Barbara Marsala — Co-President (December - March), Education Chairman

I joined DOAS in the late 70's and began working on environmental education activities. Aleda Koehn and I created a series of habitat boxes we took into area classrooms for several years. Some of these can still be found in the barn at our Sanctuary today. Twenty years ago, after John New passed away, I started the DOAS summer day camp to introduce and excite kids about our local environment.

Unlike many of our board members, I am not an expert birder; all skill levels and interests are welcome in Audubon. I like being outdoors and am interested in working for a healthy, sustainable environment. Birding, wildflowering (is that a word?), gardening and paddling a canoe or kayak are things I enjoy.

Andy Mason — Co-President (August - November), Conservation, Membership and Sanctuary Chairman, Hawkwatch Co-Chairman

I live in Jefferson with my wife, Gray, and work as a self-employed housepainter, carpenter and landlord. My interest in the environment and more specifically birds dates to the late 1970s when we traveled the country camping and hiking.

On my return, I discovered DOAS and became an active member. My first direct participation was with the then newly-acquired Sanctuary, and I have stayed involved ever since.

I feel strongly that those of us who appreciate nature have a responsibility to take action to protect it in return. I have served as DOAS President, Vice-President, and Conservation Chair, as well as holding executive positions on the Audubon Council of NY State, and the NY State Ornithological Association.

Joe Richardson — Co-President (April - July)

Bob Donnelly — Treasurer, Field Trips Chairman

Born and raised in Michigan, I grew up in Jackson County, an area with a large population of Sandhill Cranes. Seeing flights of these birds in the early morning mist hooked me on birds and nature. In college, I took as many field biology courses as I could. Since 1982, my wife and I have lived around Cooperstown. I have been the treasurer for DOAS the last five years, enjoying working with bright and energetic people. During the just-completed NYS Breeding Bird Atlas, I was co-coordinator with Tom Salo for Region 4. I also was able to do field work in numerous atlas blocks and came away impressed by the still wonderful habitats in our area. Leading field trips for birds is an activity I truly enjoy, and with the atlas field work done, I hope to do more. I especially love finding and showing birds to enthusiastic novices.

Eileen Kline — Secretary

Julia Gregory — Charter Dinner organizer

I am a lifelong resident of the Unadilla area where I returned after college. An interest in protecting our environment has always been a part of my life. I joined National Audubon in the mid-eighties and became active in DOAS shortly afterward. I joined the board of directors around 1992. Running the Charter Dinner is my main job but I help where I can.

Eric Knight

Eric has an undergraduate degree in biology and a lifelong interest in natural history. He works as a nephrologist (kidney specialist) at Bassett Hospital. He is married (wife, Susie) and has two children ages 13 (Margie) and 11 (Tom).

Bob Miller — Bird Counts organizer

I am a retired chemistry professor and also taught some biology. I have had a life long interest in ornithology, ecology and conservation and have published papers on birds in The Auk and other bird science journals. I am a charter member of Audubon's local chapter (1968) and edited the Kingfisher newsletter for thirty some years, organized the bird counts for those years, and continue with the bird counts presently.

Eleanor Moriarty — Programs and Publicity Chairman

In 1993, I moved from New York City to Davenport, NY in Delaware County. Five years previous to that, many weekends were spent coming to these beautiful hills and canoeing on the lakes. The first time I spotted two Bald Eagles, it left an incredible lasting impression on me and from that point on, it began a passion for birds.

In 2000, I began to find ways to develop my interest and gain knowledge, so I joined DOAS. Last June, I retired as a social worker and with great glee have spent all the waking hours I can looking through a pair of binoculars. In October 2007, I was honored with the Program Director position and became a board member.

My primary commitment is to secure the future of our environment for the generations that will inherit it.

Steve Rice — Sales

I was raised in Needham, MA by parents who had empathy for all creatures, great and small. By the time I was ten, we had raised orphaned robins, starlings, squirrels, and rabbits, not to mention cats and dogs.... I am fortunate now to live on a property where I monitor 20 bird houses for the Ornithology Dept. at Cornell. I have been a director for DOAS since 2000.

Tom Salo — Hawkwatch Co-Chairman

In the late 80's I joined the board of the DOAS. Past positions I have held include Field Trip Chair, Education Chair, President and Secretary. I've been involved with the hawk watch since Andy Mason started it in 1989.

Other bird-related interests include conducting an annual Breeding Bird Survey route and being Regional Co-coordinator of the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas.

My Wife Jo and I built a passive solar house in Burlington where I grow Christmas trees. My occupation allows me to spend much of the year outside working and enjoying the local wildlife. Besides watching birds, I am fond of canoeing, camping and contradancing.

Julie Smith

My husband and I came to Oneonta in the late 60's.  It was while our children were in grade school that I took Bob Miller's ornithology course at Pine Lake.  After that summer, birding, and Audubon activities and issues became a big part of my life.  It is good to be back on the board again and be able to help the local chapter in any way that I can.