Volunteer Spotlight: Emily Kistler

What attracted you to conservation originally?

My interest in conservation started when I was a kid. One of my earliest memories related to conservation was reading a Ranger Rick issue totally devoted to the three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle). For whatever reason, that particular issue really struck a chord with me. I must have read it 20 times after I got it in the mail. I’m also a big animal lover, so feel a strong need to help preserve the environment for them.

What attracted you to Eastside Audubon in particular?

I was looking to get more involved in my community and meet new people. When I was looking for a group to join, I remembered that my parents were members of our local Audubon society in Indiana. I found EAS online and met the requirements I was looking for - it was nearby and was pretty active.

What was your first impression of Eastside Audubon?

My first impression was that things were moving a little slowly, but I’d qualify that by saying that I like to constantly be doing things (even watching TV, I’m working on something else). Once I met the members of the Conservation Committee, I quickly got pulled into projects and lost a lot of free time (which is perfect for me)!

What’s your favorite bird or other wild animal? And why?

That’s a hard one. I really like Steller’s Jays and Crows. Basically, any member of the Corvid family. I like smart, sassy birds and I enjoy reading about how crows plan, remember people, and use tools. When you asked about other wild animals, the first animal that popped in my head was red pandas…but I think that’s just because I like watching videos of them playing.

How would someone describe you?

I think those that don’t know me very well probably think I’m quiet and reserved. Those that do know me well would probably describe me as persistent and a little quirky.

What do you do when you aren't volunteering?

I enjoy photography, being with my family (husband and three dogs), traveling, and assembling Legos.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I enjoy attending Comic Con and in reality it’s because I like dressing up in costume. This year will be my third year. I’m obviously a big fan of Halloween because of the same reason.

What committee do you currently volunteer with?

I’m the Community Science Coordinator on the Conservation Committee. Most recently, I’ve been helping set up the Marymoor/Willowmoor Transition Zone bird survey that starts in March. I also help with habitat restoration at Marymoor, updating the Marymoor kiosk, and eNest/NestWatch.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

Meeting goals that we’ve set. I’m a planner and goal-setter, so I like to see progress being made and what the end results are. I also like looking back at what we did and how we can make it better for the next project.

What has surprised you most about working with your local Audubon chapter?

How many projects and opportunities there are to get involved. Although my parents were members of their local Audubon, I don’t remember them participating or even having the opportunity to do some of the things we do – bird surveys, habitat restoration, etc.

If you could change one thing about Eastside Audubon, what would it be?

I’d like to see more diversity in our members. This area has a lot of diversity, and I’d like to see that reflected in our members. I think diversity in membership is important to help us reach our goals by bringing in new ideas and being able to make connections with different community groups.

Awareness of climate change and the need for action seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?

I think it’s a combination of factors including the hard work that environmentalists have been doing for years, a younger generation having a stronger voice with social media, and more extreme weather conditions, such as stronger storms, hurricanes, etc and the recent wildfires in Australia.

What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future? In the long term?

My short-term goal for EAS is for the Marymoor/Willowmoor Transition Zone bird survey. I want us to have a reliable group of volunteers, be able to complete 3 surveys during each of our survey months and get the procedures down so that we can have this running smoothly for years to come. In the long-term, I would like to see EAS become more involved in activism with local and state government.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering with Eastside Audubon?

I’d tell them about all the projects we have going on, bird surveys, habitat restoration, etc. Volunteering with EAS is a great way to give back to your community, work to create better habitats for birds and other local wildlife, meet new people, and get outdoors. Depending on what you’re doing, you’ll also get some good exercise. I’d also tell them that volunteering is a good way to test the waters and see if you’d be interested in taking on more responsibility by becoming a member and joining the Conservation Committee.

Thanks Emily for your work on behalf of Eastside Audubon and for digging in with both hands!

If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with Eastside Audubon you can read about open positions on the Volunteer page of our website or you can email office@eastsideaudubon.org.