National Audubon Society

Showing up for birds

Last month, Helen Hays passed away. Hers was a name that I had previously associated with the actress (spelled differently) and I had never heard of this Helen Hays until I read about her death and, as is the case with obituaries, her life.

And what a life she led! Since 1969, Hays worked to protect and revive populations of common and roseate terns in the Long Island Sound. She spent five months of the year with volunteers on Great Gull Island to create safe nesting conditions and as a result of her efforts, the number of nesting pairs grew from 3,000 at the beginning of her endeavor to 11,000 by the 2010s. Her observations about birth defects in chicks also made her one of the first scientists to document the impact of PCBs on birds.

Reading about Hays’s work snapped me out of the worried funk that I had been in. Here was a stark reminder of the power that we all possess. We all have the ability to do something that will change the course of events for one place or one species. I am sure that Hays was scared when she first started out. Thoughts like “will anyone else show up to help me” or “what if I fail and the birds don’t survive” might have filled her head. Yet she took that first step—and look what happened!

Now, we can’t all do what Hays did. But as Audubon supporters, you have already taken the first step to help birds survive and thrive. I hope as this year continues, you’ll find other ways to make a difference. Below you’ll read some ideas, from supporting renewable energy projects to planting native gardens. It all matters.

Thank you,

Suzanne

Red-winged blackbird in flight. Photo: Doug German

Birds on power lines near wind turbines.

National Audubon Society’s Report on Offshore Wind Energy

Audubon’s new report, Offshore Wind and Birds: Developing the Offshore Wind that Birds Need, highlights the significant benefits of offshore wind energy for birds, people, and the economy. The report emphasizes the urgent need for the rapid expansion of offshore wind to address the climate crisis, protect bird populations, support coastal communities, and meet growing electricity demand in the United States.

A lot of special interest groups are using the possibility of bird deaths as an excuse to stop wind (and solar) projects. The truth is that entire species of coastal and shore birds will die as a result of sea level rises. This new report will give you the facts you need to push back against this rhetoric.

Audubon actively engages with offshore wind developers, federal agencies involved in turbine permitting, and policymakers to ensure the construction of wind projects that reduce emissions while safeguarding both birds and coastal communities. With your support, more projects will come on-line in the coming years.

Birds near wind turbines. Photo: Jessie Brantwein

Standing Room Only at I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit

On Saturday, February 1st, Audubon hosted its annual I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit in Annapolis. This year’s standing room only crowd of chapter members and other Audubon supporters learned about our policy priorities, including efforts to restore 29,000 acres of salt marsh habitat. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain and former congressman John Sarbanes were among the speakers. Special thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for the event space, and thank you to all of our attendees for productive and engaging conversations! Read more below about Audubon’s 2025 policy priorities.

Group photo at I Bird I Vote Maryland.

2025 Legislative Priorities in the Mid-Atlantic

State Legislative Priorities:

In Maryland, our number one priority is passage of a bill that will establish a clear, legal definition for “ecological restoration.” Having this definition will be an important building block to advance our Marshes for Tomorrow work. Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s Policy Director, Jim Brown has helped shepherd this bill through the legislative process and testified on its behalf in February. The bill, SB722/HB1155, was sponsored by Senator Shaneka Henson, Senator Malcolm Augustine, and Delegate Dana Stein. On Thursday, SB722 passed in the Maryland Senate with bipartisan support. Audubon expects that the Maryland House of Representatives will vote on its companion bill, HB1155, this coming week. We encourage you to reach out to your local representative to urge them to adopt the definition. Take action and contact your representatives through this link.

In Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro released his proposed budget for FY26, which includes year over year increases to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Proposed funding also includes resources for agricultural practices to prevent runoff and protect watersheds. Audubon Mid-Atlantic will continue to advocate for a robust budget for environmental priorities as the legislature negotiates on the final budget this spring.

We encourage you to stay informed about these ongoing efforts and our broader conservation priorities. Visit our website for more information on our legislative priorities for 2025. You can access our legislative trackers for Maryland and Pennsylvania to keep up to date.

Federal Legislative Priorities:

Audubon is pleased to see continued efforts by members of Congress to protect and restore the Delaware River Basin. Last week, members of the federal Delaware River Watershed Caucus introduced the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. This important bill would extend the program's authorization through 2032, ensuring ongoing conservation and restoration efforts. The bill also seeks to expand the official boundaries of the basin to include Maryland and prioritize projects that benefit small, rural, and disadvantaged communities. Audubon extends its thanks to the leadership of caucus co-chairs Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), and Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) for their commitment to the restoration of this vital watershed.

Eastern bluebird on branch. Photo: Sharron Crocker

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles!

You may have recently watched the Philadelphia Eagles' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and found yourself curious about the iconic bird that shares its name. The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, is a majestic bird of prey native to North America.

In the Mid-Atlantic region, especially around the Chesapeake Bay watershed, bald eagles thrive year-round. The area also hosts eagles from other locations along the Atlantic coast. During this time of year, bald eagles begin laying eggs, with both parents sharing the responsibility of keeping watch over them. If you're lucky enough to have a bald eagle nest nearby, keep an eye out for early June—this is when the young eagles, known as eaglets, will begin to fledge, or leave the nest! For more information about bald eagles in our region, visit this informative resource from the Friends of Blackwater Wildlife Refuge.

Bald eagle in flight. Photo: Cynthia Hansen

Event details at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Upcoming Events in the Mid-Atlantic

Maryland Mid-Session Update

Join us on Wednesday, March 12th from 5:30 to 8:00pm at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a discussion on advocating for Maryland’s priority environmental legislation. Audubon Policy staff will be on hand along with environmental leaders from across the state for an interactive evening. Food and drink included. Visit CBF’s website for more details on this event and how you can get involved.

Join Audubon at Upcoming Native Plants Workshops in Baltimore

Baltimore-area residents will have two opportunities to attend native plants workshops this month:

On Wednesday March 12th from 5:00pm until 6:00pm in Baltimore’s Cylburn Arboretum, Erin Reed Miller, Senior Coordinator for Urban Conservation, will share practical tips and scientific support for gardening with native plants, which also make our communities more resilient to climate change. Explore the resources you need to beautify your outdoor space and attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife. More information and tickets available on our website here.

Erin will host a second workshop at the Enoch Pratt Free Library - Hampden Branch on Thursday, March 27th, from 6:00 until 7:30pm. More information here.

Third Saturday Birding Tour

On Saturday, March 15^th from 8:00 until 10:00am, staff volunteers from the Valley Forge Audubon Society and staff from the John James Audubon Center will be offering a free guided birding tour around the woods and meadows of the Center (Audubon, PA). This tour will occur on the third Saturday of every month, March through October. Our outing leaders will help you learn about the seasonal and month-to-month fluctuations in bird life in a friendly and relaxed setting - perfect for beginning and experienced birders alike. More information here.

Event details at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

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

© 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc.

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