Missouri Department of Conservation is withdrawing support for Andy Forbes' position as Director of Bird Conservation with Audubon

Missouri due to budgeting difficulties.  Audubon had hoped to wait until Forbes’ new position was identified before announcing the change;

however, news traveled fast through the Audubon network so Dr. Bruce Carr, Executive Director of Audubon Missouri officially announced the change.

      MDC funded Forbes’ position completely since he was hired in 2002.  “Times are tight and revenue performance has been disappointing,” said Carr. “I was told that MDC is currently holding 37 other positions open to meet budget targets and full support for a loaned employee is no longer feasible. MDC staff is being reorganized and positions like Andy's are being pulled back.”

      According to Carr two concessions will aid Audubon in transition. First, MDC has committed to transferring Forbes to a suitable position within MDC and secondly, MDC will support the position through January of 2008 if necessary.

      “This deals a serious blow to the Important Bird Area implementation plan at least for the near future,” Carr said. “I hope that Andy's transfer and new assignment means continued contact and I have suggested a liaison role to MDC.

      “We all appreciated and admired Andy's expertise and leadership at Audubon Missouri. I will support Andy in every way possible in his search for a next career position. Please join me in thanking Andy and letting him know how much we appreciate his enormous talent and energy on behalf of Audubon Missouri.”

 

Karen Orenstein, a staff person from the Public Policy Office of the National Audubon Society, recently visited chapters in Missouri including River Bluffs Audubon.

      Ms. Orenstein discussed several of NAS’s legislative priorities for 2007.  These include funding for environmental as well as social issues. She provided several handouts on these issues that will be distributed at our chapter’s May 10th business meeting.

      Ms. Orenstein, also encouraged chapter members to sign up for Audubon Alerts and Advisories.  She pointed out that grassroots interest in environmental issues is critically important, and she

encouraged chapter members to contact their elected officials.         Overall, her message was that activism pays off and she was especially interested in meeting with the River Bluffs Audubon Society because chapter members have a reputation for being advocates.

River Bluffs members with e-mail were invited to meet Ms. Orenstein for lunch, and those able to attend were Jim Nordstrom, Rich George, Dan Reed, and Celeste Koon.

The event was scheduled on fairly short notice. If you would like to receive e-mails about River Bluffs events that occur without too much notice, send your e-mail address to: celestekoon@         hotmail.com.                             - Celeste Koon