National Audubon Society

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On The Road to Somewhere

I had the great fortune of attending last weekend’s I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit in State College. (You can read more about it below.) The journey to--and from--central Pennsylvania featured rolling, freshly-harvested farmland that morphed into ridges and valleys that were painted in autumnal glory. Small river towns dotted the river land north of Harrisburg, steadfast signs of how the mighty Susquehanna shaped the region’s economy.

I have always loved road trips and this one did not disappoint. The land and sky and water joined to sharpen my thoughts as I considered the bounty of the commonwealth’s natural resources. I also spent time thinking about how Audubon supporters have worked hard to protect and restore those resources for the benefit of birds.

That thinking carried me into the Summit--an exciting two days of learning and fellowship among other bird supporters. The message that resonated most with me is that our elected officials do care what their constituents think and that we must keep raising our voices on behalf of birds and the environment. Our actions could take the form of sending an email or letter, making a phone call or meeting with a representative in person (or even on a bird walk!). Making personal connections with elected officials does have an impact.

It’s easy to shrug and think that nothing we do will make a difference in these fast-moving times. And maybe that’s true if we work alone. But there is power in community. And having seen so many people choose to spend a weekend together in State College, it seems to me that there is no stronger community than Audubon’s.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of birds,

--Suzanne

American goldfinch on branch. Photo: Mick Thompson

Pennsylvania Bird Advocates Rally at I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit!

Bird advocates flocked to State College last weekend for the inaugural I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit in Pennsylvania, hosted by Audubon Mid-Atlantic and partners. Attendees learned about efforts to protect critical bird habitat across the state, gained advocacy skills to campaign for birds, and heard from environmental leaders, policymakers, and scientists on the enduring efforts to build community around bird advocacy, renewable energy infrastructure, and more. Participants also joined in birding and forestry field trips, led by Audubon staff. It was inspiring to have so many chapter leaders and conservationists discussing policy actions to improve the lives of birds.

Friday’s sessions included interactive panel discussions about federal policy, state policy, renewable energy, and tips for engaging your elected leaders in bird conservation advocacy. Key themes focused on the important role the state of Pennsylvania plays in both national policy and hemispheric bird migration. Saturday’s programming involved reviewing Audubon network and advocacy resources and making a plan to advance bird conversation in Pennsylvania and in our local communities. Thank you to all our participants and guest speakers!

If you’re located in Maryland, be sure to save the date and join us for the upcoming Maryland I Bird I Vote Conservation and Policy Summit, taking place on Saturday, Feb. 7. Keep an eye on our social media channels, more information to follow in the coming months.

Attendees at I Bird I Vote

39 Species Sighted during Audubon’s Philadelphia Birding Weekend!

Community members, novice, and expert birders alike joined Audubon and partners for the 4th annual Philadelphia Birding Weekend on October 10th through 12th. Throughout the weekend, nature lovers of all ages explored birding spots across Philadelphia, right at the peak of fall migration. Participants traveled across the city’s natural spaces, searching for resident birds and species that utilize Philadelphia as a stopover point during their migration south for the winter. Despite a bit of rain, nearly 40 different species were sighted among Audubon’s restoration projects, community parks and more. If you weren’t able to join for the weekend, consider visiting us for an upcoming birding tour in the Philadelphia or Baltimore area! Visit our events website to find an event near you.

Participants of birding tour.

Legacy Planning with Audubon Mid-Atlantic

Over the last year, more than 200 generous supporters have included Audubon in their estate plans, enhancing our ability to protect birds in the Mid-Atlantic region and across the hemisphere.

Legacy planning reminds us of the power of our values as individuals and how one simple gift can protect birds for generations to come. As we celebrate Audubon’s 120th anniversary this year, legacy gifts help fuel our work for the next 120 years.

“I have lived my entire life along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries where I developed a lasting appreciation for this magnificent ecosystem. Through my legacy gift to support Audubon’s work in the Chesapeake Bay, I hope to honor the memory of my Aunt Zell Batterson who introduced me to the joys of birding. As a child, I was mesmerized by the bird activity at her many feeders and those moments are forever etched in my memories. Audubon’s work in the Chesapeake Bay and across the Mid-Atlantic region are essential to protecting birds like the magnificent Osprey and other vital pieces of our ecosystems.”

Randall E. Sarfan, Virginia Beach, VA

For more information about including Audubon in your estate plans, please visit legacy.audubon.org or contact Maggie Kalergis, Maggie.kalergis@audubon.org, Wendy Christie, wendy.christie@audubon.org, or Alan Goldman, Senior Director, Gift Planning, plannedgifts@audubon.org.

Ruffed Grouse. Photo: Dawn LaPointe

When the Birdsong Ceased: Exploring Early Transatlantic Bird Preservation

Join Audubon at the John James Audubon Center on Sunday, Nov. 23 for an in-depth lecture by Dr. Bethany Dahlstrom that will explore the parallel origins of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (founded as two women’s societies in Manchester and Croydon in 1889) and the Audubon Society (revitalized in Boston in 1896 by Harriet Hemenway and Minna B. Hall). Attendees will learn how early campaigns combined moral outrage, Christian stewardship, and a shrewd use of gendered respectability to mobilize public opinion. Drawing on periodical exposé, literary texts, and Aldo Leopold’s later articulation of the land ethic, this talk will consider how these powerful women reframed bird protection as both a political act and a spiritual duty. More information and registration available on our website.

Upcoming Events in the Mid-Atlantic

Intro to Stargazing at the John James Audubon Center

Journey into the starry night with Audubon on Friday, Nov. 14 from 4:30 until 6:30pm. Damien Ruffner, Audubon Program Manager for The Discovery Center, will present Stargazing 101 to go over some basic astronomy and show you what to look for and what equipment is needed for an exciting night of stargazing. After this short presentation, we'll pull out the telescopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, and sky maps to explore the night sky. See what birds see as they use starlight to navigate their way during migration season. Check out other fun nighttime objects, and maybe even see some meteors! Please RSVP on our website here.

Birding Tour of Druid Hill Park in Baltimore

Explore the expansive green spaces of Baltimore on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8:00am until 9:30am during a birding tour of Druid Hill Park. Druid Hill Park is Baltimore's oldest large park and is home to 745 acres of forests, fields, and a large lake. Birders have documented 189 bird species here, including nesting Baltimore orioles and Yellow-Crowned Night Herons. Audubon, The Maryland Zoo, and Baltimore Bird Club experts will lead us in search of avian friends! No experience necessary. More information here.

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

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