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NYC Audubon at a Glance
NYC Audubon champions nature in the city’s five boroughs through a combination of engaging and entertaining programs, and innovative conservation campaigns. Through its efforts, NYC Audubon saves and protects over 350 species of birds that live in the 12,000 acres of vast and diverse wetlands, forests and grasslands of New York City.
Mission
NYC Audubon is a grassroots community that works for the protection of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Vision
NYC Audubon envisions a day when birds and people in the five boroughs enjoy a healthy, liveable habitat.
Community
NYC Audubon has a diverse grassroots community of 10,000 members, volunteers and donors who have a passion for nature and wildlife, and a strong desire and drive to protect nature for generations to come. Through this community, NYC Audubon carries out chapter programs and projects.
NYC Audubon has an energetic and active group of volunteers who support the organization, its mission and the city in which they live. NYC Audubon is continually looking for new volunteers with various careers and skills to join their growing and diverse team. Volunteer assignments are intentionally flexible to support the demands of the hectic schedules of New York City residents.
Members are the crux of the advocacy programs initiated and supported by NYC Audubon. These individuals drive causes that protect the bird life in New York City. Members are also given access to a range of programs, classes and lectures in and around the five boroughs.
Donors consist of corporations, individuals and endowments that make the NYC Audubon mission possible. Each year, the NYC Audubon holds its annual Fall Roost benefit at which local leaders are honored for their commitment to protect New York City’s bird life. Recent honorees have included Mary Tyler Moore and Elliott Spitzer.
NYC Audubon is continually looking for new donors to expand its conservation programs and offer additional educational series to New York City schools and community organizations.
Programs
NYC Audubon is a leader in conservation and protection of New York City’s bird population. NYC Audubon initiates and supports legislation and programs to protect birds – such as Lights Out New York and the Harbor Herons Project. NYC Audubon also offers classes and seminars about the city’s bird population, and leads outdoor tours and excursions to experience New York City’s bird life first hand. Programs are available for and geared toward children, young adults and adults.
Case Study
As an example of the NYC Audubon’s grassroots advocacy programs, consider the story of Pale Male and Lola, a pair of red tail hawks that took residence on top of a building on the east side of Central Park. The Board of the building removed a nest made by Pale Male and Lola due to complaints from some of the tenants.
NYC Audubon immediately took action to protect New York City’s bird life and allow the hawks to nest again in the same location. NYC Audubon coordinated and energized conservation, political and community groups within New York City. NYC Audubon encouraged residents to write letters, calmly protest against these actions, and help spread the word. NYC Audubon worked not only with those opposed to the removal of the nest but also with the parties supporting it, including the management of the building.
As a direct result of NYC Audubon’s efforts, the hawks were allowed to nest on the building. In a few weeks, they returned to build another nest. These events gained widespread media attention with press coverage in publications that included Vanity Fair, The New York Times, ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Nightly News with Brian Williams.”
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