Hello from Raleigh, NC!

Welcome all, from all across the nation! So glad to have you here. Please continue to use this chat box to communicate with us.

Hi Everyone! Fran from Flemington NJ here

Jaime and I are monitoring the chat here at Audubon in Washington, DC

Bonnie from Marin County CA Audubon Chapter

Hello from Illinois!

Hello from Sioux Falls South Dakota

Grass Lake, Michigan

Hi All! Matt from Audubon SC here!

Hi, I'm Alison from Tropical Audubon Society in Miami, FL!

Hi from Charlotte, NC

Molly Adams, NYC Audubon, Advocacy and Outreach Manager for nearly 1 year

Brian Hendrix — Tennessee Naturalist from Fairview, TN

Alex from Golden Gate Audubon in the Bay Area, CA.

Rae from Washington Crossing Audubon, NJ

John Troth Carmel Amos Butler Chapter (ABAS)

Christopher Audubon of Northern Virginia

Stacy Elliott from Brentwood, TN

Mary Kennedy from Bexar Audubon Society for 40 years

Linda from Ohio.

Here in Denver, CO.

Tom from Brooklyn, NY.

Micah Schow, Great Salt Lake Audubon, member since April!

Hi! Elaine from Georgia, Atlanta Audubon. I’ve been involved for a few years.

Hello! Clarksville, TN part of the Warioto Chapter, been apart of Audubon for 5 plus years

Brett from Bethlehem PA

Bazy from Minnesota

Eileen from Redwood Region Audubon in California here,

Paulette from Indiana

Hi from Shirley, Valley Forge, PA chapter

Hi I am Bonnie Witmer. I am a member of the Advocacy sub-committee at Valley Forge Audubon, PA

Hi from Anne in Philadelphia, PA (Delaware Valley Ornithological Club)

Sudha Warrier joining from Tustin CA. Member of Sea and Sage Orange county

Eric Matteson Rochester MN Zumbro Valley Audubon Society

Hi everyone! I'm Ann from Romulus, NY

Jamie Johnson from NYC

Lucy from San Diego

Carol from California joining and looking forward to ideas to use at our Migratory Bird Day celebration

Hi Kim, the sound is broadcasting - you can either join by phone or by computer audio

Carol from Minnesota

Welcome all! Thanks so much for joining.

Hi! Gail here, a member for 5 years.

A friendly reminder: For audio, there is a lower left button that reads join audio. You have two options to join by phone call or use the computer audio.

;)

How to recruit volunteers

Base-building

Collaboration with other eco groups

volunteer recruitment

Include young people!

Effective communication beyond birders

getting the word out

ways to keep volunteers engaged

Yes to including young people!

Reach out to young people. Maybe on college campuses.

getting started with Audobon Society - making a difference

persuasion!

the ability to have sympathetic representatives

How to engage at the local gov't level...making an impact in our own backyard.

What is the most effective means of influencing state and national legislators.

Social media

How to function effectively virtually

Presentations - how to, best practice

Networking and good Communication in State and Regional Levels

how do we engage those who bird for entertainment?

Recruit young people

Crossing political party lines.. appeal to emotions

How to connect with campaigns in order to become involved

Balancing between keeping people active but not exhausting them!

Timely communication with each other. Networking.

Protesting habitat destruction along the border

engaging local legislators

Teaching the basics to use at home in backyards.

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how to connect non-bird people to the mission

how to change the laws re outdoor /feral cats

Communicate the immediate need to protect birds. This is critical.

Walk the talk: plant native landscapes in our cities, give native plants to neighbors, etc. This could help others see this movement as relevant to them.

developing promotional and awareness materials

Strong data points and scientific evidence to bolster advocacy arguments and establish credibility of advocates.

Diversity and ethnic inclusion

Writing letters to the editor, and supporting the ESA.

working with cities to address feral cats

Climate panic, climate panic, climate panic.

Laura from Virginia here from the start, thanks

Earth’s biodiversity is key to life and climate change is the threat now—no longer existential. Former high school science teacher.

It's important because our federal government is attacking our conservation laws.

How do we connect with diverse communities?

Yes to “walking the talk,” communicating immediacy/urgency of protecting birds and biodiversity and ESA

Ideas for how to share ways that people can help the birds, which we can use at bird festivals and feel very "do-able" by the general public. We want to engage, teach and inspire

I think someone already said this, but appealing to younger generations because they are the future and will decide rules in the future

From Kathlyne: Bring all to the discussion of how birds, mammals, insects and humans interact with and need each other

I am involved so that I can join with others who want to protect habitat in critical areas, especially along the US/Mexico border.

The “Feather Thief” is an excellent in depth book on the history being discussed.

Thanks for the history, John James Audubon would be proud.

The Audubon really kicked off when women took over and decided watching birds was better then shooting and collecting birds for study and/or personal collections.

re hunting birds to extinction for hat fashion, there's a great story on an NPR program about this issue, built around the story of a man who stole specimens of extinct birds from a major museum, so that he could tie historically authentic fishing flies (I think salmon fishing).

Actually, Lake Merritt in Oakland is the country's first bird refugem 1870 (set aside by CA State Legislature).

From Gail My activism started by answering a request from the Sierra Club to write an article about pollution from coal plants, and why we should close them.

Thank you for your important & helpful feedback. We tried to include a mix of pictures, and these two are from organizing in Arkansas.

@Gail Landy Writing is a very strong opportunity to educate and raise awareness on issues we care about most!

We will be reviewing feedback from this chat together as a group, so please do keep it coming.

We see birds everywhere, so I don’t think many people realize how many are threatened!!

We recommended reading the book called Of A Feather By Scott Weidensaul A Brief History Of American Birding

Kathlyne: Windmills and all glass buildings kill birds.

Look at these headlines!

Moderators please save the names of recommended books in this chat if you can.

Electing new leaders!

People need the information that motivates them to want to change

A group needs to form and get organized with a very clear plan with steps

Will do! Thanks.

Education and emotional appeals

When people learn to love birds through birdwatching they want to protect them.

Change begins with people & local governments.

From dedicated individuals who persevere through all the challenges

Change requires education!

It happens when people band together for a common cause and are willing to work for what they love.

Threats to"my back yard"

Persuading our friends, neighbors, parents to see something differently

cities adopted bird friendly building laws

EDUCATION!!!

Political pressure on legislators from citizens.

Lasting change is often incremental. Despite the fact we need major change, it is the little victories that are sometimes the most important.

By educating and inspiring those in our local networks and neighborhoods. Teaching children.. they are the future!

Being a model yourself and informing family and friends. Grassroots. Educating kids—they are generally more receptive than adults

SHOW UP! If you aren't at the meeting, then no one will be. I've been amazed at what I could accomplish by just showing up and speaking up.

We have been busy Rewilding our Community and local parks here in Monticello, Florida the forgotten Birding Hot Spot.

Education starting at the elementary level.

involving children in our education programs

Ornithology should be taught in every high school across the country.

with connectin to values and fait in perticular.

As several panelists said, work with the elementary children who are fired up!

Vote! Voting is one of the most important things you can do.

How many know the link between the lack of native plants in our gardens and the loss of the caterpillars needed to raise a clutch of baby birds?

Creating large numbers of strong supporters

Change happens when there is a big problem, and people are care enough to organize and take action.

Massive change happens when industry buys in. how do we get, for example, plastics companies to create sustainable biodegradable plastics - If I alone quit using plastic that doesn’t really help birds

Sometimes just speaking up to a well-meaning but harm-causing person -- e.g. last month in FL telling a woman feeding Cheetos to migratory plovers, sharing the migration story to a teenager chasing a very tired tern. They both stopped on a dime. Be brave for birds.

Will Audubon weigh in on candidates’ and parties’ climate-change & conservation platforms & policies?

Influence local boards of education to include classes that get kids out in nature and learn about native plants and animals. Help kids and the community learn to take pride in their local native species. Then they will protect them.

Electing leaders who believe in conservation and sustainability is key. Our reps have said to me "I like green grass just as much as you do but people

Why is it legal to sell non-native invasive plants?

Change our government and party in power. I think if folks and audubon wants to make a difference we need to vote climate deniers out of office. This is where we can all make the most impact

people's wallets matter more"

We think Zoology and Basic Ornithology should be taught in schools in which students can get real credits for participating in such a class.

agree about importance of genuine buy-in and participation by industry!

Those classes are taught in colleges, but are not required.

nature/humans disjunct

would be nice to "like" particular comments in chat box

We need fact sheets to share. Assembled data we can use in a short format for speaking up in meetings, writing letters , making calls, etc.

Agree, Erin! That’s good feedback for the Zoom platform. :)

Kathlyne Rog: Help insects thereby helping birds.

I decveloped amd taught a year-long high school ornithology class.

people need to realise how much of an impact their daily life choices make

@William Chandler building coalitions through partnerships is key. We also need to partner with groups like businesses, faith groups, student organizations, and nontraditional allies.

The Migratory Bird Act is vital legislation, and I need to write my Senator again. Some vital legislation is already established.

Hilda, here is a web site to save for after this webinar on “Working Lands”: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/working-lands

I agree about voting for candidates who care about Climate Change and our feathered friends

@Shannon Christopher, yes we are recording and will share with you all in the next few days. These include Power Points and other campaign-related materials.

We believe children would benefit starting in grade school not just college not everyone can go or afford college.

Yes, the slides will be sent around in our follow-up message as part of the recording, in addition to other resources.

Partner with The Nature Conservancy or Cornell or ABA so you can reach their membership bases, too

plus, as greta Tbunburg (sp?) has proven, if we wait to involve kids until they are in college or college age, we've wasted huge potential energy and commitment. We need to educate and motivate youth.

Phone banking is a good tool to get new people involved.

Work with Fish & Wildlife to put your resources and materials at National Wildlife Refuge visitor centers

Assessing one's own resources is super important! Know what you have, know what you need, and know what you want = these things help you understand your own power.

I would love more info on a Lights Out campaign for my area on Miss. Flyway, please.

All that sounds so beautiful however why don't these organizations include the Handicapped and Disabled???

Children may be the future, and I certainly have hope, being a teacher - but children can't vote yet. Educating adults who might not normally care is very important too. It is not the job of children to lead - we must lead by example, first

Other issues that need attention - how plastics and trash affect pelagic bird species, and conservation of pelagic bird species in general. We need to do more to speak up about these species that we don't often see everyday. We need to address the issues with pesticide use as they are annihilating the insect populations that support bird populations. Addressing use of rodenticide that negatively affects raptor populations. Preparing legislation to protect species that will migrate towards more stable areas in the future - species that will be "climate refugees".

A target is typically an elected official who has the power to give you want you want. It can be a mayor on city council or a member of Congress.

This approach is SO helpful - we might wish we could educate and persuade everyone, but there's only so much time in each day, so many volunteers we can recruit, etc. Focusing our limited resources on the one person who can give you what you want helps us win.

https://blog.nwf.org/2011/10/north-americas-1st-wildlife-refuge-lake-merritt-oakland-ca/

Are there Audubon Nature Centers and Audubon Chapters along the US/Mexico border?

Tier 2 targets influence your Tier 1 targets!

I am a Tier 2 Target! I invite local Audubon to work with my students each year.

We really need to educate adults on just how important Bird Conservation is and the Conservation of Wildlife, Not just asking for Monies.

people who are disabled in any way should be included.

Garden Clubs

educated public & HOAs not to let their cats out. promote vegan, pesticide-free farming to protect birds and their land and water sources.

Totally agree about educating adults - so much of enviro education is aimed at kids, which is great. But kids often grow up and forget all about what they learned and then get caught up in other things.

An often overlooked ally can be your local weatherman. In Miami, they often speak openly about climate change and the impact on animals, not just humans.

Do we have Audubon Chapters in Mexico and Canada or is this only a one nation organization?

My husband is Blind and he is a long time in good standing member of Audubon and Cornell Labs, and Cornell is the only ones out side of the ABA that does anything with the Blind (Adults).

SAMSUNG-SM-G930A San Diego Audubon works in the county at the border.

Thanks Lesley

That makes me so happy! Great story!!

audubon is worldwide. i joined Venezuela’s years ago,

My facebook friends love nature and so do Maryland Sierra Club members.

Do you know who is out there who will stop at nothing to see you lose your campaign? Opponents are those who are organized against your goal.

In regards to Opponents...we will have a lot of work in that area here in Florida

Not every business may be against you, but it is important to know what industry groups are out there who may challenge you. Opposition research is crucial.

Tactics come last! Say it with me!

Tactics come last! :)

Tactics come last!

Belize has a strong 50 year old Audubon, originally associated with Florida. Co-manages many reserves.

SAMSUNG-SM-G930A You're welcome! Also there are National Wildlife Refuges on the border, many which are taking a huge hit with construction of the border wall. https://www.npr.org/2020/01/14/795215639/border-wall-threatens-national-wildlife-refuge-thats-been-40-years-in-the-making

After this webinar, you can find ‘Audubon Near You’ here: https://www.audubon.org/about/audubon-near-you

We at Retired Backyard Birders can be found on YouTube and Twitter - We support Bird Conservation. And we welcome all birders and those who love wildlife to join with us in Rewilding the World. No Age restrictions everyone is welcome. (FREE).

As organizers, we want to jump to tactics first. But if we don't take the time to understand how the tactic influences your target, we can lose a lot of time and resources.

Tactics are never done for symbolic reasons. They are done with a purpose and a goal!

Yes, Lesley, that is why I am here!

Staying nonpartisan, will Audubon be trying to organize and turnout environmental/conservation/bird-loving voters?

How do you establish a new Audubon Chapter? We had one here that dissolved years before I joined.

Would these campaigns be working under the direction of an Audubon staff member, or just on our own?

Audubon is a good organization and we all need to not just talk but act tangibly on these issuses.

We can’t pretend that the results of elections don’t have huge impacts on the success or failure of our efforts to pass policy

Definitely need info on how to start new chapter.

Glad to know I will be able to download the advocacy manual!!!! My brain is already full!

seems that we need to have a focus, rather than a shotgun approach. What are the highest priorities for Audubon National.

What can I do more in my classroom/school community?

How are Audubon Chapters working with National Wildlife Refuges on the border, many which are taking a huge hit with construction of the border wall.

How do you identify the campaign you want to pursue?

an in-house appeal: let's walk the walk. No more plastic on the magazine, no more fleece (!) blankets as subscription incentives, etc. No wasteful tchotchkes. Reduce paper mailings. Thank you.

Honestly, it is tough to have both this chat window and the presentation as, I feel I want to talk to everyone here in the chat but also listen to the presentation. Maybe there should be a separate time in the future to have an active chat room outside of a presentation?

I support Lesley’s idea - perhaps a virtual focus group at a dedicated time to brainstorm ideas together

Yes to Erin Anthony re: in-house!!!!

How can I get tabling brochures and pamphlets to distribute that tell people exactly how they can sign petitions etc that address what is going on in congress at the national level?

Sorry I am going to fast my husband is blind and has so much to share with you all about Bird Conservation and restoration and it is not costly. You don't need loads of monies to do Conservation. It starts in your own back yard.

How does my local bird club become an Audubon Chapter?

That’s great feedback! We will be holding office hours and providing other opportunities to interact more directly.

What can I do at my office?

How do I get the I stand with Seabirds poster on the wall behind you?

I am with Jeff...how do we get a copy of that poster?

SAMSUNG-SM-G930A we should chat outside of this presentation. There are some stories of what went on in the refuge here in San Diego when they first put up the wall here in San Diego in the 90's.

Laura Neale, Audubon has a PDF on how to start a chapter I have read it however it is really really out dated.

The scheduling of a webinar series is a great use of this media tool — thank you for capitalizing at this important conservation crosswroads

How do you determine if you have the capacity for a particular campaign/action? If you don't have enough boots on the ground, how do you bring new people in?

Ooh, we will have to follow up about that poster! So glad you like it.

Yes! I want that poster I stand with seabirds too!

Thanks, Yoseif

We need to be active politically. How can we call out this anti environmental administration?

Elephant in the room: 2020 Elections — national & state. In what way(s), if any, will/can Audubon get involved?

me, too! i’d love to post that poster. I live by the bay with seabirds and the hoa tries to scare them away.

Impeachment....

Feel free to send a bunch of the posters to San Diego Audubon if you have extra!

That is terrible Judith!

If we get environmental voters to the polls with specific issues, we will win the national by getting right-minded people to vote.

We are trying to open an Audubon here in Monticello Florida since the Tallahassee Chapter wont even talk to us at all cause we are a small town and cant raise the $$$$$ they want.

yes, the hoa spent thousands installing wires on roofs to repel them.

Which species?

HOAS need to adhere to the Migratory Bird Act!

How can our chapters maintain relationships with elected officials that align for some of our environmental goals but not all?

It is a beautiful poster. I also think we need fewer posters in the world... paper, packaging, fossil fuel shipping..... sorry for being a downer.

Yes, Charity — I heard of a study that showed how surprisingly low the voter turnout among environmentalists is!

If you see the current administration as an opponent, you will not make progress. The key is to find out what the issues are (listening sessions) and identify "what's in it for them" to move mutual interests ahead. It may be small steps at first, but eventually you can light a fire.

i reported it to US Fish & Wildlife but seems it’s legal. seagulls, mostly, but we get all types.

where are you judith?

How can we make advocacy accessible to people who work 9-5?

Leslie that’s a very solid point and something that I feel is often overlooked.

northern CA

future topic: how can we utilize the upcoming elections to leverage change at the local, state, and national level.

What if your Local chapter wont TALK with you cause your husband is blind.

Given that climate change is, according to your presentation, the #1 threat to birds, how will Audubon be involved in trying to get voters to the polls who support candidates & policies to aggressively address climate change?

Thanks Brett, I agree. It is important to make friends, not enemies!!!

Audubon’s equity and diversity initiatives will require us to think about environmental justice and the engagement of traditionally underserved communities in our conservation and policy initiatives.

I disagree Leslie.....Democrats are being too nice and that is why they are losing.

I love watching birds and identifying different birds. I would like to know how to make my yard more bird friendly.

We need to fight fire with fire....

Thank you so much for joining! Just a note that we will be following up with a recording of this webinar, as well as additional resources, and a survey to tell us what you thought! If you have any questions that come up after this webinar, you can reach out to us at campaigns@audubon.org

could we build a list of issues, prioritize them and build regional campaign materials that can be shared ....

Wow I can't believe these lady's have not even said anything about handicapped people.

2020 elections — no mention? not even to say whether Audubon will do anything to try to affect them?

We need to figure out how to gather information to share with those who might disagree ...so they can also be aware of how conservation can be a benefit to their situation

I guess we can agree to disagree. I am a staunch Republican and I find Democrats too extreme on many important issues!

Yoseif, I hope they address it in follow-up email or next webinar.

Judith, we should talk outside of this session, I'd like to hear more about which species.

I feel it is important not to separate into groups. Rather, leave politics behind.

it’s mostly seagulls with other birds who live by SF Bay,

You cannot leave politics behind.......

Maybe we are all too nice to discuss critical conservation issues.

501c3s cannot endorse, however you can educate and you can talk about the issues.

Outreach to Tier 1 people/groups using inclusive language

Anyone wanting to do some real No cost Conservation/Rewilding - Find us on Twitter and or YouTube. Retired Backyard Birders needs you, no restrictions.

Yes, Catherine. An invite is coming to a policy webinar happening shortly where you can learn more about priorities.

Send out questionnaires to both parties......you can do that...

How data oriented is the Audubon society. Is this a way to reach those who need convincing that we are facing a crisis?

7 minutes

Which gulls?

I have to hop off, thank you so much!!

Thank you, Elaine!

Thanks for joining Elaine!

We look forward to new webinars from Audubon...This is a Blessing :)

Thank you! We are so glad you have joined us, and for your helpful feedback!

Will you connect the attendees of these webinars by region so we can connect to advocate together?

Thank you for this opportunity!

Feel free to reach out to us at campaigns@audubon.org!

lesley Handa, check your Linked In for my contact info

Thank you.

We will share materials and recordings shortly.

Will do Judith!

We will be sending along links, additional resources, and a recording in the follow-up email in the next day or two. So look out for it. Any additional questions, reach out to campaigns@audubon.org

Thank you, everyone. Good night.

I just wish our local chapter was friendly but we are use to working alone.

Will YOU find your flock? Get excited!!!

Thanks for all comments

Fight hard for birds!

Thank you everyone for caring for the birds. Don't give up and keep up the good fight towards protecting the birds!

Take a photo and share it with us at campaigns@audubon.org :-) Let's show our flock, our people, our power.

I wish our Tallahassee Flock was friendly but not to us sadly.

Fun photo!

Thank you all so much for joining us! Send your #FindYourFlock pictures to campaigns@audubon.org and share it widely on social using the hashtag #FindYourFlock

Thank you. This webinar was informative and encouraging.

Our Personal Flock of 500 is on Twitter

Thank you to all!

That’s exciting! Use the hashtag #FindYourFlock to show us your flock!

thank you ladies. :)

Thank you everyone! Great webinar.

Thank you ladies

Thank you!

Thank you so much for joining us. You will be landed on a page to download the advocacy guide. And we will be in touch.

Thanks ......good stuff!