About

Our Story

National Audubon History

Protecting waterbird populations has been part of Audubon’s mission even before the official establishment of the National Audubon Society. Outrage over the slaughter of millions of waterbirds, particularly egrets and other waders, for the millinery trade led to the foundation, by Harriet Hemenway and Mina Hall, of the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1896. In 1905, the National Audubon Society was founded, with the protection of gulls, terns, egrets, herons, and other waterbirds high on its conservation priority list.

Dunes-Calumet Audubon History

The Dunes- Calumet Audubon Society exists as a stand alone 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1972. It is considered a chapter of the National Audubon through a cooperative agreement. The chapter's mission is to promote birding through education, conservation, and scientific research for the betterment of Northwest Indiana natural habitats. The DCAS is operated by a board of directors, serving three year terms and led by officers serving two year terms.

Our Board of Directors

President- Kim Ehn (2023)

Vice-President- Matt Kalwasinski (2024)

Treasurer- Amanda Kalwasinski (2023)

Secretary- Cookie Ferguson (2024)

Board Members:
Julie Bonnema (2023)   Dan Barriball (2024) Michael Topp (2025)
Brad Bumgardner (2023)   Matt Igleski (2024) Angela Clark (2025)

Chairs and Coordinators
Advocacy Coordinator - Matt Igleski   Email Coordinator - Matt Kalwasinski Field Trip Coordinator - Julie Bonnema
Membership Coordinator - Vickie Igleski Native Plant Sale Coordinators - Loyce Fandrei & Cookie Ferguson
Outreach Coordinator - Dan Barriball   Piping Plover Committee - Michael Topp Program Coordinator - Matt Kalwasinski
Science Coordinator - Cookie Ferguson   Social Media Coordinator - Matt Kalwasinski Website Coordinator - Brad Bumgardner

Our Audubon Stories!

Meet some of the DCAS board members and their story!

"Birding connects me more intimately with nature. I enjoy watching birds and learning their habits and how they navigate the challenges nature presents. I like observing the cycles of migration. I delight in learning deeply about a species, such as the woodcock. Birding helps refresh me and keep me grounded in nature’s creation. The word I used to describe birding was intriguing, and I think that expresses what attracts me to birds. Perhaps my most surprising birding experience came out of my personal woodcock project. I started putting those observations on ebird so that I could get a sense of the habits and activities of the bird. What surprised me is that people occasionally show up to watch the timberdoodles with me because they had seen my reports. I had a couple of women from Germany show up once because they wanted to compare the European and American woodcocks. I had no idea that such a thing would happen. I see my membership on the DCAS board as a way to draw other people into that connection with birds and with the wide natural world. I hope to elicit that same love of nature and its ability to refresh and restore the human soul that I have experienced." Dan Barriball- DCAS Board Member

"My birding story comes from a family who used the outdoors for recreational and spiritual values. We camped nearly every weekend growing up. My Audubon story comes from the romanticism value of birds for their role in the environment and their role providing a spiritual, aesthetic, and inspirational value to humans. "
Brad Bumgardner- DCAS Board Member

"My story started as a child walking along the Little Calumet River with my dad. He would point out Birds and Reptiles along the way. Over a few years my father and Grandfather gave me the Peterson Guides to Birds and Reptiles and also the Golden Guide to Birds. Soon after that they pitched in for a nice pair of Binoculars and I was hooked. Over the years I have-taken more satisfaction in teaching, showing and helping others identify the birds." Michael Topp- DCAS Board Member

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Dunes Calumet Audubon Society believes that birding and the outdoors should be safe and accessible for everyone. We respect the individuality of each person, and we are committed to building a better birding community free of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, national or ethnic origin, politics, or veteran status.
Protecting and conserving nature and the environment transcends political, cultural, and social boundaries. Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives is essential for the future of birding. We pledge to support those with these shared values, and continue efforts towards a more safe and equitable outdoors experience.

DCAS Bylaws & Standing Rules

DCAS Bylaws (updated 2022)
File Size:	193 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Dunes-Calumet Audubon Standing Rules
File Size:	33 kb
File Type:	docx

Download File