Why must there be a deeper connection? At this pivotal moment in time, there cannot be too many environmental stewards. Those who speak for nature can theoretically include every one of us, and this is what passively observing nature induces. Specifically, this practice of being in nature encourages the observer to see beauty and commonality in all things.
Read PostAnyone could answer the phone and provide our address and some simple instructions about where to take an injured bird or animal. But the Solutions Counselor role goes far beyond that. “The heart of the job is both supporting and providing guidance to those in crisis,” says Solutions Counselor Roberta Jortner.
Read PostThis morning National Audubon announced that they decided to keep the name Audubon, despite John James Audubon’s history as a slaveholder and person who stole skulls from the graves of Native Americans. This decision is disappointing and damaging, showing disregard to the communities of color and allies, including National Audubon’s own union staff, who have openly expressed that the name is harmful and a barrier to our important work.
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Oregon is home to a fascinating range of animals, from rare species found nowhere else on earth to iconic creatures like beavers. In this lineup of biodiversity, freshwater mussels are an important yet often overlooked group, supporting many other species in our rivers by burrowing into stream bottoms, filtering water, and improving habitat.
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This January, Bird Alliance of Oregon joined the Center for Biological Diversity and sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect Streaked Horned Larks, once abundant in Washington and Oregon, as endangered.
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Just before the new year, Commissioner Carmen Rubio approved funding for several parks projects in Portland. Included in the list is Wilkes Creek Headwaters, a greenspace in outer East Portland. These undeveloped 20+ acres are within a residential neighborhood and contain the springs that feed the only free-flowing stream in the city that still enters the Columbia Slough.
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This spring, Adult Education’s free Outings program is getting a fresh update! We have heard from many Outings participants and leaders that you wanted a change, and that feedback has birthed Bird Alliance of Oregon’s new, free, Standing Outings, offered once every month using a lottery-based registration.
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On December 31, 2022, Portland conducted the 97th annual Christmas Bird Count under mild and mostly dry skies—a real treat after the icy conditions leading up to the big day. We broke the record on number of field observers at 270, and over 100 joined in from their feeders!
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The 2023 Oregon legislative session kicked off its biannual “long session” with thousands of bills in play. As in years past we will be tracking bills to support and oppose for the next several months until the session ends in June. Bird Alliance of Oregon is prioritizing several important bills and budget requests that will advance protections for wildlife and habitats and help combat climate change.
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Joe Liebezeit will serve as interim statewide conservation director, and Micah Meskel will serve as interim urban conservation director while we begin the search for a new conservation director. Together they possess over 20 years of experience at Bird Alliance of Oregon and significantly longer over their careers.
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