Ruby-crowned Kinglet, by Ronald Newhouse, Audubon Photography Awards
In-person events
Georgia Audubon is building places where birds and people thrive. We offer a variety of virtual and in-person events to help you and your family gain a better understanding of our work and the birds that surround us.
To learn more about our virtual events, please visit our virtual events page. To learn more or register for our Georgia Audubon field trips, please visit our field trips page. We have also travel opportunities for those interested in seeing birds further afield.
We share upcoming events in our bi-monthly e-newsletter, BirdBuzz, and you can also find updates on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. 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.
Please note the cancellation policy for our paid events: If you need to cancel your registration more than 7 days prior to the event, we will refund the registration fee less a 20% processing fee. Cancellations six (6) days or less prior to the event are non-refundable unless we can resell the spot. All events/classes are rain or shine unless otherwise noted. If a class or event must be cancelled because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, registered participants will receive a full refund.
If you are interested in a program with an associated fee but cost is a burden, please apply for a Georgia Audubon Scholarship.
To learn more about our virtual events, please visit our virtual events page. To learn more or register for our Georgia Audubon field trips, please visit our field trips page. We have also travel opportunities for those interested in seeing birds further afield.
We share upcoming events in our bi-monthly e-newsletter, BirdBuzz, and you can also find updates on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. 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.
Please note the cancellation policy for our paid events: If you need to cancel your registration more than 7 days prior to the event, we will refund the registration fee less a 20% processing fee. Cancellations six (6) days or less prior to the event are non-refundable unless we can resell the spot. All events/classes are rain or shine unless otherwise noted. If a class or event must be cancelled because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, registered participants will receive a full refund.
If you are interested in a program with an associated fee but cost is a burden, please apply for a Georgia Audubon Scholarship.
Upcoming EVents

Sacred Waters: The Okefenokee in Peril Film Screening
Thursday, January 12, at 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Harland Cinema at Emory University
Free to attend, but registration requested
Sponsored by Emory Ecological Society and the Okefenokee Protection Alliance
A place of mystery and magic, and of astonishing diversity, legend, and beauty, the Okefenokee Swamp is once again threatened by proposed mining activity along the sand ridge.
Join the the Emory Ecological Society and Okefenokee Protection Alliance for a free film screening of Sacred Waters: The Okefenokee in Peril.
A panel discussion will follow the screening of the 30 minute film, and participants will have the opportunity to submit comments regarding the mining proposal.
Thursday, January 12, at 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Harland Cinema at Emory University
Free to attend, but registration requested
Sponsored by Emory Ecological Society and the Okefenokee Protection Alliance
A place of mystery and magic, and of astonishing diversity, legend, and beauty, the Okefenokee Swamp is once again threatened by proposed mining activity along the sand ridge.
Join the the Emory Ecological Society and Okefenokee Protection Alliance for a free film screening of Sacred Waters: The Okefenokee in Peril.
A panel discussion will follow the screening of the 30 minute film, and participants will have the opportunity to submit comments regarding the mining proposal.

Sandhill Crane Sunset Kayak Tour
Saturday, January 14, 2022, from 1:30 to 4:30 PM
Price: $85 for Georgia Audubon Members/ $95 for non-members
This event is now full. To join the waiting list, please click the register button below and fill out the requested information. We will contact you if a space becomes available. Payment will not be collected unless a space becomes available.
Join Chattanooga Guided Adventures and Georgia Audubon for a guided kayak tour to see and hear the calls and dances of wintering Sandhill Cranes at Hiwassee Island National Wildlife Refuge. The shallow waters of the Tennessee River around Hiwassee Island provide excellent overwintering and feeding areas for these and other bird species. Bring your binoculars to enjoy the sights and sounds on this kayaking eco-tour.
Dress in layers and pack your binoculars! Chattahoochee Guided Adventures will provide neoprene paddle mittens (poagies), a waterproof jacket, and a drip skirt to help keep you nice and warm. This 2- to 3-mile paddle will take place on a lake and is very beginner friendly.
This year’s event will be offered on the same weekend as the Sandhill Crane Festival (January 14 to 15, 2023) so it’s a great time to enjoy the kayak tour as well as the many free activities offered as part of the Sandhill Crane Festival.
Saturday, January 14, 2022, from 1:30 to 4:30 PM
Price: $85 for Georgia Audubon Members/ $95 for non-members
This event is now full. To join the waiting list, please click the register button below and fill out the requested information. We will contact you if a space becomes available. Payment will not be collected unless a space becomes available.
Join Chattanooga Guided Adventures and Georgia Audubon for a guided kayak tour to see and hear the calls and dances of wintering Sandhill Cranes at Hiwassee Island National Wildlife Refuge. The shallow waters of the Tennessee River around Hiwassee Island provide excellent overwintering and feeding areas for these and other bird species. Bring your binoculars to enjoy the sights and sounds on this kayaking eco-tour.
Dress in layers and pack your binoculars! Chattahoochee Guided Adventures will provide neoprene paddle mittens (poagies), a waterproof jacket, and a drip skirt to help keep you nice and warm. This 2- to 3-mile paddle will take place on a lake and is very beginner friendly.
This year’s event will be offered on the same weekend as the Sandhill Crane Festival (January 14 to 15, 2023) so it’s a great time to enjoy the kayak tour as well as the many free activities offered as part of the Sandhill Crane Festival.

Georgia Audubon at Manuel's
Featuring Abby Sterling, Manomet
Building Connections for Shorebird Protection: How Education and Outreach Can Protect Georgia’s Shorebirds
Sunday, January 22, at 3:30 PM
Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., NE., Atlanta
FREE to attend, but registration is requested.
Join us as we learn about the incredible habitats that shorebirds from across the hemisphere depend on, right in our own backyards! The Georgia Coast is a home or stopping point for over 300,000 shorebirds every year, and in order to protect the places they need, raising awareness and building partnerships is a critical step. Manomet’s Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative seeks to do just that through highlighting Wildlife Beach Areas, connecting with ecotour groups, and building partnerships with the boating community. Learn more about these programs, the shorebirds that they are benefiting, and ways that you can get involved!
About the presenter: Abby Sterling is the director of Manomet's Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative, and lives locally in Brunswick. She received her doctorate from UGA, and oversees work to unite partners in management, conservation, and research to benefit the shorebirds of the southeastern coast. Recently, the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative received support to bring on a shorebird technician, and so Allie Hayser, a Tybee Island resident and shorebird biologist, joined the team! Together, they are working to protect the critical habitat that our shorebirds depend on through raising awareness of the importance of the Georgia Bight.
Featuring Abby Sterling, Manomet
Building Connections for Shorebird Protection: How Education and Outreach Can Protect Georgia’s Shorebirds
Sunday, January 22, at 3:30 PM
Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., NE., Atlanta
FREE to attend, but registration is requested.
Join us as we learn about the incredible habitats that shorebirds from across the hemisphere depend on, right in our own backyards! The Georgia Coast is a home or stopping point for over 300,000 shorebirds every year, and in order to protect the places they need, raising awareness and building partnerships is a critical step. Manomet’s Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative seeks to do just that through highlighting Wildlife Beach Areas, connecting with ecotour groups, and building partnerships with the boating community. Learn more about these programs, the shorebirds that they are benefiting, and ways that you can get involved!
About the presenter: Abby Sterling is the director of Manomet's Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative, and lives locally in Brunswick. She received her doctorate from UGA, and oversees work to unite partners in management, conservation, and research to benefit the shorebirds of the southeastern coast. Recently, the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative received support to bring on a shorebird technician, and so Allie Hayser, a Tybee Island resident and shorebird biologist, joined the team! Together, they are working to protect the critical habitat that our shorebirds depend on through raising awareness of the importance of the Georgia Bight.

Sparrow ID Workshop and Field Trip
Workshop via Zoom Webinar: Thursday, February 23, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Field Trip: Saturday, February 25, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM at a location TBD (only 16 spaces are available on the field trip)
Cost for Workshop and field trip:
Georgia Audubon members: $50Non-members: $60
Master Birder in good volunteer standing: $45
For those who are unable to attend the field trip, you may also register to attend the workshop portion of this course only.
Cost for Workshop ONLY:
Georgia Audubon Members - $25
Non-members: $30
Master Birders in good volunteer standing - $20
Ready to sharpen your skills identifying those “little brown jobs?” Often skulking, elusive, and confusingly similar, sparrows can make fall warblers seem easy. Adam Betuel, Georgia Audubon’s director of conservation, will help participants learn more about the many sparrow species that winter in Georgia. A virtual class session will be held via Zoom to teach participants about distinguishing field marks, foraging behaviors, flight characteristics, and vocalizations that are useful to identification and appreciation of Georgia’s sparrows. Participants will then have the chance to practice their identification skills in the field with a guided trip to find and observe sparrows at a metro Atlanta location to be determined. Potential species include Field, Swamp, Fox, Savannah, and Vesper Sparrows, in addition to more common resident and wintering species.
Workshop via Zoom Webinar: Thursday, February 23, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Field Trip: Saturday, February 25, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM at a location TBD (only 16 spaces are available on the field trip)
Cost for Workshop and field trip:
Georgia Audubon members: $50Non-members: $60
Master Birder in good volunteer standing: $45
For those who are unable to attend the field trip, you may also register to attend the workshop portion of this course only.
Cost for Workshop ONLY:
Georgia Audubon Members - $25
Non-members: $30
Master Birders in good volunteer standing - $20
Ready to sharpen your skills identifying those “little brown jobs?” Often skulking, elusive, and confusingly similar, sparrows can make fall warblers seem easy. Adam Betuel, Georgia Audubon’s director of conservation, will help participants learn more about the many sparrow species that winter in Georgia. A virtual class session will be held via Zoom to teach participants about distinguishing field marks, foraging behaviors, flight characteristics, and vocalizations that are useful to identification and appreciation of Georgia’s sparrows. Participants will then have the chance to practice their identification skills in the field with a guided trip to find and observe sparrows at a metro Atlanta location to be determined. Potential species include Field, Swamp, Fox, Savannah, and Vesper Sparrows, in addition to more common resident and wintering species.