The Valley Harrier (Page 1)

THE VALLEY HARRIER

Newsletter of the

ARKANSAS VALLEY

AUDUBON SOCIETY

(Colorado)

Volume XXVIII Issue 6

October, 2002

Page 1 2 3 4 5

Table of Contents

President’s Message

TRAILS AND WILDLIFE

by SeEtta Moss

You will see that the program for our October meeting, which is the annual meeting we hold in Cañon City, is about wildlife viewing trails in the local area. This will be a preview of the local portion of the Colorado Wildlife Trail that is in the process of development at this time. I am quite excited about this project and want to share this with AVAS members.

I believe that the Colorado Wildlife Trail will provide more opportunities for AVAS members, as well as others interested persons, to connect with nature through the viewing of birds and other wildlife. Not only will local trails be identified, but you will easily be able to find wildlife viewing trails in other areas where you may travel in Colorado.

The focus of these trails will be on casual birders and those who have some interest but have not yet had the opportunity to participate in wildlife viewing. So the trails will provide a needed portal for those who are not interested, at least not yet, in more active birding such as we offer on our field trips. Additionally, this project will attempt to make a connection between wildlife and a positive economic impact in the local towns where these trails are located, hopefully demonstrating that wildlife and wildlife habitat are valuable resources that need to be sustained.

I will keep you informed about the progress of the Colorado Wildlife Trail in coming months. If you can, come to the Cañon City program meeting to learn more and find out what trails in our area are being proposed for inclusion. You could learn about a neat new area you will want to visit.

October program

THE COLORADO WILDLIFE TRAIL

The October program meeting will be held on Friday, October 11, at the Golden Age Center in Cañon City. This program will include a slide show that features photos of local areas where wildlife can be observed. Also included will be slides of some of the mammals, birds and butterflies that can be viewed locally.

Most of these areas are also quite scenic and provide a variety of outdoor experiences from easy walks to more strenuous hikes, from right in the heart of Cañon City to short distances away in the foothills, from a quick lunch break to a day long family outing. This program will provide a preview of the local portion of the Colorado Wildlife Trail, which is in the process of development that will identify good sites around the state where wildlife can be observed.

This is the one time each year that we hold our monthly program meeting in Cañon City. This year’s program will be presented by Cañon City resident, SeEtta Moss. SeEtta, who is the President of AVAS, is an avid bird and wildlife watcher.

The Golden Age Center is located at 728 Main Street in historic downtown Cañon City. From Highway 50, turn north on 7th Street and go one block to Main Street. Turn right (east) on Main Street and you will find the Golden Age Center on the south side (right side) of the street. Come around 7:00 p.m. for our social hour and the program will start at 7:30.