Avian Affair 2023 Program

Celebrating the sound of birds THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 THE REVAIRE

EVENT CO-CHAIRS We want to thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the beauty and diversity of birds and the vital role they play in our region.We are so grateful for your support of this annual event, which raises funds and awareness for the protection of birds and their habitats. Your presence is a testament to your commitment to ensuring birds thrive, and we are truly grateful.

We want to especially thank the Houston Audubon staff, Board, volunteers, and the many supporters, friends, and colleagues who have made this event possible.

Heather & Jeff Firestone

Carol & Dan Price

PROGRAM 6:00 PM

Silent Auction Wine Pull Meet the Raptors

7:30 PM

Program Begins

7:35 PM

Welcome Remarks

7:45 PM

Dinner Served

8:00 PM

Silent Auction closes

8:15 PM

Dessert and Coffee Served

First Course

Emcee: Ken Hoffman, Houston Columnist

WindSync Performance Remarks from Houston Audubon President & CEO and Board Chair Kathrine G. McGovern Urban Conservation Award Presented to Cin-Ty Lee, Ph.D.

9:15 PM

Auction Check-out

HOST COMMITTEE Reeta Achari and Bill Dixon Lucy Kormeier Jonni and Skip Almoney Molly and Duncan Lamme Lucy and David Barrow Molly Latham Laura Bellows and Jack Pendergrast Sara and Jim Ledbetter Adele and Lan Bentsen Katherine and David Lucke Lucia Benton Michelle and Bill Matthews Sara and Mark Bettencourt Kathy McGovern Jan Bres Tevia and Chris McLaren Deborah Brochstein and Dallas McNamara Steven Hecht Kay and Larry Medford Melissa Carroll and John Eikenburg Melinda and JC Nickens Katy and Mike Casey Gigi Noyes Tammy and Bob Casey Vivie and Chris O’Sullivan Claire and John Caudill Carrie and Al Pepi Lucy and Sam Chambers Margaret and Michael Pierce Marylene Chan and Tony Dang Elisa and Cris Pye Mary and John Craddock Mary Sommers and Sam Pyne Katherine Shanks Dodd Stephanie and Kirby Shanks Clayton and Shel Erikson Becky and Sam Smith Paige and Harding Erwin Pam Smolen Sarah Flournoy and Don Verser Kathy Smyth Lisa and George Francisco Annette and Paul Sofka Elizabeth and Stephen Gast Diana Strassmann and Audrey and David Gow Jeffery Smisek Gene Graham Emily Todd Julie and Edward Griffin Beth and Kent Urdahl Ann Hamilton Jennifer and John Vogel Doris and John Heard Cindy and David Wallace Elizabeth and Tom Howley Heather and Bob Westendarp Mary Gwen and Ben Hulsey Margaret and Greg Whittaker Louise Jamail Betsy and Jim Winn Janeen Judah Ann Wozencraft and Craig Willey Wendy and Mavis Kelsey Liz and Frank Wozencraft Carla Knobloch

MENU FIRST COURSE

Roasted Root Vegetable Salad V | VG | DF | GF truffle pea puree, balsamic glaze, and microgreens

ENTRÉE

Kale and Swiss Airline Chicken Breast mashed potatoes haricots verts mustard and roasted corn cream sauce artisan herbed rolls V dusted with sea salt Vegan/Vegetarian Meal Available upon Request

DESSERT

Flourless Chocolate Cake V | GF garnished with raspberry coulis and seasonal berries

Lemon Polenta Torte V | N | GF lemon infused torte, yogurt mascarpone cream, toasted almonds, lemon olive oil, honey syrup, shaved lemon zest

V Vegetarian VG Vegan N Contains Nuts GF Gluten Free DF Dairy Free

UNDERWRITERS FORTISSIMO FLYCATCHER

Kathrine G. McGovern/John P. McGovern Foundation Pierce Runnells Foundation

MELODIOUS MOCKINGBIRD Gene Graham Ellen and Rachel Naegeli Louisa Sarofim

ROCKIN’ ROBIN

Katherine Shanks Dodd/Stephanie and Kirby Shanks Heather and Jeff Firestone/Carol and Dan Price Rob and Marianne Jones/Michelle and Bill Matthews Diana Strassmann and Jeffery Smisek

TENOR TERN

Reeta Achari and Bill Dixon/Sheila Coogan Lucia Benton/Vivie and Chris O’Sullivan Sara and Mark Bettencourt Deborah Brochstein and Steven Hecht/Ann Wozencraft and Craig Willey

Claire and John Caudill Clayton and Shel Erikson Sarah Flournoy and Don Verser Lisa and George Francisco Mary Gwen and Ben Hulsey Carla Knobloch/Knobloch Family Foundation Isabelle and Eric Mayer Dallas McNamara Margaret and Mike Pierce Heather and Bob Westendarp

UNDERWRITERS PIANISSIMO PLOVER

Jonni and Skip Almoney/Betsy and Jim Winn Lucy and David Barrow Jan Bres/Julie and Edward Griffin Katy and Michael Casey/Katherine and David Lucke Tammy and Bob Casey/Tevia and Chris McLaren Lucy and Sam Chambers Marylene Chan and Tony Dang/Pam Smolen Ben Cowan/Locke Lord LLP Mary and John Craddock Paige and Harding Erwin Jennifer and Mike Farnell Elizabeth and Steve Gast/Anna and Tim White Doris and John Heard Linda and Tracy Hester Louise Jamail Sydney and Kirk Jelinek/Laura Bellows and Jack Pendergrast Molly Latham Sara and Jim Ledbetter/Liz and Frank Wozencraft Stuart Nelson Gigi Noyes Becky and Sam Smith Annette and Paul Sofka Cindy and David Wallace Yu-Ye Wen and Cin-Ty Lee

FRIENDS

Boompods Speakers Robin and Richard Brooks Caroline Staub Callery Melissa and John Carroll Cecilia and Tim Devetski Electra Elliott Amy and Hart Goodrich Krista and Michael Dumas Milton Gray Tom Greer Ann Hamilton Joy Hester Elizabeth and Tom Howley Chris Hysinger Julie Jeter Janeen Judah Elizabeth and Drew Kanaly

Ann and Tom Kelsey Wendy and Mavis Kelsey, Jr. Harvey Laas Cindy and Andy Lubetkin/ Oshman Foundation Michael McGinity Roger Moore Cullen Geiselman Muse Carrie and Al Pepi Elisa and Cris Pye Tom and Anne Runge Shannon and Leslie Sasser Samantha Schnee and Michael Hafner Emily Todd Greg Whittaker Michelle and Lacy Williams Kathryn and William H. Winn As of 10/11/23

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Lucy Barrow Mary Ann Beauchemin CultureMap Houston Get A Bid Haven Creative Doris Heard Houston Wine Merchant Jeff Mills/IO Communications Minuteman Press

Berri Moffett Janet Neath Deb Neubek Judith Schott Rice University Office of Public Affairs Diana Strassmann Mondira Tangri The Revaire WindSync

THANK YOU TO OUR AUCTION DONORS! Annette and Paul Sofka Astros Foundation Becky and Sam Smith Berg Hospitality Group Buffalo Bayou Partnership Camp Allen Carol and Dan Price Cin-Ty Lee Cliff Shackleford Damon Thomas Deborah Brochstein Elizabeth Ruiz Fleet Feet Go Ape Go Native Landscaping Greg Lavaty Gringo’s Heather and Jeff Firestone Houston Arboretum

Joseph Smith Kathy Adams Clark Kathy and Andy Lopez Ken Mazzu Kendra Scott Jewelry Land Sea and Sky Lucy and David Barrow Marylene and Tony Dang Michael Martinez Fine Portraits Robin Jackson Photography Rover Oaks Pet Resort Saint Arnold Brewing Company Skydive Spaceland The Bird Collective The Conservation Fund Veronica Beard Vinglace Vortex Xochi

Thank you to our Wine Pull donors!

EMCEE

Ken Hoffman Ken Hoffman is a columnist for the online sites CultureMap and SportsMap in Houston. Before that he was the lead features columnist for the Houston Chronicle for 20 years, where he covered everything from concerts to television to politics. He created the Pethouse Pet of the Week feature that helped thousands of abandoned dogs find forever homes. He also wrote a nationally syndicated fast food column where he reviewed more than 1,000 burgers, pizza, tacos, fried chicken and ice cream shakes. His cholesterol is higher than yours.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

W ind Sync WindSync is a versatile and vibrant quintet that performs a wide range of music from standard repertoire to folk and American Songbook, connecting with audiences through their personal performance style and commitment to artistry, education, and community.

PERFORMANCE SELECTIONS “Le rappel des oiseaux” by Jean-Philippe Rameau Inspired by the calling back and forth of birds.

“Quaraçá” by Alexander Liebermann Inspired by a Brazilian folk tale about a lovestruck warrior who turned into an uirapuru (musical wren) in order to woo his beloved.

“Tico-tico” by Zequinha de Abreu Inspired by a playful rufous-collared sparrow, locally called a tico-tico.

“Yardbird Suite” by Nicky Sohn Inspired by jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker’s tune of the same name.

“Yardbird” was his nickname!

This world premiere was written specifically for Avian Affair and performed for the first time this evening.

KATHRINE G. MCGOVERN URBAN CONSERVATION AWARD PRESENTED TO

Cin-Ty Lee, P h.D.

Cin-Ty is the Harry Carothers Wiess Professor of Geology at Rice University. He is a geologist/petrologist/geochemist who investigates how our planet has evolved with time, from the deepest parts of the Earth’s mantle to the continental crust and to the atmosphere. He combines field mapping and sampling with state-of-the-art tools and simple analytical and numerical modeling.

Cin-Ty’s current research focus is on bioacoustic monitoring of birds and other wildlife with a particular emphasis on tracking the migration of birds in the night, which is when most of the birds migrate. Through continuous monitoring stations and through a team of analysts, they are developing a record of migration, which will be useful for understanding the effects of land use and climate change on the natural environment. Cin-Ty co-wrote the first of a three-part field guide series on the identification of North American flycatchers which was published last year. Cin-Ty serves on the Board of Advisors for Houston Audubon and leads a monthly bird walk at Rice University.

In his spare time, Cin-Ty is usually out looking for birds, bugs or plants in Houston and beyond, sitting in his studio painting and drawing, or writing/consulting about birds and the environment.

MEET THE RAPTORS

generously underwritten by

Janeen Judah DÉCOR

generously underwritten by

Ann Hamilton

SUPPORT HOUSTON AUDUBON Tonight, please consider supporting Houston Audubon’s mission and vision to create a healthier natural environment and more beautiful place to live by leading and nurturing a community that values and supports birds. With your help, we can continue preserving priority bird habitat, creating bird-friendly communities and inspiring awareness, appreciation, and action through education and outreach.

You may make your donation through mobile bidding or by filling out the commitment card found on your table.

LEVELS OF GIVING $10,000 $5,000 $2,500 $1,000 $500 $250 $100

Thank you for your support and belief in our work.

Every dollar counts!

VALET

generously underwritten by

WWW.BOOMPODS.COM

PRINTING

generously provided by

1201 WESTHEIMER RD #F, HOUSTON, TX 77006

WWW.COPYDOTCOM.COM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Janeen Judah, Chair Bill Matthews, Chair-elect Greg Whittaker, Past Chair Bob Westendarp, Treasurer Lucy Barrow, Secretary Skip Almoney Catherine Clarke Tony Dang Rob Jones

Eric Mayer Brad Moore Glenn Olsen Margaret Pierce Carol Price Letha Slagle Sam Smith Pam Smolen

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ADVISORY COUNCIL 2023 Branwen Ranck, Chair Madeleine Chaisson, Chair-elect Kelsey Baird-Campos, Bird Week Chair Royce Daniels, AviChat Chair Kari Shearer, Social Chair Miqdaad Bhuriwala Ryan Call Danielle Cavender Kerry Egan Lauren Ferrante

Cameron Kirkpatrick Alexander Kneubehl Clayton Leopold Carrie Mansfield Christine Mansfield Jordan McInnis Conor McKinney Bayard Nicklow Nikki Paranzino Joan Marie Sanborn III Abra Ziegler

BOARD OF ADVISORS John Bartos Sara Bettencourt James R. Blackburn, Jr. Peggy Boston Judy Boyce Winnie Burkett Claire Caudill Gary W. Clark Fred Collins II Ben Cowan Scott A. Davis Sarah Flournoy Julia Garrett Stephen Gast Gene Graham Ann Hamilton Doris Heard

Joy Hester Tracy Hester Ben Hulsey Chris Hysinger Cin-Ty Lee Dallas McNamara Kay Medford Stuart Nelson Terry O’Rourke Heidi Rockecharlie Andy Sansom Joe Smith Kathryn Smyth Peter Tsan Tim White Jim Winn

BOARD ALUMNI COUNCIL Caroline Callery Cy Clark Lynn Forster Kay Hale Ed Hickl Bernice Hotman

Gwen Kunz Gibbs MacDaniel, Jr. Stennie Meadours Jeff Mills Barbara Railey

STAFF Helen E. Drummond

Berri Moffett

President & CEO

Sanctuaries Manager

Schyler Brown

Jesi Malowitz

Conservation Specialist

Pete Deichmann

Land Conservation Director

Gabriel Durham Program Manager

Wyatt Egelhoff

Conservation Specialist

Shelby Fletcher

Environmental Educator

Aimee Friend

Membership and Events Coordinator

Mary Anne Morris Education Director

Trey Morris

Sanctuary Steward

Elizabeth Ruiz

Operations Administrator

Zineera Seth

Communications and Marketing Director

Vice President, Strategic Advancement & Community Relations

Environmental Educator

Zoe Gapayao

Vicki Stelmak

Vicki Stittleburg

Outreach Coordinator

Accounting Assisant

Julie Gold

Barbara Thompson

Corporate Relations Director

Scott Jones

Operations Director

Amber Leung

Environmental Educator

Controller

ABOUT HOUSTON AUDUBON

Houston Audubon is a conservation, education, and advocacy organization that focuses on protecting the natural environment for birds and people. Established in 1969 as an autonomous, self-supporting chapter of the National Audubon Society, Houston Audubon’s mission is to advance the conservation of birds and positively impact their supporting environments. This is accomplished through acquiring and maintaining critical habitat as bird sanctuaries, providing education programs and nature experiences, and advocating policy and management actions in support of the mission. Houston Audubon owns and manages 17 nature sanctuaries encompassing over 4,100 acres across the Greater Houston and Galveston regions and became an Accredited Land Trust in 2017.

HOUSTON AUDUBON’S MISSION IS TO ADVANCE THE CONSERVATION OF BIRDS AND POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR SUPPORTING ENVIRONMENTS. 440 WILCHESTER BLVD, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77079

WWW.HOUSTONAUDUBON.ORG