2023 Volunteers — Golden Eagle Audubon

2023 Volunteer Recognition

Dondi Black

Dondi Black has left her volunteer position as GEAS Field Trip Coordinator, a post she's held since 2018. Participation in our field trips has increased tremendously due to Dondi's hard work and vision. Dondi initiated our sign-up system, developed the Field Trip Leader Manual, trained new field trip leaders and led us through the chaos of Covid. During this time, Dondi also led dozens of trips including her popular birding-by-ear trips (and classes). Dondi is an incredible birder, as anyone who has gone on one of her trips knows, but her attention to detail and unflagging diligence elevated our field trip program to new heights. Thanks Dondi.

Jaimi Anghel

You've probably seen Jaimi Anghel's smiling face at one or more Golden Eagle Audubon Society events. She is an incredible volunteer who cheerfully takes on large and small tasks that make our work possible. Jaimi is often at the greeting table for our educational programs, she's grows and tends to plants for our Native Plant Network, she participated in the City Nature Challenge, was a member of the Bird of the Week social media team and is now monitoring pollinators for our Boise River Rewild Project. On top of this, Jaimi is a Master Naturalist. We are very grateful that Jaimi shares her time, skills and positive energy with us. Thanks Jaimi!

Jim James

Jim James can tell the difference between a Clark's Grebe and a Western Grebe (and identify most any Idaho bird), carefully transplant a tiny seedling, plant a cottonwood tree, and lead a long caravan of birders through the Idaho backcountry, and he's done all this and more as a Golden Eagle Audubon volunteer. We appreciate the years of service Jim has provided to our chapter. He's a wealth of knowledge and is helping train new field trip leaders. He's helped with our Boise River Rewild Project from the beginning and rolls his sleeves up and puts his gloves on to get the job done. Thank you Jim!

Nell Lindquist

"Nell Lindquist has been a godsend to the Boise River Rewild Project, the most intensive community-led conservation project in the Treasure Valley. Nell volunteered to manage both the ReWild Plant Production team and the Native Plant Network nursery in Boise Parks and Recreation's Comba Park. Drawing on her decades of experience in horticulture and nursery management, Nell guided more than 100 volunteers to germinate native seed, nurture seedlings and pot them up. Her work has resulted in production of more than 15,000 restoration-ready seedlings of 25 native species. We can't thank Nell enough!" Sean Finn, Boise River ReWild Project Director

Claire Veseth

Who ya gonna to call? Claire Veseth! Yes, when Golden Eagle Audubon needs a volunteer to do almost anything, we can count on Claire. Claire pulls weeds with gusto, gives a dynamo presentation, enthusiastically stuffs envelopes, carefully repots seedlings, wraps trees like a pro, doesn't shy from teaching wild kids and much more. She's a fabulous birder too. Thanks Claire for all you do for Golden Eagle Audubon.

Carlos Critchlow

People volunteer for Golden Eagle Audubon for many reasons, some appearing out of the blue like Carlos Critchlow. Carlos signed up to volunteer in April, and he has logged nearly 50 hours so far not including his commute time from Mountain Home. Carlos is monitoring swallows at bridges near Blacks Creek, he's transplanted hundreds of native plants at Comba Park, and he and his dog Jill are keeping native plants alive at our Boise River Rewild Project plots. Plot lead Jon Mathews said, "Carlos has become a pack mule of sorts. He has hauled so much water out of the Boise, they may have to ration it!" I won't give away Carlos' age, but he's one of the many seniors that volunteer with us. Thanks Carlos!

Danette Henderson

Danette Henderson is passionate about bird conservation. Her work with Golden Eagle Audubon provides important habitat for birds worldwide. “Danette is our coffee fairy! Each month, she organizes GEAS’ coffee program and when folks order bird-friendly coffee through our online store, it magically arrives on their doorstep, courtesy of Danette. Not only does Danette help our community purchase triple-certified coffee that supports farms providing bird habitat, her efforts have provided GEAS with more than $3,500 in coffee sales since she began leading the program in June 2019 –amazing! Thank you so much, Danette, for your dedication to GEAS and birds worldwide!” – Cynthia Wallesz, Executive Director

Helen Fisher

Helen Fisher retired as a middle school teacher last year and went straight to "work" for Golden Eagle Audubon as a Presenter and Boise River Rewild Project leader! She is a brilliant volunteer with many interests; a real renaissance woman! Helen co-leads the Access Management team, helps on the Education and Outreach team, and has adopted a plot for her neighborhood. Helen is teaching our ReWild class on Sept. 11 and our Introduction to Birding class on Sept. 13 (check our calendar to sign up). Helen's enthusiasm for conservation is contagious and her passion for the environment and birds guides her everyday life! Thank you Helen.

Ken Miracle

Ken Miracle is a Golden Eagle Audubon field trip leader, he teaches bird photography classes for us, he counts swallows for our Swallows and Bridges Project and participates in the Christmas Bird Count. We love him for all of this. What really sets Ken apart from others is his generous sharing of his incredible bird photos. Ken is out birding and taking photos most days, and he shares them all with Golden Eagle Audubon. They're on our website, our social media, our flyers and now they're in our new Common Birds of the Boise River pamphlet. He captures birds doing most everything and his photos help us communicate the beauty and wonder of birds to all.

Linda Wentz

It's hard to exceed Linda Wentz's knowledge of birds. That knowledge combined with excellent teaching skills makes Linda a popular field trip leader. GEAS Board Member Louisa Evers says, "Linda is always willing to assist on the bird walks she attends. She helps beginners identify what bird they are seeing, helps them find the bird in question, and provides information about the bird. Linda almost always brings her spotting scope and readily shares the view with others." Linda also helps with projects like the Kuna Mora Rd Cleanup. Thank you Linda for sharing your expertise and enthusiasm with Golden Eagle Audubon. P.S. Linda is the 2023 top eBirder in Idaho with 305 species since January 1!

Sandy Merz

Sandy Merz's cheerful smile is a familiar sight at our Boise River Rewild Project. Sandy has been helping to keep the small native plants alive through the hot and dry period by watering them. Sandy has helped tremendously with Golden Eagle Audubon's habitat improvement projects. She's volunteered for our Native Plant Network at Comba Park caring for the native plants we're growing and she's pitched in at the Warm Springs Pollinator Garden. Thank you Sandy for sharing your smile and muscle with us.

Joan Mattern

Joan Mattern is the only Boise River Rewild Project Plot Lead who needs to keep the Boise State Beach Volleyball tournament schedule in her calendar. Joan's plot is adopted by the 24-member women's squad, and she's helped them plant and care for hundreds of native plants during the past year. In addition to supervising the Bronco squad, Joan makes time to monitor for pollinators at ReWild Plots. She stood quietly observing insects coming and going from plants four times this year collecting vital data needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the project. Joan has high energy, incredible reliability, outstanding organizing skills and a warm and positive attitude. Her work for Golden Eagle Audubon is greatly appreciated.

Tom Rosenthal

Some volunteers are like birds - they don't stay still long enough to get a good photo. This is Tom Rosenthal in action at our Boise River Rewild Project. Tom has only begun to volunteer with GEAS, but he's no stranger to volunteering, and he was quick to hit the ground...literally. He pounded, dug, and pried at rocks with a crew from Micron Technology to build a new split-rail fence at Boise Parks and Recreation's Marianne Williams Park in very rocky conditions. Tom saw the project through from planning and measuring to leveling and cleaning up. Tom is reliable, skilled, professional, and friendly to everyone on the job. We're so grateful for your time and help, Tom!

Ileana I. Córdova

When Ileana I. Córdova registered as a volunteer in July she let us know she was a good "behind-the-scenes support person," and that is putting it mildly. Ileana works closely with Executive Director Cynthia on a number of behind-the-scenes administrative projects that make our small non-profit hum. Outside, Ileana also pitches in for GEAS. She's planted and watered at our Boise River Rewild Project and helped tend the Warm Springs Pollinator Garden. To top it off, she takes wonderful photos at our volunteer events and on our field trips. Ileana is a pleasure to work with, and we are grateful she shares her talents and smile with us.

R.L. Rowland

RL Rowland is one of Golden Eagle Audubon's longest serving volunteers. He started with us in the 1980's and has been instrumental in many aspects of the organization for four decades. He's served on the Board, as Field Trip Chair, as Compiler for the Christmas Bird Count and more. Today you'll find RL leading a number of field trips each month. RL is a fantastic teacher. You'd think you were the first person to ask a question when the truth is he's heard them all many times. We can't thank RL enough for the incredible contributions he's made to Golden Eagle Audubon.