The Mid-Atlantic region is made up of watersheds that cover a multitude of bird habitats and landscapes encompassing the Appalachian Mountains, the piedmont plateau, urban centers, coastal zones, and bays and shorelines of the Atlantic Ocean. From the shores of Lake Erie and the Ohio River Valley in Western Pennsylvania, to the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers, to the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, our watersheds sustain human and bird communities. They encompass forests, rivers, marshes, urban landscapes, beaches, and estuaries. Millions of people depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water and access to recreation, and these vital waterways support industry and local economies. They also provide shelter, food and sanctuary to millions of resident and migrating birds.

Challenges like pollution, overdevelopment, and climate change pose an increasing threat to these watersheds. Audubon Mid-Atlantic is committed to the conservation, protection, and growth of these ecosystems through advocacy and policy-making in collaboration with our local chapters, coalitions, and government. 

We work with a broad coalition of diverse partners to support healthy watersheds across our region for birds and people, such as:

• Choose Clean Water Coalition: https://www.choosecleanwater.org/
• Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed: https://www.delriverwatershed.org/

Watershed Policy Priorities:

• Ensuring robust funding for the region’s river basin commissions
• Supporting investments in conservation and habitat programs which provide the benefits of additional watershed protections and water quality enhancements
• Advocating for riparian buffer protections through best practices including tree planting and limiting development in sensitive areas
• Advocating for pollution reduction programs

Promoting best practices in the agricultural community that support working farms while protecting water resources