The Board was updated on the efforts to protect Horseshoe Crabs, on NAS' National Wildlife Refuge Campaign, and on Alaska's Refuges. After a presentation on bird mortality associated with communication towers, the Committee requested recommendations and a possible resolution on the issue for the next meeting. The National Audubon Society Science Committee used its visit to Alaska to focus on Alaskan issues. Effective early July, Stan Senner became the director of the State Office, John Schoen became its chief scientist, David Cline will work with the office on a consultant basis, and Bucky Dennerlein will be the office manager. This makes for an unbelievably powerful office ideally positioned to address the needs of conservation issues in Alaska.
Science is the foundation for addressing conservation issues in Alaska.
The Alaska State Office is working to have a critically threatened Beluga Whale population in the Cook Inlet ecosystem listed and recognized as threatened, and to participate in developing a management and planning strategy that will assure the long-term survival of the Kenai Brown Bears. Other issues presented included Alaska's IBA potential, and the importance of the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska for international cooperation on seabird and marine-life issues. George Matz of Anchorage Audubon Society made a presentation on Black-capped Chickadees and deformities now being noted in their bills as an example of a toxic impact in the environment. The Science Committee asked NAS Vice-President for Science Frank Gill to make an initial report on Toxics in the Environment at the September meeting, with a full report and recommendations at the December meeting. Bear Mountain, NY NAS members are welcome at all Board of Directors meetings.