Birds, Community, and Sunshine: Earth Day at Fish Park
There is something special about the way the community comes together when the sun decides to show off in Poulsbo.
This past Saturday, Kitsap Audubon Society had the pleasure of tabling at the Annual Earth Day event at Fish Park. We joined dozens of like-minded organizations and community groups, all gathered under a bright blue sky to celebrate the natural world. This event has been "slowly gaining steam" over the last three years, and while the momentum is building on its own, we have to admit—the gorgeous weather this year was a massive upgrade from the soggy skies of last April!
A New Look for Our Table
Before the crowds even arrived, our booth got a serious upgrade thanks to long-time member Jeff Brown. Jeff painted an absolutely gorgeous new welcome sign for the chapter, and its "curbside appeal" was undeniable! It acted as a beacon for the public, drawing people in with its vibrant colors and artistry. A huge thank you to Jeff for sharing his talent to help us welcome the community so beautifully.
The Joy of the "Bird Conversation"
One of our favorite parts of these events isn’t just handing out brochures; it’s the spontaneous "bird conversations" that happen across the table. It is always heartwarming to see how everyone has something to contribute.
We spoke with neighbors about the regular visitors at their backyard feeders and helped brainstorm IDs for those "mystery sightings" that have been puzzling folks for weeks. We love being there to listen to your stories and provide a little bit of clarity for your backyard birding adventures.
Which Bird Are You?
A huge thank you to Justin Carrington, Chris Russell, Sandy Spears, and Lynn Willmott, who gave their time and infectious energy to the public all day.
While we talked plenty of "serious" science, Sandy stole the show with her question of the day: "If you were a bird, which would it be?"
It was the ultimate icebreaker. People couldn’t just give a quick reply; it required a deep, internal audit. You could see the gears turning—a long "Hmmmm?" followed by a thoughtful justification for why they were a Great Blue Heron or a busy little Chickadee. It was a beautiful way to get people to relate to wildlife on a personal level.
Why We Celebrate Earth Day
Earth Day began in 1970 as a way to channel the energy of public protest into a unified movement for the planet. Today, its purpose is to remind us that we are all stewards of the environment—a sentiment that sits at the very heart of the Kitsap Audubon mission.
Our mission is to protect birds, wildlife habitat, and the environment through conservation and education. Earth Day is the perfect bridge for that mission; it allows us to take the science of bird conservation and turn it into a community-wide celebration. By protecting the places birds need, we are inherently protecting the places we need.
Whether you're a soaring Osprey or a social Purple Martin, we’re glad you spent your Earth Day with us. See you on the trails!
