BCAS President Don Torino, far left, leads a Meadowlands Nature Walk

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we would like to take this time to thank the Bergen County Audubon Society, and specifically its  president, Don Torino. Don’s tireless efforts here in the Meadowlands and throughout Northern New Jersey have raised awareness about the importance of open space and wildlife preservation and introduced a love of birding to scores of people.

In the Meadowlands, we are very lucky to have Don lead our twice monthly nature walks at DeKorte Park, Mill Creek Marsh and other sites throughout the area. The free walks held on the first Sunday and third Tuesday are open to all age levels. Don points out birds and talks about their characteristics and history and, with his spotting scope, allows  participants to glimpse amazing avian species that they might not be able to see otherwise. His love of birding is truly infectious and has inspired many to take up the practice.

But Don does more than simply look for birds. He also tells people during his near constant talks and walks about how people can build backyard gardens conducive to attracting birds and butterflies, the best plants to attract certain species and in general how you can help the environment. We highly encourage you to check out his “Life in the Meadowlands” column, which is posted every Thursday morning on the blog.

The Bergen County Audubon Society as a whole also deserves our gratitude for planning walks, hosting talks, including by well-known experts and authors, and holding special events. The organization plays a major role in the success of our annual Butterfly Day event at DeKorte Park (this year’s is July 30) and greatly helped us receive a grant that was used to host a River Barge Park Day.

So, we say thanks to this special group of people whose hard work and dedication to raising awareness about our bird population and environmental conservation has made a true difference in inspiring people of all ages to become stewards of our precious natural resources and wildlife.