in-charge volunteers, Barbara Tilton and Winnie Burkett, as well as all of the High Island volunteers, staff members, and technicians who have devoted their time for many years. This dedication has allowed High Island to be a positive impact on birds and their conservation, as well as a welcoming place for visitors to connect with nature. Please consider volunteering at High Island during spring
Volunteers at a trash cleanup in High Island
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migration or at one of our monthly workdays.
NEW CONSERVATION DIRECTOR TAKES FLIGHT Thank you all for welcoming me to Houston! As the new Conservation Director, I am excited to be a part of Houston Audubon’s mission to advance the conservation of birds in our region. I have loved our High Island sanctuaries for many years. Before coming to work for Houston Audubon, I was a PhD student and teacher in north Texas. For the past few springs, I have organized a “Big Weekend” trip for my ornithology class, where we would camp on High Island and explore Boy Scout Woods, Smith Oaks, and Bolivar Flats across two days of intense birding. When the opportunity arose to work for Houston Audubon, the answer was an easy yes! The difference that our sanctuaries make for both birds and humans is profound. I am happy to say that I’ve now visited all of our beautiful sanctuaries and can’t wait to expand our science and monitoring initiatives–both in urban Houston and in our sanctuaries. I look forward to getting more involved in the science of bird conservation and engaging the community.
Kelsey Biles
Conservation Director
ADVANCING CONSERVATION ON THE COAST
Ribbon cutting for the Entergy Coastal Natives Nursery
Morse Field Station Groundbreaking Ceremony
The new Entergy Coastal Natives Nursery at
We were excited to break ground on the new
the Hulsey Coastal Operations Center in High
Clint and Mary Frances Morse Field Station
Island is operational! We were awarded an
in High Island, Texas. The new field station
Environmental Initiatives Grant from Entergy
will serve as coastal headquarters for the
Texas to build the new nursery, which will
staff and volunteers at High Island, as well as
increase our native plant capacity to support
provide facilities for a variety of educational
restoration on our properties and allow for
programs, workshops, and scientific
greater distribution in the Gulf Coast region.
conservation research.
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LIGHTS OUT FOR BIRDS By Grace Trankina, Volunteer On balmy spring mornings before the city wakes up, groups of dedicated volunteers walk the Lights Out Texas Collision Monitoring survey route of 10 buildings in downtown Houston. Building collisions present a great risk to nocturnally migrating birds, which are exacerbated by artificial light at night. The Lights Out Texas campaign takes place biannually during spring and fall migration, encouraging buildings, businesses, and homeowners to turn out lights at night in hopes of reducing collisions.
Collision monitoring volunteers patrolling downtown Houston for birds
I traveled to Houston from the University of Oklahoma to collect data for my Master’s thesis. My goal is to analyze the iNaturalist collision data alongside sky quality data. Currently, there are sky quality light sensors at several buildings throughout downtown Houston, near Rice University, and at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
Collision monitoring surveys during
that measure the amount of light in the atmosphere
peak spring migration (April 22 - May
at night. I am hoping to measure reduction in light
12) are essential in understanding
during the Lights Out Texas advisory period and relate
the impact of Lights Out Texas and
this to trends in the collision monitoring reports.
gathering more information about
Though the problem of collisions and light pollution
where, when, and which bird species
feels insurmountable at times, it is the hard work of the
are affected. On my first morning
volunteers who start their mornings combing through
volunteering as a Collision Monitor,
city streets investigating miles of pavement under stories
there were buildings where no news
of reflective glass that provide the data for science and
was good news and others where our
progress. I had a wonderful experience as a collision
team documented the remains of a
monitor this season and look forward to returning. Thank
Hooded Warbler and miscellaneous
you to everyone who participated.
feathers. Getting my steps in, learning about my fellow volunteers, and talking with building staff about their experiences were among the highlights of the 3-hour morning walk, in addition to the invaluable data collected. As a first-time downtown Houston visitor, it was a great way to orient myself in the city.
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Berri Moffett (left) and Grace Trankina (right) installing a light sensor at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
THE WITNESS SERIES: EXPLORING AFRICAN AMERICAN CONNECTIONS TO THE LAND AND PLACE By Kristi Rangel, Visual Artist The Witness Series was designed to explore past, present, and potential future connections between the African American community and the land in Southeast Texas. It incorporated participatory talks, art, hikes, bird walks, and other experiences. Each experience was designed to bring individuals, families, and communities together through the power of nature, to encourage greater access to and connection to nature-based opportunities.
Houston Audubon-led bird walk at E.R. and Ann Taylor Park
The catalyst for the Witness Series was a Houston Audubon Bird Walk at E.R. and Ann Taylor Park, a hidden gem Houston Audubon occasionally surveys for birds because it remains largely untouched by development. The park has a rich history that is traced back to one of Houston’s founding families. It is also where a formerly enslaved woman of African descent lies buried with her two children, who did not live to adulthood. The reality is that the park has kept its natural resources because it has been forgotten. The Witness Series was inspired by my “Seven” series, portraits of seven Black women featuring Funtunfunefu-Denkyemfunefu, a Ghanaian Adinkra symbol of unity in diversity and working together to shape a common destiny. As an artist, my work centers around my belief that environmental equity is a basic human right. I hope that the Witness Series sparks conversations and dialogue that inspire people to want to connect more with nature, others, and themselves. Through the beauty Participants at the final event, Witness: Artists by Nature
of nature and art, I hope there will be healing.
Engaging and supporting communities that reflect the diversity of our state and region are key to Houston Audubon achieving its mission of conserving birds and their habitats. As part of these efforts, we were pleased to offer nature-based experiences as part of the Witness Series in collaboration with partners including The Nature Conservancy in Texas, Houston Botanic Garden, Houston Coalition Against Hate, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Nature Heritage Society, and the Houston Health Department.
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BY MEANS OF COLOR By Abra Ziegler, Houston Audubon Young Professionals Advisory Council Spring was coming to Houston. I could tell because the temperatures start to search their mom’s closets for trends from the 90s, the miasma from our bayous becomes inescapable, my forearms remember how to sweat, and the birds, the birds, the birds. It was during this brief entre to Gulf Coast summer that Via Colori bloomed. The revival of this popular street chark art festival featuring works from various artists who bring their creations to life within a concrete square convinced attendees to appreciate the creation of art as art itself. The ephemeral chalk paintings brought spirituality, nature, color, diversity, growth, and even a Pokémon to life.
Via Colori street chalk art festival at POST Houston
Houston Audubon participated as a partner and decided to tell the story of the Bird of Houston to showstopping effect with art by staff members Javier Salas and Berri Moffett. In turn, that bird, the Yellow-crowned Night Heron, tells the story of Houston’s resident birds–their symbiosis with humans and our infrastructure, the sensitivity of their populations to the choices we sow and the climate change reaped, their ability to survive and thrive intrinsically linked to our own. Frequent guided meditations over the loudspeakers from first-time event sponsor and beneficiary, The Institute of Spirituality and Health, provided a pleasant background to talk to the steady stream of artists and attendees stopping by the HA table. Staff member Zineera Seth and fellow Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC) member, Madeleine Chaisson, joined me to answer and ask questions about birds and Houston Audubon. Chalk art of Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Bird of Houston (Javier Salas & Berri Moffett)
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Continued on next page.
If you are a birder, it’s sometimes easy to forget the greater population doesn’t spend time discerning between the peeps distinguishing an Alder Flycatcher from the Willow; many people had to dig deep to scrape the name of even one bird species from their memories. Their bird blindness was matched only by their enthusiasm for learning about them. Brochures and flyers about Birdathon, spring break and summer camps, and Raptor Center educational programs were grabbed by eager parents and teachers as fast as we could replenish them. Ice cream and rainbow chalk-covered hands attached to shorter-than-the-table children sneakily snatched brightly colored and holographic HA stickers. Young couples were thrilled to discover HA sanctuaries (with their Houston-rare boardwalks and trails). Everyone was eager to talk about birds, their habitats, how we can work together to protect our natural environment, and how those efforts intersect with our own lives. Via Colori, the confluence of art and spring, of Buffalo and White Oak Bayous, of city and nature, of HA mission and public outreach, created the perfect place and time to remind me of my own favorite form of meditation- watching the birds, the birds, the birds.
FIRST GRADERS TAKE FLIGHT By Laura Bradham, Bird Survey Leader My husband and I lead the Houston Audubon bird survey at the Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve, formerly West 11th Street Park, that runs from September to May. To celebrate the end of the survey season, we invited 100 first graders from a local elementary school to the nature preserve for a year-end field trip. The students came full of energy, curiosity, and questions. We started with a big group presentation with an introduction to birding, then broke up into
Introduction to Birding group presentation for first graders from a local elementary school
five smaller groups led by teachers and parent chaperones. We took full advantage of the Wireless Wilderness Tour inside our forest so that the children would be able to see things in real life that they learned about during the school year. Finally, in celebration of the upcoming Independence Day, the kids learned about our faithful Red (Northern Cardinal), White (Whitewinged Dove), and Blue (Blue Jay) birds which live in our forest all year long–seeing what they looked like, and hearing them sing, coo, and call.
Winners of the spring coloring contest held by the Friends of the Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve
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BIRDATHON: COUNTING BIRDS BECAUSE BIRDS COUNT Birdathon is Houston Audubon’s annual spring fundraiser where participants compete to count as many bird species as possible in a 24-hour period while fundraising for bird conservation. This year, we had 54 adults and 174 students participate. Increased efforts to engage teachers resulted in 10 new classrooms this year. “We got to High Island and went directly to Smith Oaks (with a brief Inca Dove interlude), which brought us numerous migratory species including the attached Blackpoll Warbler, which was a lifer for me!! Highlights included Summer Tanager, a very cute armadillo, Magnolia Warblers, nesting Anhingas, and more!”
Stuart Nelson, Larks & Lagniappe Birdathon Team Larks & Lagniappe
“Birdathon 2022: good friends, beautiful birds, and
“We visited local sites such as Houston
plenty of cookies, aka fuel! The highlight for me
Audubon’s High Island sanctuaries,
was walking on Houston Audubon’s new canopy
Anahuac NWR, JJ Mayes Trace Park and
walkway in High Island and seeing people of all
Rollover Pass. Birding highlights included
ages, colors, backgrounds, and physical abilities. My
young Pileated Woodpeckers sticking their
heart swelled with pride and happiness to share the
heads out of a nest hole and a Bald Eagle
experience with others in such a special setting.”
flying over us at a gas station stop.”
Sarah Flournoy, Odd Ducks
Pam Smolen, Odd Ducks
Birdathon team Odd Ducks
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Visitor on McGovern Canopy Walkway
Birdathon team Odd Ducks
“In Port Bolivar, we found Seaside and Nelson Sparrows flitting among the reeds while scores of shorebirds preened and fished. We lingered next at Bolivar Flats, mesmerized by a Serengeti of shorebirds. In the dunes, a pair of Horned Larks strutted to the accompaniment of an Eastern Meadowlark. Finally, we took a break for lunch at Boy Scout Woods. Near the parking lot, a Common Nighthawk slept on a tree branch. In the trees we found cherished migrants — orioles, tanagers, warblers, and more. Gray Catbirds turned up in almost every nook and cranny. At Smith Oaks, a Purple Gallinule stealthfully hunted near hundreds of nesting egrets, herons, and cormorants.”
Diana Strassmann, The Thieving Magpies
Birdathon team The Thieving Magpies
“We ended the day in a house overlooking Bolivar Flats where we started our shorebird list. When we talked about our best bird some favored the great looks at the Bobolinks but most were pleased with the warblers and shorebirds.” Winnie Burkett, Muddy Buddies
“I participated in Birdathon this year with my 13 3rd-grade students. They studied bird structures and behaviors. We went out birding a few times and visited the Houston Audubon Raptor Center!”
Kim Vetter, School, St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Third graders visiting the Houston Audubon Raptor Center
“Students explored birding books appropriate to their age level, were introduced to allaboutbirds.org as a source for information about birds and their bird calls, and learned how to use binoculars. Each class reserved the school’s class set of binos for one day and spent their playground time watching for birds.”
Ann Hightower, The Branch School
Students from St. Thomas birding during Birdathon
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BIRD-FRIENDLY SPACES FOR BIRDS & PEOPLE By Robin Nagy, HCCS In May of 2022, Houston Community College’s West Houston Institute (WHI) became the first college campus to be recognized as a Bird-Friendly Space by Houston Audubon. The Bird-Friendly Spaces program recognizes community members and organizations who are actively supporting birds and wildlife in their personal spaces. This designation was the result of a number of projects completed on the campus by both HCC and Alief ISD students participating in IDEAS Academy, a program created at WHI to foster more creative mindsets in participants through collaborative project-based work. West Houston Institute campus with Bird-Friendly Spaces sign
Students spent the fall semester developing their own creative identity and understanding the sustainability challenges faced by the Houston community. They learned about the value of biodiversity and the connection between nature and mental health. At the end of the semester, they were challenged to improve local resilience by transforming the campus to support One Health and Well-Being for Students from Alief ISD planting native plants at the WHI campus
ourselves, other living communities, and the natural environment. Each group began to brainstorm projects based on their interest and expertise – Engineering students researched bird feeder designs, Aquatic Science students planned a pond, and Seniors from Alief Early College High School sought to engage students in the outdoor spaces on campus following the extended
Students putting up window stickers to prevent bird collisions
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isolation of the pandemic. Continued on next page.
Attaining the Bird-Friendly designation became a unifying goal and the lens through which they focused their approach to this campus challenge. Ultimately, their projects included: a native plant garden, a bird feeding station (designed and fabricated in the campus makerspace), a water feature (constructed entirely by students), and stickers to mitigate window strikes (also fabricated in the makerspace). Alief Early College Seniors also planned Seedchella, a “celebration of the native ecosystems on our campus” to highlight their projects, engage attendees in learning more about the local native ecosystem, and get feedback on the community’s vision for the future of a sustainable, bird-friendly West Houston Institute campus.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR UPCOMING EVENTS! July - September Join us at a Purple Martin Watch Party this summer to witness the migration spectacle of up to 500,000 Purple Martins coming together to roost at dusk. Grab your friends and family, bring a lawn chair, and join us for a unique experience! Learn more at houstonaudubon.org/purplemartins
September 17 - 24 Get excited for Houston Bird Week 2022! Bird Week is a celebration of the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of birds. Free and low-cost events centered around birds offer something fun for everyone to take part in! Learn more at houstonaudubon.org/birdweek
Seedchella event at WHI campus
Take bird-friendly actions and apply for the Bird-Friendly Spaces recognition for free at birdfriendlyhouston.org/spaces
October 20 Support Houston Audubon at our annual fundraising dinner, Avian Affair, which will celebrate the connection between art and nature. Learn more at houstonaudubon.org/avianaffair
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPRING VOLUNTEERS Houston Audubon’s spring activities are many, and so are the wonderful volunteers that make them happen! From sanctuary cleanups to managing visitors to spring events and everything in between, we couldn’t do it without you.
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Rohit Agarwal
Debbie Burnett
Molly Dillingham
Susan Herman
Mara Alcantara
Jack Burnett
Geraldine Donadio
Karen Hoffman
Jonni Almoney
Angela Busceme
Larry Dybala
Gloria Hokett
Skip Almoney
Andrew Busker
Betty Espinosa
Michael Honel
Ricardo Azevedo
Claire Caudill
Alessandra Fernandez
Madeline Howard
Grecia Azoulay
John Caudill
Josh Finch
Roger Howard
Kelsey Baird-Campos
Diana Cauley
Paul Foster
Ben Hulsey
Della Barbato
Luke Cauley
Julie Francis
Felix Ibegbulam
David Barrow
Colleen Cavanaugh
Twilight Freedman
Charlona Ingram
Lucy Barrow
Danielle Cavender
Olivia Friend
Bernice Jackson
Cindy Bartos
Madeleine Chaisson
Joanna Friesen
Ed Jackson
John Bartos
Marylene Chan
Gene Fritts
Patricia Jeffers
Mary Anne Beauchemin
June Chen
Graves Gardiner
Bruce Johnson
Lynn Bell
Carlton Collier
Elaine Garner
Nancy Jones
Vasudha Bharadwaj
Dan Coombs
Julia Garrett
Vivian Kaufman
Beth Black
Ellen Coombs
Matthew Genotte
Connie Kelley
John Black
Daniel Courtney
Elena Glassberg
Susan Kennedy
Judith Black
David Crabtree
Tim Goings
Joe Keusenkothen
Tinsley Blando
Julie D’Ablaing
Mary Goldsby
Paul Keusenkothen
Peggy Boston
Tony Dang
John Gray
Melinda Kincaid
Joanne Bradbury
Royce Daniels
Tom Greer
James Koski
Laura Bradham
Ashley Dao
Mark Greske
Steve Krebs
Michael Bradham
Robert Davies
Hannah Gross
Heather Lambert
Mark Brazzil
Mary Elizabeth Davis
Veda Hackell
James Larocque
Anders Brock-utne
Gerard del Junco
Hilary Haines
Parry Lauzon
Marcy Brown
Rafi Dela Cruz
Hunter Hammil
Bette Lester
Rodger Brown
Linda DelAngel
Betsy Harwood
Paul Lester
Simone Brown
Melita Delgado
Herbert He
Eva Lin
David Burkett
Donna Diggons
Doris Heard
Frank Lin
Winnie Burkett
Lucy Diggons
Elizabeth Hensley
Lilian Lin
Andy Liu
Benjamin Portnoy
Houston Sliger
Lynn Travis
Cecilia Ljungberg
Greg Poston
Becky Smith
Peter Tsan
Lucy Loa
Ju-Ling Poston
Sam Smith
Aaron Tuggle
Luis Loa
Gene Prejean
Pam Smolen
Dana Turner
Erin Lynch
Melinda Pumpelly
DeDe Snavely
Stephany Turner
Helen Manners
Lisa Purnell
Mary Spolyar
Unyime Usua
Rosila Martins-Gama
Nigel Purnell
Stephen Stakemiller
Krien VerBerkmoes
Bill Matthews
Rebecca Rabon
Jerry Stanislav
Vicki Vorisek
Michael McGinity
Magda Rajszewski
Jacob Steele
Joan Ward
Jill McGowan
Alejandro Ramirez
Barbara Stern
Wallace Ward
Patrick McMahon
JR Ridgway
Skyler Stevens
Randolph Watson
Mark Meyer
Rachael Rivas
Linda Stiegler
James Whaley
Sandra Moore
Mila Robinowitz
Jim Stirling
Joseph Whaley
Janet Neath
Michelle Romedy
Billie Strickland
Jennifer Wheeler
Elise Nishikawa
Theresa Rooney
Katherine Swarts
Betsy Winn
Joe O’Driscoll
Hank Rossouw
Margaret Swarts
Jim Winn
Carol Oeller
Katherine Rubiano
Lily Sweet
Jake Wolf
Maya Ortiz
Ethan Rubin
Mondira Tangri
Janet Yauch
Lester Pearce
Lorissa Saiz
Sherri Taxman
Lisa Yelenick
Frank Perkins
Justin Sandt
Gretchen Thoman
Naomi Yoder
Juanita Perkins
Judith Schott
Mike Thoman
Abra Ziegler
Howard Persky
Alan Schwartzbard
Barbara Tilton
Noel Zinn
Dolores Peterson
Kari Shearer
Regina Tippett
Pauline Zinn
Vaughn Phillips
Bernard Silgardo
Celia Tomlinson
Elizabeth Zivley
Carl Poldrack
Spencer Simons
Jim Tomlinson
Mindee Poldrack
James Sirois
Melissa Torbet
Lynda Polk
Letha Slagle
Grace Trankina
Congratulations to our Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer, Winnie Burkett!
Get involved as a volunteer! Check out current opportunities at houstonaudubon.org/volunteer 15
Houston Audubon 440 Wilchester Blvd. Houston, TX 77079
Recipient Name Address City, State Zip
The Warbler
HOUSTON AUDUBON 2022 SPRING REPORT Follow us on social media at @HoustonAudubon!