Getting to Know Your Board: Dave Venard

Dave Venard is the new treasurer of Whidbey Audubon Society. Dave is an accountant by education and training and a longtime birder. We talked with him about his interest in birds and his new role.

Photo by Lourdes Venard

Dave Venard with a Black-crowned Night Heron at the boardwalk at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Maui.

How did you start birding, and what do you enjoy about it?

My wife, Lourdes, and I have been enthusiastic birders and bird photographers for more than ten years. Our interest began when we were living on Maui. We find birding and bird photography to be wonderful ways to connect with nature and the local environment.

We also feel that it’s also important to support the conservation of endangered species, especially those in Hawaii. We almost always include birding or bird photography in our travel plans.

What brought you to Whidbey Island?

We were living in Hawaii when covid broke out. We moved to the mainland — first to San Diego, then Peoria, Illinois, to be closer to family. We fell in love with Whidbey on vacation and moved here in August of 2022.

How did you get involved with Audubon?

I’ve always been involved with local organizations whose missions I was passionate about — cancer prevention, sudden infant death syndrome, fraternal service groups.

When we moved to Whidbey, Lourdes and I joined Audubon and started attending the general meetings. I got to know some of the other members and started talking with them about my accounting background and the possibility of my serving as treasurer. It’s a serious commitment, of course. But I figured: I’m approaching retirement and will have more free time. Contributing to Audubon’s mission will be a good way to spend some of it!

What do you think are Audubon’s strengths and opportunities?

I’m amazed by the amount of programming that we do. You can take classes to learn about birding and birds. Participate in events. Go on field trips. But Audubon is not just about birds. If you are into nature and the environment and ecology, there are so many ways to participate.

As far as opportunities, change is the first word that comes to mind. We just added four board members and a couple of program chairs. We have a strong, knowledgeable group of members. At the same time, we’re working to attract a younger generation and get families involved.

What is your favorite bird?

I’m a very traditional raptor fan. Eagles are my favorite. When we were in Illinois, we would watch Bald Eagles feed at the locks on the Mississippi River in the winter. On Saturday mornings, we’d often be wowed by watching a couple of hundred eagles fishing — no exaggeration!

Now, from our home south of Oak Harbor, on Saratoga Passage, we can observe two bald eagle nests from our property. I’d say that we’ve chased eagles across the country!