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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

News & Updates

Report Finds North Carolina is Well-positioned for Battery Storage Growth
News

Report Finds North Carolina is Well-positioned for Battery Storage Growth

— Study commissioned by Audubon shows North Carolina has opportunity to lead in battery storage.
Best of 2020: Audubon North Carolina in Action
Advocacy

Best of 2020: Audubon North Carolina in Action

From protecting coastal nesting birds to bridging the gender divide in forestry, Audubon stepped up and spoke up for North Carolina’s birds despite all the challenges of 2020.

At Chapter Day, Audubon Leaders Celebrate Successes and Reinvent for the Future
Advocacy

At Chapter Day, Audubon Leaders Celebrate Successes and Reinvent for the Future

Chapters connect people and inspire action, despite shutdowns and stay-home orders.

Despite Pandemic, Momentum Builds for Birds at Legislature
Advocacy

Despite Pandemic, Momentum Builds for Birds at Legislature

End-of-session recap: Conservation funding remains intact for now, while new bill will bolster native plants.

Audubon Advocates Flock Virtually for Biggest Advocacy Day Yet
Conservation

Audubon Advocates Flock Virtually for Biggest Advocacy Day Yet

Nearly 100 members meet with lawmakers for first-ever virtual Advocacy Day.

Speak Up for Birds on the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan
Forestry In Action

Speak Up for Birds on the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan

Audubon asks Forest Service to ensure plan protects birds and provides win-win forestry solutions.

Advocacy

2022 Advocacy Day

Complete these steps now to confirm your participation in Audubon North Carolina 2022 Advocacy Day on Wednesday, June 8.

Energy Storage for a Brighter Future
Advocacy

Energy Storage for a Brighter Future

Birds need clean energy solutions now, and energy storage is a key technology that will get us there.

How you can help, right now