The Board discussed the efforts by the Conservation Committee to oppose a Thurston county rezone of a Beaver Creek area property to allow a mega-warehouse. The Board of County Commissioners decided to place the rezone request on the docket but at the bottom of the list. This will provide time for county staff to study the proposal and its likely consequences.
With the increase of people receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, there was discussion on when to start in-person field trips again and under what conditions. The conditions for future field trips were agreed upon and include a limit of the number of participants, the use of masks, social distancing, and a prohibition on carpooling with non-family members. The decision on when to resume trips will be discussed again at the May Board meeting.
It was decided that BHAS will not take over the responsibilities of the MAPS Bird Banding Program at Glacial Heritage Preserve from the Center of Natural Lands Management. However, BHAS will once again provide two scholarships for this summer’s training.
The Avian Science Coordinator was approached by Veterans’ Ecological Trades Collective to conduct a bird survey on their property near Millersylvania State Park. There are two dates set up for this effort.
The Education Committee has purchased a professionally produced music video that combines music composition and bird flight. The Committee will make it available for classrooms and other organizations to promote environmental awareness.
Our speaker programs have been very well attended during the time they have been available on Zoom. The Board is hopeful that when our programs are once again held in person that we can live stream them as well.
