Eastern Phoebes, by Robyn Newman
Georgia Audubon is more invested than ever in our work building places where birds and people thrive. We offer a variety of webinars and digital resources to help you and your family gain a better understanding of our work and the birds that surround us.
We have also offer in-person field trips, events, travel, and educational opportunities. We share upcoming events in our bi-monthly e-newsletter, BirdBuzz, and you can also find updates on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages, as well as right here on our website. If you would like to sign-up to receive our bi-monthly e-newsletter with a list of upcoming events, please consider becoming a member or visit our newsletter page.
If you are interested in a program with an associated fee but cost is a burden, please apply for a Georgia Audubon Scholarship.
We have also offer in-person field trips, events, travel, and educational opportunities. We share upcoming events in our bi-monthly e-newsletter, BirdBuzz, and you can also find updates on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages, as well as right here on our website. If you would like to sign-up to receive our bi-monthly e-newsletter with a list of upcoming events, please consider becoming a member or visit our newsletter page.
If you are interested in a program with an associated fee but cost is a burden, please apply for a Georgia Audubon Scholarship.
Upcoming Webinars
Virtual FIELD TRIPS on Facebook
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When: Once per month on Friday morning (check our Field Trip Calendar for upcoming events)
9:00 AM Where: Georgia Audubon Facebook page and now available via Zoom Webinar too! (visit the event listing on our Field Trip calendar to register for the Zoom event. Join us on the Georgia Audubon Facebook page once each month on Friday at 9:00 AM for a virtual field trip with Georgia Audubon staff and volunteer trip leaders as they explore various locations around Georgia and talk about what they're seeing. We have posted recordings of some of our virtual field trips on our YouTube Channel. |
2021 Programs
Plastic found on Midway Atol, by Wayne Sentman.
Webinar: Georgia Audubon July Monthly Meeting
Sunday, July 25, at 3:30 PM
Free
Plastic Pollution and the Albatross of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Midway Atoll is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of albatross. It is also where the largest nesting colonies of Laysan and Black-footed Albatross are found. Previous data show that nearly 100% of albatross chicks at Midway have plastic pollution in their digestive tract. Since the 1970’s the amount (weight) of this plastic load shows an increasing trend. Plastic pollution has been identified as a likely and problematic source of organochlorines (and possibly heavy metals) for these two seabirds. Both seabird species feed in ocean areas with exceptionally large concentrations of plastic pollution (due to “gyres” occurring near the breeding site), and they transfer this contaminant containing plastic directly to their developing young through regurgitation of meals throughout the annual breeding season. The albatross has become a poster child for the dangers of increasing levels of plastic pollution in our oceans.
About the presenter: Wayne Sentman is the director of conservation travel programs at Oceanic Society, the oldest marine focused non-profit in America, and is also the President of the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge having lived on Midway from 1998-2002. Wayne completed his Master’s degree at Harvard University conducting research on the potential impacts of marine plastic pollution on the albatross populations at Midway Atoll. At Oceanic Society, Wayne designs mission-driven expeditions that support conservation of marine species and habitats, and that strive to deliver transformational experiences to motivate pro-ocean behavior changes.
Sunday, July 25, at 3:30 PM
Free
Plastic Pollution and the Albatross of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Midway Atoll is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of albatross. It is also where the largest nesting colonies of Laysan and Black-footed Albatross are found. Previous data show that nearly 100% of albatross chicks at Midway have plastic pollution in their digestive tract. Since the 1970’s the amount (weight) of this plastic load shows an increasing trend. Plastic pollution has been identified as a likely and problematic source of organochlorines (and possibly heavy metals) for these two seabirds. Both seabird species feed in ocean areas with exceptionally large concentrations of plastic pollution (due to “gyres” occurring near the breeding site), and they transfer this contaminant containing plastic directly to their developing young through regurgitation of meals throughout the annual breeding season. The albatross has become a poster child for the dangers of increasing levels of plastic pollution in our oceans.
About the presenter: Wayne Sentman is the director of conservation travel programs at Oceanic Society, the oldest marine focused non-profit in America, and is also the President of the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge having lived on Midway from 1998-2002. Wayne completed his Master’s degree at Harvard University conducting research on the potential impacts of marine plastic pollution on the albatross populations at Midway Atoll. At Oceanic Society, Wayne designs mission-driven expeditions that support conservation of marine species and habitats, and that strive to deliver transformational experiences to motivate pro-ocean behavior changes.
A Tennessee Warbler with an injured beak after colliding with a building. Photo by Adam Betuel.
Webinar: Project Safe Flight Georgia: Why Birds Collide with Buildings and How You Can Help Us This Fall
Monday, August 16
6:00 to 7:00 PM
FREE
Did you know that collisions with buildings and other structures pose a serious threat to birds, claiming the lives of 365 million to 1 billion individuals annually? That is the third leading cause of bird death in the United States! To better understand this across the state, we at Georgia Audubon created Project Safe Flight Georgia, a program aimed at collecting data on collisions and working towards making our state safer for our birds. During spring and fall migration, Project Safe Flight volunteers monitor for collisions victims, gathering vital data for this initiative. Join us on August 16th as Conservation Director Adam Betuel outlines the ways buildings are a threat to our birds, what can be done to make our state safer for birds, as well as how you can participate in Project Safe Flight. This webinar is aimed at participants who want to know more about this issue, those interested in volunteering for our collision reduction programming, and for returning volunteers who need a refresher on data collection and correct protocols. Fall migration is rapidly approaching and we need your help!
Monday, August 16
6:00 to 7:00 PM
FREE
Did you know that collisions with buildings and other structures pose a serious threat to birds, claiming the lives of 365 million to 1 billion individuals annually? That is the third leading cause of bird death in the United States! To better understand this across the state, we at Georgia Audubon created Project Safe Flight Georgia, a program aimed at collecting data on collisions and working towards making our state safer for our birds. During spring and fall migration, Project Safe Flight volunteers monitor for collisions victims, gathering vital data for this initiative. Join us on August 16th as Conservation Director Adam Betuel outlines the ways buildings are a threat to our birds, what can be done to make our state safer for birds, as well as how you can participate in Project Safe Flight. This webinar is aimed at participants who want to know more about this issue, those interested in volunteering for our collision reduction programming, and for returning volunteers who need a refresher on data collection and correct protocols. Fall migration is rapidly approaching and we need your help!
Webinar: Early Birds Book Club August Meeting
Sunday, August 22, at 2:00 PM
FREE
The Early Birds welcome all who enjoy reading about birds, birding, and birders. We are a “no commitment” book club—some folks come every time and others occasionally. For August, we will read A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World's Smartest Birds of Prey, by Jonathan Meiburg.
To see our full schedule and book selections or to sign up for this free event, please visit the Early Birds page.
Sunday, August 22, at 2:00 PM
FREE
The Early Birds welcome all who enjoy reading about birds, birding, and birders. We are a “no commitment” book club—some folks come every time and others occasionally. For August, we will read A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World's Smartest Birds of Prey, by Jonathan Meiburg.
To see our full schedule and book selections or to sign up for this free event, please visit the Early Birds page.
Georgia Audubon's Sea Grant Fellow, Sergio Sabat-Bonilla poses with an American Oystercatcher during a coastal banding event.
August Monthly Meeting
Georgia's Coastal Bird Conservation
Sunday, August 22, at 3:30 PM
FREE
Join us for a panel on the coastal avian conservation happening in Georgia!
This panel will feature Dr. Abby Sterling, shorebird biologist with Manomet, Tim Keyes, wildlife biologist with the Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Adam Betuel, Conservation Director for Georgia Audubon, and Sergio Sabat-Bonilla, Georgia Sea Grant Fellow with Georgia Audubon.
Georgia's Coastal Bird Conservation
Sunday, August 22, at 3:30 PM
FREE
Join us for a panel on the coastal avian conservation happening in Georgia!
This panel will feature Dr. Abby Sterling, shorebird biologist with Manomet, Tim Keyes, wildlife biologist with the Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Adam Betuel, Conservation Director for Georgia Audubon, and Sergio Sabat-Bonilla, Georgia Sea Grant Fellow with Georgia Audubon.
American Robin on red elderberry. Photo by Mick Thompson.
Georgia Audubon and Oconee Rivers Audubon Collaborating on Fall Native Plant Sale
Accepting Orders: September 1 to 19
Pickup Dates:
As part of our annual Georgia Grows Native for Birds Month, Georgia Audubon and Oconee Rivers Audubon, in Athens, will be collaborating on a fall native plant sale. We will partner with Beech Hollow Wildlife Farms to bring you a large selection of bird-friendly, native plants for your landscape. Visit our Plant Sale website for more information or to order (beginning September 1.)
Accepting Orders: September 1 to 19
Pickup Dates:
- Lexington(Athens), Saturday, September 25
- Decatur (Atlanta), Sunday, September 26
As part of our annual Georgia Grows Native for Birds Month, Georgia Audubon and Oconee Rivers Audubon, in Athens, will be collaborating on a fall native plant sale. We will partner with Beech Hollow Wildlife Farms to bring you a large selection of bird-friendly, native plants for your landscape. Visit our Plant Sale website for more information or to order (beginning September 1.)
Virtual Trivia Night with Georgia Audubon: Plants and Birds Edition
Wednesday, September 8
7:00 to 8:00 PM
Limited to 50 participants
Cost: Free, but registration required
Location: Online via Zoom
Calling all bird nerds! Join us for an evening of bird-brained trivia from the comfort of your own home as we play through four rounds of bird and bird-related facts spanning a variety of topics related to Georgia's native plants and birds. The winning team/person will receive Georgia Audubon shirts or coffee and chocolate lovers pack and the coveted bragging rights.
Up to 4 people can participate on a team, you can participate solo, or we can assign you to a team. During registration, please register the number of devices that will need access per team rather than the number of people. For example, if your team is the four people in your household and you will all be participating from one computer, you would just register one person. If you and your best friend are on a team and will be participating from your respective homes, you will want to register two people since you will be participating from two computers. Registrants will receive Zoom access instructions by noon on September 8.
Wednesday, September 8
7:00 to 8:00 PM
Limited to 50 participants
Cost: Free, but registration required
Location: Online via Zoom
Calling all bird nerds! Join us for an evening of bird-brained trivia from the comfort of your own home as we play through four rounds of bird and bird-related facts spanning a variety of topics related to Georgia's native plants and birds. The winning team/person will receive Georgia Audubon shirts or coffee and chocolate lovers pack and the coveted bragging rights.
Up to 4 people can participate on a team, you can participate solo, or we can assign you to a team. During registration, please register the number of devices that will need access per team rather than the number of people. For example, if your team is the four people in your household and you will all be participating from one computer, you would just register one person. If you and your best friend are on a team and will be participating from your respective homes, you will want to register two people since you will be participating from two computers. Registrants will receive Zoom access instructions by noon on September 8.
Virtual Field Trip: Georgia Grows Native for Birds Month Edition (featuring some of Georgia Audubon's Habitat Restoration Sites)
Friday, September 10, at 9:00 AM
via Facebook Live and Zoom Webinar
Join us on the Georgia Audubon Facebook page or via Zoom for a virtual field trip with Georgia Audubon staff as they explore several of Georgia Audubon's Habitat Restoration Sites as part of Georgia Grows Native for Birds Month. To join via Facebook Live, simply visit the Georgia Audubon Facebook page at 9:00 AM on Friday, September 10. To watch via webinar, click the button below to register.
Friday, September 10, at 9:00 AM
via Facebook Live and Zoom Webinar
Join us on the Georgia Audubon Facebook page or via Zoom for a virtual field trip with Georgia Audubon staff as they explore several of Georgia Audubon's Habitat Restoration Sites as part of Georgia Grows Native for Birds Month. To join via Facebook Live, simply visit the Georgia Audubon Facebook page at 9:00 AM on Friday, September 10. To watch via webinar, click the button below to register.
Webinar: Native Plants and Natural Communities from a Birds-eye View, with Dr. Leslie Edwards
Thursday, September 16
7:00 PM
$10 for Georgia Audubon members/ $12 for non-members
Piney woods, deciduous forests, prairies and marshes…Georgia is home to a variety of natural communities. And each natural community has its own array of native plants that provide the seeds, insect prey, berries, and nesting sites the birds need to survive. Observing the constantly changing, intricate web of relationships among native plants, habitats, and birds greatly enriches our appreciation of birds, and is necessary for effective bird conservation. In this presentation, we will learn about the importance of native plants to birds, and journey through some of the natural communities of north Georgia from a birds-eye view, brought to life by photographs from Georgia Audubon Master Birders and other Audubon photographers.
About the presenter: Leslie Edwards has a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Georgia and is retired from the faculty of the Department of Geosciences at Georgia State University. She is the lead author of The Natural Communities of Georgia and author of “The Land, Climate, and Vegetation” chapter of The Georgia Breeding Bird Atlas. Dr. Edwards has spoken extensively about native plants and natural communities in Georgia and has served on the boards of several conservation-related organizations. She is currently on the board of Georgia Audubon.
Tickets will go on sale on August 2.
Thursday, September 16
7:00 PM
$10 for Georgia Audubon members/ $12 for non-members
Piney woods, deciduous forests, prairies and marshes…Georgia is home to a variety of natural communities. And each natural community has its own array of native plants that provide the seeds, insect prey, berries, and nesting sites the birds need to survive. Observing the constantly changing, intricate web of relationships among native plants, habitats, and birds greatly enriches our appreciation of birds, and is necessary for effective bird conservation. In this presentation, we will learn about the importance of native plants to birds, and journey through some of the natural communities of north Georgia from a birds-eye view, brought to life by photographs from Georgia Audubon Master Birders and other Audubon photographers.
About the presenter: Leslie Edwards has a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Georgia and is retired from the faculty of the Department of Geosciences at Georgia State University. She is the lead author of The Natural Communities of Georgia and author of “The Land, Climate, and Vegetation” chapter of The Georgia Breeding Bird Atlas. Dr. Edwards has spoken extensively about native plants and natural communities in Georgia and has served on the boards of several conservation-related organizations. She is currently on the board of Georgia Audubon.
Tickets will go on sale on August 2.
Gray Catbird on American beautyberry, by Will Stuart.
Virtual 2021 Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Sunday, September 19
3:30 PM
via Webinar
Tickets: $10 per device for Georgia Audubon members / $12 per device for non-members
Due to the popularity of last year's Virtual Wildlife Sanctuary tour and ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, we're going to again offer the 2021 Wildlife Sanctuary Tour as a virtual event. Gabe Andrle, Habitat Conservation Program Manager, will be giving us a virtual tour of some of our great Wildlife Sanctuaries to show how you can transform your yard into a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. Each property featured has been certified by Georgia Audubon as a Wildlife Sanctuary because it provides four essential criteria for attracting birds and other wildlife: food sources (at least 50% native plants), nesting sites, shelter, and water sources.
In addition, we have arranged with the property owners to be on the call as well so that our guests may ask them specific questions about their properties and how they went about building their wildlife sanctuaries. Read more about our featured properties or purchase tickets on our Sanctuary Tour page.
Tickets will go on sale in early August. Please note, ticket prices are per device and you may have multiple people viewing on the same device. Your registration link is unique, however, and will only work on one device.
Sunday, September 19
3:30 PM
via Webinar
Tickets: $10 per device for Georgia Audubon members / $12 per device for non-members
Due to the popularity of last year's Virtual Wildlife Sanctuary tour and ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, we're going to again offer the 2021 Wildlife Sanctuary Tour as a virtual event. Gabe Andrle, Habitat Conservation Program Manager, will be giving us a virtual tour of some of our great Wildlife Sanctuaries to show how you can transform your yard into a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. Each property featured has been certified by Georgia Audubon as a Wildlife Sanctuary because it provides four essential criteria for attracting birds and other wildlife: food sources (at least 50% native plants), nesting sites, shelter, and water sources.
In addition, we have arranged with the property owners to be on the call as well so that our guests may ask them specific questions about their properties and how they went about building their wildlife sanctuaries. Read more about our featured properties or purchase tickets on our Sanctuary Tour page.
Tickets will go on sale in early August. Please note, ticket prices are per device and you may have multiple people viewing on the same device. Your registration link is unique, however, and will only work on one device.
Past webinars
We record most of our free programs, including virtual field trips, monthly meetings, and other programs, and make them available for later viewing on our YouTube Channel. You will also find a selection of other videos on our habitat restoration work, certified wildlife sanctuaries, ambassador hummingbird, and other topics. Check our YouTube channel at the link below and follow us to receive notifications when we post new content.
Youth Activities
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Learning ABout Birds CurriculumGeorgia Audubon's Learning About Birds (LAB) curriculum provides activities and materials to educators interested in exposing students to hands-on, interactive learning about birds, habitats, and conservation. All units are aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards in science. Click the units below to download.
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