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

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

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

Urban Forestry Resources
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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
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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
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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
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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