Simple Solutions to Holiday Headaches 

Finding a meaningful gift during a pandemic can be a daunting task, but Skidaway Audubon has a few quick and easy solutions for stressed-out shoppers. 

Adopt a Nest Box - Adopt a Nest Box is a Skidaway Audubon initiative that supports the Dave Scott Bird Trail, a network of 200 birdhouses on Skidaway Island that comprise one of the largest monitored bird trails in the Southeast. Each $30 donation helps provide safe nesting sites for songbirds, support critical research, and help stem the nationwide decline of songbird populations.  

For a charitable donation of just $30 the recipient receives: 

• a letter of appreciation 
• a laminated bluebird growth chart with bluebird family photos, capturing their progress from tiny eggs to fledglings ready for takeoff 
• an invitation to a small group birding event in 2021 (outdoor and socially distanced)  
• an end-of-the-season update about the bird populations being helped 

Nest boxes are inspected throughout the year to determine what maintenance is needed before the start of the next nesting season. During the nesting season, trail monitors gather data on the number of nests, eggs, and nestlings, as well as how many of the nestlings fledge. Data is then sent to the Cornell University’s NestWatch research project. 

Sponsor a Bird Trail - Go big and sponsor a bird trail! The Dave Scott Bird Trail is composed of 12 bird trails. Sponsors can be an individual, a group of friends, or even a business. Bird trail sponsorships support all Skidaway Audubon projects. With a charitable donation of $850 the recipient receives: 

• a personal tour of your trail 
• a Friends of Skidaway Audubon membership  
• special reports from the trail 
• a bluebird, chickadee, and nuthatch 8 x 8-inch photobook 
• daily Progression Charts for three species  
• all of the Adopt a nest box benefits listed previously 

Simply visit skidawayaudubon.org/adopt-a-nest-box to treat yourself or your friends with the perfect gift and help give a home to a family of feathered friends! 

Friends of Skidaway Audubon - A membership in Skidaway Audubon is another thoughtful gift for the nature lover on your list. Annual membership is just $35 a year, available through Friends of Skidaway Audubon. Your tax-deductible contribution will support a variety of local conservation and environmental education programs, including The Landings Bird Cam, the turtle rescue project, the new butterfly trail, pollinator gardens, and invasive tree removal work. To join, or for more details, visit skidawayaudubon.org or contact friendsofskidawayaudubon@gmail.com. 

Skidaway Maps - History buffs on your shopping list will appreciate a very detailed map of Skidaway Island that features all of the island’s historic sites and natural areas. This second edition of the Skidaway Island Historical and Natural Sites Map highlights a variety of interesting aspects of Skidaway history, including ancient, giant sloths, tales of rum runners, and General Oglethorpe’s arrival. The reverse side describes and maps 25 neighboring places worthy of a visit. The maps were created with a grant from Landlovers as part of the Sustainable Skidaway initiative to preserve and highlight the island’s natural and historic features. The maps are $10 each and are available at The Landings Association office (600 Landings Way South). A limited number of flat, not folded maps are available upon request. Sales benefit Skidaway Audubon. 

Amazon Makes it Easy - Looking for a way to shop online while benefitting your community? Shoppers can support Skidaway Audubon’s conservation and education projects through AmazonSmile, a program that donates 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchases to a charity of your choice. Just click on the AmazonSmile link at the bottom of Skidaway Audubon’s homepage (skidawayaudubon.org). Then be sure to do your Amazon shopping at smile.amazon.com. The donations are made at no extra cost to you.  

Kroger Rewards - Another way to make your holiday spending benefit local projects is through the Kroger Community Rewards program. Simply go to Kroger.com, link your Kroger Plus shoppers card to the Community Rewards program, and select Skidaway Audubon as the organization you wish to support. A percentage of your purchases (excluding tobacco, alcohol, and gasoline) will be donated to Skidaway Audubon, at no additional cost to you. 

Help maintain the bluebird population and give a thoughtful gift with Audubon’s Adopt A Nest Box program. 

Photo By Amy Collings