About CCAS
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The
Champaign County Audubon Society (CCAS) began as a bird watching club
in 1940 and became affiliated with the National Audubon Society in
1945. Today the group includes more than 500 members.
Our emphasis mirrors that of the national society, which includes
conservation of all natural resources. Our mission is to promote interest,
enjoyment and understanding through education about all aspects of
our natural environment, and to actively encourage the protection
of wildlife and the preservation and restoration of native habitat.
Membership in CCAS means being part of a thriving local group that
is actively involved in
the study, enjoyment, and conservation of our native habitats.
We welcome your membership and invite your active participation!
CCAS
brochure. Download and print
to promote our chapter!
CCAS
Activities
Meadowlark Messenger:
The CCAS newsletter is published eight times per year.
Website and Birdnotes email list:
These provide information about upcoming events, announcements, &
bird sightings.
Monthly programs:
These programs feature conservation and natural history topics, and
are held the first Thursday of the month at 7pm, Sept–Dec &
Feb–May.
Sunday Morning Bird Walks:
Birders of all levels and ages are welcome to these walks held March–May
& Sept–Oct. The Chapter has led these walks in Urbana’s
Busey Woods since 1942.
Field Trips:
Field trips are offered throughout the year. Members often carpool.
Bird Counts:
CCAS members participate in several bird counts each year.
Support
CCAS
Spring Bird-a-Thon:
Members obtain pledges from friends and neighbors, and try to see
as many bird species as possible in one day. Funds are used for environmental
projects.
Birdseed Sale:
A portion of the proceeds from our anual fall birdseed sale goes to
support CCAS.
Audubon Nature Shop:
Located at the Anita Purves Nature Center in Urbana, this not-for-profit
shop offers nature-related merchandise. CCAS members get a 10% discount.
Proceeds support conservation and environmental education.
Education:
Members are invited to donate toward the Mini-grant and Audubon Adventures
projects.
Special
Projects
Habitats & Monitoring:
CCAS ‘adopts’ natural areas to support conservation efforts.
These include: Meadowbrook Park in Urbana (adopted 1978), and the
proposed CSX rail line trail (adopted 2008).
Dr. S. Charles Kendeigh Memorial Fund:
An ornithologist of international stature, Dr. Kendeigh was one of
our founding members. CCAS provides grants for birdrelated research
in his name.
Audubon Adventures:
These educational kits for elementary classrooms are offered each
fall. The materials are developed by the National Audubon Society.
Mini-grants:
Mini-grants are available each year to educators in Champaign County.
Committees
Our members play an important role by volunteering their time in these
committees:
Field Trip: Organizes field trips to exceptional birding locations.
Education and Program Committees: Plan programs for all ages and support
educational efforts.
Habitat: Works to protect native habitats.
Conservation: Monitors legislative and administrative actions that
affect the environment.
Newsletter and Publicity Committees:
Handle the CCAS newsletter and other CCAS publicity.
Membership, Finance, and Hospitality Committees: Handle all those
little, but essential, details.
Photos courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
©2010 Champaign County (Illinois) Audubon Society • A chapter
of the National Audubon Society