Use of Auction Funds:
Primary Project (75% of funds raised)
RAS Kids
Introducing children in under-served Richmond communities to nature and educating them through nature study and field trips. RAS Kids is currently working with two organizations: Swansboro Elementary School and Charity Family Life. The following are projects and activities which funds will be used to support.
Swansboro Elementary School (South Richmond in the Swansboro Community)
— Continue development of ten acre site as an outdoor classroom
— Establish six garden plots (one for each grade)
— Establish a weather station
— Signage for trees and shrubs
— Development of the capacity of the teachers to use the outdoor classroom site, by providing two teacher training workshops
— Table and benches for outdoor instruction on the school grounds
Charity Family Life (After-school Program for youth, Creighton Court Area)
— Exploring sections of the James River
— Summer exploration programs; tree and rock climbing, kyaking
— Participating in VCU Rice Center outdoor program activities
— Bringing the outdoors and children together through nature photography workshops
Secondary projects (Remaining funds will support our on-going habitat conservation efforts)
• Hands-on habitat restoration projects at local preserves:
James River Park System in the City of Richmond. Working with JRPS, RAS was pivotal in the creation of the Wetlands section of the park in 1981. As active advocates RAS provides interpretative nature signage, and bird walks in the park.
Presquile National Wildlife Refuge in Chesterfield County. RAS has adopted the Lower James River Important Bird Area that includes Presquile NWR. Support has included construction of an observation platform, a ramp for the dock, funding and volunteers for the large tree planting project in 2006, and leadership for public walks.
Other Projects
Citizen Science projects include coordinating the Hopewell Christmas Bird Count since 1957, sponsoring and expanding the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program for nesting birds, and Prothonotory Warbler nesting studies at Dutch Gap Conservation Area.
Sponsorship Levels
 Bald Eagle, $2000 & Beyond (Exclusive Sponsor)
• Designation as Signature Sponsor
• Large Banner at Event
• Logo on Auction Catalog Cover and Listed as the Signature Sponsor with a Half Page Write-up
• 4 Tickets to Event
• Table-top Display with Handouts
• Listed in The Thrasher Newsletter, November and January, Reaching 1500 Members
• Front Page Article about Signature Sponsor in November issue of The Thrasher
• Place up to 3 Items in “Goody-bag” Given to Each Auction Attendee
 Peregrine Falcon, $1000
• Medium Banner at Event
• Listed in Auction Catalog
• Listed in The Thrasher Newsletter, November and January, Reaching 1500 Members
• 2 Tickets to Event
• Place up to 2 Items in Goody-bag
 Great Blue Heron, $500
• Small Banner at Event
• Listed in Auction Catalog
• Listed in The Thrasher Newsletter, November and January, Reaching 1500 Members
• 2 Tickets to Event
• Place 1 Item in Goody-bag
 Red-headed Woodpecker, $250
• Listed in The Thrasher Newsletter, November and January, Reaching 1500 Members
• Listed in Auction Catalog
• 2 Tickets to Event
 Cardinal, $125
• Listed in The Thrasher Newsletter, November and January, Reaching 1500 Members
• Listed in Auction Catalog
• 1 Ticket to Event
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