Climate Strongholds

Blue Ridge Mountains Photo: Mary Anne Baker/Flickr CC

Changes in weather patterns and seasons affect where birds can survive and thrive. Audubon’s climate strongholds represent regions of North Carolina where birds are expected to seek sanctuary from the effects of our changing climate. These areas can offer the right mix of temperature and precipitation needed to support a wide diversity of birds now and in the future, as long as sufficient suitable habitat remains available. With your help, we can conserve natural areas within these climate strongholds, manage our forests in a bird-friendly way and grow native plants in order to protect our most climate-threatened birds.

Coastal Mountains Capital-Piedmont Roanoke and Chowan Rivers Bottomlands Southern Coastal Plain

Hover over the map and click the location you'd like to explore.

Blue Ridge Mountains_akshay_flickr_CC

Blue Ridge Mountains Photo: Akshay/Flickr CC

How you can help climate-threatened birds

  1. Sign up for Audubon North Carolina’s action alerts. Find out when state lawmakers are making important decisions that will impact protection of climate strongholds and other natural areas in the state. Click here to join.
  2. Become an Audubon Ambassador. Audubon Ambassadors are volunteers working with state staff, Audubon chapters and local communities to spread the word about the effects of climate change on birds, which includes recruiting others with a hopeful, solutions-oriented message.
  3. Grow native plants. Your yard and the plants in it can make a big difference for wildlife. Growing native plants provides critical food and shelter for birds to survive and thrive in the face of climate change.
  4. Are you a birder? Help Audubon refine and improve our climate modeling by participating in Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count and Climate Watch. Your participation will help us continue to refine our climate models and prioritize actions to protect birds.

Explore All of North Carolina's Strongholds

Mountain Climate Stronghold
Mountain Climate Stronghold

Mountains Climate Stronghold

Protecting land in the mountains, ensuring forests are managed in a bird-friendly way and growing native plants in mountain towns and cities, are key priorities for Audubon in this area.

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Capital-Piedmont Climate Stronghold
Capital-Piedmont Climate Stronghold

Capital-Piedmont Climate Stronghold

With the greater Piedmont region of North Carolina expected to become hotter and drier in the future, an area centered around the state capital – Raleigh – may offer refuge from these changes.

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Southern Coastal Plain Climate Stronghold
Southern Coastal Plain Climate Stronghold

Southern Coastal Plain Climate Stronghold

Combined with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, this area’s many water bodies can provide refuge in a changing climate.

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Roanoke and Chowan Rivers Bottomlands Climate Stronghold
Roanoke and Chowan Rivers Bottomlands Climate Stronghold

Roanoke and Chowan Rivers Bottomlands Climate Stronghold

This area offers some of the most extensive forested wetlands in the United States that can support a large number of climate threatened birds, especially deciduous forest bird species.

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Coastal Stronghold
Coastal Stronghold

Coastal Stronghold

The Coastal Stronghold includes portions of existing Important Bird Areas likely to be impacted by sea-level rise in the next 30 years.

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Climate Strongholds: FAQ
Climate Strongholds - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about climate strongholds and the methodology behind Audubon North Carolina’s climate stronghold mapping project.

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News & Updates

Executive Order to Restore and Protect NC’s Natural and Working Lands
News

Executive Order to Restore and Protect NC’s Natural and Working Lands

Executive order to conserve and restore 2 million acres of forests and wetlands in North Carolina and plant 1 million new trees in urban areas by 2040.

Legislative Recap: Native Plants Win, Wetlands Loss
News

Legislative Recap: Native Plants Win, Wetlands Loss

Here’s what the 2023 legislative session means for birds.

Major Raleigh Real Estate Company Joins Lights Out Program
News

Major Raleigh Real Estate Company Joins Lights Out Program

In partnership with Wake Audubon, Kane Realty will help make the night skies safer for migrating birds.

New Policy Requires Native Plants at State Parks and Historical Sites
News

New Policy Requires Native Plants at State Parks and Historical Sites

Birds and other pollinators will benefit from this far-reaching policy.

Legislative Update: Bird Bills Making Progress
Advocacy

Legislative Update: Bird Bills Making Progress

We’re back at the General Assembly, advocating for bipartisan policy solutions that protect birds and people.

Audubon Statement on Conservation Funding in the NC House Budget
Advocacy

Audubon Statement on Conservation Funding in the NC House Budget

— House budget moves conservation funding in the right direction.
Audubon Members Speak up for Birds at Advocacy Day
Advocacy

Audubon Members Speak up for Birds at Advocacy Day

Advocates from across North Carolina met with lawmakers to lobby for native plants, family landowners, and conservation funding.

NC Native Plants Bill: Business Sign-on List
Advocacy

NC Native Plants Bill: Business Sign-on List

Help recruit local nurseries, garden stores, and landscapers to support Senate Bill 318.

Former House Rep Brian Turner to Lead Audubon North Carolina’s Policy Work
Advocacy

Former Rep Brian Turner to Lead Audubon North Carolina’s Policy Work

— Turner will join the century-old conservation nonprofit in April, after serving four terms in the North Carolina House.
2023 Advocacy Day Schedule
Advocacy

2023 Advocacy Day Schedule

Everything you need to know for Advocacy Day on March 22.

How you can help, right now