National Audubon Society

Help protect birds and educate the next generation of conservation leaders: Please donate today.

April 2018

Bald Eagle. Photo: Dave/Flickr

The Future of Birds in Our National Parks

It’s hard to imagine the Grand Canyon without Bald Eagles soaring over the Colorado River, but according to a new study from scientists at Audubon and the National Park Services, climate change will disrupt many bird species found in America's national parks. On average, one-quarter of all bird species in our national parks could be completely different by mid-century.

In a warming world, Bald Eagle populations in the Grand Canyon National Park are expected to decline, perhaps even going locally extinct.

The Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Parks—and every national park in the country will play a role in providing sanctuary for birds in the face of climate change.
Visit Audubon's Climate and National Parks website to read more and take action.

A Burrowing Owl stands outside its artificial burrow. Text reads: #AZGivesDay is Tomorrow! Donate at www.azgives.org/audubonaz

News across Audubon Arizona

Western Rivers Action Network – Convening the Critical Voices
With continued drought, it’s important to stay engaged with our policymakers.
Downtown Owls, Spring 2018
In 2017, we released 60 Burrowing Owls. How are we faring this spring?
Birds n’ Beer March Recap: Intro to Seabirds and Pelagic Birding
Cindy Marple took us around the world on a pelagic birding trip.

Audubon Adventures Summer Camp

Get wild this summer with Audubon Adventures and explore the exciting world of the Sonoran Desert! Choose from day camp-only weeks, or mixed day/overnight options where campers spend the first half of the week at the Rio Salado Audubon Center and end with overnight camping at Mingus Mountain Camp near Prescott. Experience nature hikes, archery, science experiments, and more!

Ages 8–12. Camp weeks run June 11 to July 27. For details, contact Emily Martell or call 602-468-6470, ext. 125.

Learn more about Camp Audubon and register today.

11 Tribes Represented at Audubon-Convened Water and Habitat Restoration Forum

On Mar. 29, Audubon Arizona hosted a forum with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals to discuss water and habitat restoration on tribal lands. Tribes represented at the forum included the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Cocopah Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Gila River Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Tohono O'odham Nation, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, Yavapai-Apache Nation, and Zuni Tribe.

Tribes came together to discuss restoration projects they were doing on their land, giving tribal members a valuable opportunity to connect with each other around their conservation initiatives.

Audubon Arizona extends thanks to board members Ondrea Barber and Will Antone III, Native American Affairs for Freeport-McMoRan and Senior Environmental Planner and Policy Analyst for Gila River Indian Community, respectively, for their work to organize the forum. Thank you also to Gila River Indian Community for sponsoring the event’s lunch.

We want your ideas for Birds n' Beer!

The 2018-19 season of Birds n’ Beer begins in August, and we want your ideas. What topics would you like to hear about? Who do you want to speak? Email Morgan Moore with your ideas.

Send us your requests and they might make it into the next season of Birds n' Beer!

Read and download the guides for free.

Photo: Steve Prager

Grasslands and riparian landowner guides—thank you SRP!

Arizona is amazingly diverse—from mountains and canyons, to grasslands and deserts. These different places generate high animal diversity, especially with birds. Audubon Arizona, in partnership with Tucson Audubon Society, the AZ Game and Fish Department, Sonoran Joint Venture, and BirdLife, has produced Landowner Habitat Guides for Grasslands and Riparian Areas. These guides will help you make the most of your land for birds and other wildlife. The Grasslands Guide was printed by SRP—pick up a physical copy at the Rio Salado Audubon Center.

Birds to watch for in April

Winter birds are departing for their northern nesting grounds and Arizona’s summer birds are returning. Keep an eye out for White-winged Doves, Western Kingbirds, and Cliff Swallows along the canals.

Camping in the Sonoran Desert? Listen for Elf Owls—they’re returning and are calling to find mates. This is the smallest owl in the world, at five inches high and weighing a little over one ounce. They are migratory in Arizona due mostly to diet, which consists primarily of insects. If you’re lucky, you’ll spy a set of tiny golden eyes glaring down from a cactus cavity!

Where to find Elf Owls

White-winged Dove, Western Kingbird: Mick Thompson. Elf Owl: Bettina Arrigoni/Flickr CC

Audubon Arizona Events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Morning Bird Walk

Apr. 14: Arizona Animal Encounters

Apr. 14: Potluck & Presentation, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch

Apr. 19: Birds n’ Beer: An Evening with John James Audubon, sponsored by Vulcan Materials

Apr. 21: Conservation Workday: Owl work, off-site. RSVP with Cathy Wise

Partner & Chapter Events

Apr. 9: Annual American Ornithological Society Meeting, Tucson

Apr. 12: 9^th Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference, AZ Game & Fish Dept. Headquarters

Apr. 26—29: Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival, Cottonwood
Check the list of Audubon Chapters to find events at your local center.

Volunteer Opportunities

One-time Projects:
Donor Reception, AZ Country Club: Apr. 17
Birds n’ Beer: Apr. 19
Earth Day River Clean-up: Apr. 21

Orientations:
Each at 9:30 a.m. at the Rio Salado Audubon Center:
May 12
Aug. 25
Sept. 22
Nov. 10

Outreach Events:
Wells Fargo Diversity and Community Connections Fair: Apr. 5
South Mountain Community College Earth Day: Apr. 19
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Earth Day: Apr. 21
Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival: Apr. 28
Farm at South Mountain Community Event: Apr. 28

Special Projects:
American Kestrel Nest Monitoring
Outreach Event Data Capture
Education Program Administrative Assistance

Continuous:
Grades K-8 Field Trip Leader
Grades 9-12 Field Trip Leader
Visitor Experience Volunteer
Apply to become an Audubon Arizona volunteer

The following events are held at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix unless otherwise noted.

Volunteer of the Month: Linda Alkove

Linda regularly serves as an education and outreach volunteer, leading Nature in Your Neighborhood field trips and teaching students about Sonoran Desert habitats. Linda’s love of nature and teaching makes her adept at engaging students by sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge of Audubon. She is an integral part of our mission to connect people with nature, and helps us achieve success in our education programs.

To sign up for a volunteer position or RSVP for an orientation, contact Volunteer Coordinator Alysse Lerager or call 602-468-6470, ext. 110.

Donate to Audubon Arizona

View March’s Newsletter

Audubon Arizona
3131 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA
(602) 468-6470 az.audubon.org

© 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc.

Unsubscribe