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.
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Blue Ridge Mountains Photo: Akshay/Flickr CC
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.
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.
Combined with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, this area’s many water bodies can provide refuge in a changing climate.
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.
The Coastal Stronghold includes portions of existing Important Bird Areas likely to be impacted by sea-level rise in the next 30 years.
Learn more about climate strongholds and the methodology behind Audubon North Carolina’s climate stronghold mapping project.
Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss and other threats. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts.
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