History of Saving Birds Thru Habitat
We hope to create a world where songbirds will continue to fill our lives with the beauty of their voices and the wonder of their fascinating behaviors.
- Kay Charter, Executive Director
In the spring of 2001, a small group of excited individuals exchanged visions and proposals to create an organization that would strive to help our wild birds. The driving force is Executive Director Kay Charter, whose knowledge and passion for this mission is legendary. Equally important are the efforts of Jim Charter, who has shared in her efforts from the beginning. The birth of Saving Birds Thru Habitat was followed with mission statement, bylaws, non-profit status and a formal Board of Directors.
By the fall of 2003, through the amazing support of an army of volunteers, the Habitat Discovery Center (referred to by locals as “The Bird House”) was built and then dedicated with a gala celebration. Since then, developments at the Discovery Center include a native plant garden, the Friendly Garden Club Woodland Walk, and a recirculating pond with a waterfall. Self-guiding pamphlets are outside of the building to assist those who visit when our staff is away.
Saving Birds offers docent led bird walks, regular newsletters, and a schedule of natural science events at the Center. We also certify properties for quality bird habitat, if they qualify, and we offer a highly acclaimed outreach presentation, which has been delivered across the country. Our message has reached thousands and we are gratified with feedback from many who have embraced the need for suitable bird habit and are now converting their yards to native plants which hosts essential insect biomass.
Bobolinks, Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows and other upland nesters utilize Charter Sanctuary as their habitat and can regularly be seen from the Discovery Center and on tours of the Sanctuary itself.
The ongoing success of our organization is the result of many people and organizations that have embraced our mission of “saving birds through habitat.” In our community, and across the nation, we are witnessing a sea change of awareness and appreciation for managing our habitat to support native birds and other wildlife. Saving Birds intends to be in the forefront to support and amplify this change as it develops.