Field Trip Coordinator Needed

By Doug Stuckey

IRAS needs a field trip chairperson who will set up the field trips for Nov. 20 through the end of May 2003. The person who does this only has to make the arrangements for a leader who can take people where they want to go; the Chairperson does not have to go on the trips unless they want to.

We also need trip leaders to do field trips. Our Society tries to do 30+ trips each year; that means we need 30 people to lead them. This is an opportunity for everyone in IRAS to participate. You do not have to be an expert on birds to lead a trip, but you should know the area well that you are taking folks to.

Trips are normally 3–4 hours but can be longer if necessary. They can start at 7:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m., that is up to you. There are probably a lot of good places we do not know of, so if you have access to a special area, and are willing to show it to us, we would appreciate it.

Our past leaders are getting older, some have health problems or are otherwise no longer available to us. Some trips may only have two or three people show up–that can be an opportunity to get to know them well or a chance to encourage them to be the next Johnny Johnson or Allan Cruickshank–who knows? We all start somewhere.

The point is this: we need people willing to give up four to five hours of their time one or two times a year to help others learn something about birds and conservation. Most people learn by doing and we are going to be doing less if more of our members do not get involved. Please help. We all try to encourage each other and this is a great way to do it. Volunteer to lead a field trip today. Call Doug at (321) 267-2576. Thanks!