
Connecting People
With Nature
Celebrate Wachiska's 50th Anniversary
Birds, Prairies and People
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Wachiska's 50th Anniversary, please use this QR Code to donate via PayPal or a Debit or Credit Card.
This site can also be used to donate to the Prairie Management Fund, make a general donation,
or donate to Birdathon.
Thank you for thinking of
Wachiska and our mission.

Doug Tallamy, professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware has written numerous books on native landscapes. Tallamy will give a talk to celebrate Wachiska's 50th Anniversary on December 3, 2023. Lincoln's own Francie and Finch bookstore will donate 10% of the sales of Tallamy's books and CD's to Wachiska. Follow this link to order books from Francie and Finch and be ready for his talk on December 3, 2023.
Wachiska Turns 50
by Mark Brohman and Arlys Reitan
Wachiska Program and Annual Meeting —
Wachiska’s 50th Anniversary Celebration — Sunday, December 3
University of Nebraska's Innovation Campus,
2021 Transformation Drive


This month will be a different format from what Wachiska has followed for half a century. There will be NO general meeting on the regular second Thursday night; instead, we will be celebrating our first 50 years on Sunday afternoon, December 3, at a new location. However, reservations are needed, and that deadline will have passed by the time this newsletter arrives. S0—this will be a reminder for those who registered to join us.
The luncheon and Tallamy talk will be on the second floor of the Nebraska Innovation Studio building at 2021 Transformation Drive. That is on North 21st Street and Transformation Drive on the University of Nebraska's Innovation Campus. This is just east of the Bob Devaney Center and across from the university's greenhouse and The Scarlet Hotel. Innovation Campus is on the old state fairgrounds on the north side of Salt Creek Roadway. Along North 21st Street on the west side of the street, there are three large buildings. The middle building is the Nebraska Innovation Studio. Free parking is available in the large parking lot north of the three buildings. All other parking areas and street parking require a fee. Someone will direct visitors to the parking lot and the meeting room.
The Innovation Studio building is the old FFA building that had the exhibits and the auction arena during the state fair era.
Refer to the first paragraph of the executive director’s message on page 2 for current information on the December 3 event.
Doug Tallamy, an American entomologist, ecologist, and conservationist, is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He advocates for home gardens and landscaping that bridge the gaps between parks and preserves in providing habitat for native species. Dr. Tallamy has written numerous books on native landscapes including Bringing Nature Home, Nature’s Best Hope, The Nature of Oaks, and has co-authored The Living Landscape. Lincoln's own Francie & Finch Bookshop will donate 10 percent of the sales of Tallamy's books and CDs to Wachiska. Order your books from Francie & Finch today and be ready for Tallamy’s talk on December 3. To become familiar with his work, go to www.homegrownnationalpark.org and/or listen to the podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-poor-prolesalmanac/id1523042499?i=1000621330604.
Framed photos by local, widely well-known, and respected photographers Joel Sartore and Michael Forsberg will be raffled off during the luncheon. In addition to Francie & Finch, Sartore, and Forsberg, event sponsors include Wild Bird Habitat Store, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Lower Platte South NRD, Pepperl family, Marilyn McNabb, The Scarlet Hotel, Stock Seed Farms, Midwest Natives Nursery, Aldersgate Gardens & Playground, the Unitarian Church’s Green Sanctuary Committee, LES Pollinator Program, Cradduck Productions, Eagle Printing & Sign, and Green at Heart - Westminster Presbyterian Church. Many thanks to all for their support and belief in Wachiska’s mission!
December Calendar of Events
December 3 50th Anniversary Gala, Innovation Campus
1:00 & 3:00 p.m.
December 11 Conservation Committee, via Zoom 6:30 p.m.
December 12 Newsletter deadline in Wachiska office,
5:00 p.m. moved up due to holidays
December 4 NO GENERAL MEETING DUE TO
50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION EARLIER
December 16 Christmas Bird Count
December 19 Board Meeting via Zoom, 7:00 p.m.

Give Nebraska is preparing to kick off this year's
campaign.
Wachiska Audubon Society will be participating and we are fortunate to be one of the 70+ members who benefit from the 100+ public and private workplaces that allow employees to contribute to their favorite non-profits through payroll deductions.

In September 2021, the Wachiska Board adopted the National Audubon’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as the Chapter’s own goals:
The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.
Join Wachiska Today
Become a member of the Wachiska chapter of the National Audubon Society and support environmental conservation, education, and outreach in Southeast Nebraska.
Click HERE for details.
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The photos on this website were taken by Wachiska members. Many thanks to Bruce Wendorff,
Linda Brown, Paul Johnsguard, Tim Knott, Stu Luttich, John Carlini and Elizabeth Nelson.