About us
The Vashon-Maury Island Audubon Society is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization founded in 1989. It encompasses two connected islands, Vashon and Maury, and is generally called Vashon Audubon.
Our mission is to enjoy, learn about, and preserve birds and the diverse natural habitats of Vashon Island and beyond.
We’re currently focused on two priority areas: climate change and native plants.
Climate change is the biggest threat to birds because it is altering their habitats. In North America, 389 bird species face steep population declines—or extinction—because of rising temperatures. In King County, 66 species, including many that visit or live year-round on Vashon-Maury Island, are highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
Vashon Audubon is advocating for legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, educating our community about actions we can take to counter climate change, and working on projects such as the Heritage Museum bird habitat garden and the Heron Meadow mural.
Native plants provide food and shelter for birds. They create a sanctuary for nesting and overwintering birds, as well as a place for migrating birds to recharge during their long journeys. Our chapter is promoting the use of native plants to create an environment that’s good for birds and people.
We also conduct these ongoing activities:
Christmas Bird Count—citizen science that helps us track the status of local bird populations
Monthly birding field trips held on second Saturday mornings, 9-11 a.m. fall and winter, 8-10 a.m. spring and summer. Meet at the Ober Park Park-and-Ride.
Free public presentations featuring expert speakers
Chautauqua fourth grade birding program—cultivating the next generation of birders for more than 25 years
Vashon High School scholarship—helping launch promising students
Board members
Julie Burman, President
Adria Magrath, Vice President
Fran O’Reilly, Secretary
Julia Montagnet, Treasurer
Sarah Driggs, Communications Chair
Randy Smith, Conservation Chair
Sylvia Soholt, Education Chair
Carol Eggen, Membership Chair
Jim Evans, At-Large
Dana Schuerholz, At-Large
Cheryl Richmond, At-Large
Other positions
Scott Anderson, Citizen Science and Education Projects
Ezra Parker, Field Trips, Christmas Bird Count
Harsi Parker, 4th-grade Bird Program
Jody Pritchard, Volunteer Coordinator
To contact the board, send an email to board@vashonaudubon.org
Become a Vashon Audubon member »
Read a history of the chapter’s first 20 years »
Top photo: Golden-crowned Kinglet, Michael Elenko
Mission photo: White-crowned Sparrow, Jim Diers
