National Audubon Society

Summer may be winding down, but Audubon is gearing up for an active migration season full of impactful conservation work, making sure that birds' southwards journeys across the Americas are as safe as possible. One way we work to protect these migrating birds is by protecting the plants on which they rely. This month's Wings & Wins newsletter is full of flora that feeds, shelters, and creates habitat for birds—plus an important action that you can take to speak up for bird habitat! As always, subscribe to get the very best of Audubon's conservation work hand-picked and delivered directly to you each month. See you in September!

Maine’s Atlantic Puffin population was once as low as 70 breeding pairs, but thanks to the work of our Seabird Institute and partners, there are now roughly 1,500 pairs breeding across five Maine islands. This win for conservation has also proven to be a win for bird-lovers and the local economy. These birds attract thousands, who take boat tours (with narration expertly provided by yours truly) to see these lovable seabirds. Learn more from The Wall Street Journal: on.wsj.com/45UEJiE

Like so many people, I have known Dolly Parton through her music and the unmistakable presence she brought to the screen, the stage and everything she did. As I have read the tributes pouring in from around the world, I am learning even more about the many ways she made a difference.   Again and again, people are sharing memories of her kindness and the positive impact she had, often quietly and without seeking recognition. Of course, I was especially moved by the way her generosity extended to conservation.   Growing up in the Smoky Mountains, Dolly described nature as her playground and carried a deep love for those mountains throughout her life. She once said her hope was for all of us to “pay more attention to how we’re treating our mountains, how we’re treating our world, how we’re just treating everything.”   Her love for the Smokies also shaped her commitment to protecting the birds within them. For 35 years, the eagle sanctuary at Dollywood has cared for bald eagles unable to survive in the wild. It also introduced millions of visitors to birds of prey and supported efforts to return more than 400 bald eagles to the skies.   Dolly asked us to pay more attention to how we treat the world, and her life showed the impact of doing so. She used her platform to leave it better than she found it, and her example invites all of us to do the same.  

High school-aged Salt Marsh Stewards are testing a new technique to help restore the Crab Meadow salt marsh on Long Island, important habitat for birds like Saltmarsh Sparrows and Clapper Rails. Mosquito ditches from the 1930s have partially destabilized the marsh, and the Stewards are experimenting with using organic material to trap sediment and gradually refill the ditches over time. If successful, the technique they piloted could be implemented on a larger scale! Follow along with this project at the link in comments.

It was a pleasure to meet with Minister Juan Carlos Navarro and the MiAMBIENTE team in Panama yesterday, with Aurelio Ramos Borrero and Julio Montes de Oca Lugo. Panama's leadership on habitat restoration, bird conservation, and sustainable economic development is inspiring, with much more to come. And Panama's groundbreaking approach to integrating climate, biodiversity, and land degradation into one national strategy is incredibly insightful. There is no way to separate these issues on the ground - considering them holistically in policy, finance and implementation makes all the sense in the world. As the world seeks to accelerate progress towards the #GlobalStocktake forests goal, this is a lesson worth learning. #ForestsForward Look forward to continuing the strong partnership between Panama and the National Audubon Society! https://lnkd.in/ezYup45Z

Thank you, Patrick, and everyone at Birds Canada. I loved being with you in Ottawa to celebrate the next chapter of our partnership.   The Christmas Bird Count has always been about people coming together around birds. For more than 125 years, volunteers have taken part, and what they observe helps us understand how birds and the places they need are changing. I am excited to see this extraordinary community continue to grow across the hemisphere.

How can conservation and clean energy go hand in hand? The SunZia Wind and Transmission Project is a strong example. The National Audubon Society worked closely with Pattern Energy and other partners to identify and reduce risks to birds, helping shape measures that support habitat conservation and minimize impacts along the project corridor. The result is a major wind and transmission project that delivers benefits for birds, people, and communities all while advancing the transition to renewable energy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gtdNVhJ9

To conserve wetlands and support the health of birds and communities across Michigan, a critical investment of $2 million has been budgeted for the state’s Department of Natural Resources—a $1 million increase from last year! This funding is a major win for birds like the Black Tern—a species that builds its floating nests on wetlands—that have nowhere else to go when wetlands are lost. Learn more about how this funding will be used to protect wetland birds: bit.ly/4qkRRae

A seven-year-old Philadelphia birder was asked by NPR who his hero was, and we could not be more enthusiastic about his response: Keith Russell, Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s Program Manager for Urban Conservation. Keith has spent his career dedicated to ensuring that birds are protected in urban spaces, from preventing collisions with man-made structures, to ensuring that light pollution doesn’t prevent migratory birds from completing their journeys safely. We’re biased, and even still, we think that Keith is the perfect role model. Listen to the feature from NPR’s Weekend Edition: n.pr/4x59OvO

I am excited to share my first article for the Audubon Society about my experience as the Mid Pinellas Anchor Steward! I am very proud of the work me and my volunteers do to educate people about nesting seabirds and help protect them for future generations. https://lnkd.in/esnKStyJ