Recreation, Conservation, Education, Backpacking, Hiking,
Canoeing, Kayaking, Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing
Workshops and Programs, September – June
Join us and share the fun !
Next Meeting -- January 11, 2012
7:30 pm Program - Ron Walker: Close Encounters with Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are some of the most remarkable and fascinating creatures in the natural world. Most often we only glimpse hawks swooping from afar, circling overhead, or perching in a distant tree. Owls are even more elusive. An opportunity to see these majestic birds at close range is awesome. The size, strength and beauty of the birds is amazing and mesmerizing. Ron Walker, founder and director of Friends with Feathers, Ltd. has been astounding audiences with these close encounters for over thirty years. His knowledge of raptors and owls is encyclopedic and fascinating!
In the 1980s, Walker, began working with several hawks and owls through the Cummings Nature Center of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. A part-time (weekends -- or any time he wasn't teaching high school!) employee, Walker assisted with the natural history and conservation programs presented at the nature center. By the 1990s the federal and state grants supporting wildlife education programs were drying up. As a result, both the birds and many employees at Cummings had to move on.
Raptors are considered natural resources under state and federal law but the Department of Environmental Conservation and the US Department of the Interior allow private citizens, who meet certain requirements, to retain and care for injured birds. Walker decided to apply for the required federal and state permits enabling him to continue on his own and Friends with Feathers was formed. To support the birds, he started doing outreach programs. All fees and donations are used to house and feed the raptors and owls. Walker's first ambassadors were an injured male barred owl, a female great horned owl, two screech owls and a female red-tailed hawk. Now, he cares for 17 birds, housed in a 140-foot aviary in his back yard in Avon! All the birds have been injured and are not able to return to the wild.
Join Ron Walker and several of his “Friends” for a fascinating evening!
6:30 pm - 7:15 pm Workshop: Presenting for the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club
Are you interested in gaining tips for putting on presentations for GVC-ADK and other outdoor organizations? If so, join Nancy Donny and Deni Charpentier for a chat in which they will offer their insights on presenting for our club. This is a great workshop for folks who are thinking about sharing their outdoor knowledge and experiences with their fellow ADKers.
AnnouncementsVolunteer Opportunities
ADK GVC Snowshoeing Event at Winterfest 2012: Whether you are a first time snowshoer or are a seasoned snowshoer
looking for an opportunity get out, this event is for you. Our Chapter
will be hosting snowshoeing at
Winterfest 2012 on Jan. 15th in Mendon
Ponds Park. The best part is we provide the shoesnows. We'll have
plenty on hand for both adult and kids. Feel free to stop by the Beach
Shelter between 11:00 and 4:00pm. If your interested a bigger opportunity, we're also looking for volunteers to take people out. Please contact us at
trails@gvc-adk.org
Education Chairperson: The Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club is looking for a new Education Chair to serve on the Executive Committee. One of the things the Education Chair does is recruit people to put on workshops at our chapter meetings. Filling this important position is a great way for someone to “give back” to ADK. To find out more about this volunteer opportunity please contact Bruce Tehan at 585-442-7851 or brucetehan@hotmail.com.
Posted August 9, 2011
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