Last spring, the Tehachapi Mountain Birding Club made the difficult decision to disband after many years of serving bird enthusiasts in the Tehachapi area. Fortunately, the love of birding continues to be important as is the desire to see birding and conservation interests served in and around Tehachapi. To that end, Kern Audubon was contacted with the request that a sub-chapter might be started in Tehachapi under the auspices of Kern Audubon.

This idea was enthusiastically discussed and endorsed by the Kern Audubon Executive Board on June 22, 2011. Representatives of the board (Madi Elsea, President; Harry & Kathy Love, Rod Lee) met with a group of about 25 former TMBC members and interested persons from the Tehachapi area on June 28, 2011 to present the work of Audubon and how a "sub-chapter" might operate.

After much discussion, there was a unanimous decision by those present to move forward by becoming part of Kern Audubon Society. Former TMBC members were invited to become members of Audubon through this local chapter and as members will receive the monthly newsletter (Audubon Warbler), the National Audubon magazine, Audubon, and are welcome to attend KAS field trips and monthly programs.

In addition, Kern Audubon-Tehachapi (the name selected) will hold quarterly program meetings in Tehachapi (time & place to be announced) and monthly or bi-monthly field trips. Kern Audubon will provide monetary support for program expenses including the Bluebird Recovery Project.

In addition, two Tehachapi members will serve as members of the KAS Board: Angela Guy and Carol Gates. The Tehachapi chapter website will be www.kastehachapibird.org with Richard Sparks as the webmaster.

Kern Audubon already has approximately 60 members who live in the greater Tehachapi area, so having a meeting/program close to home might be of interest to some of these dedicated Audubon members who can't always make the trip to Bakersfield each month!

Look for more information as it becomes available in the monthly Warbler and on both websites: www.kernaudubonsociety.org or www.kastehachapibird.org

Welcome Kern Audubon-Tehachapi!!