Scarborough resident and longtime birder Eddie Woodin has pledged to help the Maine Audubon Society in its annual fund-raiser with a $10,000 matching grant for funds raised during the society’s Birdathon, which starts May 14.
For every pledge or donation of $50 or more made to the Birdathon, Woodin will match the gift dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000.
Interest in the event has been growing; last year more than 100 people participated raising $30,000. Maine Audubon is hoping that the number increases to $40,000 this year.
“Once you do it you get hooked,” Marie Malin, of the Maine Audubon Society.
The event is similar to other fund-raisers, in which people ask for individual donations for them to undertake a certain task.
However, instead of walking or running, Birdathon participants get donations for every species of bird they see during the six-day event. The donations run anywhere from 10 cents to $10 per species, according to information from the Maine Audubon.
The way people look for birds is entirely up to them. Some form competitive teams and go out in search of birds for hours, while others just sit in their backyards and keep a sharp eye out.
Some of the more experienced and motivated participants can find up to 150 species during the event, but others decide to put in less effort and time and find only 25 or so.
“It’s just a cool event to get people out there,” said Malin. “It’s fun and anyone can do it. It’s a neat way to connect with nature.”
Dave and Laury Maass of Scarborough will participate in their second Birdathon this year and are looking forward to not only having some fun, but also helping out the Audubon.
Laury Maass said the pair did not make a big deal about the Birdathon last year, but had a lot of fun spotting the 25 species they encountered.
“We’ve been becoming more and more involved with the Audubon and felt it was time to give something back,” she said. “It was so easy, if you think about just going outside and looking around and you can probably see 10 species in your back yard.”
Woodin said he decided to donate $10,000 to the Audubon because he was inspired by the recent discovery in Arkansas of the ivory-billed woodpecker, a species that people believed was extinct for more than 60 years.
“It’s such an inspiration that this legendary bird managed to survive so long in the bayous of Arkansas even though its habitat was destroyed,” Woodin said. “It’s also a reminder that we need groups like Maine Audubon to keep birds and other wildlife from nearing extinction.”
Woodin, owner of Woodin and Company Store Fixtures, said his business has grown considerably since he started 13 years ago and he regularly donates money to various causes. He has wanted to help the Maine Audubon for some time and, because of the timing of the discovery and the Birdathon, now was a good time to make the donation.
“Maine Audubon is such a wonderful organization and the people are so dedicated,” he said.
Woodin is an avid birder and has seen 600 of the 700 bird species in North America. His love for nature began when he was growing up in Concord, Mass., and it continues to this day.
“I’m a spiritual person and I view birds and nature as a gift from God,” he said. “I appreciate it and I wanted to be a steward and help.”
Area residents who would like to participate in the event do not have to go far to find some of the state’s prime bird watching areas. Scarborough is home to several hot spots, including the Scarborough Marsh, Higgins Beach and Pine Point Beach. Other area hot sports include Two Lights State Park, Kettle Cove and Hinckley Park.
For more information on the Birdathon visit the Maine Audubon Society’s Web site at www.maineaudubon.org.
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