Volunteers, volunteers , volunteers! In the fall of 1995 over 100 volunteers came to Kiptopeke, many for several days or weeks, to help with the research and the interpretive programs. Past, present and future, volunteers are K.E.ST.R.E.L.'s backbone.

What else makes K.E.ST.R.E.L. possible?

Organizations, organizations, organizations. No organization is an island, least of all K.E.ST.R.E.L. Several key organizations have fledged K.E.ST.R.E.L and now continue to work with us as partners.

The guidance as well as the funds from Virginia's Coastal Resources Management Program, particularly from Laura McKay in Richmond and Tim Hayes and his staff in the Northampton County planning office have been crucial as we try our wings as a new nonprofit organization.

The Virginia Society of Ornithology and the non-game program of Virginia's Department of Game and inland Fisheries supported the Kiptopeke migration research before there was a K.E.ST.R.E. L. This year the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will again provide K.E.ST.R.E.L. with $2,000 to purchase equipment and materials for migration study and interpretive work.

William and Mary's Center for Conservation Biology conducts extensive research at Kiptopeke and elsewhere on the lower Shore which complements K.E.ST.R.E.L.'s studies. Center staff also provide K.E.ST.R.E.L with the professional guidance to enhance the rigor and usefulness of our research efforts.

Local bird clubs have provided significant funding for construction projects. A number of Virginia clubs supported the construction of the hawk observation plat form; Richmond Audubon Society financed construction of the songbird banding pavilion.

K.E.ST.R.E.L's host and partner at Kiptopeke is the Department of Conservation of Recreation, and more specifically the park staff. It is the park staff who maintain net lanes, schedule group tours and provide security. The park also provides housing for a K.E.ST.R.E.L. intern in exchange for interpretive programing.

With this newsletter, we hope to establish a new element of "what makes K.E.ST.R.E.L. possible": a broad membership base. With the financial support and volunteer efforts of new members we hope to expand and improve the usefulness of our migration studies. Equally important, broad-based membership will provide a new avenue to attract and educate others about this world so many of us love.

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