Dear Audubon Community Nature Center Volunteers,

ACNC officially kicked off the spring season with our annual Audubon Lights, and despite cool nights, we were thrilled to share some truly magical evenings with you all.

A HUGE heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers. Your hard work and dedication shine through every happy smile we saw from our guests. You made the magic happen!

As a reminder, please make sure to log your volunteer hours. Every hour counts and we are incredibly proud to brag about your contributions.

Volunteer Day at Audubon

Saturday, April 18, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Earth Day is just around the corner, and Audubon is planning a fun and meaningful way to celebrate! We're inviting YOU to join Audubon's team of volunteers and staff to give some TLC to the Nature Center building and grounds.

Spend a Saturday morning with friends, work together to spruce up the gardens, give the building a fresh sparkle, and make the grounds even more inviting for wildlife (and visitors). Volunteers will split into teams and tackle a variety of projects—there's something for everyone, no matter your age or ability.

Details:

Registration: 9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Work Parties: 9:30 a.m. – Noon
Lunch Celebration: Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Think of it as a big, outdoor community party with a purpose! This takes place rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather and bring your favorite work gloves if you have them. Make a difference and show the planet some love. Free for all ages.

Reservations preferred, walk-ins welcome.
For questions, please contact Sharon at STefft@auduboncnc.org

Trail Guide Training

Tuesday, April 28 & Wednesday, April 29

9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Trail Guide volunteers are integral to the educational programming at Audubon. These volunteers lead small groups of students on Discovery Walks using age-appropriate and exploration-based activities.

This two-day training provides new and returning Trail Guide volunteers with the skills to effectively achieve the goal of a Discovery Walk, which is to inspire and nurture curiosity about the natural world. Information and skills learned in this training may also be useful in other volunteer positions at Audubon.

This training is required for new Trail Guide volunteers. Established Trail Guides are welcome and encouraged to come as a refresher course. If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea at (716) 569-2345 or CJandreau@auduboncnc.org.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

Audubon Spring Yard Sale

Thursday, April 9, Set up Auditorium 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 11, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (morning/afternoon shifts), and

Sunday, April 12, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Audubon is spring cleaning and you can help. Volunteers needed to set up, run payment station, and assist customers. Payments are donations only with proceeds going directly to Audubon's vision of creating real and healthy connections to nature for children in the community. Contact Sharon Tefft at stefft@auduboncnc.org to sign up.

Mailing Committee

Thursday, April 9, May/June Newsletter, and

Monday, June 15, July/August Newsletter

Help prepare over 1,000 newsletters for mailing. Folders, tapers, and labelers are needed. There will be snacks and coffee available. Contact Sharon Tefft at stefft@auduboncnc.org to sign up.

*Mailing Committee usually meets on Thursdays for mailings. June mailing is moved to Monday due to a scheduling conflict.

Birders Wanted!

Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, May 3

Teams of birders will take to the woods, ponds, fields, and bird feeders to identify as many species as they can for 2026 Birdathon! You can participate by forming your own birding team or donating to support an existing team. Click here for more information or contact Aaron Sidder at asidder@auduboncnc.org.

Breakfast with the Birds

Saturday, April 25, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Volunteers are needed to help prepare a pancake breakfast, serve food, admissions, and clean up. Contact Sharon Tefft at stefft@auduboncnc.org if you are interested.

Plant Sale

Saturday, May 16, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Sale 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Volunteers are needed to help set up for the sale and to help sell plants at this favorite spring event. Email Sharon Tefft to sign up at stefft@auduboncnc.org.

Buildings and Grounds (OWLS): Ongoing

Audubon is open to the public seven days a week, all year long! An average of 1,500 people visit the trails each month to take a walk and build their connections to nature. Volunteer your time to help Terris Monroe, Audubon's Buildings and Grounds Manager, and ensure that the trails can remain open and accessible to all. Contact Terris directly for more information at tmronroe@auduboncnc.org.

Save the Date

Fifth Annual Chautauqua County Book Read

"A Portrait of America's Largest and Least Understood Minority"

By Maria Arana

ACNC will be hosting a session on

Tuesday, May 26, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

We are looking for volunteer(s) that have relevant skills to become book discussion group facilitators. Training and a free book will be provided for participation. Contact Aaron Sidder at asidder@auduboncnc.org if interested.

"LatinoLand is an exceptional, all-encompassing overview of Hispanic America based on personal interviews, deep research, and Marie Arana’s life experience as a Latina. At present, Latinos comprise twenty percent of the US population, a number that is growing. By 2050, census reports project that one in every three Americans will claim Latino heritage."

Thank you for continuing to share your time and talents with Audubon Community Nature Center. We are so grateful for you!

Sharon Tefft, ACNC Volunteer Coordinator