On September 19th at 1:00pm at the Savannah Ogeechee Canal under the pavilion Ogeechee Audubon Society will have an in-person public meeting. It will be different than what we are used to.

First, it is on a Saturday during the day and outside under a pavilion! Secondly, there are some rules to follow to insure everyone’s health and safety. All are required to wear masks during the entire meeting. Everyone is asked to bring a chair and sit at least 6 feet apart. Please bring bug spray since we are outside. The number of participants will be limited to 25 attendees. You must sign up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com by September 14th .

1. Voting for our officers will take place at this meeting.

2. The presentation will be “The Accidental Birder in Kenya” by Leslie Weichsel.

3. In addition, after the presentation, we plan to have bird walks at the canal. We will have small socially distanced groups go out.

Please when you sign up for the meeting – indicate if you are interested in a bird walk since we need to have enough leaders. It has been a long while since we have met and I am hopeful that we can pull this off safely with your cooperation.

In the event of rain – we will cancel – if you are unsure check our website or FB page that morning for information.

Also, if the number of new cases of COVID go up in Chatham county and there is a high positivity rate, we will cancel as well. Our primary goal is to keep everyone safe.

In the event you sign up but are unable to come please let us know ASAP so someone from the wait-list can attend.

Ogeechee Audubon is continuing in Flockdown mode at least through the summer months. With both the temperature and coronavirus cases heating up in Georgia, it is not a good time to venture out for bird walks or field trips together. This all could make us angry birds but we will mask up and go out when we can alone or with a few friends (socially distanced) and watch our feathered friends. Soon enough we will be able to flock together with our Ogeechee Audubon Birdwatching friends.

As you are aware, we did not have our public meeting in June and at this time, we have decided to have a Zoom Program for our membership for the September “public” meeting. This way we can gather virtually to safely enjoy a PowerPoint Program on birds in Kenya presented by Leslie. You all will be hearing more about how you can join the program as the time draws closer to the meeting date in September.

We miss you all and look forward to seeing you all at least virtually in September.

Our April meeting was the time designated in the By Laws for our Annual Meeting and the election of officers. We postponed the Annual Meeting until the next meeting of the membership which will be determined based on the timeline dictated by the virus. Our By Laws do not specifically address a pandemic situation so we believe since our activities are suspended, at the first opportunity when we can safely reconvene and resume our activities, we will have the Annual meeting and hold the elections. In the meantime, the present officers have agreed to continue to serve.

-OAS Board of Directors

Ogeechee Audubon is continuing in Flockdown mode at least through the summer months. Typically, we do not conduct too many field trips in the summer, so this coupled with the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Georgia, we feel it is prudent to not risk anyone’s health and welfare. As you are aware, we did not have our public meeting in June and at this time, we will keep a close eye on the pandemic and make a decision regarding the September public meeting later this summer. We miss you all and we can take comfort in the fact that we will bird together again!

Our April meeting was the time designated in the By Laws for our Annual Meeting and the election of officers. We postponed the Annual Meeting until the next meeting of the membership which will be determined based on the timeline dictated by the virus. Our By Laws do not specifically address a pandemic situation so we believe since our activities are suspended, at the first opportunity when we can safely reconvene and resume our activities, we will have the Annual meeting and hold the elections. In the meantime, the present officers have agreed to continue to serve.

-OAS Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Ogeechee Audubon Society expresses sadness and indignation regarding the recent violence and mistreatment of Black Americans.

We condemn and grieve the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop, Sean Reed, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others.

We are equally concerned and angered by the incident in Central Park involving a fellow birder, Christian Cooper. The weaponization of the color of skin is one sign of the depth of systemic racism in our country. This behavior has no place in Ogeechee Audubon Society nor in our world. We are all called to examine our own hearts and we are called to do and be better for our fellow birders and fellow humans.

Ogeechee Audubon Society celebrates our differences, much like we celebrate the wonderful and rich variety of birds, each having a unique shape, size and color.

All are welcome at Ogeechee Audubon Society regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.

Ogeechee Audubon Society commits to fostering and building a culture of welcome and inclusion, where all are bound together by a mutual love of birds, nature and each other.

May 30, 2020

We hope you are staying safe and perhaps doing a little birding in your backyard or at a safe place where you can social distance (but not from the birds). Ogeechee Audubon Board has decided to continue in Flockdown. We will not have our public meeting in June and at this time, we will still hold off on conducting field trips. The logistics of having these events in light of the CDC guidelines is difficult. In addition, one of our primary concerns is the health and safety of our members. The Board will meet again in July to discuss if, when and how we can safely “reopen”. Please be patient knowing our caution is for your well-being. We will bird together again.

Our April meeting is the time designated in the By Laws for our Annual Meeting and the election of officers. We are postponing the Annual Meeting until the next meeting of the membership which is to be determined based on the timeline dictated by the virus. Our By Laws do not specifically address a pandemic situation so we believe since our activities are suspended, at the first opportunity when we can safely reconvene we will have the Annual meeting and hold the elections. In the meantime, the present officers have agreed to continue to serve.

-OAS Board of Directors

In response to an incident in Central Park’s Ramble that went viral on Twitter, the National Audubon Society issued the following statement: follow this link to read

For additional background, please see this CBS news report

April 30, 2020

First and foremost, I hope that each of you and your loved ones are well and staying safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As I am sure each of you is acutely aware we all continue to struggle with the impact of COVID-19. Each state is beginning to lessen the stay-at-home orders and ease restrictions on businesses. In regard to Ogeechee Audubon Society our mission is to educate about birds and provide opportunities to enjoy the world around us. However, the Board feels it is a bit too soon to feel comfortable resuming any activities at least for the month of May. The Board will reevaluate the situation mid-May as we learn more about social distancing rules and we will update the membership at that time about any plans to resume activities. We miss each of you, the wonderful speakers we have had at our meetings and the opportunities to get out in the fresh air and see our friends and the birds! Your health and safety are paramount. We will bird watch together again, but let’s be safe until that time. Thank you for your membership and patience.

Our April meeting is the time designated in the By Laws for our Annual Meeting and the election of officers. We are postponing the Annual Meeting until the next meeting of the membership which is to be determined based on the timeline dictated by the virus. Our By Laws do not specifically address a pandemic situation so we believe since our activities are suspended, at the first opportunity when we can safely reconvene we will have the Annual meeting and hold the elections. In the meantime, the present officers will continue to serve.

Birds are everywhere so we can continue to birdwatch from our windows at home while we shelter in place. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Be safe!

-OAS Board of Directors

April 5, 2020

As each of you are acutely aware, we as a country and the world as a whole are facing unprecedented times with the COVID -19 Pandemic. Ogeechee Audubon is responding to this crisis by putting the health and welfare of our members as the number one priority in making any decision about any activities of our organization. With that in mind the Board has decided to suspend all Ogeechee Audubon sponsored activities indefinitely. The minute we get an all clear and we feel it is safe to begin meeting again and going out together birdwatching we will be in touch!

March 15, 2020

Hello,

I have asked our Communications Workgroup to get the word out that Ogeechee Audubon is suspending all sponsored events and activities until at least April 11th, 2020, at which time the I will update everyone on our future meetings and activities.