Congratulations for What?

“Hi Ron, congratulations.” That was the greeting I received as I stepped out of my car for an evening meeting of the Henderson Audubon Society in the autumn of 1974 that was being held at the home of Frank Stanonis. I responded with “Hi” but in my head, I said, “congratulations for what?”

                                                My Last Year as a Classroom Teacher

While we had moved to Henderson because I accepted a teaching job at Henderson City High School, I spent several months of my free time in 1972 and 1973 exploring the Henderson area and trying to connect with the Henderson Audubon Society. Still, I needed help locating them or anyone that was connected with the organization. Finally, in June 1973, I received a telephone call from Dr. Richard Wham, who was a member of the Henderson Audubon Society, and he told me that there was a meeting of the Society that very evening if I was able to attend. I don’t remember what the evening program was about, but I recall that at the program’s end, someone said that this evening’s meeting was the last meeting for the season and that regular meetings would start again in the Fall. They also said if anyone had ideas or recommendations for programs that might be considered for the next season beginning in the Fall of 1974, please let them know. During the refreshment period, I did mention that I knew someone who was an expert in reptiles and amphibians of the region that would make an excellent speaker and presentation.

The evening meeting at Frank Stanonis’ home was called to order by Richard Wham, who was the newly elected President of the Henderson Audubon Society. Just a few moments after the meeting started, I discovered what I had been congratulated for. I discovered that, without my knowledge, I had been elected (AKA appointed) as Vice President and Program Chair of the Society. That was the first time I realized that just showing up and speaking up can often lead to interesting things happening!

                                     Ivory-billed Woodpeckers by John James Audubon

For those of you who have known me for many years, you might find it hard to believe that in my younger years, I was very introverted and would never even consider speaking in public. My Dad used to say that I was so shy that if I was totally lost somewhere that I wouldn’t even ask anyone for directions. Most of you know that as life moved forward, I managed to get over that issue.

So, that is how I came to be involved with the Audubon Society. I showed up, I suggested a program and there you go! In addition to my search for a local Audubon Society, I was also spending time looking into the history of John James Audubon and his family when they lived in Henderson, which meant that I spent considerable time in John James Audubon State Park. The next few posts will focus on some of my adventures with the Henderson Audubon Society and Audubon State Park.

Till next time,

Cheers.

Why Are You Calling This Blog "My Audubon Adventures?"

 “Why are you calling this blog My Audubon Adventures? It seems to me like you have been involved in many things over the years that didn’t really have anything to do with Audubon.” That was one of the first questions/comments that I got from a family member right after I announced that I was going to work on this blog. The answer is that when I moved to Henderson, Kentucky, I became fascinated with John James Audubon, his family, and art. Then from 1972 until around 2016, I was involved with one Audubon organization or another.

John James Audubon Museum - Audubon State Park

So, it is my opinion that my interest in nature conservation, environmental stewardship, and spreading environmental education around the United States and the globe for nearly 50 years has been both an adventure and, for most of the time, connected in some way to “Audubon.” I have worked with some outstanding mentors and fellow nature advocates over the years. There have been many “high” moments and several “low” moments. I have received various awards for programs that I created, and I have been sued for creating those very same programs. I have been called a hero for some of the environmental education programs that I created, and I have been called an “environmental sellout” for creating those very same programs.

Throughout the years, I have never changed my focus on encouraging people to become more closely connected with nature and to become environmental stewards where they live, work, and play. Mostly I have focused on the conservation and stewardship of water and wildlife.

Common Loon

Through this blog, I want to tell my story. I want to share some of my successes. I want to thank a bunch of people and organizations. I want to poke a few people and organizations in the eyes. In the end, however, it is my hope that readers will become inspired to become more connected with nature and become active environmental stewards where they live, work, and play.

The Adventure Begins

It was a hot August 1972 day when the Dodson family made our way into Henderson, Kentucky, to establish our new home location and for me to begin what turned out to be my last year as a classroom teacher.

The Entrance to Audubon Park on U.S. Highway 41

Just after we crossed the Ohio River, we noticed the entrance to John James Audubon State Park on the left, and directly across from the park entrance on the right was an automobile dealership that was also named "Audubon." In just a few short months, I discovered that over 30 businesses and organizations had adopted the name Audubon as part of their titles. But, I also discovered that most of the citizens of the community knew very little about the person that was named Audubon, nor did they appear to appreciate his work and the value that his history in Henderson brought to the community. 

John James Audubon and his dog Zephyur

And so the adventure begins. My interest in nature and conservation had begun years before our move to Kentucky, but finally landing a High School Biology teaching job in Henderson and discovering that John James Audubon and his family had lived in Henderson longer than any other location in America is what I needed to launch what would become my lifelong profession and consume my entire family from then on.

This blog is about the places that "Audubon" has taken us to, the people we have met and worked with, the organizations that I have worked with or started, the fun we have had, and the problems we have experienced, all the while trying to convince people that each of us can make positive contributions to the environment and nature where we live, work and play.

If this sounds interesting, I hope you will follow along.