Introducing our new Executive Director

Introducing our new Executive Director

Golden Gate Bird Alliance is excited to announce the hire of Cindy Margulis as our new Executive Director.

Margulis, a longtime GGBA member and volunteer, brings a powerful combination of experience as a birder, wildlife educator, fundraiser, business strategist, and marketing specialist.  Her professional experience spans both the business and non-profit sectors, and she has served as a volunteer for numerous conservation organizations including International Bird Rescue, Oakland Zoo, San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, and East Bay Regional Park District.

“Cindy is going to be a fantastic leader of GGBA,” said GGBA Board President Laura Gobbi. “Her passion for birds, success with building communities, and business expertise will be huge assets to the organization, especially as we plan for our 100th anniversary in 2017. The board is thrilled and can’t wait to begin working with her!”

“I am honored to lead this organization that connects people of all ages to birds, wildlife, and ecosystems,” said Cindy Margulis. “Since I am perpetually inspired by the birds that grace our environment — and I enjoy collaborating with people who step up to protect wild birds — so this role certainly feels like the ideal one for me.”

Cindy Margulis (in blue jacket) discussing Snowy Plover protection with East Bay Regional Parks officials and other GGBA volunteers.  / Photo by Ilana DeBareCindy Margulis (in blue jacket) discussing Snowy Plover protection with East Bay Regional Parks officials and other GGBA volunteers. / Photo by Ilana DeBare

Ms. Margulis has most recently worked for non-profit organizations, including Destiny Arts Center in Oakland and Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay.  In the private sector, she has worked as a strategic business development leader and marketing strategist in a range of businesses.

In her role as a Golden Gate Bird Alliance volunteer, Ms. Margulis has helped advocate for protection of endangered California Least Terns at Alameda, as part of GGBA’ Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Reserve committee. She has served as a Tern Watch monitor, and this year took the lead in seeking protective measures for Western Snowy Plovers that were roosting on the Alameda shoreline. She will succeed former GGBA Executive Director Mike Lynes, who recently left to become Director of Policy for Audubon California.

GGBA members will have many chances to meet Cindy in upcoming months, starting this week at the Birdathon Awards Celebration on Sunday May 18.

Founded in 1917, Golden Gate Bird Alliance serves over 5,000 members and supporters in San Francisco and East Bay communities including Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Orinda and Richmond. Its mission is to share the wonder of birds, and mobilize people to protect Bay Area birds and their habitat.…

GGBA at the BioBlitz

GGBA at the BioBlitz

Golden Gate Bird Alliance participated in the Golden Gate National Parks BioBlitz on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March, 29, 2014.

A BioBlitz is a 24-hour inventory of as many species of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms as can be found within a defined area, and the Golden Gate National Parks is blessed with an incredible diversity of species.

Along with other local conservation groups, GGBA members led volunteers in an inventory of birds and other species during the 24-hour window. Final numbers from the count are currently being tabulated by scientists.

Folding origami Passenger Pigeons / Photo by Noreen WeedenFolding origami Passenger Pigeons / Photo by Noreen Weeden GGBA educators Anthony DeCicco and Marissa Ortega-Welch / Photo by Noreen WeedenGGBA educators Anthony DeCicco and Marissa Ortega-Welch / Photo by Noreen Weeden Some of the 1,700 young visitors / Photo by Noreen WeedenSome of the 1,700 young visitors / Photo by Noreen Weeden

We also led a hands-on educational project in the BioBlitz Exhibition Hall — folding an origami Passenger Pigeon to recognize the 100-year anniversary of this species’ passing, while learning about ways to help our locally threatened and endangered bird species.  

Some 1,700 children from schools participated on Friday, while hundreds of individuals and families attended on Saturday.  That’s a lot of origami pigeons!

A huge thank-you to BioBlitz sponsors National Park Service, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, National Geographic, and Presidio Trust; to Andrew Stern from the Lost Bird Project, which created the origami program; and to Golden Gate Bird Alliance volunteers Kent Anderson, Jeannette Nichols, Cameron Burns, and Eddie Bartley.  

Origami Passenger Pigeon / Photo by Noreen WeedenOrigami Passenger Pigeon / Photo by Noreen Weeden…
Spring 2014 Gull is available
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Spring 2014 Gull is available

 

Gullcover_Spring2014

The new edition of The Gull newsletter for Spring 2014 is now available online. Read it to learn about how GGBA’ bird monitoring programs are making a difference for at-risk species such as Burrowing Owls, Snowy Plovers, and Least Terns.

You can also get the latest scoop on Birdathon 2014; birding in McLaren Park; and Beguiling Bushtits. And of course it includes the calendar for our Speaker Series in April, May and June!

Click here to read it:  Gull_Spring2014

Note: Because this is a large file, it may take a minute or two to download. Be patient!   🙂

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Winter 2014 Gull is available
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Winter 2014 Gull is available

 

The Gull - Winter 2014

 

The new edition of The Gull newsletter for Winter 2014 is now available online. Read it to learn about the battle over dog management policies in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (and how you can speak up for wildlife there).

You can also learn about GGBA’ work creating bird habitat in schoolyards; birding in Claremont Canyon; and how to differentiate female duck species. And of course it includes the calendar for our Speaker Series in January, February and March!

Click here to read it:  Gull_Winter2014

Note: Because this is a large file, it may take a minute or two to download. Be patient!   🙂

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