San Diego Bird Alliance

“The form 990 is reviewed by the President, Executive Director, and the Treasurer, and made available for Board review and discussion prior to filing.”

“In July 2015, the organizations Articles of Incorporation were revised to make the organization governed by the board of directors and cancel outstanding memberships. The revised Articles of Incorporation state, The corporation shall have no members. All outstanding mamberships are cancelled.”

“General membership elects the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.”

“SDAS Board members review and sign the conflict of interest policy annually to maintain policy awareness, but the major control is that any expenditures, hiring, or other contractual commitments must have SDAS Board approval. One of the checklist items is whether or not this action would be a conflict of interest issue. If an action is deemed to be a conflict of interest issue, the Board does not approve of the action.”

“The Compensation Committee is appointed by the SDAS Board. The committee obtains salary ranges for all salaried positions by perusing published materials and gathering additional information. The President of the Board conducts a performance review of the Executive Director annually. The performance review, salary range information, current SDAS budget, the financial position of SDAS, and the general cost of living index are used to derive at a proposed salary increase. This is then submitted to the SDAS Board of Directors.”

“The form 990 is available to the public upon request.”

“Fee Based Programs - Bird Festival This program is an annual 3-4 day event with 50 plus education and conservation trips and/or classes. The Education focus includes workshops on topics such as bird identification, photography anatomy, painting, and sounds. Some of the workshops are designed especially for children. These include bird painting, raptor displays, and bird calling. Children are admitted free to several workshops. The Conservation focus includes field trips and workshops on a range of enviornmental topics that include visiting coastal National Wildlife Refuges, designated important bird areas, and native habitat restoration. Conservation workshops include seabird conservation, citizen science, and forestry issues. The event attendance is approximately 450 people. These attendees come from the local area as well as across the USA.”

“Sanctuaries - Silverwood Wildlife Sancuary 85 acres along Wild Cat Canyon Road in Lakeside, CA were donated to SDAS in 1966 as a nature preserve. Currently the sanctuary has expanded to 868 acres of natural habitat for approximately 30 species of native mammals, 25 species of reptiles, and 160 bird species. Silverwood provides the native habitat that allows the community the oppourtunity to enjoy the nature preserve through nature hikes and educational events. Over 2000 visitors come to Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary annually. Anstine Audubon Nature Preserve is an 11 acre property located in Northern San Diego County that was donated to SDAS as a permanent Refuge for wildlife and as a resource for the local community to learn about nature, habitat restoration techniques, and wildlife friendly gardening.”

“Other Programs - OutdoorExplore is an educational program designed for children K-5th grade. Program goals include introducing children to nearby natural areas, increasing observational skills, learning about local animals and plants, and developing a stewardship ethic. Aprroximately 1,000 children in the San Diego area participate in this program. Conservation Cleanups - SDAS conducts 20-30 community volunteer based habitat maintenance / restoration events to support habitat for threatened and/or endangered species. More than 950 people particiapate in these volunteer events. Field Trips - SDAS conducts local birding field trips in the community to increase the publics awareness of birds and their native habitat. Local field trips are conducted 3-6 times per month with 10-50 people per field trip. Speakers Bureau - Volunteer members of SDAS provide speakers to other organizations in the community. As a method of providing education and information on enviornmental issues, local birding, wildlife habitat, etc. Workshops and Classes - Education classes are conducted in bird identification, native plant gardening and water conservation, and natural habitat. Tabling Events - Members of SDAS are present at key public events with information and guidance for the public on conservation, birding, native habitat, water conservation landscaping, etc. Publications - Sketches is published 10 time per year and distributed to SDAS members as well as provided at no charge at various locations such as local libraries, nature centers, Colleges and Universities, and retail outlets. The publication contains information on conservation issues of concern in the local communities as well as a listing of activities for members and the public to attend in support of SDASs conservation and educational efforts.”