BUENA VISTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

Description

The Buena Vista Audubon Society was founded in 1951 as the coastal North San Diego County chapter of the National Audubon Society and has approximately 1,300 member households. BVAS's programs help foster a knowledge and appreciation for the plants and animals that make up the natural ecosystem of our community. BVAS operates a nature center, adjacent to the Buena Vista Lagoon in Oceanside, California, that is available free of charge to the public and to schools for tours. The grounds include a native plant garden and a short trail that loops around a duck pond.

BVAS runs several nature education programs: school tours for children in partnership with local elementary schools (over 1,200 school children participate in free class outings to our nature center annually); regular monthly birding field trips (to local birding hotspots); native plant gardening (at our nature center's native plant garden and trail); and monthly lectures on natural history-related topics.

In addition, we own two pieces of lands protected for conservation; these are currently in the process of being restored to native habitat. BVAS also engages in advocacy efforts to promote responsible land use in the region.

A volunteer-led organization, BVAS has more than 200 volunteers who run our nature center and programs, with the help of three staff members: the Executive Director, Nature Center Manager, and Membership Coordinator.