George Gerdts has been a member of Kitsap Audubon for 40 years and has led numerous field trips for KAS. He led trips to Fort Flagler, and my favorite, the circumnavigation of Bainbridge Island. In summer, his trip out of Port Townsend around Protection Island was also a favorite. He and I led many owl prowls together and taught several owl classes “Denizens of the Dark” through the BIPRD. George was also the leader for the north Bainbridge CBC for 40 years. He also helps maintain the Kitsap County bird list. Mostly though, I think of George as a teacher and educator. A field trip with George is more than just about the birds – it is birds, plants, trees, and history. Over twenty years ago a Golden-winged Warbler initiated what is now a monthly bird survey at Restoration Point with George and Brad. This is one of the longest running regular surveys in the state, providing long-term census data to the eBird data base.

Brad Waggoner has been a member of Kitsap Audubon for 20 years and has also led numerous field trips for KAS. He is the CBC leader for the Bremerton area and has been for many years. He and George have both been expert resources for KAS in helping answer bird related questions. By far, Brad’s greatest contribution to the birding community is bigger than KAS. He is an eBird reviewer, one of those unsung heroes in the birding community. He is the one who reviews those questionable eBird reports, contacts the submitter, and politely asks them for more details about entries like 20 Ring-billed Gulls at Point No Point, or informs them that just because Merlin says it was an unseen chipping sparrow, could it have been a junco? Brad devotes countless hours to this task, all to help keep eBird as a sound data base.

Jamie Acker is a long-time member of Kitsap Audubon who has been leading owling and Kitsap Audubon Christmas Bird Counts for nearly 30 years.

Jamie began banding and surveying owls 25 years ago and has published numerous papers based on his research. Kitsap Audubon helped fund telemetry equipment for his surveys. He has given many presentations to Kitsap Audubon and other organizations and taught classes on Washington owls for the Seattle Master Birders Program.

In 2020 Jamie came to the Kitsap Audubon Board with a proposed Motus Wildlife Tracking Station at Point-No-Point County Park in Hansville. The Kitsap Audubon Board agreed to fund and sponsor the project. Thanks to Jamie’s diligence and determination our new Motus station is about to be installed. It will become part of an expanding global network that will allow wildlife scientists to track suitably tagged birds, bats and butterflies and gain invaluable information about the behavior and health of birds and wildlife.

Sandy has been Kitsap Audubon’s Purple Martin Chair since February 2010, 13 years. In that role, she leads the team of volunteers that maintains the Brownsville Purple Martin colony, one of four colonies funded by Kitsap Audubon and maintained by Kitsap Audubon volunteers. In addition to the Brownsville Marina colony, Kitsap Audubon supports colonies in Poulsbo’s Oyster Plant Park, the Seabeck marina, and Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island.

As Chair, Sandy assists other volunteers with expert guidance, education and training, as well assessment of potential sites. She is currently working with Cathy Cohoon to re-establish a former Kitsap Audubon Purple Martin colony in Silverdale.

Sandy says she first became infatuated with Purple Martins in Virginia when one of her coworkers mentioned that she had a perfect setting for Purple Martin houses. Not knowing anything about these birds, she and her husband Robert did some research and installed an apartment-style house with eight compartments. The apartments were so successful in attracting Purple Martins they put up more and were hooked!

Soon after moving to Poulsbo 15 years ago she attended a meeting of Kitsap Audubon and learned that Purple Martins migrate here as well. Once she witnessed the Kitsap Audubon colonies in Poulsbo, Brownsville, and Seabeck she wanted to get involved. She and Robert now maintain the colony at Brownsville marina. This includes monitoring their arrival, their nesting activity, and successes, and cleaning out their gourds at the end of the season in preparation for the next year.

Sandy and her husband also installed four gourds on their own property on Liberty Bay and look forward to the return of the Purple Martins each year.

Jennifer joined Kitsap Audubon nine years ago and has served as one of our official Christmas Bird Count compilers for the past five years. She has been on the Kitsap Audubon Board for four years, three of them as either Treasurer or Co-Treasurer. She has been especially active in recruiting and training volunteers to participate in Climate Watch and other community science programs. Jennifer is known for her personal warmth and dedication, as well as her wise and insightful contributions to the Board’s decision-making process.

Jennifer first volunteered for Kitsap Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count in 2013 and quickly became a big fan of citizen science. She has participated every year since then and is the compiler for the Port Gamble count circle which was reinstated in 2017. In 2016, Jennifer joined Seattle Audubon’s Puget Sound Seabird Survey. Volunteers for the survey go out once a month (October through April) and record any birds seen on the water using the distance sampling method.

Another of Jennifer’s favorite spring activity is participating in Alaska Audubon’s Great American Arctic Birding Challenge. This challenge runs for three months, and encourages participants to find species of birds that summer in the arctic. Jennifer and her 5 teammates had the honor of placing first in the Lower 48 category in 2017 and 2018. She has also been a volunteer Long-billed Curlew data checker for the Intermountain Bird Observatory in Idaho since 2019.

Jennifer lives on Bainbridge Island with her husband and son.

Lynn joined the Kitsap Audubon Board in October 2015. She has served two years as Vice President and four years as Hospitality Chair. At our April meeting, Lynn was elected as the next President of Kitsap Audubon, starting July 1st. Lynn has been a strong and devoted contributor as a Board member, and is a passionate advocate for birds, social justice, and the environment.

Lynn grew up in New Jersey, home to the Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO) and some of the birding world’s most revered icons. After her father retired to Cape May and became active with the CMBO, she and her father enjoyed birding together in the company of such legendary leaders as Pete Dunne and David Sibley. These are memories she treasures. She and her husband Mark Tuvim have traveled the world to watch birds – Africa, Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad, New Zealand.

After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), Lynn went back to school (UCLA) and earned a master’s degree in social welfare. After graduation, Lynn managed mental health programs for the Southern California Chapter of the National MS Society. After moving to Washington State, Lynn continued to work for the MS Society and later served on the Board of the Washington Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. She also helped found Enlighten Kitsap Community Forum, a monthly speakers program now partnered with the Kitsap Regional Library.

MS limits her birding to sites accessible to her motorized scooter, but her home overlooks Port Orchard Sound, not too far from the Brownsville Marina.

Lynn keeps a scope in every window trained on passing flocks of marine birds and waterfowl, and she has window-friendly feeders that keep her avian friends in view.

Awarded Posthumously…

In September 2014 Connie volunteered to create and maintain a Facebook page for Kitsap Audubon and was invited to join the Board. She remained a very active Board member, also serving as secretary, until her untimely death on October 30, 2019.

Connie was instrumental in reviving the North Kitsap-Port Gamble Christmas Bird Count circle, which had been dormant for 16 years; and, with Jennifer Standish, co-led the Port Ludlow field team. In 2017 she was also a member of a team of local birders that won Alaska Audubon’s Great American Arctic Birding Challenge. For the past three years she has been counting birds in Suquamish for the Puget Sound Seabird Survey sponsored by Seattle Audubon.

She was also a Salish Sea Marine Naturalist, a member of Kitsap Beach Watchers, and a Salmon Docent.

Connie served on the Board of Directors for Sound Action, a nonprofit that works to protect near-shore forage fish habitat. Connie was known for her skills and talent as a wildlife photographer. Her photographs have been widely published. She photographed 256 species of birds in 2017.

Diane has served on the Kitsap Audubon Board since September 2013, including two terms as President, one term as Vice President, and two terms as Secretary. Under Diane’s gentle, persistent leadership, the Board has completed a major revision and updating of the chapter’s bylaws and policies. In addition, she has represented Kitsap Audubon on the Marbled Murrelet Working Group, part of a coalition that is working with the Washington Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to develop a long-term conservation strategy for the survival and recovery of this endangered bird.

Diane also works with Sharron Ham to collect donated yarn, which KAS member Kathy Swartz delivers to the women’s prison in Purdy. Volunteers there knit the yarn into items of clothing, which they donate for our Holiday Mitten Tree. Diane and Sharron then distribute Mitten Tree donations of food and clothing to Kitsap community groups that serve those in need. Diane is known for her self-effacing warmth and thoughtfulness, notes one Board member. She is often one of the first to volunteer her time; and she is someone who is intensely diligent and committed when it comes to following things through to completion.

Al has been Field Trip Chair since September 2012 and a member of the KAS Board since February 2013. He has been a Christmas Bird Count leader since November 2015. During the recent launch of the Port Gamble/North Kitsap CBC circle, Al organized multiple teams to accommodate a flood of Hansville first-time CBC volunteers. He and his son Andrew are known for their exceptional birding skills and ability to mentor and encourage beginning birders. Not surprisingly, they are very popular leaders.

Al and Andrew became fascinated with birds following Al’s retirement as a Naval officer after serving as commander on several warships. His skills as a leader have been invaluable to the Kitsap Audubon Board. His wisdom and patience have been a powerful influence on Board decisions. He often takes the lead in the detailed analysis that underlies good decision making and has written the drafts of a number of important KAS policies, including our “Endowment Spending” policy.

Al’s self-effacing, mentoring style of leadership empowers and inspires those around him.

Michael has served as our webmaster since 2003, working behind the scenes to maintain the virtual face of Kitsap Audubon. He has been involved with KAS since 1995 when he helped with the purple martin project installing/cleaning nest boxes/gourds. When the job of maintaining KAS’s website became available, he quickly jumped into that role working to purchase a domain name (kitsapaudubon.org); secured free hosting from a local internet provider; and obtained website design software. Over the past fourteen years he has maintained the site, adding photos from members; updating links to area birding locations; and providing online access to the Kingfisher newsletter. In 2016, when our internet provider discontinued free hosting, he researched options and put forward a proposal to use Squarespace for our website hosting. While there was now a cost to this service, it allowed for a more professional looking site with additional design features. Check it out!

Michael also has served as the president of the Hansville Greenway Association since 2015, working with a small board of volunteers in charge of maintaining a corridor of county owned natural areas, trail and conservation easements reaching from Puget Sound at Norwegian Point Park to Hood Canal.

Michael currently works at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 10 office in Seattle where he is the program manager for the Wetland Program. He lives in Hansville with his wife Jennifer and their dog Sara where they enjoy backyard birding, in addition to many hikes to Point-no-Point and the Hansville Greenway.

He is the father of twins, Dylan and Mackenzie who are college students studying at Western Washington and Washington State Universities.

Janine has been an officer on the Board for five years, including two as President, two as Vice President, and one as Immediate Past President. She has also served for the last two years as Compiler for the annual Kitsap Audubon Christmas Bird Count. She has helped monitor and maintain the Seabeck Purple Martin colony and has led bird walks for Girl Scout and Cub Scout groups, as well as given PowerPoint presentations on birds for local groups. Janine has also served as a chapel volunteer at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor and the Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women in Belfair, where she currently serves as Catholic Chaplain. She also works for the Central School District as a special education paraeducator.

Janine is a skilled wildlife photographer who has won recognition for her bird photos in the Kitsap Sun. Her upbeat personality and enthusiasm never fail to buoy those around her, and her passion for birdwatching is a source of inspiration for many of us.

Sharron has served on the Board since 2009 and been our refreshments chair since September 2012. She organized our 40th Anniversary Dinner. She is often the first person to volunteer for booth duty at the annual Stillwaters EcoFest and the annual Water Festival, hosted by Kitsap city and County public health, public works and utility districts for more than a thousand 3rd and 4th graders. “Sharron is wonderful with kids,” notes Sandy Bullock. Sharron has also been a volunteer at the Point-No-Point lighthouse for six years, as well as the Hansville Historical Society. “Sharron has been one of our most faithful supporters,” said Janine Schutt, President of Kitsap Audubon. “It is rare for her to miss a Board meeting or membership meeting, and she is often the first to volunteer when there is work to be done.”

“Sharron is a warm, giving person who is always ready to volunteer,” said Vic Ulsh.

Milly was Secretary to the Board for two years (2001-2002) and Bob served as 2nd Vice President in 2002. For the past eight years, Milly and Bob have been our official greeters, the friendly couple who welcome you and sign you in when you first come through the door at our monthly meetings.

Milly and Bob have also been Kitsap Christmas Bird Count volunteers for ten years. They led the Seabeck area CBC in 2008, and Milly has led the backyard count for the past five years. The two have also given presentations for Kitsap Audubon based on their travels.

Judy served as KAS President for two years (2009, 2010), and now represents all three regional chapters, Kitsap Audubon, Olympic Peninsula Audubon and Admiralty Audubon, on the Board of Audubon Washington.

Judy and Don have helped lead efforts by the Kitsap Forest and Bay Project (KF&BP) to preserve some 7,000 acres of shoreline and forestland around Port Gamble Bay. Judy represents Kitsap Audubon on the Kitsap Forest and Bay Coalition and chairs the outreach committee to raise public awareness of its mission. Don’s photography has documented the land and habitat the KFBP seeks to preserve. Don has been a strong and vocal advocate for trails and environmentally sustainable transportation (walking, cycling, and taking the bus) which allow people to be physically active for health, while also preserving habitat. Don is the Vice- President of the North Kitsap Trails Association and chairs it’s Sound to Olympics (regional) Trail Committee.

Judy has been a member of the KAS board since 2008, and both she and Don have had an influential role in its decisions ever since. Don’s wildlife photos appear often in the Kingfisher, and Don’s computer knowledge has been valuable to those using our digital projector.

Vic has been Program Chair for six years. Typical attendance at our monthly programs has grown to 60 to 80 because of the outstanding speakers Vic recruits and the growing popularity of the programs he plans. Vic’s exemplary service to the community includes other organizations as well. He has been a member of the East Bremerton Rotary since 1993, and its Program Chair since 1994. He has been Co-Chair of the Stewardship Committee for the Illahee Forest Preserve since 2004.

He and his Master Birder Aunt Idie Ulsh lead annual field trips there, as well as leading a team of birders in the annual Kitsap Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Vic and Idie have also helped survey the bird population of Newberry Hill Heritage Park. But these aren’t the only organizations that have benefited from Vic’s boundless energy and dedication.

He has been a board member of the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce since 2009 and chaired the Armed Forces Day Parade for two years. He was a team captain for the YMCA from 1991 to 2010 and has been a strong fund-raising advocate for kids’ programs.

Vic has built and installed more than a hundred bird houses for friends, family and co-workers, and has worked to get more people interested in birding. For the last five years he has also been a volunteer Christmas Elf for military families.

The Kanes became involved in early 2006, when they took over maintenance of our data base, mail lists and membership dues reminders.

Byron became a member of the KAS Board in 2007, and Sara joined the Board in 2010. Byron’s technical support of our digital projector has been invaluable. Whenever there is work to be done, festivals, special events or projects, the Kanes are among the first to volunteer. They almost never miss a Kitsap Audubon meeting or Board meeting and always pitch in to help.

They are known for their warmth and enthusiasm, their generous spirit and their willingness to help, whether it’s sorting through the archives, staffing the Audubon booth at EcoFest, or taking responsibility for the mitten tree and food bank donations at our December program.

Byron and Sara are a joy to work with and help make our meetings not only informative, but fun.

Jim has served on the KAS Board for the past ten years and was KAS President in 2004. He was just elected to another term as vice-president of KAS. Jim has been one of Kitsap Audubon’s strongest financial supporters for the past 17 years. He has represented Kitsap Audubon at many environmental education events, and sponsors KAS at annual Wildlife Education Fairs at his store in Gig Harbor. He helped plan and organize the very successful Audubon Council of Washington (ACOW) sponsored by KAS six years ago.

Jim has been involved in the Belfair Salmon educational event for middle school students for 12 years and the Kitsap Water Festival. He has received numerous awards from the Boy Scouts of America, including the BSA District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award. He started Boy Scout Troop 1540 in East Bremerton in 1979 and served as its scoutmaster for a total of nine years Other notable achievements:

• On numerous Boards, including Gig Harbor Chamber, Gig Harbor Historic

• Waterfront Association, Bremerton Blackberry Festival, ORCA BSA District

• Served 21 years in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of Commander

• Became one of the most highly decorated staff officers while serving in

• Vietnam with the Riverine Forces in the Mekong Delta area of Ben Luc.

Jim and his wife Suzanne have four children and four grandchildren

The Bullocks’ involvement began in 2003 when Gene joined the Board as a Member at Large. Both Gene and Sandy have served continuously in many capacities, on the Board of Trustees and on various committees, and represented KAS at numerous ACOW Conferences. Gene has also served as Vice-President on the Board and Sandy has served as Treasurer.

Gene has been Conservation Chair since 2006 and received recognition from Audubon Washington for his tireless efforts to defeat Initiative 933 (a roll back of environmental protections). He has been editor of the Kingfisher since 2005.

They have served as the KAS Compilers/Coordinators for the Christmas Bird Count, as well as leading the Poulsbo Area count, since 2003.

Sandy stepped in as Acting President in 2007-08, and she and Gene have served as Copresidents for the 2008-09 year.