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The Pennsylvania Audubon Council sponsored an informative program on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in our “Looking Ahead to Spring” zoom meeting. David Arrow, President of York Audubon Society, profiled the work his chapter is doing with ChatGPT as a tool to help native plant enthusiasts interested in making their yards more bird friendly. Margaret Rhode, Vice-President of Liberty Bird Alliance, explained how her chapter conducted a Native Plant Workshop to motivate people to do more with native plants on their properties. Kelly McGinley, Function & Flow, provided an overview of the changes on the Council website to promote the BHR Program. Important changes that Kelly profiled included:
- New provisions for properties associated with State Parks, Land Trusts, and Environmental Justice Communities to file a Bird Habitat Recognition Program application without an application fee.
- A new option for visitors to the website to see information about the Bird Habitat Recognition Program translated into Spanish.
- The availability of Spanish versions of Bird Habitat Rack Cards that can now be provided to participating chapters on request.
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A means for property owners who live in Environmental Justice Communities to apply and participate in the Bird Habitat Recognition Program without an application fee. There is a tool in the application for property owners to confirm whether they reside in an Environmental Justice Area with a special link -- See that link demonstrated here.
The program also noted that the Council will be reaching out to the BHR contact in each Chapter that is participating in the Bird Habitat Recognition Program to place an order for additional Bird Friendly Habitat signs and rack cards.
| BIRD TOWN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE ABC BIRD CITY NETWORK | |
Bird Town Pennsylvania is proud to be a member in the American Bird Conservancy’s Bird City Network. The network is also associated with the Environment for the Americas. The Bird City Network includes Bird Cities and Bird Towns in Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, and a growing number of state programs in the United States including Maryland and soon, New Jersey. It is a point of pride for Bird Town Pennsylvania to be the largest program in the Network, now with over 100 municipalities designated as Bird Towns in Pennsylvania.
Each Bird Town is required to submit an annual report at the end of each calendar year. This year, Bird Town Pennsylvania has identified participation in the Bird Habitat Recognition Program as a measure of success for Bird Towns. There is an incentive for each Bird Town to enroll residents in their municipalities to apply for recognition if their properties qualify.
The American Bird Conservancy and Feather Friendly have collaborated on a new program that will be profiled in an ABC webinar on April 30, 2026. Feather Friendly will provide incentives and discounts for Bird Towns to consider projects to retrofit windows with bird collision deterrent markers. Register here to participate in the ABC Webinar
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3RD PENNSYLVANIA BIRD ATLAS PROJECT
Announcement of a Matching Gift Challenge:
Double Your Donation, Double Your Impact!
Laurie Goodrich, Ph.D.
Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science
Acopian Center for Conservation Learning
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association
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We’re nearing the midpoint of the 3rd Pennsylvania Bird Atlas Project, a once-in-a-generation effort to document bird populations across the state and to guide conservation for years to come. Due to an unexpected shortfall in state funding for this year, we are at risk of not being able to continue the full and comprehensive survey that we have planned. Now more than ever, we need to support this important work for Pennsylvania’s birds.
To meet funding needs, a generous donor has agreed to match all gifts made through May 31, dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. That means your contribution will go twice as far in supporting:
- Field research and data collection
- Volunteer coordination and training
- Conservation planning across the Commonwealth
The Pennsylvania Bird Atlas builds on a legacy that began in 1983 and it’s critical we maintain momentum of this five-year-long project. Make your gift now and double your impact for birds.
Click here to donate to the PA Bird Atlas
Thank you for making a difference today!
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APRIL UPDATE FROM HARRISBURG
Meeting Summary
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The Pennsylvania Audubon Council reengaged Andy Loza, Executive Director of WeConservePA, to provide updates on the status of legislation in Harrisburg related to our Conservation Issues of High Priority. Andy provided his first report for 2026 on the evening of Thursday, April 9th. Andy has provided us with his outlook for the Pennsylvania General Assembly this spring. He provided his assessment of the prospects of the environmental agenda as we move into the budget and primary campaign season. He also discussed the outlook for the FY ’27 state budget and provisions for the funding of our state agencies and environmental programs. Participants from our chapter network had the opportunity to raise questions and engage in discussion with Andy and others in our session.
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LOBBY DAY IN HARRISBURG
May 4, 2026
| The Pennsylvania General Assembly is on the cusp of passing several critical pieces of legislation that will lower energy costs, advance affordable, clean energy, combat harmful air and water pollution, and conserve important habitat across the state. Please join Conservation Voters of PA, PennFuture, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, and advocates from across the Commonwealth in Harrisburg on Monday, May 4 to meet with legislators on both sides of the aisle to advocate for these pro-environment bills. This is an opportunity to talk directly to your elected officials about the environmental bills you care about. Your voice is the most effective tool we have to influence lawmakers, and together we can get key environmental bills passed! We hope you'll consider joining us on May 4 in Harrisburg alongside our partners at Conservation Voters of PA. Sign up to reserve your spot for the day in Harrisburg on May 4! | |
PENN ENVIRONMENT
Virtual Lobby Day
May 28, 2026
| PennEnvironment will hold their annual Virtual Lobby Day for a Clean Energy Future on May 28! Their staff will schedule 30-minute virtual meetings with your state representative and senator, and you'll be joined by expert advocates and other concerned citizens from your district. We’ll discuss important policy proposals that will promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, and you’ll get the chance to share why climate action is important to you. Please sign up for the May 28 Virtual Lobby Day below: | |
AUDUBON LOBBY DAY
Lobby Day for Scarlet Tanager Bill (HB2316)
June 1, 2026
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In partnership with Rep. Mandy Steele, Audubon Mid-Atlantic has introduced a bill that would officially designate the Scarlet Tanager as the State Migratory Bird! We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on this brilliant bird with House Bill 2316, and in doing so, bring attention to the Pennsylvania forests that are so essential to its survival. The Scarlet Tanager lives in large tracts of mature hardwood forest and is a key indicator of forest health. Where they thrive, forests are resilient; where they decline, it signals fragmentation and ecological stress that also impacts people. Here is a press release announcing the bill's introduction.
Please hold June 1 on your calendars for a Scarlet Tanager lobby day in Harrisburg! This will be an opportunity to meet with your representatives and advocate for healthy forest management practices, conservation funding, and (of course) the Scarlet Tanager!
Additionally, we're asking folks to share their Scarlet Tanager sightings with us—please feel free to record your own and share this link with your networks.
If you have questions about this campaign or want to find ways to participate, don't hesitate to reach out to Tess Wilson at tess.wilson@audubon.org. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the Scarlet Tanager in Pennsylvania!
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PENNSYLVANIA AUDUBON COUNCIL
CHAPTER LEADERSHIP AWARD:
Recognition of Outstanding Individuals
| The Pennsylvania Audubon Council “Chapter Leadership Award” has been established by the Council’s Board of Directors to provide recognition to these special individuals. A nomination process has been created for chapters to submit the names and background of individuals worthy of consideration for this recognition. A committee comprised of individuals on our Council board will be charged to review the nominations received and recommend a worthy recipient of the award. It is anticipated that this award will be made on an annual basis. The Nomination Form and directions for the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Chapter Leadership Award are available on the Council website. Nominations will be accepted through May. The Council Executive Committee will review the nominations and select the recipient(s) for the award. The award will be presented in coordination with the recipient’s chapter. | |
The Pennsylvania Audubon Council
“WALT POMEROY CONSERVATION AWARD”
A Call for Nominations for 2026
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Nominations of worthy individuals for the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award are being received! Additional nominations are welcome. The nomination window will be open through May 31, 2026. The Council Executive Committee will review the nominations and a selection for the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award will be announced in the June edition of the DRUMMER.
The Pennsylvania Audubon Council Executive Committee reinaugurated its conservation award in 2022 in honor of Walt Pomeroy, a great friend of Audubon. Additional background and information about the history of the award and Walt Pomeroy can be found on the Council website. We encourage chapters to consider submitting a nomination for this recognition. The link to the nomination form can be found here:
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IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE COUNCIL BY-LAWS
An Outline of Two Major Amendments
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The Pennsylvania Audubon Council Board adopted two major changes to our By-Laws that have an impact on the governance of the organization. The first major change was to establish a two-year term for service to our Board of Directors with eligibility for service for three successive two-year terms. This replaces what had existed with one-year terms without term limits for service to the Council Board. Part of the rationale for these changes were to ensure more continuity for Board membership from year to year but with opportunity to encourage more chapter leaders to consider service on the Council board.
The second major change was to establish an Executive Committee that includes the elected officers of the Council. The expectation is that the full Board of Directors will meet on a quarterly schedule and the Executive Committee will conduct an additional four meetings during the intervals between the quarterly meetings of the full Board. These provisions will hopefully encourage more chapter leaders to consider service on the Council Board with fewer full Board meetings required in the annual schedule. We also hope it will help to grow the number of Directors who serve on the Council Board.
These changes are the result of the work of an ad hoc By-Laws Committee chaired by Susan Murawski, with support from Sally Jeffords, Paul Burroughs, and Jim Bonner. The amendments were unanimously adopted by the Council Board at its March 2026 Board Meeting.
There are implications for the upcoming elections scheduled for May and June of this year. This year we will provide a slate of candidates for one-year and two-year terms to seat a new Board of Directors that reflects the new provisions in the By-laws. In subsequent elections we will typically be offering a slate of candidates for a two-year term with only half of the seats up for election in any given year.
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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
OF COUNCIL OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
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The Pennsylvania Audubon Council is an independently incorporated coalition supported by the nineteen independently incorporated Audubon Chapters in the Commonwealth. The Council Officers and Directors are nominated and elected by the chapters! The Council Officers and Directors are dedicated to the work to support and strengthen chapters and to serve as collective voice for our advocacy for birds and their conservation. We value the service of chapter leaders who are willing to share their time and talent to keep the Council a continuing source of support for this mission. Our leaders include individuals who have been leaders in their respective chapters but still find time to help guide our efforts on behalf of all chapters.
We welcome the nominations from our chapters of individuals who can strengthen our work. Our board currently meets on a bimonthly schedule via zoom. Moving to a schedule of quarterly Board Meetings is under consideration with an Executive Committee meeting as needed between Board Meetings. We welcome each chapter to nominate an individual to represent them on the Council Board. We are seeking individuals willing to serve one- year or two-year terms.
We request that nominations be made through any one of three individuals who have agreed to receive your nominees.
Please be prepared to offer contact information and the chapter with which they are associated. They will want assurances that the individual agrees to be nominated and that his or her chapter is also aware of the nomination. We ask that all nominations be submitted by May 2,2026.
Contact paauduboncouncil@gmail.com with any requests for information or questions about service to the Council
| CHAPTER ORGANIZATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES | One of the central purposes of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council is to support the work of the chapters. In the past we have offered programs on exploring the challenges for chapters to recruit board members and sustain their work. The Council Board seeks more opportunities to build a system of mutual support for our chapter network. Toward that end we seek to identify those organizational issues that challenge every chapter. Our Board members are working to identify these perennial issues and topics and will look to our chapters to create a list of topics and issues that can be the subject of collaborative webinars that we can schedule though the coming fiscal year. We will look to schedule a session in May or June to invite the review of all our chapters to the list of prospective topics that serve the needs of our network. | |
WHO’S WHO IN YOUR CHAPTER?
Keep Us Apprised of Your Leadership Changes!
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Special thanks to those of you who have sent us the names and contact information of new board and/or committee members for additions to our DRUMMER mailing list. Some of our chapters operate on a fiscal year and conduct elections in May and June. Others operate on a calendar year and conduct elections in December or January. Please provide the names and email contacts for changes or updates of your officers and board members so that they can be added to the mailing list for the DRUMMER.
Send leadership updates to paauduboncouncil@gmail.com.
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PENNSYLVANIA AUDUBON COUNCIL FACEBOOK PAGE!
Share Your Chapter’s Highlights
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The Pennsylvania Audubon Council has a Facebook Page that is available for the public to view. Permission to post to the Council Facebook is restricted but we provide access to individuals from chapters to share chapter Facebook posts with the Council. We look to share their Facebook posts about upcoming chapter programs and events. We encourage posts that document chapter activities like field trips, community outreach, educational programs, and similar items. Chapter newsletter editors, webmasters, social media captains, officers, or others may request permission to post through our Facebook. Please take the time to request access! We want our Facebook to demonstrate the vibrancy and breadth of the work our chapters are doing!
Send Facebook access requests to paauduboncouncil@gmail.com.
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