(WNY News Now) – The Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) held its annual meeting, unveiling exciting developments in wildlife rehabilitation and community engagement.
Jamestown, N.Y. – Executive Director Leigh Rovegno welcomed members, board and staff to Audubon Community Nature Center’s (ACNC) recent annual meeting.
Rovegno recognized departing staff members Terry LeBaron and Kim Turner and introduced new staff: Administrative Assistant and Volunteer CoordinatorSharon Tefft and Building and Grounds Manager Terris Monroe.
ACNC Board Chair Tina Downey covered business items and introduced newly elected board members: Lynn Shaffer of Ashville, N.Y., Steve Riczker and Carey Lee, both of Jamestown N.Y.
Outgoing Treasurer Bob Klebacha gave a positive report on the previous year’s audit. He was commended for his service and thanked along with outgoing board members Andrew Harrington and Greg Lyle.
ACNC’s annual audit is performed by an independent auditor who gave a clean report on the organization’s financial practices. Klebacha reported that ACNC continues to be healthy financially despite a challenging year.
Capital improvements for the 2023-2024 fiscal year ending in September included utility room upgrades funded by the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation; Blue Heron Overlook binoculars funded by Legacy Society members Doug and Lamae McCullor; new and improved outdoor signage and recycling stations funded by Jamestown Cummins Engine plant; Wildlife Walk improvements to improve quality of life for ACNC’s non-releasable birds of prey; office furniture and technology upgrades and a new garden shed funded by ACNC operating funds; and a replacement server funded by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.
Proposed capital projects for 2024-2025 include completion of the onsite medical care facility for Audubon’s birds of prey, with committed funding from the Lenna Foundation; Urban Pavilion upgrades, with committed funding from the Lenna Foundation; reception desk remodel for accessibility, with committed funding from Blue Heron Legacy Society members, and repairs to the parking lot and paved trail, with a funding request submitted through the New York State Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquaria (ZBGA) Capital Grants Program.
Tamarack Wildlife Center Outreach and Education Manager Melissa Goodwill gave a presentation describing the rehabilitation program’s work with injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife in order to return them to the wild. The Saegertown, Pennsylvania center accepts many species of injured wild animals; of those that survive their first 24 hours in care, 80% are rehabilitated. If they would not be able to survive in the wild, they can serve as education ambassadors in live animal nature education programs. Tamarack has worked with ACNC in growing its raptor program by training Audubon staff and being a provider of birds of prey.
For 2024-2025 ACNC’s board of directors members include Tina Downey, board chair, Mayville, N.Y.; Dave Burlee, first vice chair, Mayville; Dr. Eugenie Poignard, second vice chair, Lakewood, N.Y.; Netta Lindell, secretary, Warren, Pa.; Peter Stark, treasurer, Ashville, N.Y.; Louise Boutwell, Randolph, N.Y.; Pat Evans, Warren; Miles Hilton, Jamestown, N.Y.; Laurie Korb, Warren; Carey Lee, Jamestown; Dr. Erin Pender, Ashville; Steve Riczker, Jamestown; and Lynn Shaffer, Ashville.
Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, enjoy the natural play space, and hike over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.
The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1–4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.
To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Check out AudubonCNC.org/about for a quick fly-by visit.
Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.
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