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The Cedar
Rapids Audubon Society (CRAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon
Society. When you join the National Society, you become a member of
the Cedar Rapids chapter. Your membership includes a subscription to
the Audubon magazine
and
also the chapter newsletter
(Nature Trails). You will also receive mailings of national,
regional, state and local conservation issues and events.
The Cedar Rapids chapter evolved from the former Audubon
Naturalist Society of Cedar Rapids, which in turn had it’s origins
in the combination of two groups, the Cedar Rapids Bird Club, dating
from 1929 and the Natural Science Club. Our current membership is
more than 800 members and includes members from
the following Zip Code areas (522xx, 523xx, 524xx, and 527xx).
We also have a few members from other areas.
CRAS also cooperates with the local
Conservation Board and other conservation minded
groups. Your membership connects you with people dealing with
environmental issues and concerns from the local level to national
and world-wide problems.
Local
chapter membership brings opportunities for participation in regular
meetings held at 7PM on the first Monday of each month at Peoples
Church Unitarian Universalist at 600 Third Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids.
Outdoor picnics are held in September and June. Programs are varied
and have dealt with birding, Iowa geology, plants, other natural
subjects, local natural areas, environmental issues and other varied
subjects. In addition, field trips are generally held twice a month
to various local and state areas of special interests. The trips are
varied and include birding, plants, butterflies, geology, prairies
and other subjects of interests. Many members also serve as officers
and on the many committees that help with the workings of the local
chapter.
The local
chapter also conducts two Christmas counts in Linn county.
CRAS also donates money to projects as the funds are available. We
plant trees in memory of long time members. We have also worked with
the Nature Conservancy, McBride Raptor Center, Kirkwood and the Iowa
Natural Heritage Foundation.
Come join
us and be a part of the Audubon environmental program.
We have donated money for the following projects.
Indian Creek Nature Center Bena property acquisition
Connections program in CR $100 a year
Cedar
River Ecosystem project
DNR
non-game program
McBride Raptor Center
Trumpeter Swan project
Peregrine fund
Effigy Mounds project
Faulkes Woods project
Upper
Mississippi River Campaign
Give
$35 dollars and a one year membership to senior winner
of Science fair
Give
$25 dollars and a one year membership to junior winner
of Science fair
Activities
Watched the young Peregrines a couple different years till they had
fledged.
Teach
beginning birdwatcher classes for Linn County Conservation
Studies of the species found in various areas that have been
purchased by the Linn County Conservation
Governor’s award for helping get the Peregrine project started.