For the birds — and Kris Buchler

COEUR d'ALENE — As a wildlife biologist with the Bureau of Land Management, Carrie Hugo knows birds.

But she said the time she spent with Kris Buchler brought her to a new level and love of the outdoors.

"Understanding and recognizing birds by their sounds is like knowing another language that other people don’t know," she said. "I can thank Kris for that."

Hugo was one of about 20 people at the east Tubbs Hill entrance Tuesday morning who watched as a sign that pays tribute to the late Buchler was installed.

It reads "Tubbs Hill: Birds To See Through The Seasons."

The sign includes colorful photos and facts about birds, such as the northern flicker, common raven, osprey, calliope hummingbird and yellow warbler.

While some birds stick around all year, most migrate into the area when warm weather brings an abundance of food and nesting sites.

It says: "In memory of Kris Buchler: Environmental Educator, Lover of Nature, Friend."

Kris Buchler died Aug. 31, 2017. She was 74.

"It’s really a wonderful tribute to her,” said Ed Buchler, her husband of 52 years. “It emphasizes what she spent a good part of her life doing, which is educating others about birds."

Birding was Kris Buchler's passion.

She could identify most birds simply by hearing their call note or song. She was a wildlife educator who taught hundreds of classes and gave lectures.

She was known for leaving her home in the early morning hours so she could listen to birds sing. She completed hundreds of bird surveys over the years and reported the results to national databanks.

She was a raptor rehabilitator and co-founded the WREN Foundation that was devoted to wildlife education programs for youth. She received several awards from the National Audubon Society.

"She touched thousands of lives," Ed Buchler said.

Beth Paragamian often presented programs with Kris Buchler. She admired her energy and enthusiasm, which overflowed to children.

"She was a joy. She loved birds," Paragamian said.

Tuesday's sign installation was the result of a process that started five years ago. The project is sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene Audubon Society, WREN and the Tubbs Hill Foundation.

A second sign honoring Buchler will be placed near the west entrance to Tubbs Hill at McEuen Park.

"I think the signs are winding up where they belong," Ed Buchler said. "She always loved Tubbs Hill."

Hugo said her career would have been "completely, totally different if I hadn’t met Kris and learned birding, by ear.”