Senator Christine Rolfes has been invited as a special guest to the Kitsap Audubon Society meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Poulsbo Library.

Rolfes, a 23rd District lawmaker from Bainbridge Island, has been recognized repeatedly by state conservation organizations as an environmental champion.

At this week’s Audubon meeting, guest speaker Dr. Trina Bayard, technical director of Audubon Washington, will talk about National Audubon’s recently released climate report, which shows conclusively that two-thirds of North American bird species are at the brink of extinction.

The message of the meeting, according to the Kitsap Audobon Society president Gene Bullock, is that “it is up to all of us to help instill a sense of urgency on the part of our elected officials about the need for strong and speedy action to halt the dramatic worldwide decline in birds.”

According to Bullock, there are at least 55 million bird watchers in the U.S. and Canada, representing a cross section of society and political persuasions.

“It’s time for the ‘choir’ to sing loud and forcefully about the need to act now to protect birds and the environment,” Bullock said.