Anita and Rich Kauffeld
Although he would not think or say it, Rich Kauffeld has become a leader in the Cape May birding community. The leaders he looks to are people like Pete Dunne, nature writer and retired director of New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO), and the many other birders, naturalists, and conservationists who have been drawn to Cape May over time.
As birds funnel their way to the Cape May Peninsula, so do the bird enthusiasts. While Rich considers himself more of a casual birder, he is an ardent supporter of conservation and has become an integral part of this community.
Inspired and Engaged
Rich and Anita enjoyed the beaches and nightlife of Cape May for years before Rich was first introduced to birding. One day as he walked along the beach in front of the South Cape May Meadows, a young intern stopped Rich to ask if he would help count Piping Plovers. “Sure,” he said. “What’s a Piping Plover?” Soon, Rich was reading Pete’s column in a local magazine (under the pen name “Seymour Thanu”), walking behind the line of birders following Pete through the Meadows, and sitting on the Cape May Hawkwatch to learn about raptors and hear more of Pete’s stories. Rich noticed and appreciated how Pete went out of his way to engage new birders, always willing to explain the basics and then quickly sharing the joy of seeing something exciting. “Pete has a tremendous talent for inspiring people, sharing his passion for birds and drawing you in – it’s contagious. Just as he inspired me to learn more about birds, he has inspired thousands of others.”
As Rich prepared to retire, he and Anita were able to buy a house overlooking the South Cape May Meadows. They celebrated their good fortune by joining CMBO as Life Members and supporting the Nature Center of Cape May at The Catch of Cape May. Isobel Wayrick, New Jersey Audubon’s board chair at that time, reached out to thank these new donors and asked about Rich’s work as a strategy consultant. Rich was quickly invited to discuss New Jersey Audubon’s strategic challenges and subsequently asked to join the board.
Impactful Leadership
Rich’s involvement with New Jersey Audubon has been deep and impactful. He advanced through a series of leadership roles on the board, chairing committees, serving as Captain of the Wandering Tattlers, and eventually serving as chair for four years. As Board Chair, Rich helped to refine the strategic focus of the organization and enhance its financial sustainability.
Through years of generous support and annual gifts, Rich and Anita have become permanent members of the President’s Circle. Most recently, Rich and Anita made an extraordinary leadership gift of $100,000 to fund vital renovations at the CMBO Northwood Center in celebration of its 50th anniversary. “From the beginning, Rich saw the need to focus our resources and make strategic investments. The CMBO Northwood Center is one of our core locations where we connect with thousands of people per year. Rich went well beyond endorsing our plan by personally donating to move the project from concept to execution and I could not be more grateful,” said Alex Ireland, President & CEO.
“We wanted to show our gratitude while honoring Pete for his remarkable legacy,” Rich explained.
The couple’s generosity will help make CMBO more welcoming and accessible, provide a new classroom in Pete’s name, improve educational opportunities, and enhance engagement at CMBO for generations to come. In honoring Pete, Rich is also building his own legacy.
Giving Back and Receiving More
While Rich has been quite generous with his time and support on the board, he insists that he has received more in return: “I set out to give back for a good cause and have enjoyed a decade of great times at Cape May Festivals, New Jersey Audubon Eco-tours, migration watches, volunteer days, and most of all the World Series of Birding. It has been a privilege to become part of this incredible community of naturalists, migration counters, educators, and researchers who support conservation throughout New Jersey and beyond. Instead of golfing in retirement, birding in Cape May has become my country club – a club where fall migration is celebrated with potluck dinners, and you can’t take a walk without running into wonderful friends who are out birding and enjoying nature
Rich sees hope for the future in CMBO’s 50th anniversary and the renovations that will provide a better facility for our talented naturalists to continue building our community. He suggests that Tom Reed, CMBO’s Migration Count Coordinator, is a next generation Pete Dunne. “Tom also has great talent for sharing his knowledge and passion for birds in ways that inspire others – you especially see it with the teams of youth birders that visit the Spring Watch during the World Series. Our community thrives on this shared passion for birds – it’s what makes Cape May so special.” Rich proudly adds that “Our four-year-old granddaughter is already birding – and she does a great loon call! We look forward to bringing her to the new Learning Room to be named in Pete’s honor, and to continuing our support for this amazing community of friends, birders, and citizen scientists.”
If you are interested in joining Rich in his support of the CMBO Northwood Center renovation project, please contact Kimberly Armenti, New Jersey Audubon’s Vice President of Development and Communications at 908-396-6005.
By Mindy Lynch
