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All Aiken programs have been canceled until next fall.
September 16 / Diana Miller
Live Birds of Prey, from the Pueblo Raptor Center
Learn about hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures through an hour-long presentation featuring live birds of prey. Naturalist Diana Miller will discuss raptor adaptations, predator/prey relationships, natural history, personal stories of the birds presented, and the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center’s work to rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey.
Diana’s fascination and passion for birds of prey started the day she met Buddy, the Great Horned Owl. That was August of 1985 when she arrived at the Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo Nature (now the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center) to do an internship in environmental education. When that internship finished, she stayed on to complete another internship at the center’s raptor rehabilitation facility. After finishing her internships, she returned finish her college studies. The charm of Southern Colorado and birds of prey called her back to Pueblo in 1987, when she took the position of Administrative Assistant with the GNCP. Diana was promoted to the position of Raptor Center Director in July, 1989. She continues in that role today with the newly formed Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center.
For more than 30 years she has dedicated her career to the pursuit of quality rehabilitation care for wildlife, especially birds of prey. Diana also puts equal energy into educating the public about our native raptors and wildlife in general. Her greatest rewards in her career are experiencing the joy of an animal returning to its home, seeing children’s faces when they meet an educational raptor in their classroom, and the honor of meeting others who share her passion of all things wild.
October 21 / Amy Sherman
Birds and Renewable Energy
With the increase in demand for renewable energy across the U.S., there is also increasing concern over potential impacts to birds and other wildlife. This presentation will provide an overview of the various federal regulations that govern development of renewable energy with respect to birds, as well as the best management practices and mitigation measures utilized by wind projects in order to manage avian impacts. Major regulations discussed will include the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managed compliance with these regulations. We’ll also discuss how local renewable energy projects are addressing avian concerns, and what you can do to support changes to regulations to strengthen protection of birds.
Amy Sherman is a Project Manager and Biologist with Tetra Tech, Inc. in Colorado Springs. She has over 12 years of experience specializing in environmental permitting support for energy, transportation and water projects across the Great Plains and Western United States. Ms. Sherman is a member of the Aiken Audubon Society and an avid local birder.
Come join us!
Aiken Audubon programs are free and open to the public. They are held at Bear Creek Nature Center, located at 245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, 80906. Coffee, snacks, and socializing begins at 6:30 pm and programs begin at 7 pm.
Aiken’s weather cancellation policy: Sometimes inclement weather may cause us to cancel an Aiken meeting. If this happens, a decision will be made by 1 pm on the meeting date. Notification will be placed here our website, on our Facebook page, and sent out through our email notification list. In addition, a message will be posted on the CoBirds Listserv, which many Aiken birders subscribe to. If there is any doubt, please do not hesitate to contact any Aiken board members via telephone. Always, your safety is first so use your own judgement when coming to a meeting.
Finally, if you would like to present a program at one of our meetings, or have suggestions for a speaker and/or topic, please contact program chair Diane Luck at [email protected].