What’s New

Keep up with how the media covered Connecticut State of the Birds and the Osprey Nation 2022 report

December 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.

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

November 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.

Add your name to a letter supporting the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

November 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.

News Release: Connecticut Audubon Members Elect Pamela Fraser, Ph.D., as New Chair of the Board

October 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.

2022 Annual Meeting of members scheduled for October 15 at Deer Pond Farm

Connecticut Audubon members: come to Connecticut Audubon’s 2022 Annual Meeting and be part of the conservation future. After two years of Annual Meetings via Zoom, we’ll be back in person for 2022.

To protect nesting birds, the Coastal Center gates will be locked for the 4th of July weekend. But all our other sanctuaries are open as usual.

June 30, 2022 — As you’re making plans to visit Connecticut Audubon’s sanctuaries over the 4th of July weekend, keep in mind that the parking lot gates at the Milford Point Coastal Center will be locked at 4 p.m. today, June 30, and will open again at sunrise on July 5. But all of our other sanctuaries will be open as usual.

In its 6th year, a research project expects to find big changes to the Connecticut River’s coves, with key implications for birds

June 27, 2022 — An important source of food for ducks and geese on the Connecticut River seems to be disappearing. Field biologists think they know what’s happening. But to help them figure out how much is left and what’s replacing it, three student scientists are spending the summer on the coves of Lyme. 

2022 Birdathon Photo Contest winners

June 2, 2022 — One thing is clear: the judges of the Migration Madness Birdathon Photo Contests admire a good hummingbird photograph. For the second year in a row, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird is our first-place winner in the adult birder category; in 2020, a hummingbird photo won third-place. This year’s winning photo was taken by Robert Gerard, of Madison, on Friday, May 13, at the Stewart B. McKinney National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Westbrook.

A great day for a celebration of the new National Estuarine Research Reserve

May 23, 2022 — Three decades of collaborative work culminated on Saturday, May 21, in an official celebration in Groton of Connecticut’s new National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The reserve encompasses 52,000 acres of the lower Connecticut River and the Connecticut waters of Long Island Sound east almost to the Rhode Island border. With the Sound sparkling in the bright sunshine, government officials and dozens of well-wishers gathered at the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus on Saturday to mark the official designation.

Op-ed — The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act: an unprecedented opportunity that is good for wildlife and people

The time for the U.S. Congress to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is now.

Action alert: ask your state Senator to vote yes to ban horseshoe crab fishing

April 27, 2022 — Support for a ban on horseshoe crab fishing is growing in the Connecticut General Assembly. But for the proposal to become law, Connecticut’s State Senators need to hear from you now. Please ask your state Senator to vote yes on HB 5140, An Act Concerning the Hand-Harvesting of Horseshoe Crabs in the State.

Action Alert: Speak Out In Favor Of This Pesticide Control Bill

April 26, 2022 — The Connecticut General Assembly is moving forward with a law to restrict the use of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide that can kill birds and beneficial insects. Please act now to tell your House member to vote yes.

Action Alert: Help protect the natural resources of the Salmon River State Forest

February 11, 2022 — A proposal to create mountain biking trails in Salmon River State Forest could end up being a win-win for conservation and for responsible outdoor recreation. But for that to happen, we need you to please write to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and ask that provisions be made to protect the site’s natural resources.