The Only Constant is Change

Snow Goose by Steve D Amato

“The only constant is change.” That is one of those “annoying sayings” -probably because it’s true. We humans are not really comfortable with change. This could be my age, but it seems things are changing fast now than before. 

When you’re young, change doesn’t seem to come as fast and it doesn’t seem so “threatening.” My first big dose of the change reality in the natural world was in 1986. I went to Yosemite National Park while on the west coast for a wedding. Being an Ansel Adams fan, I couldn’t wait to go to Mirror Lake. When we got there, it wasn’t that beautiful glass-like mirror of so many famous photos. It was smaller with a lot of grass growing.

The guide explained to us that as the silt has washed down from the mountains for centuries, the lake was beginning to fill in and plants were growing. Alarmed, I asked him if they weren’t going to dredge it to restore it. He answered, “No.”

”But, what will happen to Mirror Lake?” “It will become Mirror Meadow.

Fortunately, I am older and wiser when it comes to what man perceives as a good thing and what nature does. In the last few years, we have had some changes on Long Island – changes that have occurred because Mother Nature has been taking back her own. We have had several dams fail, taking the argument away from politics and human opinion. The face of the land is changing – again.

I hope this newsletter finds its way to you in time for you to tune into the updates from Enrico Nardone at our November meeting. Enrico has championed many environmentally friendly changes for our little spot of sod and encourages people to think beyond what they see.

Change happens everywhere as time rolls on and so it is also happening for Great South Bay Audubon Society too. These next few months will be, personally for me, the last few months. I will stay on until June, which ends our fiscal year. At that time, we must have a new treasurer trained and in place. This person must be a member in good standing for at least 1 year and have some sort of financial knowledge. We also need someone to step up as the program chairperson. At present, our programs are set until February. We need someone to pick up that ball for February. March, April and June (I cover May as the dinner chairman). We need a dinner chairman!! I will be very happy to take someone “under my wing,” so to speak, and work with them for the upcoming May dinner. Lastly, we need someone to take over the Cash for Causes program.

I know this is a big list and most of these positions require that the volunteer is a board member (treasurer, programs and dinner chairman). For the sake of our Society, as it nears it’s 100^th anniversary, please consider jumping in.