Pennsylvania Audubon Council Chapter Networking for Conservation | NEXT MEETING: 7:00 PM, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025 | |
Please hold 7:00 PM on the evening of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, for our next zoom meeting to continue the effort to work together with our chapters and conservation partners to forward our work with our Conservation Issues of Highest Priority with our chapters and conservation partners. We will hear from Arly Henninger-Voss from Defenders of Wildlife and several of our colleagues. They joined Arly in meetings with the legislative aides for Congressmen who were key votes in the defeat of the Biggs Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have weakened protections for endangered species on millions of acres of land managed by the military. Arly will provide a look ahead to the next challenges for the ESA and review our success.
We will also seek reaction on the important changes Audubon is introducing in their new “chapter membership reports.” The first of these new reports is scheduled for distribution to chapter membership chairs this month. The new reports have the potential to allow chapters to identify and recruit individuals willing to serve on their chapter’s conservation committees. We recognize that there are several chapters that have no established conservation committee and the information in the new reports will provide the names and contact information of individuals in their chapter territories who have been active as a voice for conservation issues.
Another focus of the meeting will be to discuss the structure, role, and function of the proposed Pennsylvania Audubon Council’s “Conservation Committee.” The goal is to strengthen our network to become more effective in addressing common concerns and threats to birds and wildlife. We will also introduce the implementation of the Council’s “Google Group” that will be managed on behalf of the Council by Nilesh Shah, President of Liberty Bird Alliance.
Please share with any of your colleagues who may also be interested in attending this meeting.
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Pennsylvania Audubon Council Resource Library
The PA Audubon Council Resource Library has also been made more accessible. The “Conservation Issues” that has been in place to profile our “Conservation Issues of Highest Priority” will be the location to add more resources and share information about current legislative issues. A folder with “Endangered Species Act” Resources has been added to this section and is accessible to support our “Chapter Network for Conservation” work.
Our Renewable Energy Committee has been active in the last few weeks. The Council tabled on “Sun Day” along with other environmental partners in Philadelphia on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Judy Stepanaskie, Co-chair of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council Renewable Energy Committee set up the display and distributed information on the responsible siting of utility scale solar projects. Check the “blog” on the Council website for photos and brief commentary regarding that event.
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In addition to the “Sun Day” event, the Renewable Energy Committee drafted the Council’s “Letter of Support” for HB1260, “an act providing for solar-ready projects involving a warehouse or distribution center, authorizing tax exemptions and special tax provisions, imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection…”The letter was included in the packet for the members of the Pennsylvania House “Energy Committee” in advance of their hearing on this proposed legislation that took place on Monday, October 6, 2025. A copy of that letter has been added to the “Conservation Issues” section of the Resource Library. Our goal is to see this legislation proceed and lead to the installation of solar arrays on the expansive roof tops of warehouses built throughout our Commonwealth.
We will look to coordinate future action through our conservation network in cooperation with Audubon MidAtlantic who also supports this proposed legislation!
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Bird Habitat Recognition Program Report
The Pennsylvania Audubon Council, in partnership with participating Audubon chapters and Bird Town Pennsylvania, officially launched its Bird Habitat Recognition Program on Labor Day, September 1, 2025. There are 125 properties that have submitted successful applications with their properties recognized as “Bird-Friendly Habitat!” We have eight chapters that were enrolled for the initial launch of the program. These include Appalachian Audubon, Lehigh Valley Audubon, Liberty Bird Alliance, Juniata Valley Audubon, Presque Isle Audubon, Seneca Rocks Audubon, Valley Forge Audubon, and York Audubon. There are two additional chapters whose Boards have voted to enroll including Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society and Tiadaughton Audubon Society! We have also been advised that Quittapahilla Audubon Society will make the decision to enroll at their November Board Meeting. Their preliminary plan is to explore a partnership with the Lebanon County Conservation District to promote the program throughout their chapter territory.
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Participating chapters receive a shipment of 10” X 14” aluminum yard signs that feature the chapter logo and web address on the sign. It is the responsibility of the chapter to make the signs available for “pick up” or delivery to the property owners located within their chapter territory. The cost of the design and production of the signs is underwritten by the Pennsylvania Audubon Council’s “Bird Habitat Recognition Program Fund.” Each participating chapter also receives 250 “rack cards” and a “poster” to promote the program at chapter meetings and community outreach events. The Council covers all the costs associated the aluminum yard signs, the design and printing of the rack cards. Chapters are encouraged to supplement the program with their own materials and promote the program on their chapter website. We also encourage chapters to use social media to promote the program. Each chapter makes their own decisions about their management of the program. This includes distribution of the yard signs, coordination with their Bird Towns, inclusion of the program on their chapter website, and other promotional efforts.
Property owners are encouraged to fill out an application to qualify for the program and receive a yard sign. To qualify, your property must have items from each of the four pillars of healthy habitats: Food, Water, Shelter, and Nesting. There are many benefits to having your Bird Friendly Habitat recognized. There is an application fee of $30 that contributes to the sustainability of the program. You can get the Bird Town Pennsylvania newsletter, Bird Beat, with articles on native plants and healthy habitats. You can connect with and take advantage of programs and events. And you’ll be part of the PA Audubon Council community statewide with opportunities to attend webinars, act with local legislators, and stay on top of all things bird-friendly in PA....and maybe your chapter sign will encourage your neighbors to have bird-friendly yards. Learn more at the PA Audubon Council website.
The website includes general information about the recognition program and the digital application for property owners to complete and submit for recognition. The lead contacts for the participating chapters in the BHR program receive a notification that an application has been submitted and enrolled within their chapter territory. The application also indicates if the property is in a Pennsylvania Bird Town. The program is the result of the hard work of a host of Bird Town and chapter leaders who helped to shape the program components over the course of the past year. It is also supported by the establishment of the Council’s Bird Habitat Recognition Fund that underwrites the critical costs of the signs, rack cards and decals for each participating chapter. The $30 application fee is deposited in the “Bird Habitat Recognition Fund” to help sustain the program and help underwrite the costs for additional signs for both enrolled chapters and additional chapters considering enrollment in the program. Chapters seeking more information can contact Leigh Altadonna at paauduboncouncil@gmail.com and can formally enroll in the Bird Habitat Recognition Program here:
| | Bird Town Pennsylvania Spotlight | |
| |  | Bird Town Pennsylvania is getting close to a milestone of 100 Bird Towns designated across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania Audubon chapters have been an important contributor toward this “century” goal. The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is recognized in the establishment of Bird Towns in Allegheny, Armstrong, and Butler Counties with the stewardship of Nick Stahlman. Marla Miller has continued to lead the success of Appalachian Audubon in establishing Bird Towns in their chapter territory. Lemoyne Borough on the “western shore” of the Susquehanna River across from Harrisburg is our ninety-first Bird Town. We welcome Lycoming Audubon Society and the Bird Town application of Williamsport, Pennsylvania -- our ninety-second Bird Town. This recognition is directly attributable to Bruce Buckle, Lycoming Audubon President, who will step up to chair the Bird Town Committee for Williamsport Bird Town! Lycoming Audubon joins Appalachian Audubon, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, Bucks County Audubon, Juniata Valley Audubon, Lehigh Valley Audubon, Liberty Bird Alliance, Tiadaughton Audubon, and Valley Forge Audubon as Audubon chapters supporting Bird Towns in their respective chapter territories. Bird Town “Clutch” Meetings have been scheduled for October and November with several of our chapters with a focus on the Bird Habitat Recognition Program. There has been great enthusiasm among the Bird Towns for promoting the Bird Habitat Program within their municipalities. Many are already working as part of the promotion and distribution network with their local Audubon chapter. The remarkable success of Bird Town Pennsylvania is due to the leadership and reflects the efforts of, Heidi Shiver, President of Bird Town Pennsylvania, and the outstanding Bird Town Board and Bird Town leaders!
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GREENGOV SUSTAINABILITY WEBINAR
"Lights Out: Protecting Wildlife and Ecosystems Through Smarter Lighting"
Noon to 1:00 PM, October 10, 2025
By Ali Bowling, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
| | Plan to join us for an upcoming webinar for the 2025–26 GreenGov Sustainability Webinar Series. The session is scheduled from noon to 1:00 PM on Friday, October 10th and will focus on the "Lights Out" initiative, exploring its significance from various perspectives—including dark skies, bird conservation, and terrestrial invertebrates. The program will feature an engaging panel discussion that will be moderated by Ali Bowling of DCNR. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Audubon Council, Appalachian Audubon Society, DarkSky International, and the Pennsylvania Firefly Festival will share insights on how artificial light disrupts migratory birds, nocturnal insects, and broader ecosystems. The session will also feature two compelling case studies: one demonstrating successful "Lights Out" programs in action and another the importance of dark skies from the world-renowned Cherry Springs State Park. Whether you're involved in policy, conservation, or urban planning, this webinar will illuminate how strategic lighting changes can lead to real environmental impact. | | |
AUDUBON MID-ATLANTIC
PENNSYLVANIA I BIRD I VOTE CONSERVATION AND POLICY SUMMIT
Friday, October 24th and Saturday, 25th 2025
State College, PA
Audubon Mid-Atlantic invites you to the inaugural Pennsylvania I Bird I Vote Conservation and Policy Summit on Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA. This unique gathering of environmental advocates from around the state will explore how we can best advocate for birds and the places they need to survive. We will learn from the Pennsylvania’s environmental champions, share ideas and experiences around advocacy, and build community around the urgent needs of birds and people who call Pennsylvania home.
This is an opportunity to:
- Learn from state conservation and policy leaders including Evan Endres, Nature Conservancy’s Pennsylvania Director of Government Relations and Policy, and David Masur, PennEnvironment Executive Director
- Discuss how Pennsylvania factors into federal policy impacts with Audubon Senior Director of Climate Policy Jesse Walls of Audubon and National Parks Conservation Association Senior Program Manager Rebecca Reber;
- Network with Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Audubon chapters, the Pennsylvania Audubon Council, and members from across the state; and
- Strategize for current and future legislative sessions.
Guest speakers include:
- Sean Murphy - State Ornithologist, PA Game Commission
- Sam Wojcicki - Senior Director of Climate Policy at National Audubon Society
- Monica Carey - Pennsylvania Program Director, Solar United Neighbors
- Zachary Spencer - Manager of Government Affairs at National Audubon Society
- Sharon Pillar - Founder & Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Solar Center
- Renee Reber - Clean Water Manager at National Parks Conservation Association
- David Maser - Executive Director at PennEnvironment
- Audubon Mid-Atlantic's Forestry, Conservation, and Policy Teams, and more!
Friday morning will include an optional field trip, led by a team of Audubon's forestry and conservation experts.
The registration fee for both days is $125 and includes all conference sessions and Friday field trip, Friday group dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch, and coffee and snacks on both days. Attendees will be responsible for booking their hotel rooms. A link to book rooms at a discounted rate will be available in the confirmation email you will receive after registration.
| | Pennsylvania Conservation Updates | | |
Report on the Susquehanna Riverlands Avian Summit
The Susquehanna Riverlands Avian Summit took place at Franklin & Marshall College on Friday, September 26, 2025. The Pennsylvania Audubon Council cohosted the summit that featured discussion on the state of birds in the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Area (Lancaster and York Counties, PA). The summit featured presentations that addressed the state of avian conservation, key conservation challenges that impact avian biodiversity and conservation, and public-private partnerships for action and capacity building. Jennifer Sliko, Audubon MidAtlantic, provided information on her “Return on Environment” work with the Kittatinny Ridge. Leigh Altadonna, Phil Witmer, and Zach Richard combined to provide an overview of the work of the Council, Bird Town Pennsylvania, and our Bird Habitat Recognition Program. The success of the Summit is a tribute to Dan Ardia who organized the event!
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On Hold: The Fourth Quarterly Conservation Update with Andy Loza
We have cancelled our “Third Quarterly Conservation Update with Andy Loza given the continuing drama with the adoption of a FY’26 Budget in Harrisburg. The stalemate continues. We will continue to monitor the ongoing negotiations and pass along information especially if there are threats to the funding of agency budgets. The Pennsylvania House and Senate have major differences on big budget matters that include an overall spending amount, funding for mass transit, skill game taxation, and more. As these differences are resolved, there may be significant influences on downstream numbers like each agency's budget. We will continue to monitor and provide “conservation alerts” if needed! In the meantime, place a hold on your calendars for 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025, for updates on whether we will postpone the Fourth Quarter Conservation Update with Andy Loza, WeConservePA!
| | Below is a summary of upcoming seasonal events and advocacy opportunities. For full descriptions and event links, visit the Summer & Fall Events page on our website. | | |
GREENGOV SUSTAINABILITY WEBINAR
"Lights Out: Protecting Wildlife and Ecosystems Through Smarter Lighting"
Noon to 1:00 PM, October 10, 2025
By Ali Bowling, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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AUDUBON MID-ATLANTIC
Conservation and Policy Summit
Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, 2025
State College, PA
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For a detailed listing of all events featured here,
visit our website:
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