Calling all shutterbugs and bird enthusiasts! We want you to capture the vibrant avian life of Chicago through your lens and participate in the inaugural "Chicago Birds Photography Contest." Photographers of all experience levels are invited to compete with winning submissions eligible for eternal bragging rights and cash prizes!
The importance of Black Americans in conservation and environmentalism is GREATLY underrepresented and it requires some digging to learn about the significant past and current Black contributors and advocates of birding, conservation, and environmental justice.
This time of year, owls become the focus of many nature lovers. The presence of humans can be stressful for owls, so it’s important to understand more about owls and follow simple guidelines to ensure their safety.
The importance of Black Americans in conservation and environmentalism is GREATLY underrepresented and it requires some digging to learn about the significant past and current Black contributors and advocates of birding, conservation, and environmental justice.
The weather is getting chillier, the leaves are falling from the trees – but don’t despair, there’s still a whole lot happening with some truly remarkable local birds. of our special avian friendst! While it’s certainly later in the bird migration season, the Chicago area still has a great treat for us – the magnificent Sandhill Crane, on its way to its wintering grounds in Florida and the southeastern US.
Four planning processes going in in Chicago right now could have big implications for bird habitat. Anyone that uses these places is needed to submit public comment in support of bird habitat. Also, CAS is looking for people to adopt two of these processes, keep us informed, and gather and submit birder feedback.
We are happy to introduce Miyako Pleines as a new author for Chicago Audubon. Miya will write monthly Notes From A Casual Birder essays on her personal experiences with birds, along with occasional book reviews. And, we are doubly fortunate to have Miya’s mother, L. Hisako Nakashima, contribute her beautiful bird artwork. Enjoy this essay on crows - once common in the Chicago area, and now making a slow comeback.
November 12, is Clean Energy Jobs Act 2020 Virtual Lobby Day. The Sierra Club is organizing communications to all state representatives to support the Clean Energy Jobs Act 2020 Virtual Lobby Day, Thursday, November 12th. Clean energy benefits birds and their habitat.
Join in lobbying efforts - from your home computer or phone.
This past week, National Audubon featured a local Indigenous Chicagoan, Bradford Kasberg, who is working to restore bird habitat in the Chicago area. It’s a fascinating story that delves into the significant role of birds in the knowledge of Indigenous people, the role of colonialism in traditional birding, and how restoration of bird habitat helps carry on the traditional stewardship of the land that was nearly erased by colonialism.
In spring and early summer 2020, Chicago Audubon Society joined with Chicago Ornithological Society, Illinois Ornithological Society and the Friends of the Chicago River to promote River Blitz Chicago!, a community science effort to document birds along Chicago’s rivers, and to substantiate the importance of river habitats to area wildlife.
This is a time when many of us are reflecting on our history of racial inequity and its impact on us and our society - as are we here at CAS. We’re offering our members and friends a new way to make a connection - in a book club focused on racial equity.
Urgent environmental threat to Chicago’s waterways - The Southside Lakefront doesn’t need a 25-foot mountain of toxic dredge.
Support the Friends of the Parks and the Sierra Club by August 17 in their efforts to stop the expansion of the Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, located at the confluence of the Calumet River and Lake Michigan and situated between Calumet Park and Steelworkers Park - an important bird habitat - Contact the Mayor and other representatives today!
What if Americans could save bird habitat and help protect birds by changing the toilet paper we flush? Natural Resources Defense Council has some suggestions in its new, updated ranking of toilet papers and their impact on boreal forest sustainability.
Every summer brings birds and people together in the Cook County Forest Preserves.
One yearly challenge occurs when nesting barn swallows take up residence in forest preserve picnic shelters. Swallow nests in the upper rafters of the structures provide views of adorable baby birds but also result in swooping parent birds and many bird droppings in areas used by human visitors.
The Illinois Ornithological Society (IOS), Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) and Chicago Audubon Society (CAS) are happy to announce that the three Piping Plover chicks hatched to Monty and Rose at Montrose Beach Dunes on June 18, 2020 are 23 days old today and are considered to have fledged by the Great Lakes Piping Plover Conservation Team. They have been named Hazel, Esperanza and Nish by a selection panel representing Chicago’s diverse communities.
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