Southern Coastal Plain Climate Stronghold

Photo: Connie Pinson

The Southern Coastal Plain climate stronghold includes numerous river systems, estuaries, bogs and cypress swamps that will help support coniferous forest (pine-dominated) birds. Combined with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, this area’s many water bodies can provide refuge in a changing climate. Protecting land in the southern coastal plain, ensuring forests are managed in a bird-friendly way and growing native plants in coastal towns and cities are key priorities for Audubon in this area.

Southern Coastal Plain Climate Stronghold

Key climate-threatened birds and habitat “guilds”

Climate-threatened birds can be grouped according to the type of habitat that they prefer.  This climate stronghold is likely to include suitable habitat and climate conditions for many birds threatened by climate change, including key birds listed below.

Coniferous forest species:

Key Conservation Partners

Government: Natural Resources Conservation Service, North Carolina State Parks, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina Forest Service, North Carolina Division of Soil & Water Conservation

National & State NGOs: The Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, Conservation Trust for North Carolina

Local Land Trusts: North Carolina Coastal Land Trust

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 effect 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.

News & Updates

Winter Coastal Surveys Reveal New Shorebird Hotspot and Long-distance Visitors
Coast

Winter Coastal Surveys Reveal New Shorebird Hotspot and Long-distance Visitors

Natural inlets and barrier islands provide critical stopover and wintering habitat for shorebirds, gulls, and more.

Audubon Statement: Climate and Equity Executive Order Builds on Bipartisan Energy Bill
Climate

Audubon Statement: Climate and Equity Executive Order Builds on Bipartisan Energy Bill

— Gov. Cooper’s Executive Order 246 provides important next steps for North Carolina clean energy transition.
Audubon and Coalition Announce Conservation Plan for Currituck Marshes
Coast

Audubon and Coalition Announce Conservation Plan for Currituck Marshes

— Marsh migration and restoration will be key as Currituck region adapts to rapid coastal change.
National Grant will Fund Audubon’s Marsh Restoration Project in Currituck Sound
Media Releases

National Grant will Fund Audubon’s Marsh Restoration Project in Currituck Sound

— New funding will support innovative approaches to preserving and recovering a threatened ecosystem.
Coastal Nesting Recap: Terns Persevere and Bird Populations Hold Strong
Coast

Coastal Nesting Recap: Terns Persevere and Bird Populations Hold Strong

Take a look back at how coastal birds fared this nesting season.

North Carolina Passes Major Bipartisan Climate Bill
Climate

North Carolina Passes Major Bipartisan Climate Bill

— House Bill 951 requires deep cuts to carbon emissions on a timetable that will help reduce the worst impacts of climate change for birds and people.
Tracking the Next Generation of Baby "Beach Toucans"
Coast

Tracking the Next Generation of Baby "Beach Toucans"

A new banding partnership at Cape Lookout National Seashore will help answer questions about North Carolina's skimmer population.

Intern Reflections: Growing Our Grassroots Flock for Climate Action
Advocacy

Intern Reflections: Growing Our Grassroots Flock for Climate Action

Climate campaign interns reflect on their time building Audubon's network of bird champions.

Introducing the Secretive Marsh Birds of Pine Island
Coast

Introducing the Secretive Marsh Birds of Pine Island

These hard-to-find birds thrive in extensive, healthy marsh habitat, but their reclusive nature makes them difficult to find and study.

Revealing the Hidden Life of Secretive Marsh Birds
Coast

Revealing the Hidden Life of Secretive Marsh Birds

By surveying for rails, bitterns, and other rare marsh birds, we’ll better understand the health of the marsh and what it means for birds and people.

How you can help, right now