Join the AUGUSTA NATURE CLUB INC. organized 1919

CONSERVATION PLEDGE

"I pledge to protect and conserve the natural resources of planet earth and promise to promote education so we may become caretakers of our air, water, forests, land, and wildlife."

HISTORY

In 1919, the Ball Bird Conservation Club was started by a group of Augusta residents and named after the Reverend Dwight Ball. By 1928, the emphasis migrated from birding to a general nature agenda and the Club was renamed the Augusta Nature Club. Beginning in 1932, the Club began looking for land to establish a nature sanctuary. In the early 1960's, a major partnership was undertaken by the City, the Rotary Club and the Augusta Nature Club to acquire land and in 1972, with major parcels of abutting land deeded to the Augusta Nature Club, the Augusta Nature Education Center changed from a dream, to the reality of a nature educational preserve in downtown Augusta.

The Augusta Nature Club also manages the Augusta Nature Education Center located immediately adjacent to the Capitol Area Vocational Center and the site of the new CONY High School complex that opened in September of 2006. The Center is comprised of 175 acres of undeveloped natural habitat with 5 miles of trails. Open during daylight hours every day without any fee, anyone can enjoy a remarkable "wilderness" just minutes from downtown Augusta.

HOW TO JOIN

We welcome new members.   Questions or more information is quickly available by email at membership@AugustaNatureCenter.com or the President or any member of the Membership Committee as listed below.

Dues are only $15 a year, payable at the Annual Meeting or by sending a check with your name and address to the Treasurer Nancy Miner, Augusta Nature Club, PO Box 5335, Augusta, ME 04332-5335.

Privacy
The Augusta Nature Club promises it will not publish or give out any personal information of its members. Membership lists will not be given nor sold to any third party.

MEETINGS     (Meetings are on the last Wednesday of the Month)

Luncheon meetings (food prepared by the Culinary Arts students) are held  at the Capital Area Technical Center on Pierce Drive, Augusta ME. Lunch is at noon at a cost of $5. Business meeting is at 1 pm followed immediately by a Program. Calling Committee must have reservations in by the Monday preceding the meeting. Visitors are welcome but you must call for a reservation if you wish to eat lunch. Reservations are not required for the Program. Meeting is cancelled if there is no school.

Programs vary from slide presentations to hands on displays and cover everything including wildlife, plants and the other wonders of nature. During the summer months, several field trips are scheduled where we visit many interesting and noteworthy features found in Maine.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

As of September 2008, there are 63 members in the Club.

TAX EXEMPT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION (IRS 501-C3)

The Augusta Nature Club has enjoyed tax exempt status since 1965. Contact us for more information.

AFFILIATIONS

Maine Audubon Society (1960); Mid-Coast Audubon Society (1964); Pine Tree State Arboretum; Augusta Natural History Education Association.

OFFICERS 2008-2009    (Please click here for Past Presidents and In Memoriam)

• President: Jackie McNeill (622-2419)

• First Vice President: Coral Garrison

• Second Vice President: Caroline Strong

• Secretary: Irene Forster

• Treasurer: Nancy Miner

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

• Doris Anderson

• Betty Carpenter

• Coral Garrison

NATURE EDUCATION CENTER MANAGER/CARETAKERS

• Ken McNeill 622-2419

• Jere Keller 623-1805

COMMITTEES

• CARDS: Gene Lockyer

• FINANCE: Betty Warren, Chuck Carpenter, Phyllis Fernald

• HISTORIAN: Jane Harvey

• HOSPITALITY:

• MEMBERSHIP: Betty Carpenter (622-5227), Coral Garrison (622-9826), Jackie Mc Neill (622-2419)

• NATURE CENTER: Jackie McNeill and Betty Carpenter, Co-Chairpersons; Coral Garrison, Betty Warren, Irene turner, Glenda Goodwin, Beth Sirabella, Marilyn Mollicone.

• PHOTOGRAPHER: Jackie Mc Neill

• PROGRAM: Jackie McNeill, Chairperson; Coral Garrison, Betty Warren, Connie Spellman, Joe Gray, Betty Carpenter, Irene Turner, Ruth Pfaffle, Gail Howard, Phyllis Fernald.

• PUBLICITY: Connie Spellman

• RESERVATIONS: Caroline Strong

• STATE CORPORATION AGENT: Jackie Mc Neill

• TELEPHONE: Coral Garrison, Chairperson, Nancy Catlin, Marjorie Arsenault, Gail Howard, Glenda Goodwin, Arlene White,  Irene Turner, Jackie McNeill, Carolyn Brown, Eva Donnell

• YEARBOOK: Betty Carpenter, Jackie Mc Neill