Judy Cheske
Black History Month Conservation Resources

The importance of Black Americans in conservation and environmentalism is GREATLY underrepresented and it requires some digging to learn about the significant past and current Black contributors and advocates of birding, conservation, and environmental justice.

Black History Month Conservation Resources
General Interest, Upcoming Events
Matthew Igleski
2024 Chicago Bird Photography Contest

Calling all shutterbugs and bird enthusiasts! We want you to capture the vibrant avian life of Chicago through your lens and participate in the inaugural "Chicago Birds Photography Contest." Photographers of all experience levels are invited to compete with winning submissions eligible for eternal bragging rights and cash prizes!

2024 Chicago Bird Photography Contest
General Interest, Birding
Judy Cheske
Respecting Owls: Ethical Owl Viewing and ...

This time of year, owls become the focus of many nature lovers. The presence of humans can be stressful for owls, so it’s important to understand more about owls and follow simple guidelines to ensure their safety.

Respecting Owls: Ethical Owl Viewing and Photography
Ann Hetzel Gunkel
2022 Gift Guide for the Birds

In the interest of being more mindful and considerate in our gift buying, supporting Black and BIPOC businesses and creators, and - and well, BIRDS! - here is an alternative list of ideas to make your 2022 gifting thoughtful, fun and bird friendly!

2022 Gift Guide for the Birds
Ann Hetzel Gunkel
Chicago Audubon Society : Statement on ...

In 2022, the Chicago Audubon Society developed and approved a Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice. The details and action plan are found here.

Chicago Audubon Society : Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

South Shore Nature Sanctuary Bird Walk & Stewardship Event: Feminist Bird Club, South Shore Nature Sanctuary and Purple Martins

South Shore Nature Sanctuary Bird Walk & Stewardship Event: Feminist Bird Club, South Shore Nature Sanctuary and Purple Martins

Earlier this summer, several different groups converged at South Shore Nature Sanctuary for a bird walk and habitat restoration day. Led by Chicago’s Feminist Bird Club and the South Shore Sanctuary stewards, the event brought out a sizeable group to remove grapevine from encroaching on the dune habitat, and assist field museum employees collect egg count and nest progress data on Purple Martins. Recently, I caught up with my close friend (and FBC Chicago leader) Bridget, who filled me in on all the highlights of the event.

CAS Native Plant Sale a Success

On May 22, CAS volunteers and partners held their second native plant sale at North Park Village Nature Center - bigger and better than the first!

Nancy Bradt led the planning team of Alisa Baum, Nicolette Caldwell, Monica Sargent (CAS staff) and Judy Pollock

North Park Village Nature Center Director, Amaris Alanis Ribiero, staff Bob Porter, volunteers and visitors pitched in to help on the unloading day and the sale day

Laury Lewis was on hand to give plant advice.

Elizabeth Plonka, Jenelle Davis, Colleen McVeigh, M C Mylander, Pam Karlson, Marilyn Ferri, Irene & Dan Weinman, Alexandra Davila, Nicholas Machev, Mary Taylor, Robin Jennings, Christine Johnson, Jack Swenson, Susan Kauffman, Sandra Shields, Robin Wilson, and CAS board members Ann Hetzel Gunkel and John Elliott showed upon unloading and sale days and gave the event its great spirit.

Results of this fun day:

  • Almost $7000 for CAS’ engagement and conservation efforts

  • Over 2000 new native plants out there feeding the birds and the bees and the butterflies

  • Two community gardens and this little girl’s backyard sanctuary received the unsold plants

Congratulations everyone!

New Bird Population Trends report on Chicago Region from the Bird Conservation Network

New Bird Population Trends report on Chicago Region from the Bird Conservation Network

The Bird Conservation Network (CAS is a member) has today released a comprehensive study of the population trends of the breeding birds of the Chicago Region. It contains some conclusions which may surprise you. Our region is very important for quite a few birds of conservation concern. Many are doing very well here (thanks in part to efforts of the regions public land managers), but others are declining. See all the trends and read the report at bcnbirds.org/trends21.

Urban Ornithology: New Study on Avian Nesting & Climate Change from Chicago Ornithologists

Urban Ornithology: New Study on Avian Nesting & Climate Change from Chicago Ornithologists

In Spring 2022, the Journal of Animal Ecology published an extensive study about avian nesting behavior and climate change conducted by a group of Chicago-based ornithologists. Researchers from University of Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Field Museum utilized field observations and the museum’s historical records to track nesting dates for 72 species of birds spanning 143 years. This article not only serves as an interesting contribution to the scientific community, but also as a testament to the prominence of Chicago’s institutions and its urban ornithologists. In hopes of getting this information to as many birders as possible, past the inaccessibility of statistical jargon and academic pay-walls, we offer a short summary.

Spring Clean for the Birds! Use Ebay for Charity to donate to Chicago Audubon

Spring Clean for the Birds! Use Ebay for Charity to donate to Chicago Audubon

If you sell your treasures on ebay you can select a Charity and donate any percentage of your sale to Chicago Audubon Society. Once the item sells, the charitable portion of your profit goes right to CAS. With Spring Migration right around the corner, it’s time to get to spring cleaning and sell that stuff for the birds!

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