Urban Forestry

Brown-headed Nuthatch Photo: Keith Burroughs/Audubon Photography Awards

Urban Forests provide vital habitat for birds, they're also disappearing at an alarming rate.

North Carolina has nearly 4 million acres of urban forest. We are losing this forest faster than any other forest type, and most of these losses are due to development. 

We envision a future where healthy trees and forests in North Carolina’s towns and cities provide habitat for birds and clean air and green spaces for all people.

Our strategies:

  • Advocate alongside our chapters for local policies that promote density, retain existing tree canopy and, when possible, increase canopy cover.
  • Work with chapters and partners to implement urban forestry projects and provide technical assistance to towns and cities beginning to tackle these issues, ensuring that urban forestry programs maximize benefits for birds and the people who share those spaces. 

  • Improve on-the-ground management practices by educating and training urban foresters as well as private landowners looking to improve their backyard urban forests.

Audubon North Carolina's work in Urban Forestry protects these birds:

Wood Thrush

Latin:  Hylocichla mustelina

Illustration for Wood Thrush

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Latin:  Sitta pusilla

Illustration for Brown-headed Nuthatch

Chimney Swift

Latin:  Chaetura pelagica

Illustration for Chimney Swift

Prothonotary Warbler

Latin:  Protonotaria citrea

Illustration for Prothonotary Warbler

Latest Urban Forestry Posts

Less Light, More Trees for Migrating Birds
Urban Forestry

Less Light, More Trees for Migrating Birds

Cities and towns can be places where migrating birds thrive—with the expansion and conservation of our urban forests.

Famous NC Tree Hosts “Incredibly Unique” Swift Roost
Birds

Famous NC Tree Hosts “Incredibly Unique” Swift Roost

Chimney Swifts adapted to humans long ago. The discovery of a natural roost site on a college campus underscores all the ways we’re pushing swifts to the limit again.

Famous UNC Tree Hosts Rare Swift Roost 
Media Releases

Famous UNC Tree Hosts Rare Swift Roost 

Davie Poplar roost offers close-up of migration spectacle and highlights threats facing Chimney Swifts.

Why Audubon is Launching an Urban Forestry Program in NC
Urban Forestry

Why Audubon is Launching an Urban Forestry Program in NC

North Carolina is losing trees in urban and suburban areas at a faster rate than anywhere else. We're working to change that.

Urban Forestry Resources
Urban Forestry

Urban Forestry Resources

The tools local advocates, practitioners, and landowners need to create bird-friendly urban forests.

Local Advocates Rally to Bring Back Raleigh’s Declining Tree Canopy
Urban Forestry

Local Advocates Rally to Bring Back Raleigh’s Declining Tree Canopy

The City Council approved the creation of a plan to protect trees in the City of Oaks, thanks to local advocates.

Executive Order to Restore and Protect NC’s Natural and Working Lands
News

Executive Order to Restore and Protect NC’s Natural and Working Lands

Executive order to conserve and restore 2 million acres of forests and wetlands in North Carolina and plant 1 million new trees in urban areas by 2040.

Looking Back at a Decade of Building Bird-friendly Communities
Bird-Friendly Communities

Looking Back at a Decade of Building Bird-friendly Communities

14,000 nest boxes, 40 swift towers, dozens of Lights Out and native plants initiatives, and much more.

This Fall, Ditch the Yard Work and Leave your Leaves for Birds
News

This Fall, Ditch the Yard Work and Leave your Leaves for Birds

Thanks to chapter advocacy, NC cities support Leave Your Leaves campaign.

How you can help, right now