May 2020

May 2020

While working in my garden the other day, I simply had to stop and listen to the chorus of birdsong coming from a nearby tree. In rapid succession, I heard the “peter, peter, peter” of a Tufted Titmouse, a Northern Cardinal’s “cheerily, cheer-up,” the “teakettle, teakettle” song of a Carolina Wren, and assorted chip notes that I couldn’t place – followed by what was unmistakably the ring of a cell phone.

Op/Ed by Tom Blackburn, President of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia

Op/Ed by Tom Blackburn, President of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia

Nearly 70 species of birds that call Virginia home are at serious risk of extinction from climate change and related threats like sea-level rise, forest fires and false springs, according to the National Audubon Society’s recent climate report, Survival by Degrees. And nationally, that number grows to two-thirds of North American bird species.

Local Photographers Win National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest

Local Photographers Win National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest

ASNV member Randy Streufert has won the Grand Prize in the National Wildlife Federation’s “Garden for Wildlife” photo contest. Randy’s photo of a Prothonotary Warbler cooling off in water was the top photo out of nearly 5000 submissions from all over the world.

Youth Education Mini-grant Winners 2020

Youth Education Mini-grant Winners 2020

Every year, the Youth Education Committee of ASNV sponsors a mini-grant program to support teachers, schools, and non-profit organizations in youth-oriented education about birds and the environment. The committee is proud to announce three recipients ($500 per grant) in 2020.

Reston Association's Biophilic Pledge Points Residents to AAH Wildlife Sanctuary Program

Reston Association's Biophilic Pledge Points Residents to AAH Wildlife Sanctuary Program

In 2018, Reston became part of the worldwide Biophilic Cities Network. To help residents identify specific actions that will protect Reston's natural resources, Reston Association's Environmental Advisory Committee is now deploying a Reston Biophilic Pledge.

Audubon at Home Ambassador’s Brunch

Audubon at Home Ambassador’s Brunch

Audubon at Home ambassadors gathered on February 1 for their annual – and delicious – brunch, at which AAH co-directors and county coordinators updated them on the program's progress over the past year. It has now been 10 years since AAH first certified a Wildlife Sanctuary, as of the brunch, the program has certified 683 properties on over 6300 acres.