Meet Our Volunteers!
Nancy Bent, volunteer of 11 years
Q: What Tucson Audubon volunteer projects have you been involved with?
A: “Spring Bird Count; Trogon Survey; Gilded Flicker Survey; Tucson Festival of Books; SE AZ Birding Festival; Member Library; Nature Shop (I think that’s everything!)”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “Go birding locally, traveling, work in the yard, and reading.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “I was born & raised in Ohio, did graduate school in New Jersey, spent my adult life in the Chicago suburbs, moved to Tucson in 2012. I’ve been a nature lover/conservationist my entire life and became a serious birder when I took Ornithology in college.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “I love all of the world’s kingfishers! They are beautiful, boldly colored, dramatic, and uncommon enough to be exciting whenever I spot one.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “It allows me to give back to the world of birds and the conservation of their habitats, both by sharing the excitement of nature in the Shop and at the Festival, and by adding to the scientific database by participating in bird surveys.”
Q: What skills or expertise do you bring to Tucson Audubon that you think contributes to our conservation goals?
A: “50+ years as a birder, MS in Ecology, former zookeeper (birds) and wildlife rehabber, librarian – and I like people and enjoy talking with them!”
Scott Crabtree, volunteer of 6 years
Q: What has been your favorite volunteer experience with Tucson Audubon?
A: “Getting to know the TAS members and SE AZ birders through leading Field Trips, and I have especially loved presenting workshops on digiscoping and recording/editing bird sounds.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A; “I’ve had a lifelong interest in birds, and was first encouraged by a friend of my grandmother’s. An encounter with a Prothonotary Warbler in 1972 sparked a real passion for birding. A career in the Navy gave me a chance to move around a lot, where I cut my teeth on Gulf Stream pelagics, experienced life in the Aleutian Islands, and spent several years in south Texas. Retired now from the Navy and a second career in the federal government. I’ve contributed to Breeding Bird Surveys, Breeding Bird Atlases, and have led trips for local birding clubs across the nation. I’m keen on Citizen/Community Science projects, and birding my local patch.”
A: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
Q: “I’m keen on the TAS mission to inspire people to protect and enjoy birds. My birding trips are not just about ID’ing a bird, but putting their behavior and physiology in the context of their life. If I can bring a greater sense of holistic enjoyment to participants on my field trips, and perhaps to work towards greater inclusiveness in the Society’s membership, then I feel as though that’s my best contribution.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “While common in the Tucson area, I always take delight in Gambel’s Quail. They’re beautiful, their activities and interactions are a delight to watch, and their vocalizations are so much fun! As for groups of birds? The falcons for their aerial prowess; the tubenoses for their incredible adaptation to a pelagic life; the neotropic wrens for their incredible vocal abilities.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “Volunteering for TAS is my way to connect to a community I value greatly, and to an organization of which I’m proud to be a member.”
Q: What skills or expertise do you bring to Tucson Audubon that you think contributes to our conservation goals?
A: “My skills and expertise are to help people understand what they’re experiencing when they’re birding – from holistic ID to fine field marks; from birds behavior to their adaptation to a life on the wing; what the birds are signaling in their vocalizations, and how we can learn more from them. I trust that enhancing the bird-enjoyment of our members will help with conservation goals.”
Lois Manowitz, volunteer of 18 years
Q: What volunteer projects have you been involved with?
A: “Mostly it is through my photography, but I was involved with the Azure Bluebird Nestbox project in Sonoita vineyards. I also do the spring Bird count in my choice of route. This year, I’m helping out at the Book Fair table.”
Q: What has been your favorite volunteer experience with Tucson Audubon and why?
A: “I enjoy having TAS use my photographs in the Vermilion Flycatcher and other materials. I have enjoyed everything I’ve done with/for TAS. The staff are great, and it brings me joy to help such a great organization doing things that help our birds.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “I am a serious amateur singer, and sing with the Tucson Symphony Chorus and The Helios Ensemble. I hike, cycle, kayak, and do adventure travel. I attend many theater and musical events in Tucson, and love to play mahjong.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A; “Though I have been a bit less active in recent years, I am planning to get more active once again with my photography. I learned so much about birds through photographing them. I appreciate the way TAS reaches out to diverse groups.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Tough question!!! The first bird I fell in love with was the Eastern Bluebird, back in NJ. They are so sweet to observe in the nestbox, raising their young. Here in Arizona, I love all the hummingbirds. They are simply amazing, with their amazing flight and personalities.”
Q: What skills or expertise do you bring to Tucson Audubon that you think contributes to our conservation goals?
A: “My photography skills are my greatest expertise, which hopefully provides people with images that move them to enjoy and want to protect our birds and their habitats.”
Karen Howe, volunteer of 2.5 years
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “I grew up in very suburban New Jersey, but am a nature person through and through. I got a degree in hydrology from the University of New Hampshire and did lots of field work before and after college in New Hampshire, with the Forest Service in Colorado and with the Army Corps of Engineers in the oilfields of northern Alaska. I did my first serious birding in the tundra where my gateway bird was the snowy owl – often seen sitting on the ground (there are no trees in the tundra). I was attacked by a parasitic jaeger one day while doing field work! I carried my binoculars while hiking and backpacking, since then and have gotten serious about birding in the last 5 years. I’ve been a climate change activist and native habitat enthusiast for about 10 years.”
Q: What has been your favorite volunteer experience with Tucson Audubon?
A: “When a brand new birder shows up on one of my trips and falls in love with birding.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “Being a Tucson Audubon volunteer fills my soul. I love getting up early for bird trips and I have a great time meeting the wonderful people who come birding. I’ve made wonderful friends through TAS and I’m doing my small part for the plants, animals and birds that live in the desert.”
Paula Redinger, volunteer of 7 years
Q: What Tucson Audubon volunteer projects have you been involved with?
A: “Most of my volunteer hours have been with the various Lucy’s Warbler’s projects (nestbox installation, monitoring, camera hosting, spearheading the Nature’s Notebook ‘Lucy Tree’ community science project), the former Santa Cruz River point counts, the Tucson Bird Count, and, to a lesser extent, Climate Watch surveys. But I’ve dabbled in the Elf Owl surveys, CCLO surveys, Borderlands surveys, and dPUMA projects, as well as helped install a pollinator garden at a public school. I wish I could do… everything all the time!”
Q: What has been your favorite volunteer experience with Tucson Audubon?
A: “Anything that gets me out and about is wonderful, although it has been a special experience to host one of the Lucy’s Warbler nest cameras in my own backyard. I’m also really appreciative of the special learning events for volunteers, and it pains me greatly when I can’t always attend them.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “Volunteer! (I also work as as professional flutist.)”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “More and more, I am interested in habitat restoration, and the concrete long-term changes it brings about. I’d like to get more involved with this angle. I also volunteer at Tucson Community Agriculture right next to the TAS office, which gives me an opportunity to see the TAS Restoration Crew returning from the field. They do incredibly valuable work. I love reading about it in the Vermilion Flycatcher. Tucson is awash in riches when it comes to conservation organizations, and the Tucson Audubon Society is one of the crown jewels of this network. I love how they all work together and share common goals.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Oh my goodness, why ask such an impossible question?! I can’t narrow it down to one bird, but I do have a fondness for warblers, and other tiny birds that hide in shadowy places.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “It means I get to have fun traipsing about, while simultaneously making a contribution to the long-term goals of understanding, protecting, and restoring the beautiful world around us. What could be better than that? (I can think of one thing: combining all of the above with a motorcycle ride!)”
Q: What skills or expertise do you bring to Tucson Audubon that you think contributes to our conservation goals?
A: “I am a Certified Pima County Master Naturalist, and while that doesn’t give me any super birding skills (in fact, I feel my birding skills really could be improved upon), the course, as well as its annual volunteering and advanced training requirements, have really given me a solid knowledge base of all the facets of our region. They’ve really helped me draw connections between multiple naturalist ‘disciplines’, which, in turn, allow me to grasp the big picture of our treasured Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands.”
Marcia OBara, volunteer of 8 years
Q: What Tucson Audubon volunteer projects have you been involved with?
A: “Birding for EveryBODY, Elf owl surveys, Tucson bird counts, Elegant trogon surveys, Paton’s Center.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “Sewing and quilting.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “Many canoe trips to Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada got me interested in birds and other wildlife.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “My passion is ensuring we have accessible outings.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Northern Parula warbler. Beautiful colors and song.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “Gives me a chance to share my love of birds with others.”
Q: What skills or expertise do you bring to Tucson Audubon that you think contributes to our conservation goals?
A: “Observing and recording birds, entering the sightings into eBird so data can be used to determine the conservation steps needed to protect birds and wildlife.”
Peggy Steffens, volunteer of 3 years
Q: What Tucson Audubon volunteer projects have you been involved with?
A: “Pulling lettuce at Sweetwater Wetlands, leading field trips, Birdathon, working the booth at Tucson Festival of Books, Festival volunteer, planting saguaros, CBC, various bird surveys.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “I was born in Buffalo, New York. I grew up in Phoenix and moved to Tucson in 1976 to attend the U of A and have been here ever since, except for a two year stint in Flagstaff to get my doctoral degree. During Covid my husband had a 3 day weekend and we went to the cabins in Madera Canyon and I got photos of an Elegant Trogon eating a worm and this became my spark bird. I then learned about Tucson Audubon and took every course Luke Safford had on where to go birding in Southern Arizona. I had never been to the majority of these places and I loved being in nature and learning about birds. I then checked out the The National Geographic Guide to Birding in North America from the library, took Cornell Lab of Ornithology classes and once we could take in person field trips, I signed up. So I was always learning during Covid and out in nature at least five days a week. Birding soothes my soul, keeps my brain engaged as I learn all of this new vocabulary, fosters my creative side when I photograph the birds and keeps me moving and enjoying nature.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “To help others get as excited about birding as I am and to get more people to notice the amazing birds that are all around us in Southern Arizona, if you just pay attention. Once they pay attention, then hopefully they will care about protecting the birds, wildlife and the environment.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Whatever bird I am seeing or hearing. I will always have a soft spot for the Elegant Trogon because of getting a photo of it eating a worm and I really loved the Andean Cock of the Rock and Plate-billed Mountain Toucan on the TAS trip to Ecuador. I think it is hard to pick a favorite but I liked the Cock of the Rock because we got to go to a lek on my birthday and the sound was incredible and to see those strange looking birds doing their courtship display was a once in a lifetime experience. I selected the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan because it was wonderful to see a toucan in real life that was close to me.”
Barb Thayer, volunteer of 12 years
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “I enjoy visiting nature areas for bird watching and exercise. I am a member of several social organizations which sponsor events such as wine tasting along with guest speakers. I also look forward to art exhibits at Tohono Chul and the Center for Creative Photography at U of A.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “Chicago, IL. I have always enjoyed backyard birding and in the 1980’s my husband and I put up feeders in our yard. This led to purchasing quality binoculars and many field guides for identification. We next joined several birding organizations and participated in field trips and bird counts. The rest is history!”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “Protection of the environment not only now but for future generations. It is so important to find a balance in which all species can thrive and survive.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Rock Wren. I always smile when one visits our yard. Their call note is distinct along with the bouncing up and down behavior.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “Giving back to an organization is important to me. Volunteering has also introduced me to friends I would not have otherwise met.”
Irene Barg, volunteer of 4 years
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “I grew up in Tennessee, but lived in Anchorage, AK before moving to Tucson. I attended the 2020 Festival & did an overnight trip at Madera Canyon, I joined TAS after that.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “Birds are our canary in the mine tunnel, if our birds are in danger, we are next.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Belted Kingfisher.”
Tim Murphy, volunteer of 3 years
Q: What has been your favorite volunteer experience with Tucson Audubon?
A: “Elf Owl surveys and interacting with the wonderful staff at Tucson Audubon.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “My wife, Jean, and I relocated to the Tucson area in 2021 from Columbus, Ohio. While living in Ohio, we discovered a wetlands across the street from our home and purchased binoculars and that’s when it all began! Afterwards, we discovered the plight of birds and decided to get more involved.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Elegant Trogon – it’s flashy, such an unusual bird and only found here in our part of the country.”
Mark Hengesbaugh, volunteer of 15 years
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “I have always enjoyed wildlife watching. I began journalistic writing about conservation subjects for local magazines in Utah in the 1990s with the goal of explaining the science behind conservation to the general public as simply and clearly as possible. To do that I interviewed many scientists and their approach and way of looking at the natural world drew me in. I can’t think of one single fall-in-love moment for birding, but it does have to do with being in bird habitat and seeing enormous groups of birds together in wonderful locations like Bear River Bird Refuge and Whitewater Draw that inspire and excite me to get back out there.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “Reading books, magazines and news sources; exercise including walking, weights and tai chi, birding.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “I am passionate about conveying habitat information when I help lead bird walks; I think it enriches the birding experience. I’m passionate about educating people about the Sonoran Desert’s invasive plant problems.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “I appreciate working with the smart and friendly professionals and volunteers on educating ourselves and the world on the joy of experiencing and the necessity of preserving southeast Arizona’s natural landscapes.”
Q: What skills or expertise do you bring to Tucson Audubon that you think contributes to our conservation goals?
A: “Love of natural landscapes. Many years of studying and writing about wildlife and habitats (one of my books: Creatures of Habitat: The Changing Nature of Wildlife and Wild Places in Utah and the Intermountain West, published by Utah State University Press.) Extensive experience organizing and working on invasive species removal projects.”
Kim Antieau, new volunteer
Q: What has been your favorite volunteer experience with Tucson Audubon?
A: “I enjoy talking with the people who come to the Paton Center.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “I’m a writer which means I’m alone in a room a lot of the time, so I like to hike or just be outdoors as much as possible. I enjoy observing and photographing wildlife. I just like being surrounded by the wild.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “I’m originally from Michigan. We lived out in the country, and I loved being outdoors in Nature. I always liked birds, but I loved all wildlife. In the fall, the trees on our property were filled with birds getting ready to migrate. It was an awesome and sometimes spooky sound. At our elementary school, the field beyond our playground was grassy and a perfect place for Killdeer “nests.” At recess, the boys would run out and smash as many eggs as they could. I was this tiny girl, and I’d race out there to try and protect the Killdeer eggs by fighting with the boys. I still remember the Killdeer pretending they were hurt to try and draw the boys away from the eggs. Since then it’s often felt like one long useless fight to protect Nature from humans. We lived in the PNW for over 30 years but had to flee because of the wildfires. We moved here 5 years ago. We are definitely climate refugees.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Vermillion Flycatcher is one of my favorite birds. Why? Because they are sassy, they seem interested in people, and they fly funny, like all flycatchers (slightly drunk). I love all flycatchers. And buntings…love me some lazuli buntings.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “I am enjoying it! I feel like I’m learning a lot at the Paton Center and occasionally I’m able to educate someone else, but mostly it’s just nice talking to people again. As I mentioned, I like to be of service, and I believe in the goals of TAS.”
Wayne Smith, volunteer of 5 months
Q: What has been your favorite volunteer experience with Tucson Audubon?
A: “Paton Center Birding Ambassador.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “Birding, hiking, and fly fishing.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “Originally from California but I have lived in Idaho for 30 years. Hopefully we will be full time residents of Green Valley in about a year. My father was a casual birder so I grew up with an appreciation for birds and conservation. I was a casual birder all my life until I approached retirement and had more time to devote to birding and became much more serious about birding.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “I love the work being done at the Paton Center to restore the habitat along Sonoita Creek riparian area.”
Q: What does it mean to be a volunteer with Tucson Audubon?
A: “In today’s environment, birds and bird habitat need protection and it is rewarding to me to know that I can help with those protections and to help others understand the need for these protections.”
Andrew Core, volunteer of 14 years
Q: What volunteer projects have you been involved with?
A: “Tucson RBA and maybe a few other projects here and there; helped update the Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, and did the Tucson Bird Count a few times.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “Other than watch birds – spend time with family, watch sports, create maps.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “My interest in birds began when I was 11 and my dad brought a Peterson guide back from a fishing trip; I found it fascinating. It didn’t take long to wear it out. Thanks to a teacher I got connected with the Tennessee Ornithological Society in Knoxville, and found many people who shared my interest – it didn’t matter that they were mostly 30-50 years older!”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “Rock Wren; love their calls and confiding habits.”
Q: What skills or expertise do you bring to Tucson Audubon that you think contributes to our conservation goals?
A: “Pretty knowledgeable about bird distribution and frequency; southern Arizona is a remarkably diverse place and the birds can be very specific to certain areas. We also get a lot of vagrants from the west, east, Mexico and even Asia.”
Karen McWhirter, new volunteer
Q: Tell me about yourself: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “Bird, garden, hike, read, play ukulele.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “Originally from Michigan, but most of my life has been here in Tucson. I began to become more interested in birding when the pandemic hit. I have always been interested in conservation and the environment.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “Climate change and how it is affecting all of us, including birds of course.”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “I think all birds are cool, but I’m very partial to hummers.”
Karen Vandzura, volunteer of 2 years
Q: What has been your favorite volunteer experience with Tucson Audubon and why?
A: “Meeting other birders and volunteers.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: Where are you from & how did you fall in love with bird watching and/or conservation?
A: “Some friends gave me a field guide as a thank you gift in 1991. I was not impressed, but they pointed out some of the fabulous birds we had seen during their visit… American pelican, Osprey, Bald eagle, Trumpeter swan. I’ve been hooked ever since.”
Q: Tell me about yourself: What are your passions and goals with Tucson Audubon or in the field of conservation?
A: “Educate and preserve!”
Q: What is your favorite bird and why?
A: “I love them all, but I guess I’m partial to Ravens. They are so smart and family oriented.”