News

Audubon’s Capital Fly-In and Federal Policy Visits in Washington, D.C.

In March, the National Audubon Society brought staff members representing 32 states to the Capital Fly-In event in Washington, D.C. Audubon Mid-Atlantic and federal policy staff met with our congressional representatives to speak about ongoing and future environmental commitments to the region. 

During the two days on Capitol Hill, Audubon Mid-Atlantic's Executive Director Suzanne Biemiller, Policy Director Jim Brown, and Delaware River Policy Fellow Agung Putra met with members and staff of the region’s congressional delegation, including Representatives Fitzpatrick, Dean, Boyle, Thompson, Reschenthaler, Bresnahan, and Senator Fetterman of Pennsylvania, as well as Representatives McLean-Daly, Harris, Ivey, Olszewski, and Senator Van Hollen of Maryland. In these meetings, staff discussed Audubon’s federal legislative priorities, emphasizing the importance of continued investments in conservation and habitat restoration. The Audubon team also described Mid-Atlantic programs to create healthier forests and watersheds and restore coastal marshes in Maryland. Additionally, they highlighted the need for more renewable energy projects to meet growing electricity demands in the region.  

Each legislative office was eager to learn about Audubon’s regional work. These meetings also highlighted the importance of maintaining regular communication with our federal delegation in Washington, D.C. 

Also in March, Agung Putra attended the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed’s (CDRW) annual Hill Day. During this event, Audubon and partners met with congressional offices to advocate for funding priorities in the Delaware River Watershed. This included asking for support for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act, as well as continued federal appropriations for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  Audubon Mid-Atlantic and partners will continue to engage with federal legislators, including Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), who co-chairs the Delaware Watershed caucus, to increase support for the protection and restoration of the Delaware River Basin.  

 To learn more about our state legislative priorities in 2025, please visit this page for Maryland legislation, and this page for Pennsylvania legislation.

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