- About Us
- Organization
- Volunteer
- Membership
Palomar Audubon Chapter was founded in 1994 and is part of the nearly 500 nationwide chapter network of the National Audubon Society. We are incorporated in the state of California as a Domestic Nonprofit. We bring a local focus to Audubon’s mission, “To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity”.
We have formed alliances and support the following organizations:
- The Wildlife Research Institute
- The Escondido Creek Conservancy
- The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
- Friends of Wilderness Garden
- Friends of Palomar State Park
- Friends of Whalen Lake
Our Accomplishments
Through the efforts of our members, two magnificent local natural sites have been internationally recognized as Globally Important Bird Areas - Lake Hodges and The Santa Margarita River Valley. In addition, Lake Hodges was listed as a key bird watching site by the National Geographic Society in a guide to such locations in the west. This recognition brought public attention on the need to preserve both these critical habitats.
Palomar Audubon has supported the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and the Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP) plans since their inception. The implementation of these plans has preserved vast areas of coastal sage scrub. In fact, California Gnatcatchers thrive and will certainly continue to maintain a large population in the well over 2,000 acres of coastal sage scrub surrounding Lake Hodges.
Palomar Audubon was actively engaged in efforts to acquire and preserve strategically important areas of natural open space in Inland North San Diego County. One such area that was the center of our attention was Boden Canyon. Palomar Audubon was a leader in the battle to save and preserve Boden Canyon. The last of this 2,058 acre natural area just east of the San Pasqual Valley was purchased by the State and is now an Ecological Reserve managed by the California Department of Fish & Game.
During 2002 we participated in two crucial land acquisitions in the Lake Hodges area. The 292-acre parcel on the northeast slope of Bernardo Mountain was acquired and is now an integral part of the San Dieguito River Park. The 345-acre Montreux Derbas property will become a County Park linking the Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve with the Olivenhain Reservoir. Palomar Audubon battled with the City of Escondido for almost 10 years over the use of this property. Twice the Escondido Planning Department, Planning Commission, and City Council had approved residential developments there, so it was especially gratifying that 'Mr. Derbas finally sold the property to the County, clearing the way for its inclusion in the County Open Space Park System.
For years Dick Barber, a Palomar Audubon member, served on the Coalition of Environmental Organizations, which includes every influential environmental group in this area. The Coalition met monthly to share information and to plan and organize collective action. They coordinate closely with the Endangered Habitats League and are represented at all of their regional meetings. One partnership during Dick’s tenure was with the National Audubon's Heritage Forest on a campaign to save what remains of old growth forests in local Cleveland National Forest as well as in other national forests throughout the state.
Many of our members were deeply involved in the five-year major scientific effort sponsored by the San Diego Natural History Museum to compile an atlas of the birds of all of San Diego County.
Our education program reached schools throughout San Diego County, presenting photographs and vocalizations of local birds and information about the habitat in which they live and the importance of protecting that habitat. We reached over 1,500 students per year. Teachers and students both learn from and enjoy this exciting and unique presentation accompanied by stuffed birds, nests, and teaching handouts for the students.
Palomar Audubon now turns its attention to the more than 5,000 acre Ramona Grasslands by supporting the Wildlife Research Institute in its work in habitat protection for raptors, and Golden Eagles in particular. Our organization through our members is actively engaged in hands-on efforts working with The Escondido Creek Conservancy, the Daley Ranch, and the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. Our focus remains on local areas as they are paramount to the quality of life for birds and habitats and the citizens in northern San Diego County.
Our Activities
Our weekly field trips - to which you are sincerely invited - are very well attended and include outings to great locations in San Diego County. Farther ranging trips throughout the Southern California area are also on our excursion calendar as is an occasional out-of-the country adventure.
Our monthly meetings always involve an interesting speaker while providing an opportunity to meet others with similar interests. Bird identification and awareness is a regular meeting feature.
We sponsor the annual Escondido Christmas Bird Count (and feed lunch to the many participants).
Our annual picnic in June is a member favorite with good food and many activities.
We have a commitment to encourage young birders and foster a life long interest in birds. We search for and sponsor candidates to national bird watching camps by means of a youth scholarship.
Our newsletter, Band Tales, continues to receive accolades. We maintain a regularly updated and vital web site as well as bird alert and conservation action E-mail networks. We maintain and provide informational displays at the kiosk in Kit Carson Park. A checklist of the San Diego County birds is available.
We provide the Elfin Forest Visitor Center with mounted birds for the enjoyment and education of their visitors. Our members participate in the docent programs at Elfin Forest, Daley Ranch, and Torrey Pines State Park.
We present programs to local adult groups, reaching out to Senior organizations and other community groups who want to learn more about local birds and how to accommodate their feeding and habitat needs. We participate with informational booths at appropriate events in the area.
Our Invitation
We service the North Inland San Diego County area as defined by the following zip codes: 95025-27, 92029-30, 92033, 92059-61, 92064-65, 92070, 92074, 92082, 92127-28, 92531, 92562-64, 92584, 92587, and 92595. Even if you live outside this area, you are welcome to join us as a “Chapter Only Member”. You are invited to participate in our bird walks and programs. You are welcome on our bird walks, even if you are new to bird watching.
We invite you to join our membership in accomplishing our mission and to enjoy the birds and other wildlife in our local area with us.
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We need your help to keep Palomar Audubon a vital group. If you can spare as little as an hour a month, you can contribute significantly to the success of our chapter's goals of education, conservation, and community outreach.
No experience necessary! For any of these positions, we will provide training, guidance, and assistance as needed.
Here is a list of the volunteer positions available at PAS. If you are interested in any of them, contact us at palomaraudubon@gmail.com
| Programs Chairperson | Palomar Audubon needs a volunteer to coordinate speakers for our monthly programs. These speakers can be members of Palomar or from the local community. Topics include birds, bird watching trips, bird photography, or conservation. Duties include finding speakers, scheduling them, writing a short article for Band Tales of upcoming programs, introducing the speaker at the program, and bringing Palomar’s laptop and projector to the programs as needed. |
| Docents for Elfin Forest Nature Center | As part of our partnership with The Escondido Creek Conservancy, we are encouraging our members to volunteer for their docent program. For further information and to apply please click here. |
Chapter-only MembershipUnder National Audubon Society policy, chapters may establish the category of Chapter-only Member. Palomar Audubon Society Bylaws include this category along with the National Member category. Current members and new members may choose either category. Members of other Audubon Chapters may join Palomar Audubon Society as Chapter-only Members while maintaining membership in their current chapters. Chapter-only Members may participate in all chapter activities and may serve on the Board of Directors and as officers in the chapter. They will receive our bi-monthly newsletter Band Tales and may be as active as they wish. Chapter-only individual membership dues are $20.00 a year and family memberships are $25.00 a year. All moneys collected from this source will be retained by the chapter to support local projects and chapter activities. For additional information, please contact Vicki Ebright at 858-484-3932. Select the form below to download a PDF application form for anyone interested in establishing Chapter-only membership in Palomar Audubon Society. |
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