Research in North Carolina

Learn about the research engaging foresters across North Carolina.

Kelly Douglass, Forest Landbird Legacy Program partner, flags a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker tree for protection on private lands near the Uwharrie Mountains. Photo: Aimee Tomcho

Audubon NC is involved in regional and international research in the quest to better understand bird ecology. As our understanding grows, we become increasingly effective at saving the birds we cherish. Many people have helped make this journey a successful one. We know you will be inspired by stories about our conservation partners and beloved volunteers.

Regional Land Management Outreach Initiative to Protect More Golden-Winged Warbler Habitats
Media Releases

Regional Land Management Outreach Initiative to Protect More Golden-Winged Warbler Habitats

1,000 private landowners across nine Western NC counties identified for next wave of Working Lands outreach.

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Watching Warblers with Valerie
Working Lands

Watching Warblers with Valerie

Valerie Bruchon is one of our seasonal field biologists working to conserve and support golden-winged warblers and their habitats in Western North Carolina. Here, she has detailed her experience of a day in the field.

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Golden-winged Warblers Return to the Mountains
Working Lands

Golden-winged Warblers Return to the Mountains

In North Carolina, GWWA populations have declined an average of 10 percent every year for the past decade. Even more concerning, these warblers have seen a decline of nearly 98 percent in their entire Appalachian region breeding range.

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Volunteers at Work for Golden-wing Protection with Bob Repoley
Working Lands

Volunteers at Work for Golden-wing Protection with Bob Repoley

Our volunteers help lay the groundwork for Audubon NC to identify and engage private landowners in habitat restoration for priority species including the Golden-winged Warbler.

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The Golden-Wing Team Is Back!
Working Lands

The Golden-Wing Team Is Back!

Guest post by Anna Tisdale, a member of the Golden-winged Warbler field team. Anna’s research this season will help Audubon North Carolina’s conservation efforts to protect the birds in Western North Carolina.

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New Volunteer Team Meets in the Mountains
Working Lands

New Volunteer Team Meets in the Mountains

A group of 15 volunteers gathers in in Burnsville to learn more about how to help restore habitat for the Golden-winged Warbler.

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More Volunteers Trained to Protect Warblers
Working Lands

More Volunteers Trained to Protect Warblers

A new team of Audubon volunteers met at the Highlands Biological Station and in Macon and Jackson County to learn about Golden-winged Warbler conservation techniques.

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A Successful Year Monitoring Golden-winged Warblers in North Carolina
Working Lands

A Successful Year Monitoring Golden-winged Warblers in North Carolina

For the North Carolina Audubon Golden-winged Warbler team, the 2013 field season has been a memorable one.

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A Record-Setting Habitat for Warblers
Working Lands

A Record-Setting Habitat for Warblers

Mark and Margaret Hartman are managing their Ashe County land for Golden-winged Warblers. Click to learn more!

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Golden-winged Warbler

Latin:  Vermivora chrysoptera

Illustration for Golden-winged Warbler

Wood Thrush

Latin:  Hylocichla mustelina

Illustration for Wood Thrush

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Latin:  Sitta pusilla

Illustration for Brown-headed Nuthatch

Cerulean Warbler

Latin:  Setophaga cerulea

Illustration for Cerulean Warbler

News & Updates

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.

Longtime Audubon volunteer revives his own property for the birds
Forestry In Action

Longtime Audubon volunteer revives his own property for the birds

Lifelong appreciation of wildlife motivates Russ Oates’ conservation efforts on his Yancey County property and as an Audubon volunteer.

WNC Forest Plan 101: What It Means for Birds
Forestry In Action

WNC Forest Plan 101: What It Means for Birds

Audubon, partners watching closely for release of Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest plan revision.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Managing Habitat for Birds
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Managing Habitat for Birds

Plan revisions should prioritize ecological restoration practices that benefit birds.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Protecting Land for Birds
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Protecting Land for Birds

Audubon supports more Wilderness protections in the revised plan, but our highest priority is bird habitat.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Balancing Birds and Recreation
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Balancing Birds and Recreation

By identifying places that can handle more recreation, Audubon is ensuring vital bird habitat remains protected.

Empowering Women Landowners for the Birds
Working Lands

Empowering Women Landowners for the Birds

ForestHer NC workshop series reaches out to important but overlooked landowner group.

Audubon, NC DEQ's Regan, Grandfather Mountain officials talk WNC climate threats
Working Lands

Audubon, DEQ Sec. Regan, Grandfather Mountain officials talk climate threats in WNC

— More than half of the breeding birds in the state threatened by changes to our climate can be found in western North Carolina.
Learning in the Field
Working Lands

Learning in the Field

Audubon intern Sylvine Hill paddles through a swamp and talks with landowners to learn lessons in conservation

For One Western North Carolina Landowner, Retirement is for the Birds
Working Lands

For One Western North Carolina Landowner, Retirement is for the Birds

Russell Blevins' commitment to habitat management is good news for the Golden-winged Warblers that share his property with him.

How you can help, right now