National Audubon Society

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“We will always choose earth.” Dr. Christine Koch

I spent the evening of April 6 glued to my television, watching as the Artemis II crew traveled to the dark side of the moon and waiting for their radio connections to Houston to return. I felt connected to them, to their journey and to the universe in a profound way.

And then I heard Dr. Koch’s words of greeting when the silence broke, and I saw the photo of our world and all of its life surrounded by dark space, a small fragment glowing in the vast universe, and my soul burst open. How could we not do all we can to make sure our planet remains viable for all creatures great and small?

This mission to create healthy ecosystems for birds and people motivates Audubon staff every day. We use campaigns like the one focused on the Scarlet Tanager to draw attention to the need for forests and then train people to create them. We use public programs to motivate people to work with us to protect migrating birds. We create healthy habitats in the places that birds need to survive—from dense city neighborhoods to wide open salt marsh. We welcome all to join us in our work.

“We will always choose earth. We will always choose each other.”

--Suzanne Biemiller, Executive Director
Audubon Mid-Atlantic

Snow Geese. Photo: Gary Kachadurian/Audubon Photography Awards

New Bill Would Designate the Scarlet Tanager as Pennsylvania’s Official Migratory Bird

A new bill filed in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would name the Scarlet Tanager as the state’s official migratory bird, highlighting its beauty and Pennsylvania’s vital role in its survival. The Scarlet Tanager depends on Pennsylvania’s mature hardwood forests, which hosts a larger share of the species’ breeding population than any other state. Learn what the Scarlet Tanager can tell us about forest health and why Audubon supports this bill.

Scarlet Tanager. Photo: Meryl Lorenzo/Audubon Photography Awards

Watch: New Audubon Documentary Features Philly and the Discovery Center

Birds on the Move is the new sweeping, four-part documentary series from the National Audubon Society that takes you on an unforgettable journey across continents, tracing the migratory paths of birds from Canada to Colombia and places in between, including Philadelphia.

The latest 10-minute episode, released just this week, gives you a closer look at how Audubon and Philadelphia communities are reimagining urban spaces, including the Discovery Center, so migratory birds can thrive. Watch it now.

See our Phildelphia staff featured in Audubon's latest documentary, now available on Youtube. Photo: National Audubon Society

One Forester’s Journey from Trout Streams to Bird-friendly Forestry

Mike Eckley’s love of the outdoors started in a Pennsylvania trout stream. But today, he’s helping steward its forests. Through Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s Forester Training and Endorsement Program, Mike is gaining the skills to help landowners manage their forests with wildlife in mind, which benefits birds and much more, from water and stream quality and to local economies. See how his journey is making a difference for both people and wildlife.

Mike Eckley teaching forestry management to students. Photo: Mike Eckley

From Baltimore to Philly, Go Dark for Migrating Birds this Season

Spring migration is upon us, and millions of birds are traveling above our heads every night. Bright lights from cities can disorient birds and cause fatal building collisions. The good news is that simply turning off your lights at night is any easy way to help. Learn more about Audubon’s Light Out program and check other local resources, including Bird Safe Philly and Lights Out Baltimore.

Migrating Purple Martins at dusk. Photo: Keith Kingdon/Audubon Photography Awards

New Grant to Fund Monitoring of Innovative Saltmarsh Restoration on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

A $610,000 grant will help Audubon Mid-Atlantic monitor saltmarsh habitat restoration at the Irish Grove Sanctuary on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The grant, announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will help track the progress of restoration for the endangered Saltmarsh Sparrow in Somerset County.

In addition to supporting vulnerable bird species, the restoration work will help reduce flooding and erosion risks for nearby roads. Read more about Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s conservation work in the Chesapeake Bay region and the Marshes for Tomorrow initiative here.

Maryland marsh landscape. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon

Upcoming Events in the Mid-Atlantic

Opening Reception for the John James Audubon Center’s Museum

Please join us on Sunday, April 19th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for an Opening Reception for the Spring/Summer exhibitions at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. Featured artists include Deirdre Murphy, Yvonne Love, Holly Fasching, and Rosalind Sutkowski, along with student artists Sophie Bell and Alina Voytovich. Meet the artists and hear about their work on view in the Visitor Center and Historic House. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public. More information on our website.

Birding Tour of Patterson Park

Don’t miss this upcoming birding tour in Patterson Park on Saturday, April 25th from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Over 200 bird species have visited the park, an important migratory stopover in Baltimore City! Audubon experts will lead us in search of avian friends! No experience necessary, and BYO binoculars. More information on our website here.

Pennsylvania Lobby Day

For those of you in Pennsylvania, we invite you to join us on May 4th in Harrisburg for an Environmental Lobby Day with Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania. Audubon is co-sponsoring this year's lobby day with CVPA and other conservation partners. We will talk directly with lawmakers about protecting bird habitat, expanding clean energy options, and keeping our water clean. Sign up today so you can receive training materials and so we can schedule meetings with you lawmakers. We will also discuss our bill to promote the Scarlet Tanager as Pennsylvania's state migratory bird!

CONNECT WITH US

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

© 2026 National Audubon Society, Inc.

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