 | |
| Formation | 1916 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)3 non-profit |
| 91-6009716 | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Focus | urban bird conservation |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
Area served | King County, Washington, U.S. |
Board President | Andrew Schepers |
Executive Director | Claire Catania |
| Website | birdsconnectsea.org |
Birds Connect Seattle, formerly the Seattle Audubon Society, is a nonprofit environmental organization that advocates and organizes for cities where people and birds thrive. It is a chapter organization of the National Audubon Society, and is one of the oldest natural history organizations in the Pacific Northwest.
The organization is involved in protecting and enhancing urban habitat, reducing urban hazards to birds, and engaging community in conservation and science initiatives directly in their neighborhoods. Its main office is in Wedgwood, Seattle, Washington.[1] The Seattle chapter serves a large part of King County, Washington. It collaborates with the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict, Seattle University, University of Washington, and other local environmental, community, and government entities.
History
Seattle Audubon was founded in 1916 and is the oldest environmental organization in the state of Washington.[2]
In 2002, Seattle Audubon launched BirdWeb, an online guide including species of special concern, rarities, and a searchable database of birds.
In 2005, BirdNote, a two-minute radio show about birds and nature, created under the auspices of Seattle Audubon, began airing on KPLU, a local National Public Radio affiliate.
In 2020, Seattle Audubon partnered with New York City Audubon to expand dBird.org, an online platform for reporting bird mortality and injury. Scientists and conservationists across North America use dBird.org to track and prevent human-related bird mortality.
In July 2022, the organization became the first large chapter in the National Audubon Society network to publicly declare its intention to remove "Audubon" from the organization's name. In March 2023, the organization announced that it would be renamed to Birds Connect Seattle.[3] The name was chosen after receiving 250 suggestions from members and the public.[4]
Programs
Community science
Seattle Audubon leads several community science projects, including the Neighborhood Bird Project, Puget Sound Seabird Survey, Climate Watch, and the Seattle Bird Collision Monitoring Project.
Education
Seattle Audubon offers classes and field trips about bird identification, ecology, conservation, and more.
Urban conservation
Seattle Audubon works to conserve birds in an urban environment.
Urban forestry
Seattle Audubon has been involved in tree protection in Seattle since its founding when early members advocated for action against illegal tree removal in Seward Park. More recently, its staff have twice served on Seattle's Urban Forestry Commission. The organization advocates for stronger tree protection regulations, improved urban forest management structures, and increased investment in urban forest enhancement.
Urban hazards
In 2020, Seattle Audubon launched a strategic plan, "Cities at the Center," that put an emphasis on understanding and reducing the impacts of urban hazards on birds. Conservation priorities include understanding and preventing bird-window collisions and reducing pesticide use.
References
- ↑ Holtzman, Clay (July 16, 2006). "Seattle Audubon Society benefited when the Nature Shop added a paid manager". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ↑ Mapes, Lynda V. (January 1, 2018). "Nature is still everywhere: Bird counters find wonder amid Seattle's towers, dog parks and playfields". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ↑ "Seattle Audubon changes name, severing tie to slave owner". KOMO News. March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ↑ Zavala Magaña, Daisy (March 28, 2023). "Seattle Audubon unveils new name after severing tie to slave owner". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 23, 2023.