Audubon to co-host talk by local artist, Philip Juras, on the beauty and ecology of grasslands

Submitted by avsterl on Tue, 10/17/2017 - 9:57am

Falling in Love with Grasslands: Paintings from Prairie to Páramo

 

Artist lecture by Philip Juras, BFA ’90, MLA ‘97

Please join us for a pre-lecture reception at 6:15 pm on November 2nd, in the main auditorium at the Odum School of Ecology for this event. The lecture will begin 7pm.

 

Audubon to host local photographer for a talk about the natural history of American Crows

Submitted by avsterl on Wed, 09/27/2017 - 9:36am

ATHENS – Local amateur photographer and photography instructor will discuss the American Crow – a controversial backyard bird, at the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society’s next monthly meeting.

 

Chuck Murphy, local amateur photographer and photography course instructor, will discuss the fascinating natural history of the American Crow when the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society holds its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 5th, at Sandy Creek Nature Center.

Audubon to host talk by invasive plant specialist on how to control invasive plants in your backyard

Submitted by avsterl on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 8:35am

ATHENS – Invasive plant specialist will discuss control measures and ecological impacts of non-native plant infestations on natural plant communities and wildlife at the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society’s next monthly meeting.

Gary Crider, invasive plant specialist and local weed warrior, will discuss various facets of non-native plant infestations: impacts on native communities, identification tips, and outline control measures for particularly pesky non-native flora when the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society holds its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at Sandy Creek Nature Center.

Invasive plants disrupt ecological functions and reduce biodiversity. Homeowners and other citizens can play a critical role in helping prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plant species. With effective tools, techniques, and good management strategies, groups and individuals can have a real impact on the problem of invasive plants. Crider will outline how you can reduce non-natives on your property and more, which may lead to more biodiversity in your own backyard.

Audubon to host talk regarding the impacts of supplemental feeding on disease transmission in wildlife

Submitted by avsterl on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 9:36am

ATHENS – PhD candidate at The Odum School of Ecology, at The University of Georgia, will discuss supplemental feeding and infectious diseases in wildlife at the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society’s next monthly meeting.

Daniel Becker, a Ph.D. candidate at the Odum School of Ecology, has been studying the complexities of supplemental feeding and wildlife health since 2012. Becker will be speaking on how supplemental feeding can impact disease dynamics in wildlife, which species are at higher risk for disease transmission as a result of supplemental feeding, and how to reduce pathogen spread when providing supplemental feed to wildlife. Many human activities intentionally or accidentally provide wildlife with abundance and accessible food resources, ranging from bird feeders and tourist handouts to landfills and agricultural fields. Changes to wildlife behavior and physiology can in turn have complex effects on the spread of pathogens, some of which can have harmful effects on wildlife and human health.

ORAS Accepting Applications for Conservation Grants

Submitted by avsterl on Mon, 03/06/2017 - 8:50am

Oconee Rivers Audubon Society is currently accepting applications for the ORAS Conservation Grant, a small grants program with awards between $300-600. Georgia-based projects focused on bird research, conservation, and education are encouraged to apply. Please review the requirements prior to submitting your application. 

Details about the ORAS Conservation Grant program and a list of previous grantees are available here: http://oconeeriversaudubon.org/grant.

Please contact Brian Cooke at president@oconeeriversaudubon.org with questions or concerns.

Audubon to host talk on avian conservation initiatives in Atlanta: Project Safe Flight

Submitted by avsterl on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 9:15am

ATHENS – Conservation director at the Atlanta Audubon Society, will discuss avian conservation initiatives in Atlanta at the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society’s next monthly meeting.

Adam Betuel, conservation director at the Atlanta Audubon Society, will be speaking about the conservation initiatives he and his colleagues are working on in Atlanta, primarily focusing on Project Safe Flight Atlanta (PSFA).  PSFA is a program focused on the ever expanding issue of bird-building collisions.

Audubon to host talk on songbirds and their shifting breeding range in southern Appalachia

Submitted by avsterl on Thu, 01/19/2017 - 10:47am

ATHENS – Two UGA graduate students will discuss their graduate research regarding two species of Neotropical migrant songbird species, Black-throated Blue Warblers and Canada Warblers at the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society’s next monthly meeting.

Ryan Chitwood and Sam Merker, both Master’s students at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, will discuss their research regarding migratory songbirds in southern Appalachia. Mounting evidence suggests that climate change is shifting species’ ranges poleward, but few studies have attempted to uncover the mechanisms that drive range shifts. Sam and Ryan will discuss two different approaches they are using to address this issue when the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society holds its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 2, at Sandy Creek Nature Center.

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