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.
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!
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.
In the interest of being more mindful and considerate in our gift buying, supporting Black and BIPOC businesses and creators, and - and well, BIRDS! - here is an alternative list of ideas to make your 2022 gifting thoughtful, fun and bird friendly!
Bird conservation has many challenges but habitat loss is the single largest cause of bird population declines. CAS President Judy Pollock describes the complicated battle to preserve and create habitat for migrating birds in Techny Basin, saving many nesting birds from mowing this privately controlled land.
Important news for birds! The Bird Safe Buildings bill will require that state buildings use a reduced or protected amount of glass and bird-friendly design features along with reduced and shielded lighting practices for the prevention of bird collisions.
Once enacted, the bill will apply to future state building construction or major renovations of existing buildings.
CAS Board member Daniela Herrera reflects on her participation in Bird Walk Leader Training.
“The goal of the program was to engage and prepare Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to lead bird walks in their communities. It is no secret that the birding community has historically been predominantly white. Chicago Audubon Society and its partners wanted to equip BIPOC birders with the tools and skills needed to lead bird walks.”
The trail along the Magic Hedge at Montrose Bird Sanctuary may be the most travelled birding path in the city, and it’s undergoing significant renovations, which have many birders concerned about this special place. CAS sat down with Matt Freer, Assistant Director of Landscape for the Chicago Park District (CPD) to find out what exactly is being done.
Monty and Rose have a nest at Montrose! Read all about it at Chicago Piping Plovers website, and wear your plover love with their official logo design or a plover flag design.
We’ve recently added three new members to our board, and we are extremely excited to have them join us on our mission to connect people with birds and conservation in the Chicago area! Adriana Garcia, Daniela Herrera, and Sunshine Cahill have already gotten involved with multi-lingual birdwalks and we’re looking forward to their additional future involvement in sharing their passion for birds and birding.
Regular contributor Miyako Pleines reviews the latest book from ornithologist, writer and musician Jonathon Meiburg as he studies the fascinating caracara. “Perhaps the most striking thing about Meiburg’s book is not just that he paints the world of the caracara so vividly, but that alongside the history of these beautiful birds, Meiburg manages to tell a story of South America and its geography that is just as riveting as the birds of prey that call it home.”
It’s springtime and that means bird migrations are upon us! Many species are returning from their wintering grounds. Given Chicago’s proximity to the fabulous Lake Michigan, we’re going to discuss waterfowl for this edition of the Up & Up – specifically loons and grebes, including where you might find them in Cook County.
Would you like to expand your birding and explore new local natural areas? Check out Chicago Audubon’s Birding Hotspots section for a list of local birding hotspots throughout the city and nearby suburbs. We’ve compiled a list based on geographic areas of the city and suburbs, and included images, descriptions, and maps.
Help birds with beautiful native plants, and support the Chicago Audubon Society - shop our online native plant sale for a wide variety of perennials. Order online and pick up at North Park Village Nature Center on Sunday afternoon, May 23. We partner with partners with Pizzo Native Plant Nursery to provide native plants from local and regional ecotypes for sale, many of which are difficult to find in big box stores. Proceeds of the sale help to fund CAS’s successful bird conservation programs such as the push for a bird- friendly buildings ordinance.
In 2019, a pair of endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers arrived at Montrose Beach and began nesting. In spite of numerous challenges and with the help of countless volunteers, the pair dubbed Monty and Rose, successfully raised a family and returned do so again in 2020. Now with spring migration is underway, we’re eagerly anticipating the return of Chicago’s famous plover pair to Montrose Beach once again to nest.
To prepare their summer home and help give this year’s chicks the best chance at survival, we’re going to do some spring cleaning. On Sunday, April 11th, join us for a beach clean up at Montrose Beach. All are welcome and no prior experience or equipment necessary but RSVP is required.
To help maintain social distancing keep group sizes small, we ask that volunteers sign up for one of four rolling time slots; 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, and 11:30am. To RSVP, email ActionDays@sheddaquarium.org with your desired time and number of people attending.
This event is proudly organized by the following partners: Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Ornithological Society, Chicago Audubon Society, Illinois Ornithological Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, IL Department of Natural Resources, and the Chicago Park District.
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