Chapter/Network Day 2017 was a fantastic experience, thanks to the passionate chapter leaders and Ambassadors who shared their insights and ideas for building the Audubon network’s capacity in 2018 and beyond!
As David Ringer, Chief Network Officer for the National Audubon Society stated, national frequently looks to North Carolina for innovative ideas. Our Climate Ambassadors program was singled out for a feature in Audubon’s 2016 Annual Report, as was our collaboration with the Belize Audubon Society and efforts to protect the climate-threatened Wood Thrush!
To kick off the day, Executive Director Heather Hahn began with a look back at Audubon North Carolina's successes from 2017, including:
- An impressive coastal nesting season filled with new birds and new sand
- A winning strategy to benefit Golden-winged Warbler that has resulted in the discovery of more than 40 new territories
- A whole new way to visit the Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary in Corolla
- A bipartisan bill that doubles down on solar (good for birds AND people!)
Our most highly-anticipated discussions were focused on how to continue to grow an Audubon network that is capable, connected, and enduring.
To that end, we invited three amazing young leaders to speak to the question of "How to Practice Diversity and Inclusion," including UNCW Seahawks Audubon Secretary Rachel Callaghan, who offered some great tips on engaging young people with bird conservation: make it fun, help turn it into a resume-builder, and offer unique experiences (like finding a Montezuma Oropendola!).
Finally, our chapter leaders and Ambassadors shared their proudest accomplishments from the past year, a wonderful look back on the successes of our network, and our potential to create positive change!
- Elisha Mitchell Audubon – Chimney Swift towers at Black Mountain
- Mecklenburg Audubon – Chimney Swift towers across Mecklenburg County
- Forsyth Audubon -- Interpretive signs in production for the city of Winston-Salem, like the ones created at Tanglewood Park
- T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon – Collaborating with many community organizations, like the city of Greensboro Innovation Cornerstone greenways & native plants
- New Hope Audubon – Bird Friendly Habitat Certification in a yard, at a business, or in any public or private outdoor space
- Wake Audubon – Participating in the Cary Green Neighborhoods project for residents to adopt simple and fun green (and bird-friendly!) actions in their homes and neighborhoods in order to reduce their environmental impact and restore local ecosystems
- Carl Sigel, Church of the Nativity – Carbon farming for agricultural productivity
- Cape Fear Audubon – Another great year of growth for Discover the Wonder of Birds, a family-friendly, schoolroom-savvy education program
- UNCW Seahawks Audubon – Getting started as our only active college chapter in the state!
As we continue to grow and engage a greater network, we hope to add more passionate birders to our ranks-- as chapter leaders, members, Ambassadors, and volunteers. Maybe we'll see you at Chapter/Network Day next year?
Get a head start - JOIN one of our local chapters today!
