Hey tweets, fantastic news. We raised enough money for the white
board, and construction has now begun!! We should be up and running
soon. I am so happy, and so proud of us as a community. I know this is
a small achievement compared to several other projects the birding
community has taken on lately. But I am a firm believer in the idea
that everything we do to make the world better matters hugely.

So now we have the enormous fun of figuring out how we want to make
use of this new resource. As I understand it, the white board will be
inside a locked cabinet. I think the CUH receptionist will keep a key,
so anyone can post sightings. I believe I will have a key, too, so if
you prefer to tell me your sightings, I'll be happy to post them too.
I think we should all beg the photographers among us to print paper
copies of some of their best shots. I will ask the receptionist to set
up a folder where these can reside. I want to tape them up on the
white board every so often so that non-birders can see what some of
these beautiful birds look like (and so they can ooh and aah over the
tremendous beauty that our photographers capture).

I also think we should put up some information about the plants and
about the other animals besides birds that come here. Strange as it is
to believe, but some people care more for plants or mammals or insects
than they do for birds. I know, I know - it's a complete mystery, but
so it is. I'm completely ignorant about plants, amphibians, reptiles,
and pretty dense about mammals too, so if you think we should be doing
this, someone else will have to step up and lead. I think it would be
fun for the many, many people who visit the Fill casually.

If you all have any other ideas about how to make use of the white
board, let me know. FYI, the kiosk will also include a map of the Fill
- not sure what else is planned.

I got a very nice letter of thanks from the director of the UW Botanic
Gardens (the new entity that governs UBNA). She said she was very
grateful to the birding community for their donations, and also for
their wonderful support of this unique site. So huzzah for all of us.
- Connie