The Drummer: September 2025 Edition

September 2025

Bird Habitat Recognition Program Launched

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 eight chapters that have already enrolled for the 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. Each chapter makes their own decisions about their management of the program from distribution of the yard signs, coordination with their Bird Towns, if applicable, inclusion of the program on their website, and other promotional efforts. Chapters seeking to enroll in the Bird Habitat Recognition Program can enroll here:

Bird Habitat Recognition Program Enrollment Form

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, filled with all sorts of 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 sign will encourage your neighbors to have bird-friendly yards. Learn more at paauduboncouncil.org.

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 participating chapters have received their 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 owner. 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 has also received “rack cards” and a “poster” to promote the program at community outreach events and native plant sales. The cost of the design and printing of the rack cards is covered by the Council’s BHR Fund. Chapters are encouraged to supplement the program with their own materials and promote the program on their chapter website.

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 participating chapters and additional chapters that enroll in the program.

Pennsylvania Conservation Updates

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. 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, mark your calendars for 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025, for our Fourth Quarter Conservation Update with Andy Loza, WeConservePA!

Endangered Species Act

A second Pennsylvania Audubon Council zoom session on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) took place on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The Council hosted an ESA update from Arly Henniger-Voss from the Defenders of Wildlife. Arly provided a report on the constituent meetings that have taken place as well as those scheduled with some of our chapter representatives in the Congressional Districts being targeted by the Defenders. She also shared an update about the status of the legislation. Of particular concern are riders on the house interior appropriations bill that weaken the protections for various bird and animal species.

The Council has hosted several zoom meetings for chapter conservation and advocacy committee chairs. The most recent meeting took place on August 3, 2025. We discussed actions our chapters and conservation partners could consider. We have also created an “Endangered Species Act” folder with information and resources. It can be found inside the 'Conservation Issues' folder of the Resource Library on our Council website and accessed by interested chapter leaders interested in learning more about ways to protect the threats to the ESA.

Council News and Updates

Pennsylvania Audubon Council Chapter Networking for Conservation

The Pennsylvania Audubon Council hosted several “Chapter Networking for Conservation” zoom meetings originally requested by several chapter leaders and their joint concerns about mounting threats to the environment, especially at the Federal level. The looming threats in Congress underscore the need for action. There are cuts for funding of bird and wildlife research for the agencies that conduct this research. There are serious threats to attack the “granddaddy” pieces of environmental legislation like the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act and more. There are continuing threats to our National Wildlife Refuges and public lands.

The result of these meetings is a Council initiative to strengthen our network of our chapter conservation and advocacy committee members, other chapter leaders, and our conservation partners. To make our network more effective, the Council has established a “Google Group” that will be managed on behalf of the Council by Nilesh Shah, President of the Liberty Bird Alliance, Later this month we will reach out to our chapter conservation and advocacy committee chairs, other chapter leaders, and representatives of our conservation partners organizations with an invitation to join the Council’s “Conservation and Advocacy Google Group.”

The PA Audubon Council Resource Library has also been made more accessible. The “Conservation Issues” section has been in place to profile our “Conservation Issues of Highest Priority” and 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.

We will keep everyone posted on next steps as the plan for effective conservation networking evolves.

Visit the Resource Library

Featured Events

SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS BIRD SUMMIT

Friday, September 26, 2025

Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall College and the PA Audubon Council are hosting a summit on the state of birds in the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Area (Lancaster and York Counties, PA) on Friday, September 26, 2025, on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College. The summit will bring together stakeholders to (1) identify the state of knowledge about avian conservation in the area, (2) increased awareness of key conservation challenges that impact avian biodiversity and conservation, (3) catalyze public-private partnerships and (4) develop priorities for action, including areas for capacity building. The event is free of charge and will run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and will include light breakfast, lunch, and a closing reception. Registration information can be found here. All are encouraged to register; Contact Dan Ardia (dardia@fandm.edu) with any questions.

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 will be 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, 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
Strategize for current and future legislative sessions.

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.

A limited number of scholarship opportunities are available so please contact Tess Wilson at tess.wilson@audubon.org for availability as well as more information about the summit.

Event Registration

Mark Your Calendars

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.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS BIRD SUMMIT:

Franklin & Marshall College and Pennsylvania Audubon Council

Friday, September 26, 2025

2025 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF ORNITHOLOGY BIRDING FESTIVAL

Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, 2025

By Brian Byrne, PSO President

AUDUBON MID-ATLANTIC MONTHLY POLICY CALL

With Jim Brown and Tess Wilson

3:00 PM, Wednesday, October 1, 2025

GREENGOV SUSTAINABILITY WEBINAR

"Lights Out: Protecting Wildlife and Ecosystems Through Smarter Lighting"

Noon to 1:00 PM, October 10, 2025