National Audubon Society

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Collective Action

“In action, there is hope.” –Pat Smith, co-founder, The Reinvestment Fund

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the founding of the National Audubon Society. You’ll soon be able to read about our past work and significant milestones in the next edition of Audubon’s magazine. I’ve had a sneak preview and, let’s just say, reading about the people who stood up for birds and the places they need over the past century was inspiring!

It also struck me that Audubon has endured for so long because of people—people who care and who know that doing nothing is not an option. As an organization, we harness the energy of individuals and create a powerful force for change. We’ve done so through economic downturns, wars, epidemics, pushback from conflicting interest groups, and technological changes.

As we move forward with our work, let’s not forget the power of our collective voices. Doing nothing can lead to despair. In action, we find community, strength and hope.

Thank you for all of your actions, past and future,

Suzanne

Ruby-throated hummingbird in flight. Photo: Mary Berry

Baltimore forest restored for birds and people

In mid-May, Audubon and partners hosted a week-long community planting in Baltimore’s Lakeland Park. We kicked off the week on a Saturday with a community celebration to observe birds, appreciate trees, and plant the park’s forest edge. Participants who arrived for the morning guided bird tour observed many local species including Cedar Waxwings, mockingbirds and catbirds. Over 75 community members and partners joined together for this special planting event, installing native plants, which provide food, shelter, and nesting materials for migratory birds, and creating a green space for future generations of people and birds to enjoy. The following week, 300 Lakeland Elementary/Middle School students and educators dug in, contributing their native plants to the improved space.

Where invasive vines previously dominated the park’s forest and its edge habitat, more than 1,000 new trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses are now thriving and blooming. Invasive species have been removed and will continue to be monitored. In collaboration with Baltimore City Recreation & Parks and local partners, Audubon plans to restore the remaining portion of the 5-acre Lakeland forest and then replicate this community-centered forest restoration model in other city parks.

Interested in attending a bird tour or stewardship event? Visit md.audubon.org/events for a calendar of our upcoming events – we'd love to see you soon!

Participants at the community planting. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon

Ecological Restoration Bill Passage in Maryland

Last month, Audubon Mid-Atlantic celebrated a significant legislative victory in Annapolis with the passage of its priority bill, House Bill 1155/Senate Bill 722. This legislation, which defines “Ecological Restoration” in Maryland state law, was signed by Governor Wes Moore. Establishing this definition is a critical step forward for initiatives like Audubon’s Marshes for Tomorrow, as it will streamline permitting processes and support funding for habitat restoration and climate resiliency efforts.

We extend our sincere thanks to Senator Henson, Delegate Stein, and our environmental partners for their leadership and support in advancing this important measure.

To learn more about our priority legislation in Maryland, please visit the legislative tracker here.

Ecological Restoration Bill Signing

Grants Awarded to Audubon Mid-Atlantic by the William Penn Foundation

Philadelphia’s The William Penn Foundation has approved an 18-month, $220,000 grant to Audubon Mid-Atlantic to support habitat restoration planning in partnership with the Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corporation in North Philadelphia. Together with local residents, Audubon will identify and plan restoration efforts for two large-scale public green spaces in the neighborhood.

In addition, the William Penn Foundation has awarded a separate $129,000 grant to support programming at the Discovery Center in Philadelphia. This funding will be used to develop community-focused programs designed to encourage outdoor engagement and connection with nature.

The Discovery Center.

Conservation along the Kittatinny Ridge

The Kittatinny Ridge is a globally significant migration flyway and home to Pennsylvania’s largest Important Bird Area. Each year, at least 16 species of hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures - along with more than 150 species of songbirds - migrate along this ridge, heading south in the fall and north in the spring. Its upland forests also provide a year-round habitat for the Ruffed Grouse, Pennsylvania’s state bird, and support globally important populations of Cerulean Warblers.

Audubon's Healthy Forest Program staff recently worked with partners at Capital Region Water Authority and the Nature Conservancy to create 100 acres of Cerulean Warbler habitat at the DeHart Reservoir, situated in the southern portion of the Kittatinny Ridge. Working with local chapter members of Appalachian Audubon Society in Harrisburg, the project area has been monitored before and after forest management to track the changes in forest bird abundance and diversity. This summer, Audubon is also partnering with Penn State researchers to monitor the site with cutting edge technology using Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs).

This project also highlights the success of Audubon’s Forester Endorsement Program—a recently-endorsed forester worked with Audubon staff to create the Cerulean Warbler habitat. The Forester Endorsement Program aims to educate foresters on bird-friendly forest management and has grown to include 12 endorsed foresters across the region, helping to implement improved forest management practices on over 12,000 acres.

From hummingbirds and warblers to raptors and game birds, the Kittatinny Ridge is vital to more than 140 species of resident and migratory birds. To learn more about ongoing Cerulean Warbler conservation efforts in this important landscape, check out this recent article from PennEnvironment.

Cerulean warbler in tree. Photo: Mathew Malwitz

Lights Out Program Featured in GRID Magazine

Last month, Audubon and our partners were featured in a GRID Philly magazine article highlighting the Lights Out Philly program. Research shows that simple actions – such as turning off lights between midnight and 6:00 a.m. during spring migration – can significantly reduce bird collisions and fatalities. These efforts not only protect migratory birds but also offer economic and environmental benefits by lowering energy costs and reducing air pollution. This spring, and every migration season, join us in making a difference. Turn off your lights and help ensure a safer journey for birds passing through our skies.

Philadelphia skyline. Photo: Philadelphia Inquirer

Clean Energy Lobby Day in Pennsylvania

Audubon Mid-Atlantic, PennEnvironment, and hundreds of concerned citizens came together on Thursday, June 5th for Pennsylvania’s largest virtual annual citizen lobby day for climate action. Audubon staff and chapter members joined over 400 people from across Pennsylvania and attended a total of 65 meetings with legislators on both sides of the aisle for this virtual lobby day. They discussed important legislation and budget proposals that will advance renewable energy, and they shared why investments in climate action are critical for the birds and habitats of Pennsylvania and beyond. Thank you to all of our attendees and our sponsors of the event.

Butterfly on flower. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon

PA Conservation and Policy Summit - Save the Date

Join Audubon Mid-Atlantic on October 24^th and October 25^th for a gathering of environmental advocates from around Pennsylvania. This will be an opportunity to:

Learn about policy priorities that support birds
Hear from state conservation and policy leaders
Get updates from Audubon chapters and other stakeholders
Strategize for current and future legislative sessions!

American woodcock in forest. Photo: John Troth

Upcoming Events in the Mid-Atlantic

Birds and Brews

On Thursday, June 12th, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, join Audubon Mid-Atlantic and Wissahickon Trails at the John James Audubon Center for this unique and inspiring program about forests. Special guest Ethan Tapper, nationally recognized forester, bestselling author, and content creator from Vermont, will be here to share personal stories from his first book, How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

Please register for this free event so we know to expect you.

Birding Tour of Patterson Park

Visit Patterson Park in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, June 28th from 8:00am until 9:30am for a birding tour. More than 200 bird species have visited Patterson Park, an important migratory stopover in Baltimore City! Audubon and Baltimore Bird Club experts will lead us in search of avian friends. No experience necessary. If you would like to borrow binoculars, please check the box on the registration form or email us at baltimore@audubon.org. More information here.

CONNECT WITH US

Audubon Mid-Atlantic
3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19121
(610) 990-3431 | audubon.org

© 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc.

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