Chapters

A grassroots network for bird conservation across the Great Lakes region

Photo: Lianne Milton

Audubon Great Lakes Chapter Network

Audubon Great Lakes is home to more than 50 local Chapters across the Great Lakes region in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.  Chapters regularly gather over their shared passion for birds and work to create a culture of conservation in local communities through education and advocacy, focusing on the conservation of birds, other wildlife, and conservation of important habitats. Through their volunteer leadership, Chapters are important conservation partners in the Great Lakes region To find a Chapter near you, learn more below! 

Audubon chapters connect local communities to birds, nature, and conservation through outreach events like bird walks and birding festivals, lectures and talks on conservation topics, and community science initiatives. Through their volunteer leadership, Chapters are important conservation partners in the Great Lakes region. Through the network of chapters, societies, and bird clubs we connect through monthly chapter leader calls, conventions, regional gatherings, and state council. These programs allow Chapters to interact, share ideas, and build community amongst each other. 

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. At Audubon Great Lakes, we prioritize equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Audubon’s network of chapters, volunteers, community scientists, conservationists, and birders are demonstrating their commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive world where birding truly is for everyone. Chapters are working towards being more welcoming spaces for their community, celebrating diversity in birding, building partnerships with indigenous communities, participating in Awareness Events like Black Birders Week, Birdability Week and organizing LGBTQA++ bird walks to name a few initiatives.

Habitat restoration and community science. Chapters are involved in community science and provide data on the health of local bird species through Christmas Bird Counts, the Great Backyard Bird Count, Climate Watch, breeding surveys and other bird monitoring efforts.  Community science allows chapters to engage in habitat restoration efforts and serve as stewards of natural spaces and Important Bird Areas in their communities.
 

Grassroots advocacy on climate and bird protection. Chapters engage in grassroots advocacy on climate and water issues by lending their voice and story to why birds matter. The network often includes information in chapter newsletters, distribute advocacy action alerts, author letters to the editor, participate in bird walks with legislators, give testimonies in public forums, and place phone calls to a legislator’s office.

For more information about Audubon chapters in the Great Lakes region and resources, please reach out to Izabela Grobelna, Engagement Manager at izabela.grobelna@audubon.org.

News & Updates

World Water Week: Protecting Indiana’s Wetlands Post-Supreme Court’s Ruling in Sackett v. EPA
Press Center

World Water Week: Protecting Indiana’s Wetlands Post-Supreme Court’s Ruling in Sackett v. EPA

Nature based solutions like wetland restoration provide clean drinking water and protect against both drought and flooding by collecting excess water

Celebrating Audubon Chapters across the Great Lakes Region
Blog

Celebrating Audubon Chapters across the Great Lakes Region

The 2022 Audubon Great Lakes Chapter Gathering and Awards spotlighted conservation advocacy from the across the region.

Local Great Lakes Chapter Building an Equitable Future Where Birding Truly is For Everyone
Blog

Local Great Lakes Chapter Building an Equitable Future Where Birding Truly is For Everyone

Northwest Illinois Audubon Society Welcomed Christian Cooper for a Conversation to Celebrate Diversity in Birding

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