National Audubon Society

Monthly Newsletter December, 2023

Making an Impact for Birds, People and Policy Across the Great Lakes Region in 2023

Thank you for your support, time and dedication to Audubon Great Lakes mission of protecting birds and the places they need most in the region this year!

This year, Audubon Great Lakes mobilized our network of more than 300,000 Audubon members and 53 chapters across a five-state area, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin in science, policy, and conservation action to make a difference for Great Lakes birds and their communities. While we’ve made incredible strides, our work is just beginning. Thank you chapters, members, volunteers and partners who helped us achieve important victories this year to help protect both birds and people across the Great Lakes region. We appreciate your commitment to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.

Read on to learn more about Audubon Great Lakes most impactful advocacy, conservation, and engagement work across the region this year. This impactful work would not be possible without your commitment to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.Read 2023 Impact Report

Black Tern. Photo: Sabrina Dao

Enchanting Owls: Your Guide to Great Lakes’ Winter Birds

Each winter, our Great Lakes landscapes transition from bustling migration activity and bursts of color to leafless trees and frozen ground. This quiet season allows us to hear and see large feathered visitors from the north, such as Snowy Owls, Boreal Owls, Great Gray Owls and Northern Hawk Owls. Surprisingly, these owls overwinter across Canada into the Great Lakes each year for the warmer, balmier weather, which is considerably warmer than the northern boreal forests and arctic tundra they left behind! Learn more about owl ID tips, where to spot these majestic birds, and best viewing practices for your next birding trip!

Read more

Snowy Owl. Photo: Mick Thompson/Audubon

Black Terns, once a common site along the Great Lakes, are in serious jeopardy of a population collapse. Photo: Mark Stensaas/Audubon Photography Awards

Michigan Makes Historic Move to Reach 100 Percent Carbon-Free Energy

Governor Whitmer has officially signed the Clean Energy Future Package into law, a significant step forward towards protecting Michigan’s people and birds from climate change! With the Governor’s signature, the Wolverine state has joined the growing list of states who have passed policies to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses coming from its power sector.

We’re celebrating this win for birds, but our work is not over. Read more about what this means for Michigan birds and communities!

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Black Terns, once a common site along the Great Lakes, are in serious jeopardy of a population collapse. Photo: Mark Stensaas/Audubon Photography Awards

Northwest Indiana Residents Call for Wetlands Protections at Audubon Birds and Brews

Indiana has already lost 85 percent of its wetlands and more could be destroyed if state legislators don’t take action. Northwest Indiana residents gathered for Birds and Brews, an event presented by Audubon Great Lakes and Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society, at Byway Brewery in Hammond, Indiana to hear from local leaders and policy experts on the steps we can take to protect these critical spaces that provide countless benefits to birds and communities.

Learn more

(L to R) Panelists at the event included Indra Frank, Environmental Health and Water Policy Director for Hoosier Environmental Council; Andrea Huntington, Executive Director for Indiana Land Protection Alliance; and Daniel Suarez, Conservation Manager for

Virginia Rail. Credit: Chris Rusnak/Audubon Photography Awards

Join Us! Advocacy Day at the Indiana Statehouse

Join us as we advocate for wetlands protections at Audubon Great Lakes Advocacy Day at the Indiana Statehouse on Monday, January 22. 

WHEN: Monday, January 22 from 11:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET.   
WHERE: Indiana Statehouse, North Atrium; 200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204  
RSVP Today 

Indiana has already lost 85 percent of its wetlands. The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a decision in Sackett v. EPA that could place even more wetlands (as many as 300,000 acres!) at risk of destruction. We expect state legislators to introduce legislation that would roll back wetlands protections even further. 

In addition to providing vital habitat for vulnerable marsh birds, such as Virginia Rail and Least Bittern, wetlands play an important role in filtering water, keeping Indiana communities safe from flooding, and reducing harmful emissions by naturally storing carbon. Protecting wetlands can help protect the two-thirds of North American bird species that are at risk of extinction due to climate change. We need your help at Advocacy Day to speak up for policy solutions that will protect Indiana’s wetlands for the birds and communities that rely on them.

RSVP

Virginia Rail. Credit: Chris Rusnak/Audubon Photography Awards

Redheads and Lesser Scaups. Photo: Dianne Rozak/Audubon Photography Awards

Its Winter and Weird Duck Time!

From the whistle-like call of Tundra Swans to the puffy-shaped "buffalo head” of the Bufflehead, winter has officially become the season for weird duck time! Each winter, the Great Lakes is inundated with a great variety of waterfowl (over 30 species!) as ducks, geese and swans use our region as their winter getaway. Some fowl travel from as far north as the arctic tundra, once their waters freeze over.

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Redheads and Lesser Scaups. Photo: Dianne Rozak/Audubon Photography Awards

Congressman Jim Baird and Indiana State Rep. Beau Baird Go Birding with Audubon Great Lakes

Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04) and Indiana State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) went birdwatching with Audubon Great Lakes and The Nature Conservancy at DePauw Nature Park in Greencastle, Indiana to discuss the importance of conservation solutions, like the Farm Bill, that will protect wildlife and local communities.

Read more

Getting Involved

Black capped Chickadee. Credit: Jocelyn Anderson

Winter Wonderland at our Nature Centers in Ohio

This winter find an array of events and activities at our Nature Centers in Ohio. Check out The Troll That Hatched an Egg Exhibit, Geo Gnomes and winter bird walks at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm in Dayton, Ohio. In Columbus, Ohio visit Grange Insurance Audubon Center to join a Winter Solstice event, Art at Audubon, winter programming and more! Sign Up

Black capped Chickadee. Credit: Jocelyn Anderson

The 124th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count

The 124th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) began on Thursday, December 14, and lasts through January 5, 2024.

Thousands of volunteers across the Western Hemisphere will participate in the bird count - one of the longest-running wildlife censuses in the world. The CBC provides a picture of how bird populations have changed over the past hundred years, an essential perspective for scientists and conservationists.

Find your local count and get started!
See how you can get involved!

Learn more

Happy Holidays from Audubon Great Lakes

Wishing you a happy holiday season and new year! Thanks for your support of our important work across the Great Lakes region. Together, we’re building a brighter future for birds.

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