Capital-Piedmont Climate Stronghold

White-Breasted Nuthatch Photo: Nick Saunders/Great Backyard Bird Count

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. Located near Jordan Lake, Falls Lake and their associated river systems, this area’s climate may prove critical for deciduous forest birds as the coastal plain climate zone shifts inland. Protecting natural habitat in the rapidly growing greater Raleigh area, ensuring forests are managed in a bird-friendly way and growing native plants are key priorities for Audubon in this region.

Capital-Piedmont 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.

Deciduous forest species:

Key Conservation Partners

Government: National Park Service, National Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, North Carolina State Parks, 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: Triangle Land Conservancy, Tar River Land Conservancy

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. Planting 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

Legislative Recap: Conservation Tool Revived
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Legislative Recap: Conservation Tool Revived

Here’s what the 23-24 legislative cycle means for birds.

Audubon Names Zach Wallace as New Policy Director
Media Releases

Audubon Names Zach Wallace as New Policy Director

Wallace returns to Audubon to lead the organization’s policy work in the state.

Audubon Members Speak Up for Birds at Advocacy Day
Advocacy

Audubon Members Speak Up for Birds at Advocacy Day

More than 80 members from across the state met with their lawmakers to advocate for family land protections, wetlands, and conservation funding.

2024 Advocacy Day Schedule
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2024 Advocacy Day Schedule

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

Legislative Recap: Native Plants Win, Wetlands Loss
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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
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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
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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.

How you can help, right now