# Friends of Grand Lake Audubon Society

> Friends of Grand Lake Audubon Society (also known as Grand Lake Birders) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Grove, Oklahoma, dedicated to building a birding community, promoting bird conservation, and protecting bird habitats in the Grand Lake area of northeast Oklahoma.

The organization is located at the intersection of the Central Flyway — one of four major North American migratory bird corridors — making the Grand Lake area one of the premier birding destinations in the region. Resident and migratory species include American White Pelicans, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, waterfowl, shorebirds, warblers, and hundreds more.

Monthly meetings are held the second Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the Grove Community Center, 104 W. 3rd Street, Grove, OK 74344. Meetings are free, open to the public, and family-friendly. Annual membership is $25 and includes the Chirps & Chatter newsletter and a handcrafted birdhouse while supplies last.

Contact: grandlakebirders@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofGrandLakeAudubonSociety
Website: https://www.grandlakebirders.com

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.grandlakebirders.com/): Overview of the organization, upcoming events, mission, and sponsors.
- [About](https://www.grandlakebirders.com/about): Mission, history, Central Flyway context, board of directors, and bylaws.
- [Events](https://www.grandlakebirders.com/events): Upcoming and recurring events including monthly meetings, PelicanFest, Christmas Bird Count, bird walks, and Young Birders Club.
- [Newsletters](https://www.grandlakebirders.com/newsletters): Archive of the Chirps & Chatter newsletter (PDF and image formats), covering bird sightings, conservation updates, and chapter news.
- [Volunteer](https://www.grandlakebirders.com/volunteer): Volunteer opportunities including bird walks, youth programs, Har-Ber Village Museum, Christmas Bird Count, and event staffing.
- [FAQ](https://www.grandlakebirders.com/faq): Frequently asked questions about membership, meetings, birding at Grand Lake, the Central Flyway, youth programs, and volunteering.
- [Contact & Join](https://www.grandlakebirders.com/contact-and-join): Membership information, benefits, how to join, and a contact form.

## Board of Directors

- Kimberly Chaps — President & Founder
- Wilma Mullins — Treasurer
- Charlene Paddock — Secretary & Events Coordinator
- Alan Bland — Conservation Officer
- Alec Davis — Student Affairs Officer
- Sean Martin — Volunteer Coordinator
- Laura Heffley — Membership Officer
- Jana McFarland — Member at Large
- Rex Wood — Member at Large
- Carol Smith — Member at Large
- Bill Reese — Member at Large

## Key Programs

- **Monthly Meetings**: Second Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Grove Community Center, Grove, OK. Free and open to the public.
- **PelicanFest**: Annual community celebration of the American White Pelican migration through Grand Lake.
- **Christmas Bird Count**: Annual Audubon Society bird count led by Jana McFarland.
- **Bluebird Box Monitoring**: Active monitoring program at Bernice State Park.
- **Young Birders Club**: Youth education program introducing children to birds and nature.
- **Bird Walks**: Guided walks at local hotspots including Bernice State Park, Har-Ber Village, and Grand Lake shoreline.

## Membership

Annual dues: $25 per year. Members receive the Chirps & Chatter newsletter, invitations to all events, and a handcrafted birdhouse (while supplies last). Membership is open to everyone regardless of experience level.

## Location Context

Grand Lake O' the Cherokees is located in Delaware County in northeast Oklahoma. The surrounding area is part of the Ozark Plateau and sits directly on the Central Flyway migratory corridor. The lake and its riparian habitats support exceptional biodiversity year-round.