Welcome to the “From the Board”

“From the Board” column is replacing “From Our President” and will feature project reports and musings from various Board members throughout the year.

Community matters. For our annual Christmas Bird Count, a gaggle of bird enthusiasts spread throughout local communities to count birds. I look forward to reading about the results in this issue of The Quail. Community science delivers a valuable contribution to our understanding of bird populations. As Janet Ng, a wildlife biologist, said, “If you’re one person doing a bird count in one location, it’s almost anecdotal. That’s your story of what you’ve seen. And there could be a rainy day, a windy day, a cold day. But take everything that you see over the years and then compile it with everybody else’s data, that’s what tells the big story.”

In this New Year, I am personally grateful to be a part of the Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance community. It’s a fun and caring group of nature lovers. (How can you not like people who like birds?) We connect people with nature through bird outings, presentations, festivals, and events. We provide educational programs for children and adults. We help community members create habitat for birds and pollinators. We represent our members by advocating for conservation issues. We empower people to create bird-friendly communities and live in a healthier environment.

We have dedicated volunteers who contribute to the solid work that we do. Together we will help tell a bigger and better story for birds, wildlife, and their habitats. Please join our community.

With all that in mind, we are delighted to welcome two new members to our Board. Thank you to Marcus and Hannah for joining us.

Marcus VejarBy Marcus Vejar

I grew up in Southern California, and came to Eugene in 2016 to study law at the University of Oregon. I now work for Lane County as an attorney, primarily doing work in healthcare where I find fulfillment in public service at the local level.

I have loved animals since I was young and now have many pets at home including a dog, cats, guinea pigs, and ferrets. Although I am new to the world of birding, I have always wanted to help promote conservation in my local community and support education focused on ecology.

While an interest in ecology brought me to the organization, I am excited to be part of a non-profit that aims to bring members of the local community together to enjoy the nature we share. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, nature walks, and rock climbing. When not outside, you can find me enjoying live music, playing board games, and trying new restaurants. Despite my busy schedule, I look forward to traveling and getting the opportunity to experience natural settings all over the world.

Hannah EnglishBy Hannah English

I grew up about 40 minutes west of the Atlantic Ocean underneath a canopy of loblolly pines and sprawling sycamores. Every morning the Bobwhites greeted us while we waited for the bus; each night we were serenaded to sleep with cricket-song. But though I spent the bulk of my childhood outdoors, I never heard the word “conservation” until college. I took a botany course and was enthralled!

For the next six years, I steadily travelled west, working seasonal jobs in all sorts of different places. Eventually, I settled in Eugene and started growing native plants at Friends of Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah. We grow mainly for seeds. It’s been a perfect balance for me: a third-generation farmer who wants to save the environment.

I discovered the Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance through Habitat Haven. Admittedly, I am no ornithologist; I’m a plant nerd through and through. But I see the connections between native plants and the avian world—I’ve studied these connections in Nebraska, Colorado, and the Oregon Coast! In order to help the native bird population, we must support the native plant population. I hope to assist in bringing that message to our neighbors here in Lane County using the multiple tools we have at our disposal.

Additionally, I hope to assist in bringing new members to the Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance. My daytime job supports college interns who are pursuing environmental science degrees, and I have met a surprising number of young birders who are eager to learn more! My goal is to connect many enthusiastic young naturalists with folks who have been involved in this community for a long time. Information sharing, and the welcoming of all individuals, is something I hold in high value.

Thank you for welcoming me as your newest board member! I’m looking forward to seeing where this will lead and can’t wait to watch the organization grow.