THE WOODPECKER POST

NEWSLETTER OF THE
COLUMBIA AUDUBON SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 5923 COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29250
April, 2004

April and May Field Trips

For all field trips we suggest you bring binoculars, field guide, rain gear, water, food, and insect repellent (if you have
them). Non-members and novices are always welcome. The Columbia Audubon Society is a chapter of the National
Audubon Society. The Columbia Audubon Society assumes no responsibilities for injuries, personal or otherwise, that
may occur while attending Society-sponsored events and will not be held liable for any such injuries. Attend at your
own risk. For more information, please call a Board Member whose numbers are listed on the last page.

Wednesday Warblers Before Work! Columbia City Parks—Riverfront Park

7:00 AM, Wednesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 and May 5

The early bird gets much more than the proverbial worm! This walk series is for all
bird enthusiasts; beginners are encouraged to attend. Members of Columbia Audubon
Society will join us at one of our city’s best green spaces. We’ll see both migratory and
resident birds. Bring binoculars, and wear comfy walking shoes. The walk will be short
because of construction on the trail.

Meet by the pedestrian bridge at 7:00 AM.

Birding the Sumter National Forest Migratory Corridor—Union County

7:30 AM, Saturday, April 17

The Union County Development Board has asked for a feasibility study for
construction of a dam that will create a 5,300 acre lake on the Tyger River south of
Union. The proposed lake will be in Sumter National Forest, and will be built primarily
as an economic development measure, but also for water supply.

The land to be flooded has extensive stands of mature mixed hardwood forest
on bottomlands and hill slopes. This field trip will take us through the area to look for
spring migrants and generally enjoy the season in this interesting Piedmont habitat.

Be sure your footwear can handle occasional muddy spots. Some of the
walking will be off the trail, so it will get a little rough. The inconvenience should be
rewarded with the opportunity to view spring wildflowers and birds.

Meet: 7:30 AM at the Lowes on Harbison Blvd, or 8:30 AM near the gate of Rose Hill
State Park. Leaders will be Steve C. Dennis, Ron Newton and Dan Tufford.
Please bring a lunch or snacks and something to drink; we will be miles from any-
where. Here is the URL with a slide show about the proposed lake:
http://www.unioncountydevelopment.com/lakepp.htm
 Columbia City Park Spring Events

MIGRATORY BIRD CELEBRATION - Riverfront Park

Saturday, April 24

Early birders meet at 7 a.m. by the pedestrian bridge over the canal. Coffee and munchies will be
served at 9:00 AM, with a second, not-so-early-bird walk departing around 9:30. Members of the
Columbia Audubon Society will be on hand; beginning and experienced birders are invited to join us.
Bring binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes. We will not be able to go far because of con-
struction on the trail, and we may go as a group to another location for the second walk.

PADDLE THE SALUDA RIVER - CANOEING FOR KIDS ANNUAL FUND-RAISER

Saturday, May 8

If you’ve always wanted to see the river, this is your best opportunity! This family friendly trip is
great fun for all ages. You’ll get a tee shirt, some great food, expert guides and the satisfaction of help-
ing one of the Midland’s best non-profit organizations. Call 791-1727 for details.

BIRDS and LILIES on the RIVER

Saturday, May ?, 4:00 p.m.

Come see our city’s most beautiful spot: the confluence of the Saluda and Broad rivers! This
guided twilight canoe/kayak trip will depart from Riverbanks Zoo, and include a section of whitewater.
Paddlers will see Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies, and an abundance of birds, especially herons and osprey,
maybe a Bald Eagle. Dress to get wet. Meet at 4:00 p.m. across from EdVenture and the State Mu-
seum on Gervais St. We reserve the right to cancel the trip or use rafts if the river runs at unsafe levels.
You must pre-register for this event (call 791-1727 for details and the date). Cost: $25.

Congaree National Park Spring Events

Hiking South Carolina's First National Park

Saturday, April 17

Join us for a day of hiking in South Carolina's first National Park, the Congaree. Located along the
Congaree River in Columbia, this park protects the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland
hardwood forest in the nation. We will learn about the park's rescue from logging from two of its
greatest advocates, Richard Watkins and our own Jane Lareau. This national treasure is a quiet delight
you'll want to return to time and time again. Do not forget to bring your binoculars for bird watching
and pack a lunch. Free. Limit of 25 people.
This hike is co-sponsored by the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League; SCCCL members will
have first priority. For more information, contact Heather Spires at heathers@scccl.org or call
(843) 723-8035 ext 21.

NatureFest Planned for Congaree National Park

April 23- 25, 2004

Meet some of South Carolinas leading naturalists and attend their programs at Congaree National
Parks 8th annual NatureFest, a celebration of the unique natural history of Congaree and National Park
Week. Nature walks, presentations, canoe trips, and children’s programs offer the opportunity for you
to experience your new National Park. Take your family out to this fun and educational event. Bring a
picnic lunch with you. For more information write to: Superintendent, Congaree National Park,
100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061 or call Park Naturalist Fran Rametta. (803) 776-4396 ext.
11, or look at the web page www.nps.gov/cosw.
 President's Message - Dan Tufford
Where does your food come from?

It has been encouraging to see the rise in consumption of organically grown food in
recent years. Supermarkets are devoting more and more space to these items ranging from
fresh produce to coffee. We as consumers and advocates have demonstrated with our
wallets that we want something other than food that is chemically laden and, especially when
imported, that those who grow it make a living wage for their efforts. Food is more than fill
for our stomachs; it is our personal expression of either sustainable or destructive
approaches to environmental and cultural values.

Food is, however, more than just the item itself. Answer this question: Is a carrot grown
organically in California, then shipped to South Carolina for you to eat more environmentally
friendly than one grown with chemicals in South Carolina? Or how about that organic
produce from New Zealand? The issue, of course, is that the extra handling and transporta-
tion (fossil fuel usage, etc.) associated with bringing food from distant places to your table
may offset the environmental benefits of the organic growing method.

So where does your food come from? You may recall the September 2002 issue of
Audubon magazine (http://magazine.audubon.org/features0209/csa.html) that had a feature
article about a food growing and distribution system called Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA). Simply, CSAs are farms that grow a variety of organic crops, then distribute them to
local subscribers. From the consumer perspective it is a way to ensure you receive
products that are both organically and locally grown. From a food advocate’s and educator’s
perspective it is a way to increase awareness of the connections between food and many
other aspects of our interactions with the environment among other things.
WINGED MIGRATION returns to Nickelodeon !
The CSA concept is very successful in many locations around the country but less so in
South Carolina. A few have come and gone over the years, and this year one in the
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 National Audubon Society
Directors & Chairs 2004 Chapter Membership Application
Volunteers are always welcome!!
Yes, I’d like to join.
Please enroll me as a member of the National Audubon
President: Dan Tufford 782-6848
Vice-President: Available! Society and of my local chapter. Please send AUDUBON
Secretary: Marcia Watkins magazine and my membership card to the address below.
Treasurer: Marcia Watkins 779-7570 My check for $20 (introductory rate) is enclosed.
marcia.watkins@gte.net name__________________________________________
Conservation: Ron Newton 739-9190 address________________________________________
theronster@sc.rr.com city___________________________________________
Programs: Available! Please make checks payable to the National Audubon Society
Field Trips: Caroline Eastman 782-8820 Send this application and your check to:
ceastman@sc.rr.com National Audubon Society
Membership: Available! Chapter Membership Data Center
Education: Paula Feldman 787-5818 P.O. Box 51001 Boulder, CO 80322-1001
Publicity: Ross Taylor ---------------------------LOCAL CHAPTER------------------------
Newsletter: Steve C. Dennis 788-1854 Columbia Audubon Society U52
stevecdennis@sc.rr.com P.O. Box 5923 Local Chapter Code
Webmaster: T. Parkin Hunter hunt776@bellsouth.net Columbia, SC 29250 7XCHA

CAS WEBSITE:
www.columbiaaudubon.org CHAPTER MEMBER PHOTOGRAPHS
(or use the link from www.audubon.org)
WANTED

Annual Board of Directors Election
at May Meeting
We will hold our annual election at the beginning
of the May Member Meeting. The slate of candidates
includes Dan Tufford, who has agreed to serve as
President, and Marcia Watkins, Secretary and Treas-
urer. These candidates are unopposed.
All other Board positions are appointed by the
President. There are still positions available. Please
contact President Tufford or any Board Member soon
if you are interested in a position.
SOUTH CAROLINIANS COMMITTED TO CONSERVATION
The new website for Audubon South Carolina
will be up and running soon. The site will help keep
members and the public in touch with Audubon
events and priorities throughout the state. Chapters,
Important Bird Areas and Audubon Centers are only
a few of the topics that will be featured.
The website still needs finishing touches, includ-
ing lots of photos. Photographs of animals, plants,
Chapter events or Chapter field trips are especially
desirable! If you wish to submit a photo for use on
the website, please send a copy to April Stallings at
336 Sanctuary Road, Harleyville, SC 29448 or
e-mail a digital image to astallings@audubon.org.

Columbia, S.C.
PERMIT No. 1371
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29250
P-A-I-D
P.O. BOX 5923
U.S. Postage
Non-Profit Org. COLUMBIA AUDUBON SOCIETY