From left to right: Andrew Rapp , Gabriel Mapel , Warwick Dutnell and Max Nootbaar
On Saturday, October 6th, 2012 four young birders met at the home of Doug Rogers in Charlottesville to discuss the possibility of forming a bird club dedicated to serving youth in the Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Andrew Rapp, Gabriel Mapel, Warwick Dutnell and Max Nootbaar become the founding members and executive of the newly named Blue Ridge Young Birders Club. Adult members of the Monticello and Augusta Bird Club as well as parents were present to support the youth in clarifying their vision and goals for the club.
The club was the inspiration of adult coordinator Eve Gaige and her godson Gabriel Mapel. They envisioned a youth birding club that would be self-governing, and provide an opportunity for youth to share their passion for birds, go on field trips, engage in conservation efforts and develop youth leadership skills. An executive was elected with Gabriel Mapel appointed as president, Warwick Dutnell as Vice-president and Program Chair, Andrew Rapp as Secretary and Field Trip Coordinator and Max Nootbaar as Librarian. Members adopted the Great Horned Owl as their club bird and were encouraged to bring sketches to the next meeting for use in designing a club logo. The youth decided to have the club age be limited to youth age 12-18, with exceptions made for mature 11 year olds who demonstrated an enthusiasm for birds.
The club was the inspiration of adult coordinator Eve Gaige and her godson Gabriel Mapel. They envisioned a youth birding club that would be self-governing, and provide an opportunity for youth to share their passion for birds, go on field trips, engage in conservation efforts and develop youth leadership skills. An executive was elected with Gabriel Mapel appointed as president, Warwick Dutnell as Vice-president and Program Chair, Andrew Rapp as Secretary and Field Trip Coordinator and Max Nootbaar as Librarian. Members adopted the Great Horned Owl as their club bird and were encouraged to bring sketches to the next meeting for use in designing a club logo. The youth decided to have the club age be limited to youth age 12-18, with exceptions made for mature 11 year olds who demonstrated an enthusiasm for birds.
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