One of Kirkland-based Eastside Audubon’s foremost leaders on environmental issues will be sworn in Thursday evening as the new president of the conservationist birding group.

Andy McCormick, an 18-year resident of Bellevue, had been chair of Eastside Audubon’s Conservation Committee for three years and advocated for the East Link light rail solution that the Bellevue City Council adopted unanimously in November.

He started with Eastside Audubon five years ago as a volunteer doing habitat restoration and boardwalk maintenance at the Audubon BirdLoop in Marymoor Park, where the chapter continues its work on habitat enhancement and trail improvement.

“I want to share the fun of birding with people and I also want to be a contributor to preserving birds,” Dr. McCormick said. “Helping people have birds to enjoy for the future — that’s what I’m about.”

In the various communities where he’s lived, Dr. McCormick has been a member of Massachusetts Audubon, Monterey Peninsula Audubon, and Portland (Oregon) Audubon.

He currently belongs to the Sierra Club Cascade Chapter, the Wilderness Society, Forterra (formerly the Cascade Land Conservancy), the Mountaineers, and Seattle Audubon.

He holds a doctorate in social work and social research from Portland State University and is a specialist in palliative care at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Dr. McCormick will take the oath of office at a dinner Thursday evening honoring the more than 130 Eastside Audubon volunteers who worked on conservation, education, and community outreach projects during 2011.

Also assuming Eastside Audubon board positions will be Dora Rajkhowa (treasurer, Sammamish), Tim McGruder (at-large member, Kirkland), Tricia Kishel (birding chair, Bellevue), and Mary Brisson (communication chair, Redmond).

About Eastside Audubon

Eastside Audubon is the National Audubon Society chapter active in Bellevue, Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Woodinville, and unincorporated East King County.

Eastside Audubon works to protect, preserve, and enhance natural ecosystems and our communities for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people.

The group welcomes new and experienced birders on our birding walks and field trips and in our birding classes.