Desert Rivers Audubon Society

Susannah Johnson

The Desert Rivers Audubon Society (DRAS) is the local chapter of the National Audubon Society. DRAS serves Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, San Tan Valley and parts of Pinal County.

We have a website, www.desertriversaudubon.org, where you will find further information regarding field trips, monthly meetings, speakers and a list of other local chapters of the National Audubon Society.

We have monthly meetings held at 7:00 p.m. at the Gilbert Library, SE corner of Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads (Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Road, Gilbert AZ 85234) September through April. You are welcome to attend these meetings.

DRAS sponsors two bird walks a month: the first Saturday of the month at Veterans Oasis Park, Lindsay and Chandler Heights (4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler AZ 85249) from 8:00 a.m. until noon, and on the third Saturday of the month at Gilbert Water Park, Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads (Riparian Preserve at Water Park, 2757 E. Guadalupe, Road, Gilbert AZ 85234). We provide binoculars.

We care for a hummingbird habitat. Chandler’s Desert Breeze Park located at 660 North Desert Breeze Parkway, Chandler, has a hummingbird habitat. DRAS volunteers maintain this quiet corner in the Park.

We have volunteers working with Arizona Game and Fish conducting research statewide to characterize cormorant populations and their distribution and impacts on fish. Fisher men and women and birders are working together on this interesting research project.

Check out this upcoming Birding Festival in Sierra Vista, AZ: Southwest Wings Spring Fling, Sierra Vista. May 3 through May 6. Internationally-known speakers, several day trips to choose from, overnight trips to Santa Cruz Valley and the Chiricahua Mountains and a trip to Ramsey Canyon trip. Registration is now open. DRAS welcomes you.