Homegrown Habitat provides advice on what and where to plant, one per month, written by Sarah W. Middeleer, a landscape designer whose work focuses on ecology and designing for wildlife. Sarah serves as vice chair of the Connecticut Audubon Board of Directors. Write to her at homegrown@ctaudubon.org. Winterberry Ilex verticillata December 15, 2022 — […]
Author Archive
December 2022: Winterberry
Thursday, December 15th, 2022Keep up with how the media covered Connecticut State of the Birds and the Osprey Nation 2022 report
Tuesday, December 6th, 2022December 6, 2022 — Connecticut Audubon’s two recent, important reports captured the attention of the news media in the state and beyond. Both the Osprey Nation 2022 report (and the project itself) and the annual Connecticut State of the Birds report broke important news and explained trends in Connecticut bird conservation. Connecticut Audubon members and donors are responsible for the support needed to complete this important work.
Thank you for your interest in the CT State of the Birds video recording
Thursday, December 1st, 2022You’re on the list! We’ll send you the recording during the early part of the week of December 5, 2022. Thank you!
Connecticut State of the Birds 2022: These Species Tell the Story of Conservation Over 125 Years, and Point to the Issues of the Future
Thursday, December 1st, 2022December 1, 2022 — Connecticut Audubon’s 2022 State of the Birds report, released today, looks at the health and future of five groups of birds, in Connecticut and beyond, whose conservation history is tied closely to the history of environmental conservation in the United States. Titled “125 Years of Bird Conservation Through Local Action,” the report marks the 125th anniversary of the Connecticut Audubon Society, which was founded in January 1898. (Bald Eagle photo by Julian Hough.)
Get a PDF of the 2022 CT State of the Birds report
Wednesday, November 30th, 2022
Join us on Dec. 1 for “125 Years of Bird Conservation Through Local Action” — the official release of the Connecticut State of the Birds 2022 report
Sunday, November 27th, 2022November 27, 2022 — Join us on Thursday, December 1, 11 a.m., on Zoom for the official release of the 2022 Connecticut State of the Birds report. The authors of the report’s articles will join Connecticut Audubon staff to discuss the report and the history and future of conservation. It’s free but you must RSVP to get the link.
A Look Back: 125 Years and More of Assaults on Birds, and Solutions by Conservationists — Connecticut State of the Birds 2022
Tuesday, November 29th, 2022November 29, 2022 — To provide context for the 2022 Connecticut State of the Birds report, we are posting the report’s introduction and a conservation timeline. You’re invited to join the senior conservation staff of Connecticut Audubon and the report’s authors for a release-day presentation on Zoom, 11 a.m., Thursday, December 1.
385 Osprey Nation volunteers mapped 606 active nests in 2022, more than ever
Monday, November 21st, 2022November 21, 2022 — The number of Osprey nests in Connecticut continued to grow in 2022, and the Osprey Nation volunteer monitoring project grew with it, allowing conservationists to keep a close eye on the species and its recovery from near extinction.
November 2022: Witch Hazel—A native plant with deep roots in Connecticut’s history
Thursday, November 17th, 2022November 17, 2022 — Common witch hazel is, in the words of Edwin Way Teale, “a botanical individualist.” As I researched this remarkable plant, I couldn’t agree more. I would add that its individuality extends to historical and cultural realms as well. This large deciduous shrub is the last plant to come into bloom each year in the Northeast; its Y-shaped branches have been used as divining rods to discover underground water; it has played a fascinating role in Connecticut’s industrial history; and its extract has been hailed for hundreds of years as a balm for irritated skin, among other maladies, and continues to be used in cosmetics and personal care products to this day.
Add your name to a letter supporting the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
Wednesday, November 16th, 2022November 16, 2020 — Conservation organizations like Connecticut Audubon are starting to make a final push to persuade the U.S. Senate to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Those of us at Connecticut Audubon have added our name to a letter supporting passage. It’s important to include as many names as possible, so we’re asking you to please consider adding your name as well.
Motus system update from Scott Weidensaul
Monday, November 7th, 2022November 7, 2022 — Here’s an update on the Motus Wildlife Tracking System from author and researcher Scott Weidensaul: Our USFWS-funded work building out the New England network will be finished in the next month or two, bringing us to more than 50 new stations in the region. More broadly, Motus coverage is exploding, closing […]
Tiny transmitters and powerful antennas give a fascinating glimpse of the birds migrating through Connecticut
Friday, November 4th, 2022November 4, 2022 — Some of the most interesting birds recorded at Connecticut Audubon sanctuaries during this year’s fall migration were birds that nobody even saw. These birds had been fitted with tiny transmitters that let researchers using the Motus Wildlife Tracking System follow their movements across thousands of miles. They were detected by Motus antennas at the Center at Pomfret and Deer Pond Farm.
October 2022: Tupelo
Monday, October 24th, 2022October 24, 2022 — Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) is native to so many regions (from Ontario south to Florida, Texas and Mexico, and west to Michigan and Wisconsin) that it has many other common names, including nyssa, sour gum, black gum, and pepperidge. This elegant deciduous tree is at its ornamental best in fall, when its foliage transitions from yellow to apricot, orange, and bright scarlet.
This Invasive Plant Symposium can help you improve your property for birds
Monday, October 24th, 2022October 24, 2022 — The Connecticut Audubon Society is co-sponsoring an upcoming symposium that can help you improve your property for birds and plants. The theme is Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants: Assess, Remove, Replace, and Restore.
News Release: Connecticut Audubon Members Elect Pamela Fraser, Ph.D., as New Chair of the Board
Monday, October 17th, 2022October 17, 2022 — Members of the Connecticut Audubon Society elected Easton resident Pamela Fraser, Ph.D., as the new chair of the Board of Directors, at its Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 15, in Sherman. Fraser succeeds Kathleen Van Der Aue as chair and will serve a 3-year term. Formerly vice chair, Fraser has served on the Board since 2018. In addition to Fraser, they also elected Sarah Middeleer of Newtown as vice chair and Gilles Carter of New Haven as secretary, and re-elected Harshad Kuntey of Glastonbury as treasurer. Newly-elected to the Board were Robert Lamothe of Hamden, Andrew Holmes of Brooklyn, N.Y., Elizabeth Ramsey of Fairfield and New York, and Kevin B. Ramsey, of Fairfield and New York.
Dave Engelman Volunteer Benchmark Award for 2022
Friday, October 14th, 2022Jeanne C. Olivier has been the Board chair of Deer Pond Farm since it was bequested to the Connecticut Audubon Society in 2017. She has provided guidance during the transition of the property to Connecticut Audubon Society and as the center’s trails were opened to the public. Over the last few years, Jeanne oversaw the […]
Connecticut Audubon Board candidates 2022
Thursday, October 13th, 2022Connecticut Audubon members will vote on a slate of officers and on four new members of the Board, at the 2022 Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, at Deer Pond Farm, Sherman. Board Chair: Pamela Fraser, Ph.D. Vice Chair: Sarah Middeleer Secretary: Gilles Carter Treasurer: Harshad Kuntey For the Board of Directors […]
Pamela Fraser nominated as next chair of Connecticut Audubon’s Board of Directors
Tuesday, October 11th, 2022October 11, 2022 — The Connecticut Audubon Board of Directors has nominated Pamela Fraser, Ph.D., of Easton to become chair. Pam will take over for Kathleen Van Der Aue, who has guided the organization for four years, helped ably by Pam as vice chair.
Shorebird identification made as easy as possible
Thursday, September 22nd, 2022September 22, 2022 — There are at least a dozen species of shorebirds still to be found on Connecticut’s beaches in late September. They can be tough to identify. But we’re here to help.
Backpack raffle
Wednesday, September 21st, 2022Thank you! You’re entered in the raffle for a Connecticut Audubon backpack. Winners will be announced in early October.
