Volunteer Powered
Stilt, Curlew, and Avocet at Blacks Creek. Photo by Ceredig Roberts.
GEAS is a volunteer-powered organization.
We are a positive force for birds in our community only through the support of hundreds of amazing volunteers.
Our volunteers dedicate thousands of hours to GEAS each year, leading field trips, representing us at outreach events, supporting and leading restoration efforts, teaching classes, and much more. We are so grateful for your time and support of this organization!
Lark Sparrow. Photo by Dondi Black.
2024 Volunteer Recognition
Berit Kuykendall
If we had merit badges for our volunteer tasks, Berit Kuykendall would have a full sash (or two). Berit has volunteered close to 100 hours during the past two years improving habitat along the Boise River. She's worked hours at our Native Plant Nursery tending to the plants we grow for habitat restoration projects. She's spent many more hours planting those tiny plants and watering them through the hot summer knowing that they will provide food and shelter for birds and insects in the years to come. Berit has tended the Warm Springs Pollinator Garden and helped us care for the Bethine Church Trail too. Berit is often accompanied by her dog, Loki, who's become a mascot of sorts for the ReWild Watering Team. ReWild Plot Lead Jon Mathews praises Berit as a "dedicated loyalist who shows up ready to get the job done, always with a smile." Thank you Berit for helping us create a better world for the birds and wildlife.
Nancy DeWitt
Cold, wet weather doesn't deter volunteer Nancy DeWitt from collecting data to help protect birds. Nancy participates in the Winter Climate Watch counting Red-breasted Nuthatches and she served as a Zone Leader for the 2023 Boise Christmas Bird Count. She also participates in raptor counts. Nancy has indoor skills that are very helpful as well. She solicits donations for our fundraising auctions and makes sure our events run smoothly. “I really enjoy working with Nancy on our special events (the Flock for Art is March 9) and appreciate her expertise in nonprofit management, birds, native plants, art and all things auction”, says Cynthia Wallesz, GEAS Executive Director.
Mark Whitaker
Mark Whitaker has the marvelous ability to put people at ease. This makes him an excellent teacher. Mark graduated from our 2023 Presenter Academy and is in his second year of teaching classes we offer at local libraries and through community education. He teaches Introduction to Birding, Winter Feeder Birds and Treasure Valley Hummingbirds. He shares stories of his birding experiences and beams with enthusiasm. Mark also led a Christmas Bird Count team and will be helping with a homeschool field trip. Mark's positive attitude helps everyone learn and enjoy. Thanks.
Stephanie Low
Stephanie Low shines as one of our fine field trip leaders. I first met Stephanie when she participated in the Winter Bird Challenge in January, 2023. She was enthusiastic, conscientious and learning fast. She enrolled in our Field Trip Leader Academy and graduated with honors. She's led or assisted on dozens of field trips where she shares her love and knowledge of birds. Stephanie serves on our Field Trip Committee too and tackles the huge task of creating Eventbrite registration pages for all the trips. She was a zone leader for the Christmas Bird Count and has surveyed for swallows. She's also helped at our Boise River ReWild Project. We are honored to have Stephanie on our volunteer team.
Bhavana Padiyath
Many people shy away from writing, but not Golden Eagle Guest Blogger Bhavana Padiyath. Bhavana has been writing guests blogs for one year now, and she has explored many subjects including women ornithologists Margaret Morse Nice and Florence Merriam-Bailey. Excellent International Women's Day blogs you can find at https://www.goldeneagleaudubon.org/newsandstories along with the rest of her excellent blogs. Bhavana's most recent blog is about the Mountain Bluebird. Bhavana is a new birder and reminds us to provide content for those that aren't seasoned birders. Bhavana is a Master Naturalist and has also volunteered many hours at our Boise River ReWild Project and our Native Plant Nursery. Bhavana is great with her words and with her hands. Thanks Bhavana!
Josh Thompson
Josh Thompson became a Golden Eagle Audubon presenter because of his desire to introduce the world of birds to children and novice birders. Josh started by teaching our Introduction to Birding class and has now expanded his repertoire to the Winter Feeder Birds and Hummingbirds of the Treasure Valley classes. Josh is helping us expand our offerings and our reach by teaching our new Spring Migrating Birds class at the Boise Basin Library in Idaho City on March 30. Josh's strong birding skills and contagious enthusiasm combine with his ability to connect with our diverse audiences to make him an excellent presenter. His knack for knowing which cord and cable connect where and which button to push have saved the day for us at classes more than once. Don't miss taking a class from Josh. Thanks.
Kelley Davis
Kelley Davis is a Golden Eagle Audubon Habitat Patch Adviser, a job she's held since the program was launched in 2021. Kelley has helped dozens of homeowners make their yards more bird-friendly. The awesome Habitat Patch newsletter, written each quarter by Kelley, is packed with interesting and helpful information. She has a wonderful understanding of what it takes to convert a lawn-dominated yard into a safe, native plant-filled bird oasis. Our Boise River Rewild Project and Native Plant Nursery also benefit from Kelley's expertise and enthusiasm. Kelley grows plants from seeds, plants them at ReWild and tends the plots to make sure the weeds don't make a full comeback. Kelley's made a big place in her life for birds and Golden Eagle Audubon, and we are thankful.
Lisa Schweiter
Lisa Schweiter pitches in to help Golden Eagle Audubon restore habitat, reach more people in our community and share our stories. Lisa worked on habitat restoration in her home town of Eagle last month. Her enthusiasm and big smile make everyone feel good. She's helping us connect with local libraries for classes and she's shared her photos from many events she's attended. It's a pleasure to work with Lisa. Thank you!
Ann DeBolt
Ann DeBolt is a Habitat Patch Program Adviser and much more. Ann is a botanist and seems to recognize every plant she sees. She has provided tremendously helpful advice to dozens of Habitat Patch participants during the last four years. Her eye for the plants that aren't desired (aka weeds) is incredible. Ann is now helping to train our new Advisers. Ann has also played a big role in developing the robust and impactful Habitat Patch Program we have today. She helped develop our new Silver, Gold and Patio level criteria. Ann is also a volunteer with our Boise River ReWild project. Flower arranging is another of Ann's skills, and her creations have been decorations at many Golden Eagle Audubon events. Ann's participation has made Golden Eagle Audubon a strong advocate for healthy habitat at home and in our community. We thank her and so do the birds and insects.
Hannah Q. Rodabaugh
Hannah Q. Rodabaugh is a member of the Golden Eagle Audubon Education Committee where she helped developed and teach our 2023 Presenter Academy. She's created new presentations and taught engaging and informative classes. Hannah's love for birds is contagious and her curiosity is bottomless. She's suggested many interesting topics for classes and monthly programs. Hannah has an irrepressible flair that makes her a pleasure to work with. Hannah's first full-length poetry collection, "Lost Cathedral," will be published by Cornerstone Press in 2025. Thanks for sharing your flair with us Hannah.
Cindy Peters
Cindy Peters is a dynamic volunteer who brings lots of energy and laughs to Golden Eagle Audubon. She loves volunteering in the Warm Springs Pollinator Garden communing with the bees and butterflies while pulling weeds and trimming over-achieving plants. Cindy was a huge help at our Flock for Art fundraiser and is now helping us with upcoming events.
Terry Rich
Terry is a fantastic guest writer for the Golden Eagle Blog, bringing informative and insightful stories to us regularly. Find them on our website. Terry also makes entertaining presentations at our monthly meetings. Terry is an excellent birder, and he donates a private trip to Golden Eagle Audubon each year to be awarded to the highest bidder at our auction. He leads some of our field trips too. Terry participates in summer and winter Climate Watch and the Christmas Bird Count. We are very fortunate Terry shares his time and talent with Golden Eagle Audubon and we also thank him for being a Lifetime Member.
Helen Neves
Helen brings high energy and a huge amount of commitment to Golden Eagle Audubon's habitat improvement work. Helen's been polishing her leadership skills as a plot lead for our Boise River Rewild Project and as a member of our Native Plant Network Nursery Team. When it's not outdoor season, Helen has been a greeter at our community classes. Helen graduated from the College of Western Idaho and is now working towards a BS in Biology from Boise State University. Thank you Helen for your dedication and big smile.
Mike Frith
Mike Frith is what we call a VOAT (Volunteer of All Trades). He gives his time and talent to Golden Eagle Audubon for a diversity of activities including serving on the Education Committee and helping us get bird classes scheduled with the Meridian Public Library, assisting on field trips for young children, participating in City Nature Challenge, planting native plants at our Boise River ReWild Habitat Restoration Project and clearing trails at Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve. Thanks Mike. We are grateful for you.
Paul Spillers
Paul Spillers gets his steps in when he's volunteering with Golden Eagle Audubon. Since early 2024, Paul has walked miles hauling water at habitat restoration projects, done tons of squats planting native plants, strengthened his grip cutting wire to wrap cottonwood trees and tested his patience growing native plants from tiny seeds. As a newly retired person, Paul makes time in his life almost every week to lend a hand. He brings a big smile and gets the job done. We are very grateful Paul chooses to spend his time with us. Thanks Paul.
Darcy Sharp
Darcy Sharp has completed her training to serve as a Habitat Patch Program Adviser. She's started visiting participants' yards doling out advice on how they can reach their bird-friendly yard goals. Habitat Patch Advisers need to know about a wide range of topics, and Darcy had a good start from creating her own bird-friendly yard. She worked alongside our veteran Advisers and studied many resources to gain knowledge about plants, weeds, pesticides, birds and more. Darcy's enthusiasm is contagious and her friendly teaching style helps everyone feel at ease. It's an honor to have Darcy on our Habitat Patch team. Thanks Darcy.
GEAS Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
Al Larson
Hilda Larson
Matt McCoy
Sue Norton
Western Grebes. Photo by Mick Thompson.