We'll echo Kelly's call for another option of what to do on the eastern side
of the state. In the TriCities area or if you can get there fairly easily,
Lower Columbia Basin Audubon maintains the proper permits to salvage birds.
If we do not have a particular bird in our collection and it fits into what
will be used in classrooms, we freeze the bird as described and raise the
money to have it mounted. If we cannot use birds that are brought to us, we
make arrangements with the Slater Museum.

Our collection is near 90 birds - many ducks, hawks, and game birds. We use
these specimens in our efforts to educate - visiting classes from preschool
to college as well as community groups. One we really enjoy having is an
Osprey. The owls are used VERY frequently. We also just added Sora and
Virginia Rail to the collection. We hope to mount a few more of the common
backyard birds and migrants. (To be clear - we did not KILL them - they
were found dead). Raising funds is an ongoing challenge.

These birds are on display at McNary NWR in Burbank. By the end of next
year there will be a new Education Center there. Currently while
construction takes place at the refuge, the Ed Center is open on the second
Saturday of the month and other hours by arrangement.

We would especially love to receive any birds that use shrub-steppe habitat
but recognize most people won't be finding these. (We have Horned Lark,
Gray Partridge, LB Curlew, Prairie Falcon, Burrowing & Short-eared Owl, and
Western Meadowlark).

Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland WA

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