Audubon Maryland-DC

Protecting the birds and places they need in Maryland and the District of Columbia

Photo: luckybon

Our Mission

The mission of the National Audubon Society is to protect birds and the places they need. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, we strive to slow down and reverse the impact that climate change and habitat loss have had on the wide range of bird species that depend on our region. 

We have lost three billion birds across the Americas since the 1970s.  We must therefore redouble our efforts to address two of the most significant threats to birds—habitat biodiversity loss and climate change. In the Mid-Atlantic, Audubon’s new strategic Flight Plan touches down in our work to create healthy and resilient ecosystems where birds thrive and all people have access to nature and a voice in environmental stewardship.

We use conservation and policy strategies to advance our goals for the Mid-Atlantic’s forests, saltwater marshes, and the Delaware River watershed. We work in Baltimore and Philadelphia to create biodiverse public green spaces that increase each city’s climate resiliency. We act to increase the adaptation of renewable energy throughout the region. We host programs that welcome people into the wondrous world of birds through free bird tours, community science projects, and other educational offerings that builds a community of bird lovers who take actions great and small to help them thrive.

News in the Mid-Atlantic

Spring Migration in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Every year during the spring and fall months, tens of millions of birds pass through cities such as Philadelphia. While lights can throw birds off their migration paths, bird fatalities are more directly caused by the amount of energy the birds waste flying around and calling out in confusion. The exhaustion can then leave them vulnerable to other urban threats. 

Simply turning your lights off from midnight until 6am during the spring migration from April 1 through May 31, and during the fall migration from August 15 through November 15 can potentially reduce bird collision death by up to 80%. For more information about Lights Out in the Philadelphia area, check out this fact sheet from Bird Safe Philly. You can also visit this page on Audubon’s website to learn more about nationwide Lights Out efforts.

The Bird Migration Explorer is a tool developed by the National Audubon Society, which tracks the heroic annual journeys made by over 450 bird species nationwide. Click below to learn more about our local migratory species, along with their locations and the conservation challenges they face.

9th Annual I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit

Audubon Mid-Atlantic held its 2024 I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit on Saturday, February 10th in Annapolis, Maryland.  More than 85 people attended the summit, participating in lively conversation and hearing from federal, state and nonprofit leaders on the status of Maryland conservation policy and projects, with a particular emphasis on coastal marsh conservation and renewable energy. 
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Josh Kurtz joined the summit as guest speakers - sharing insights on Audubon's priority legislation and how attendees can work with them to protect birds and their habitats. Audubon leaders also had the opportunity to thank Senator Cardin, who is retiring this year, for his outstanding leadership in the Senate on environmental issues. Senator Cardin has a true champion of birds and, during his remarks, he let the audience know how much birds mean to him.
 
The audience learned more about Audubon's key conservation priority in Maryland—Marshes for Tomorrowand the plan to save these marshes for birds and people. 
 
If you attended the 2024 I Bird I Vote Summit, please fill out this short survey! It will help us to develop the 10th anniversary of the I Bird I Vote Summit in 2025! 
Audubon Mid-Atlantic Impact Report Fall 2021
News

Audubon Mid-Atlantic Impact Report Fall 2021

From the coasts of Maryland to the forests of Pennsylvania, Audubon’s wings spread to benefit birds and people region-wide.

Our State's Birds

How you can help, right now

Audubon Maryland-DC and Audubon Pennsylvania have joined forces to become Audubon Mid-Atlantic.