Sequoia Audubon has been making some changes over the last few months. We have a fresh, new board, some amazing volunteers, and a great membership that encourages and supports us to grow and improve. We have been focusing on ramping up some of our programs to better meet our mission.

Some of our recent accomplishments are our expanding San Mateo County Birding Guide, increased educational outreach, the addition of a footbridge at Pescadero Marsh as part of the Trail Improvement Project, and our involvement in the fight against the Cargill Development. We also have become involved in two major upcoming festivals, the Monterey Bay Birding Festival and the ABA Half Moon Bay Conference.

Our most visible change is our new and improved logo. We are very excited to introduce you to our new, modern look. Matthew Dodder, a local birder, birding instructor, and graphic designer has revamped our image. We have kept the pygmy nuthatch as our local representative bird, but with a more contemporary appearance.

Matthew Dodder has been birding since he was 14 years old when he sprinkled birdseed on the snow after a heavy snowstorm and identified his very first Northern Cardinal. He has traveled around the world birding but says some of his most enjoyable birding experiences have been right here in the Bay Area. He has been an Advanced Birding instructor at the Palo Alto Adult School since 1999 and has served on the board of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society. In addition to his outstanding birding and teaching skills, Matthew is an artist. He creates amazing field sketches as well as computer graphic images of birds. You can visit his Zazzle site to purchase some of his designs. For more information about Matthew’s classes and artwork, visit his website: http://birdguy.net.

And if you love the new logo, Sequoia Audubon will be selling T-Shirts, Hats, Pins, and Car Window Clings sporting the design. Buy one for yourself, gifts for friends, and support your favorite Audubon chapter.

— Melissa Hero