OUR HISTORY
Georgia Audubon is an independent chapter of National Audubon Society and part of the larger Audubon Chapter Network. With more than 2,000 members across the state, Georgia Audubon is a member-supported, 501c3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to building places where birds and people thrive.
Georgia Audubon was originally known as the Atlanta Bird Club and later as Atlanta Audubon Society. Established in 1926, the Atlanta Bird Club was a volunteer-led group whose mission was "the study, protection, and appreciation of birds." Monthly bird walks were held in and around the Atlanta area.
In 1968 the Atlanta Bird Club voted to become a chapter of the National Audubon Society and in 1972, the Atlanta Bird Club voted to change their name to Atlanta Audubon Society.
Following decades of successful programming in Conservation, Education, and Community Engagement, the need for a more unified approach to statewide conservation on behalf of birds became apparent. In 2020 the board and staff of Atlanta Audubon made the bold decision to transform the organization into a statewide leader on issues of bird and habitat conservation, environmental education, and community engagement. On August 3, 2020, Atlanta Audubon Society made the public announcement that its new name would be Georgia Audubon.
Georgia Audubon was originally known as the Atlanta Bird Club and later as Atlanta Audubon Society. Established in 1926, the Atlanta Bird Club was a volunteer-led group whose mission was "the study, protection, and appreciation of birds." Monthly bird walks were held in and around the Atlanta area.
In 1968 the Atlanta Bird Club voted to become a chapter of the National Audubon Society and in 1972, the Atlanta Bird Club voted to change their name to Atlanta Audubon Society.
Following decades of successful programming in Conservation, Education, and Community Engagement, the need for a more unified approach to statewide conservation on behalf of birds became apparent. In 2020 the board and staff of Atlanta Audubon made the bold decision to transform the organization into a statewide leader on issues of bird and habitat conservation, environmental education, and community engagement. On August 3, 2020, Atlanta Audubon Society made the public announcement that its new name would be Georgia Audubon.
A bit more history of georgia audubon
Here are a few notable items from Georgia Audubon's history:
- 1965 - Dues for the Atlanta Bird Club were $2 for adults and $1 for students.
- 1968 - The Atlanta Bird Club voted to become a branch/chapter of the National Audubon Society.
- 1972 - The Atlanta Bird Club voted to change their name to the Atlanta Audubon Society with Wally Dryfoos as the first President. After a successful year at Atlanta Audubon Mr. Dryfoos was named president of the Georgia Ornithological Society 1973-1975.
- 1976 - Atlanta Audubon started the annual members photography contest.
- 1977 - Atlanta Audubon began recognizing backyard wildlife sanctuaries and working to educate homeowners.
- 1978 - Atlanta Audubon member Laurie Stubbs Johns donated 7 acres in DeKalb to the Society in honor of her late husband.
- 1978 - The Louisa G. Echols scholarship was created to honor and provide an opportunity for an adult to attend a National Audubon workshop.
- 1979 - The Upper Flint River Audubon Society merged with the Atlanta Audubon Society.
- 1980 - The Atlanta Audubon newsletter is renamed Wingbars.
- 1984 - Atlanta Audubon started supporting Audubon Adventures in Atlanta area classrooms.
- 1989 - Atlanta Audubon participated in the first annual Birdathon fundraiser.
- 1991 - The Edward Barnsley Scholarship was created to send a young student to an Audubon or similar nature camp.
- 1995 - Atlanta Audubon gets its first email address.
- 1996 - The Shade-grown Coffee committee was formed to educate the public on effects of coffee on the environment.
- 1997 - Mrs. Daniel Geltner donated 186 acres of land in Douglas County to Atlanta Audubon Society.
- 1999 - Longtime Atlanta Audubon member Anslem Atkins, Wingbars editor 1981-1997 (16 years), passed away.
- 1999 - The Anslem Atkins scholarship was established to fund a 2-week residency at the Hambridge Center.
- 2000 - Atlanta Audubon opened their first office in Midtown Atlanta at 1447 Peachtree Road.
- 2000 - Hired Jim Wilson to head up the Georgia Important Birds area program at the new office.
- 2000 - Atlanta Audubon wins 2nd place in National Audubon Large Chapter website contest.
- 2000 - First Georgia Important Bird Area is awarded to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
- 2001 - Atlanta Audubon joins EarthShare of Georgia.
- 2001 - Atlanta Audubon helps fund observation platform at the Clyde Shepard Nature Preserve.
- 2002 - Started the Atlanta Audubon Master Birder Program.
- 2002 - Atlanta Audubon started the annual Backyard Sanctuary Tour.
- 2003 - Atlanta Audubon wins award for setting up a habitat at the Southeastern Flower Show.
- 2005 - Youth Birding Competition is created.
- 2005 - Created the Freedom Park Birds and Butterfly Garden at Candler Park.
- 2006 - Atlanta Audubon office is moved to the Dunwoody Nature Center.
- 2006 - Created the Georgia Birding Skills Program.
- 2006 - The educational program Learning About Birds is started.
- 2007 - Atlanta Audubon hired Catharine Kuchar as its first Executive Director.
- 2009 - Moved from the Dunwoody Nature Center to the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in North Buckhead.
- 2009 - Hired Emily Toriani-Moura as first Education Coordinator.
- 2010 - Nikki Belmonte hired as Education Coordinator.
- 2010 - Atlanta Audubon holds first International Bird Trip to Colombia.
- 2013 - Nikki Belmonte named Executive Director of Atlanta Audubon.
- 2014 - Atlanta Audubon hires Director of Education, Melanie Furr.
- 2015 - Atlanta Audubon hires first Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, and Director of Development, Michelle Hamner. Dottie Head named Director of Membership and Communications.
- 2016 - Atlanta Audubon hosts International Trip to Paraguay.
- 2017 - Atlanta Audubon surpasses 1,000 members.
- 2019 - Atlanta Audubon surpasses 1,500 members
- 2019 - Jared Teutsch named Executive Director of Atlanta Audubon.
- August 2020 - Atlanta Audubon becomes a statewide organization known as Georgia Audubon.
