Dear friend,
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In 2024, Houston Audubon reaffirms its dedication to the creation of a world in which birds thrive and people connect to natural spaces. Â With the unwavering support of our community, our organization has given considerable thought, time, and effort in meticulously constructing a robust ten-year strategic framework. Â This new strategic plan lays the groundwork for advancing the conservation of birds and their habitats in the Houston Gulf Coast region through land conservation, education, conservation advocacy, monitoring, research, and community engagement. These core pillars will be executed within the context of three focus areas: 1) manage Houston Audubon nature sanctuaries for birds and people, 2) deliver community-centered conservation, and 3) ensure a relevant and thriving organization in the 21st century. Â As an organization, we support collaboration, inclusivity, and community in building a future where birds are thriving in healthy natural areas, people are inspired by the sense of wonder birds bring, and communities of all backgrounds are connecting through a shared appreciation of birds.
As we embark on a new year, we invite you to bring your passion, creativity, talents, partnership, and dedication to help us advance bird conservation and build a sense of place and connectivity around birds in our region. Read the strategic framework to see where you might best connect. Happy New Year!
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- Helen Drummond, Houston Audubon President & CEO
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Speaker Series with Scott Weidensaul
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A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds
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Thursday, January 18, 2024
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Virtual presentation
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Based on his bestselling new book "A World on the Wing," author and researcher Scott Weidensaul takes you around the globe -- with researchers in the lab probing the limits of what migrating birds can do, to the shores of the Yellow Sea in China, the remote mountains of northeastern India where tribal villages saved the greatest gathering of falcons on the planet, and the Mediterranean, where activists and police are battling bird poachers -- to learn how people are fighting to understand and save the world's great bird migrations.
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Houston Audubon owns and manages 17 nature sanctuaries totaling over 4,000 acres, most of which are open to the public. Our most frequented sanctuaries include the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in west Houston and our High Island and Bolivar Flats sanctuaries on the coast.Â
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Explore our sanctuaries, many of which are free and open to the public! Only the High Island sanctuaries require a patch or day pass.
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The coastal staff have been busy both restoring and surveying the sanctuaries this month. Volunteers and staff braved the ravenous mosquitos to detect over 100 species both in the High Island area for the Bolivar Peninsula CBC, and in the Port Bolivar area during the Galveston CBC. Highlights included Yellow Rail, Lesser Nighthawk, LeConte’s Sparrow, thousands of American Avocets, and Short-eared Owl.
We would like to thank those that participated on our December volunteer workday and helped to clear more non-native Chinese Privet from our Gast Red Bay Sanctuary. Join us for an upcoming workday:
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Featured Community Organization: Latino Outdoors
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Houston Audubon has had the pleasure of partnering with Latino Outdoors on community bird walks. Latino Outdoors inspires, connects, and engages Latino communities in the outdoors and embraces cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative. They envision a world where Latino communities enjoy nature as a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space to share and celebrate stories, knowledge, and culture. Latino Outdoors is a nationwide organization with a Houston chapter that serves our local community. You can follow the Latino Outdoors Houston Chapter on Instagram and Facebook.Â
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Everyone is welcome to join Latino Outdoors at one of these upcoming events:
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Focus on the Good Binocular Donation Program 💙
Houston Audubon and Land Sea and Sky have teamed up to collect donated binoculars and refurbish them for distribution to underprivileged individuals in our community as well as guides in developing countries. As a bonus, Zeiss will provide a 15% off coupon for any Zeiss product purchased through Land Sea and Sky within 30 days of donating a pair of binoculars.
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Conservation License Plate 🦅
This year, show your love of birds when you hit the road! Order your specialty license plate to support bird conservation while driving around town. $22 of the $30 annual fee comes to Houston Audubon.
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Become a Member for Early Access to the Photo Blind! 📷
Reservations for the Boy Scout Woods Photo Blind open to the public on January 10, but members get early registration from January 3-9. Become a member today for early access to reservations. Membership benefits also include members-only birding trips, discounts on Houston Audubon merch, early access to events, and more!
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