National Audubon Society

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Restoring Balance

I’ve been away on vacation this week, yet birds and Audubon’s work remain on my mind. And when I say “birds,” I actually mean “osprey.”

You see, last month, I had the good fortune of meeting with a long-time Audubon member who has worked over the years to increase the osprey population in southeast Massachusetts. I was curious about the interventions that he and others used to “bend the bird curve” and increase the count from one local nesting pair to dozens. The answer, it turns out, was derived from observations and from understanding osprey behavior. In a nutshell, as soon as ospreys had built a nest on the top of a utility pole, the electric company removed it. But the local ornithologists knew that osprey favor taller roosts, so they constructed nesting platforms that were higher than the nearby utility poles. Success!

This background knowledge rolled around in my mind as I watched a pair of nesting osprey bring food to their fledglings on a tall nesting platform a few evenings ago. Sure, it’s easy to bemoan the damage that humans have caused to the natural world and yet manmade interventions can also restore and bring the world back into balance.

That’s the work of Audubon. We use science and data to understand how best to protect birds and the places they need and then we seek to act upon that information. Sometimes our solutions use nature itself to support birds, while other times, we deploy artificial means to get a desired result.

Members like you make all of our work possible.

Thank you,

Suzanne

Osprey juveniles in nest. Photo: Kurt Wecker

Volunteer Native Plant Maintenance and Invasive Plant Removal in Whitby Meadow

In mid-June, Audubon and partners hosted a volunteer event at Whitby Meadow, in Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek Park. Audubon staff and volunteers worked to remove invasive plant species that threaten native vegetation by competing for vital resources such as sunlight and water. Volunteers entered deer-resistant cages that had been previously installed around young native trees - including pawpaw, dogwood, willow, and others - and carefully cleared invasive vines from trunks, branches, and surrounding wire fencing. They also inspected the fencing and tree support stakes, replacing any that were damaged.

These native plantings play a critical role in stabilizing the meadow’s Cobbs Creek. Their deep roots help prevent erosion by holding sediment in place along the creek’s edge. Regular maintenance is especially important during the early stages of growth, before these plants adapt to their surroundings and begin to establish themselves. As they mature, they’ll require less upkeep and provide lasting ecological benefits.

To get involved with future volunteer events, be sure to follow Audubon Mid-Atlantic on social media and on our website at pa.audubon.org/events!

Volunteers in the field.

Renewable Energy Bills in Pennsylvania

As Pennsylvania wraps up the first half of the 2025 legislative session before summer recess, Audubon is focused on advancing legislation that promotes renewable energy and a more sustainable future for the state. Climate change - driven by fossil fuel emissions - is the greatest threat to birds and their habitats today. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and habitat loss are putting countless species at risk. Pennsylvania also faces significant increases in electrical demand due to AI technology usage and data warehouse development. Bringing new renewable energy projects will help Pennsylvania increase its electricity supply and prevent dramatic rate increases. These bills are therefore essential - not just for Pennsylvania’s residents, but for the birds and wildlife that also call Pennsylvania home. We encourage our Pennsylvania members to let their state senators and representatives know how important renewable energy investments are to them!

Audubon is supporting:

HB501, the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standards (PRESS) Act . This bill would increase the state’s renewable energy requirement from 5% to 35% by 2035, helping transition Pennsylvania to cleaner sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. (Read the new op-ed on this bill here). HB501 has passed out of committee in the House and is currently awaiting a vote on the House floor.
HB 502, Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition Board (RESET). This bill establishes a body made up of conservation and energy stakeholders that will enable renewable energy siting decisions to be expedited in a way that allows the state to deploy appropriately sited renewable energy in a timely manner. Audubon supports this discussion because we know that all too often misinformation delays investments in much needed renewable energy development.

HB503, the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act. This legislation proposes a state-specific cap-and-invest program aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Revenue generated from polluters would be reinvested in clean energy technologies and used to protect ratepayers. HB503 is still in committee and has not yet received a vote.

HB504, the Community Energy Act. This bill would expand access to renewable energy by authorizing community solar programs. These programs allow residents - especially those unable to install solar panels on their own homes - to subscribe to shared solar projects and receive clean, affordable electricity. Community solar also promotes the use of already disturbed land, such as brownfields. HB504 has passed the House and is now being considered by the Senate.

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

Audubon with Sen. Bartolotta of Washington County discussing Community Solar as part of House Bill 504.

Outdoors Maryland Segment on Saltmarsh Sparrow wins regional Emmy award

If you’ve been following our recent emails and social media updates, you know about the important work Audubon and our partners are doing on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. This region’s saltmarshes are under serious threat from climate change, with rising sea levels putting pressure on vulnerable species such as the Saltmarsh Sparrow. Last year, Will Parson of Maryland Public Television produced a compelling segment highlighting the field research being done to help protect these birds. The piece aired on the Outdoors Maryland segment and offered viewers an inside look at the conservation efforts taking place on the ground.

We’re excited to share that Will has recently been honored with a regional Emmy Award for his outstanding work on this segment. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition - and if you haven’t seen the feature yet, be sure to check it out on Outdoors Maryland!

Bri Panos holding a Saltmarsh sparrow. Photo: Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program

Bald Eagles in the Mid-Atlantic

When someone says, “The Eagles have made quite the comeback in recent years,” your first thought might be the football team - and fair enough! They’ve had an impressive run lately. But they’re not the only “Eagles” making headlines for a big return.

We're also talking about Haliaeetus leucocephalus - the bald eagle. This iconic bird, a powerful symbol of American pride and often seen on federal buildings and currency, has made a truly remarkable recovery in recent years. Back in the 1980s, there were only two known bald eagle nests in the entire state of Pennsylvania. Today, researchers involved in Pennsylvania’s most recent version of its Bird Atlas, have already identified 40 nests in the Philadelphia region alone - and more than 400 across the state!

In the Chesapeake Bay region, there were as few as 60 breeding pairs in the 1970s, and it’s estimated that populations today are well over 3,000 breeding pairs. This remarkable increase surpassed state goals for Maryland and Virginia, leading to the states canceling their bald eagle surveys.

The success story of the bald eagle started with the protections of the Endangered Species Act and has continued thanks to the hard work of local conservation groups and community members who contribute to projects such as the Pennsylvania Bird Atlas.

So, if you’re out and about this weekend, look up - you just might spot one of our majestic bald eagles soaring overhead.

Bald Eagle in flight. Photo: Cynthia Hansen

Upcoming Events in the Mid-Atlantic

Owl Babies Workshop at the John James Audubon Center

Three young owlets sit in their tree, waiting for their mommy to come home. “I want my mommy!” Where is she? What is she doing? In this family-oriented workshop, we will read Owl Babies, by Martin Waddell, together. Then we will meet one of our resident owls and learn all about their life and what they do when the dark comes. Finally, we will complete an owl craft inspired by the book. This workshop is aimed at children aged 3-6 years old with their families. This event is free, but please register in advance on our website.

Habitat Team Planting in Baltimore

The Habitat Gardens in Patterson Park need your help! Beat the heat - join Audubon from 8:00-9:30am, Saturday, August 2nd, to steward these special spaces. All ages and abilities are welcome to learn how to remove invasive plants, improve the trails, and care for the habitat that provides food and shelter for the park's resident and migratory birds. Bring your family, a friend, or come meet new ones - register here. We are happy to sign service-learning forms for helpful students. If you would like to schedule a group to volunteer in Audubon's habitat gardens, please email baltimore@audubon.org.

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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