Dear Colleagues

I am on the Board of the Chattanooga Audubon Society, which promotes the
preservation, study, and enjoyment of the cultural heritage and natural
resources of our area and the understanding of the responsibility borne by
all to create and maintain an ecological balance between humankind and
nature.
        We own and operate three sanctuaries for public relaxation and
pleasure.  They are Audubon Acres in East Brainerd, a 120-acre floodplain
to ridgetop Park that includes hiking trails, a Golden eagle aviary, Spring
Frog Cabin (a Cherokee homestead), and a Visitor Center with exhibits of
Native American and Pioneer era artifacts; Maclellan Island in the
Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga; and Audubon Mountain in Sale
Creek, which consists of 460-acres of woodland and mountain sides.
        We are in dire need of assistance.  A series of unforeseen natural
disasters over the past few years (including a massive Southern pine beetle
infestation and the destruction of our Swinging Bridge over South
Chickamauga Creek by a fallen tree) have placed the Chattanooga Audobon
Society in real financial straits.  This threatens our ability to exercise
adequate stewardship over the natural and cultural resources under our
care.  It also imperils our ability to offer educational programming for
school children in Hamilton County and surrounding areas.  Last year we
provided programs for more than 6,000 students.
        Please consider joining our organization or making a tax-deductible
gift to the Chattanooga Audobon Society.  Membership applications are
available at www.AudobonChattanooga.org or by calling (423) 892-1499.  I
believe in the society and support its programs and ask you to join with me
in this venture.  We would greatly appreciate your help.

Cordially,

Tim Gaudin
Dept. of Biological & Environmental Sciences

Timothy J. Gaudin, Ph.D.
Department of Biological &
        Environmental Sciences (Dept. 2653)
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN   37403-2598
Ph: (423) 755-4163     FAX: (423) 785-2285
e-mail: [log in to unmask]