East County News Service

December 30, 2015 (Alpine) –After 19 years of working to create gardens friendly to birds, butterflies and other creatures, the nonprofit Center to Instill Respect and Preservation for Garden Wildlife, or CHIRP, is coming to an end.

The board of directors voted in November to dissolve the nonprofit after financial challenges, as many nonprofits have faced in recent tough times.  “I feel it is time for me, the founder and executive director, to move on,” Maureen Austin wrote in a letter published on the Alpine Community Network.

CHIRP, a garden club known for organizing the popular Sage & Songbirds garden tour each year, gained national fame for Alpine after helping the community become first in the nation to receive a Community Wildlife Habitat designation from the National Wildlife Federation.  Austin voiced hope that Alpine will continue to nurture habitats for wildlife to retain the designation, adding that she will happily help transfer NWF’s annual status report to another organization or individual.

Garden tours May 6-8, festival May 7-8

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May 6, 2011 (Alpine) – Viejas Outlet Center will host Alpine’s biggest festival, the 14^th annual Sage & Songbirds Festival & Garden Tour on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8.  The theme for this year's festival, which includes live butterfly releases, is "Just Wing It."

A tour of residential gardens with butterfly and songbird-friendly habitats will also be held from May 6-8, with proceeds benefiting CHIRP, a non-profit organization dedicated to preservation and enjoyment of birds, butterflies and other creatures through hands-on and interactive programs and gardens.