National Audubon Society

Newsletter | July 2024

Two male Greater Sage-Grouse face each other.

Westerners Agree: Save the Greater Sage-Grouse

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 67 million acres—or 46 percent—of the 145 million acres of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat across the West, making public engagement around BLM land use plans critical in determining the bird’s future. Last month, we asked you to submit comments urging the BLM to implement science-based land management practices to protect Greater Sage-Grouse and the habitats they rely on. The message you sent was clear: 47,000 Audubon supporters submitted comments to the Bureau on proposed amendments for resource management plans on BLM-managed lands! Additionally, we crafted comments that were submitted by 19 conservation and hunting and angling organizations. Thank you to our supporters and partners for helping us protect sage-grouse and healthy sagebrush country! Read more

Greater Sage-Grouse. Photo: Gail Patricelli/Audubon Photography Awards

Colorado Governor Jared Polis at the signing of HB24-1379.

A Colorado Program the Colorado Way

We did it, Colorado! Thank you to the 2,248 of you who submitted comments to legislators in support of Colorado House Bill 24-1379. Colorado is now the first state in the nation to pass legislation that addresses the stream and wetlands protection gap created by the 2023 Sackett vs. EPA decision. Thank you also to the Audubon members who contributed more than 60 images to our "What's Your Wetland?" storymap in support of the bill. You were instrumental in this success!

Learn more

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signing HB24-1379. Photo: Jessica Gelay/Western Resource Advocates

A small flock of American Avocets walk on the shore.

Birders Flock to Great Salt Lake for Annual Birding Festival

The Great Salt Lake Bird Festival draws people from around the globe to connect and experience the joys of birding. This year, staff from Audubon’s Gillmor Sanctuary led a mindful birding trip during the event! “It’s experiences like this that help people fall in love with birds and the habitats they depend on, giving them space to really start thinking about conservation and how to protect these species and places,” reflects Aly DeNittis, Senior Land Management Coordinator for Gillmor Sanctuary. With Great Salt Lake’s water level at a seven-year high, the abundance of bird life enjoyed by all underscores the importance of preserving and maintaining this endangered ecosystem.

Read more

American Avocets. Photo: Todd Nelson/Audubon Photography Awards

Audubon Rockies Executive Director Alison Holloran speaks to Sagebrush Country Celebration attendees.

Celebrating Sagebrush: Forward Together

Last month, we partnered with the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation to bring community and state leaders together at Miller Land & Livestock—a beautiful Audubon-certified bird-friendly ranch in western Wyoming—to celebrate important conservation work being done in sagebrush country. Thank you to all who joined us for the event!

Audubon Rockies Executive Director Alison Holloran speaks at the Sagebrush Country Celebration. Photo: Mary Jo Brooks/National Wildlife Federation

BioBlitz 2024

Wind River BioBlitz 2024 Results!

210—that’s the number of species spotted during this year’s BioBlitz at Wind River Indian Reservation near Lander, Wyoming! The impressive list includes 71 bird species, 70 insect species, 58 plant species, 8 mammal species, and 3 species of herpetofauna. Thank you to all who joined and contributed to the event! Learn more about in-person BioBlitz

Buffalo. Photo: Patti Baldes

Wyoming Statewide BioBlitz is July 19-22

We’re not done BioBlitzing yet, Wyoming—and our next event covers the entire state! Join us from anywhere in Wyoming, anytime from July 19 through July 22 to observe as many plant and animal species as possible. Observations are recorded using iNaturalist and provide data for real-world studies that help protect birds, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources. Wyoming State Parks will be hosting some great outings that weekend, too! Learn more and register

Western Meadowlark. Evan Barrientos/Audubon Rockies

An American Avocet wades in shallow water.

2024 Audubon Photography Awards

Congratulations to the many wonderful photographers who were named as 2024 Audubon Photography Award winners, honorable mentions, and Top 100 submissions! Check out The Top 100 photos—several of which were taken in the Rockies region—here!

View the winners and honorable mentions here

American Avocet. Photo: Michelle MacKenzie/Audubon Photography Awards 2024 Top 100

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