Struggling conference to change into a community celebration

By LEE JUILLERAT

A winter tradition, the Bald Eagle Conference, will take on a new look next February.

The Klamath Basin Audubon Society, which has sponsored the gathering for 25 years, has hired Leslie Lowe, the volunteer coordinator the past six years, as conference coordinator. Lowe is a self-employed therapist, mediator and DUI (driving under the influence ) evaluator.

The Audubon group had considered hiring a coordinator to expand the gathering and spur more interest, especially from Klamath Basin residents. The conference, which years ago drew 500 people for the three-day gathering traditionally held on the President's Day weekend, has struggled with less than 300 in recent years.

"We're looking to make it fun," emphasizes Lowe.

A meeting is planned 7 p.m. June 1 at 409 Pine St. with the goals of bringing in new community partners and expanding the local Audubon group projects with existing partners.

"We need some help on knowing who to contact and how to market," Lowe said. "We have had trouble knowing who to reach out to."

Lowe said the group will change the gathering's emphasis from being a conference to a celebration. The result, she predicts, will be more free family related activities, more vendors and less emphasis on educational programs.

Efforts are continuing to involve a variety of groups, including the Ross Ragland Theater and Klamath Basin arts groups.

Discussions have started with new partners, including Dawnn Brown and Mary Hyde of the Great Basin Visitor Association, Dan Keppen of the Klamath Basin Water Users, and Joe Spendolini and Dan Hubble of the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

Lowe said anyone interested in partnering or being involved with next year's 26th conference/celebration is welcome to attend the meeting, or contact her by e-mail at inharmony46@charter.net or by telephone at 882-6509.

"The board of the Klamath Basin Audubon Society has been talking about this concept for years," Lowe said of the changing emphasis. "They have expanded in some small ways, such as partnering with Dan Applebaker of Modoc Lumber to teach a college credit class on certified timber, John Hyde and Mike Connelly to teach about sustainable ranching, and Dave Mauser and Doug Laye to teach about the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges and waterfowl management strategies.

"We have brought in the High Desert Museum to do a workshop for kids, added vendors and enlarged displays. Terry Mander has opened the conference with live bird displays that always attract a large crowd.

"But we haven't offered a 'festival' type atmosphere, and that is more of what folks are looking for," Lowe said. "We have some incredible places in the Klamath Basin to experience, and an amazing amount of wildlife to see in winter. We have always offered tours, but we were really surprised when we coupled tours with a 'pamper you-gourmet breakfast,' and had to add a second day because the response was so positive."

Next year's gathering is planned Feb. 18 to 20.

"We want," Lowe said, "to make this celebration a local activity as well as something that draws folks from other areas to share the fabulous place we live."

Planning for next year

Anyone interested in partnering or being involved with next year's 26th conference/celebration is welcome to attend a planning meeting 7 p.m. June 1, at 409 Pine St., or contact conference coordinator Leslie Lowe by e-mail at inharmony46@cha rter.net or by telephone at 882-6509.