Birds and Wildlife of Tanzania and Kenya

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 6:00-7:00pm
Middletown Thrall Library
11 Depot St., Middletown, NY 10940
Click here for directions

Lee Hunter, an avid traveler, photographer and birder, will share beautiful photos and stories from his visit to Tanzania and Kenya which he found to be “One of the best wildlife spots on earth. Fabulous bird and animals out in plain view.” See weaver birds, hornbills, ostriches, elephants, giraffes, lions and more.

Create a Nature Journal with Jim Van Gelder

Saturday, April 18, 2020, 10:00am-12:00pm
Newburgh Free Library
124 Grand Street, Newburgh, NY 12550
Click here for directions

Keeping a nature journal is a wonderful way to deepen your experience of nature and sharpen your artistic skills. We will cover materials and techniques and then put them to practice on a variety of plant an animal subjects.

Birding Beyond the Backyard

Thursday, June 11, 2020, 6:30-7:45pm
Moffat Library of Washingtonville
6 West Main St., Washingtonville, NY 10992
Click here for directions

Do sparrows confuse you? Trouble telling Downy from Hairy? A program for those who enjoy watching birds and want to know more about them. Presenter Jim Van Gelder will cover basics of bird identification along with suggestions for equipment and good local birding spots.. Register here

PREVIOUS EVENTS:

Winter Bird Identification

Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 6:30-7:45pm
Goshen Public Library
366 Main St., Goshen, NY 10924
Click here for directions

Come learn about the birds local to our area in the winter months and where to look for them. We will also discuss how to become involved in various citizen science bird counts. Register at www.goshenpubliclibrary.org or click here

Special Event: Climate Change Boot Camp

Saturday, October 26, 2019, 8:30am-12:30pm
Westchester County Center
198 Central Ave, White Plains, NY 10606
Click here for directions

This half day session will focus on our area. The goal is to “Get climate smart!” by learning about local effects of climate change, local, county and state responses and what you can do. Don’t be discouraged and overwhelmed; get encouraged and inspired to take action.

Registration is $12/person. REGISTER HERE

Schedule:
8:30am-9:00am Registration & Refreshments
9:00am-10:30am First Session: Local Effects to Expect & County Responses
10:30am-11:00am Break, Displays, Refreshments
11:00am-12:15pm Second Session: State and Community Responses
12:15pm Concluding Remarks & Next Steps

* Children’s Environmental Activities for Grades 4th-8th will be held at the same time as the Boot Camp. For more information and for children’s registration, contact office@sawmillriveraudubon.org

Speakers include Dr. Chandu Visweswariah, CEO, Utopus Insights and former IBM energy and environmental science Research Fellow; NY State Senator Peter Harckham and Westchester County Director Peter McCartt ,who will speak to their respective levels of government; and Midge Iorio, Executive Director, Bedford 2020, Sara Goddard, Rye City Councilmember and Founder, Rye Sustainability Committee, Lindsay Audin, Chair, Croton Sustainability Committee, to participate in the local government/community action round table.

Co-sponsored by Federated Conservationists of Westchester County and seven area Audubon chapters (listed below), with grant support from Audubon New York and venue support from the Westchester County Executive’s Office for Energy Conservation and Sustainability. Seven area Audubon chapters are co-sponsoring this event: Bedford Audubon, Bronx River-Sound Shore Audubon, Central Westchester Audubon, Hudson River Audubon, Orange County Audubon, Putnam Highlands Audubon and Saw Mill River Audubon.

Meet the Artist Reception: John C. Yrizzary “A Life’s Work”

Saturday, October 12, 2019, 2:00-4:00pm
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990
Click here for directions

Meet the Artist Reception. John is displaying key pieces of his work that represent his artistic development from undergrad at Yale School of Fine Arts to his current status as an acclaimed wildlife illustrator. John’s art will be on display for the month of October in the library’s lower gallery. Hosted by the Albert Wisner Public Library. This event is open to the public with advance registration at the library 845-986-1047.

OPEN MEETING:

Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 6:30pm
First Presbyterian Church
33 Park Place, Goshen, NY 10924
Click here for directions

All OCAS & National Audubon Members, Friends, Neighbors, and Interested Public are welcome.

Please join us: Come meet more OCAS members, be more involved in OCAS, and learn how you can contribute to protecting the birds we love and the habitat we share. RSVP here

Special Presentation: The Delaware River Watershed
Before the meeting portion of the evening, we will hear from Valerie Peckham, Audubon Pennsylvania Field Organizer. Valerie will explain how the public can help preserve and protect the Delaware River Basin, a key water source for over 15 million people. Over 13,000 square miles of land including parts of Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and Delaware counties contribute to this system. A healthy watershed means a significant positive effect on the region’s wildlife, water quality, flood control, and opportunities for recreation.

Autumn Bird Identification

Wednesday, September 18, 2019, 6:30-7:45PM
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990
click here for directions

The fall migration is here, bringing a host of common and uncommon birds. This program will cover the basics of bird identification and local birding hotspots. This program is good preparation for the Winding Waters Trail field trip in the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge on September 21. (See Field Trips) Presented by Jim Van Gelder and co-sponsored by the Albert Wisner Public Library.  Click here to register. 

The Birds and The Seeds: Boosting Biodiversity with Native Plants

Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990
Click for directions

In this interactive and engaging workshop, participants will learn about seed saving, increasing biodiversity through native planting and walk away with seed bombs that you make yourself! If you’re interested in growing plants, playing in the dirt and learning about easy ways to make birds come to your yard, then this program is for you! Presented by Kelly Collins, Hopeful Roots LLC, Register by phone at 986-1047 ext 3 or  click here to register

How to Be a Bird Friendly Neighbor

Wed, May 1, 2019 at 6:30-7:30pm
Florida Public Library
4 Cohen Cir, Florida, New York 10921
Click here for Directions

What are the best ways to attract and benefit birds? This multimedia program featuring images, sounds and video of local backyard bird species will help us all become more Bird Friendly at home. Discover the best choices for bird feeders and seed, native plants, water features and bird houses to improve backyard bird habitat.

Birding Beyond the Backyard

Wed, April 3, 2019 at 6:30-7:45pm
Midletown Thrall Library
11-19 Depot St., Middletown, NY 10940
Click here for Directions

Do sparrows confuse you? Trouble telling Downy from Hairy? This program is for those who enjoy watching birds and want to know more about them. Presented by Jim Van Gelder, seasoned birder and OCAS Field Trip Committee chair, will cover basics of bird identification along with suggestions for equipment and good local birding spots.

Bird Houses and More: How to Be a Bird Friendly Neighbor

Thurs, March 7, 2019 at 6:30-7:45pm
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, New York 10990
Click here for Directions

What are the best ways to attract and benefit birds? This multimedia program featuring images, sounds and video of local backyard bird species will help us all become more Bird Friendly at home. Discover the best choices for bird feeders and seed, native plants, water features and bird houses to improve backyard bird habitat. Our speaker is Anne Swaim, Executive Director, Saw Mill River Audubon.

Winter Bird Identification

Wed, Dec 5, 2018 at 6:30-7:45pm
Newburgh Free Library
124 Grand St, Newburgh, New York 12550
Click here for Directions

Come learn about the birds local to our area in the winter months as well as information about how to become involved in the various citizen science bird counts.

Turtle Conservation: Easy Things You Can Do to Help

Wed, Oct 3 at 6:30pm – 7:45pm
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Dr, Warwick, New York 10990
Click here for Directions

Come meet Patricia Johnson from the Center for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and learn the 12 different species of turtle we have in New York and why it is important to preserve our remaining populations. Also learn what a wildlife rehabilitator does and how that contributes to conservation, as well as simple steps everyone can take to preserve these majestic animals. Special guest appearances by the Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation’s educational Turtles.

Click to visit the Turtle Advocate website.

Orange County Audubon Society presentations are held the first Wednesday of the month, September through June at libraries throughout Orange County.