For 2012, our three priorities are:

Reforming Connecticut’s land preservation program;

Reducing bird mortality through a Lights Out program;

Increasing outdoor educational opportunities for Connecticut’s children.

You can read all the details by clicking here.

Our Connecticut State of the Birds 2012 report, which we released in early February, gave the details of our priorities in education. Since then we’ve been fine-tuning the rest of our advocacy agenda.

For 2012, our three priorities are: reforming Connecticut’s land preservation program; reducing bird mortality through a Lights Out program; and increasing outdoor educational opportunities for Connecticut’s children. Here are the details:

1 Reforming the state’s land preservation program.
We will push for passage of a bill that requires the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to identify lands that are the highest priorities for open space acquisition, including wildlife habitat and ecological resources, and the general locations of these highest priorities.

The legislation will also require the DEEP to work with other state agencies to identify state-owned lands that are important for conservation but which are not protected open space, and to plan a strategy for preserving them in perpetuity.

The legislation also broadens the number of stakeholders that the DEEP must consult with when it works on these projects. Added to the list are municipalities and regional planning agencies, in addition to the Council on Environmental Quality and private nonprofit land conservation organizations such as Connecticut Audubon Society.

These revisions to Connecticut’s open space acquisition process are among many that we have enumerated over the years in our Connecticut State of the Birds reports. This year’s legislation was drafted by the Council on Environmental Quality and is supported by other conservation organizations as well.

The proposed legislation is important, we believe, because it will help focus the state’s land acquisition program as we move toward the goal of preserving 21 percent of the land in Connecticut by 2023. As things stand now, state officials know how much land has been preserved but they do not have a good idea of what kinds of lands have been preserved — whether it be conservation land, farmland, recreation land, etc.

The proposed legislation also is important because it will require the DEEP to make careful judgments about what kinds of lands should be preserved and to identify in general where those lands are located, so they can be viewed in the larger landscape context that is essential to serious conservation.

In addition, we know that state agencies other than the DEEP own large tracts of land, some of which have habitats that are rare or play an important role in a larger mosaic of habitats. This legislation will require the DEEP to work with its sister agencies to find and evaluate those lands. Because they are already state-owned, it would be a relatively-easy next step to protect them with conservation easements so they remain preserved forever.

2. Reducing Bird Mortality Through a Lights Out Program.
Connecticut Audubon Society will work with municipalities and landlords in the state on a voluntary “Lights Out” program to reduce the vast number of migratory birds that get killed when they fly into lighted buildings at night.

Across North America, the estimated number of migrating birds killed annually in collisions with buildings ranges from 100 million to 1 billion. In cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, building owners, conservation groups and local governments are working together to reduce this mortality by taking the simple step of turning out lights at night.

We will work to get a similar program underway in one or more Connecticut communities, and will plan to expand the program over the years.

3. Increasing Outdoor Educational Opportunities for Connecticut’s Children.
Based on the findings of our Connecticut State of the Birds 2012 report, “Where is the Next Generation of Conservationists Coming From,” we are calling for a renewed emphasis on environmental education for our children, in school and out of school, and are increasing our own education efforts.

The goal is to help create a deeper, long-term commitment to conservation, as well as contribute to the health and academic success of our state’s children. To do ourpart, CAS has hired a new statewide director of education, Michelle Eckman, who will focus on developing oureducation programs into a lifelong educational experience, with a goal of working with all of Connecticut’s school districts.

To engage the public in this topic, we are organizing round-table discussions this spring at four of our centers (in Glastonbury on March 14, Fairfield on April 12, Milford Point on May 3, and Pomfret on May 10), featuring a panel of local experts including educators, parents, students and other stakeholders.

Those are Connecticut Audubon Society three highest priorities. But there are other proposals and initiatives we will be following.

Connecticut Audubon Society will work, for example, for passage of a law that increases the penalties for poaching wildlife on private property, including land protected for conservation purposes. We’ve had a problem with this on some of our sanctuaries and we hope this will help solve the problem. CAS would also support passage of a law that allows bow hunting on Sundays on private property with the landowner’s permission as a way to help control the deer population that has damaged the state’s woodland ecosystem.

Connecticut Audubon Society will work with partner organizations to fight a rollback of a 2010 pesticide law that bans the use of “cosmetic” lawn pesticides by day care centers, nursery schools and K-8 schools. The ban is important for the health of our children but also has implications for our bird populations.

Connecticut Audubon will oppose attempts by the General Assembly to take money in the Community Investment Act that is intended for land conservation, farmland protection, historic preservation and affordable housing, and use it for other purposes.

Connecticut Audubon will continue to work for passage of the Community Preservation Fund, which would give communities the chance to ask local voters if they want to create a dedicated source of funds for open space acquisition.

February 21—24 from 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.

 Winter Break Lunch Bunch

For children in pre-K and grades K-3

February 21-24 from 12:30 p.m.—2 p.m.

We put on jackets, hats and mittens, but have you ever wondered how plants and animals survive all winter long? Explore the natural world of winter here at Connecticut Audubon Society’s Wildlife sanctuary. Find out who is sleeping and who is wide awake. This exciting and unique program includes live animals, craft-making and outdoor investigations. Winter attire required.

Single day fee: $36 CAS members; $48 Non-members. Four day series: $120 CAS members; $168 Non-members. Lunch Bunch: $10 per day.

Calling all feathered friends! This three part workshop is a birdfeeder bonanza! Each week you’ll make a different birdfeeder using recyclable materials that you can find around your house or in your yard. And you’ll learn what seed to put in each feeder and which birds will visit each.

Program fee is $4 per session or $10 for the series for Members and $6 per session or $12 for the series for nonmembers. To register call 259-6305 ext. 109.

6:30- 9:30p.m.

On Thursday, February 16 for one special evening the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield will be transformed into an Adirondack Lodge from 6:30 – 9:30p.m..  Adirondack Night will be a wonderfully casual and fun-filled evening certain to shake off the winter blues.  Guests will enjoy an evening of live music, hors d’oeuvres, Connecticut Audubon Society’s famous chili, delectable desserts and cocktails.  Staff naturalists will be on hand to give guests an up-close and personal view of several birds of prey. 

Tickets for this exciting evening are $45 per person.  For tickets to this event or further information call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.

Children ages 2-4 years accompanied by an actively participating adult.

Wednesdays, 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.

January 4, 11, 18, 25 February 1, 8, 15

Curious Mind’s Wanted! Willing to sing songs and dance like a snow flake?  Ready to tromp in the snow looking for animal tracks? Able to wield a crayon and paintbrush with reckless abandon?  If this sounds like your child …..Nature Nursery is waiting!!!

 Class size limited. Advance registration required. Program fee includes on child and one adult. Single program fee: $12 CAS Members; $16 Nonmembers.  7-program series fee: $77 CAS Members; $105 Nonmembers.  For more information or to register call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.

Wednesdays 10-11 am.  Wees (ages 3-5).  Members $10 per class/$28 per monthly session, Non-members $13 per class.
Call to pre-register: 860-633-8402.

February
Feb. 15: WINTER SNAKES – Have you seen snakes slithering around in the snow?  No?  Where have they gone?  Visit with our center’s snakes to learn about how they get around.
Feb. 22: STORY BOOK – It’s fun to make a book that tells a story.  We’ll use pictures and your drawings to help you put together your own story book.  What will you put in it?
Feb. 29: CRITTER ROAD SHOW – Come and visit with many of the animals from the center.  Children will pick six animals that they would like to have a close-up encounter with.

March
March 14: ICE AND SNOW – With winter almost over, the snow and ice will be melting.  It changes into something else.  Where will all the snow and ice go?
March 21: SPRING! – There is more light during the day now.  What changes can be seen in the park? Are the spring flowers coming up? Who is at the pond?
March 28: TREES, TWIGS and STICKS – Bring a bag or small basket to collect twigs and sticks.  Look at the buds and flowers on the trees.  The birds are coming back to visit their favorite trees.