A response to the South....

Norm Saunders (osprey@mtolympus.ari.net)
Wed, 22 Oct 1997 18:52:10 -0500 

Dear Southern Neighbors,

I've read the responses from Jack Leighty, Carol Ghebelian, and Tyler
Bell very carefully and I want to thank all of you for taking the time
to respond so thoughtfully to my question.  I was certainly aware of
the existence of the Southern Maryland Audubon Society, but other than
that I knew very little of how many people, how active the
organization was, etc.  I'm quite impressed by all that I've heard!

If all a Southern Maryland Chapter of MOS could offer is field trips
and meeting opportunities, then I would agree with all of you.  Why on
earth would you want yet another organization when you already have
such an obviously well-organized, active group of folks interested in
both birds and conservation issues?  The problem though is that the
NAS speaks at a National and an International level on conservation
issues and I presume that SMAS speaks at a local level on the same
kinds of topics.

The Maryland Ornithological Society, on the other hand, is rapidly
becoming more involved in issues affecting birds and birding
throughout the State.  As an organization we are taking an
increasingly proactive role in initiatives such as MD Partners in
Flight, the ABC's Important Bird Areas Program, the Maryland Coalition
for Teaming With Wildlife, and the Environmental Fund for Maryland. 
Our members and Chapters also get involved with numerous issues at a
local level, such as the Belt Woods preservation efforts and the
recent work to restore the C&O Canal towpath.  I understand that the
SMAS is involved in many these same issues too, so don't get me wrong.
 The point is, the MOS is being called on increasingly to speak to
bird conservation issues for the State as a whole.  If there were a
Southern Maryland Chapter of MOS, you would be better able to
participate in helping shape the direction MOS goes in the coming
decade through participation in State-level board meetings and perhaps
even having members of your chapter elected to higher office in the
State organization. 

Other Counties in Maryland, such as Carroll, Howard, Talbot,
Prince-George's, and Montgomery, have successful MOS Chapters
coexisting with successful Audubon organizations.  Why is that?  I
think the people who just want to bird will turn to the MOS Chapter as
the obvious organization to join.  People who are concerned with the
broad gamut of environmental threats facing us each and every day in
Maryland turn naturally to the Audubon organizations.  Then there is
the group who wish to become involved in depth in bird issues.  These
too will turn more naturally to the MOS Chapter.  I suppose what I'm
saying is that it would seem there's room for both types of
organizations in any given area.  Some people will join one or the
other organization, while many will choose to join both.

For some of us, paying dues in all these organizations becomes a
financial burden after awhile and I'm the first to appreciate that
reality.  Then there's the issue of personal time.  Most all of us
have to work for a living and we have only so much free time to divide
up among family, friends, and recreational pursuits.  Nonetheless, I
belong to both the MOS and the ANS (and I work too.grin) and I know a
lot of others who do the same and who seem able to make both
organizations a viable part of their lives.

Clearly, the prospect of a Southern Maryland Chapter would be of
benefit to the overall MOS organization.  We would broaden our
membership base somewhat, always a desirable thing these days.  We
could say that we now truly speak for all areas of the State on bird
issues (we say that anyway, but it would be a lot more true if we had
a Chapter in Southern Maryland--smile).  We would have the benefit of
your obvious skills at keeping a large organization viable over an
extended period of time and also the unique perspectives folks from
your part of Maryland could bring to our deliberations.  Finally, we
would build better connections among the Maryland birding community.

Now, having said all that, let's get down to the important stuff! 
Birding!  When Fran and I heard that MOS was planning the 1999 Annual
Meeting for Solomon's, we looked at our county lists and realized that
we had been just as guilty as a lot of others in not coming into
Southern Maryland to bird.  We came down for a quick pass-through of
Charles and Calvert Counties in June and then we spent an extended 4th
of July weekend birding in St. Mary's and Calvert Counties as well. 
This fall and winter we plan to be back, to build up our waterfowl
lists.  I agree with all of the sentiments expressed here about
birding in Southern Maryland---you have many wonderful birding
opportunities and almost no word of any of these great opportunities
seems to leak out.  No fair!!!  You've been hoarding all these great
bird sites!

Now is your chance to atone though..smile.  Fran and I are planning to
be in Solomons over the three days following Thanksgiving and we would
love to get an idea from you folks on the spot, as it were, how you
bird three different areas: Flag Ponds, Point Lookout and
surroundings, and Allens Fresh.  Any of you prepared to make us true
believers???

Best regards,
Norm Saunders

=============

Norm Saunders
  Vice-President, MD Ornithological Society
  Editor, The Maryland Yellowthroat
  Sysop, The Osprey's Nest (301-989-9036)
  Colesville, MD
  osprey@ari.net