COMMUNITY & EDUCATION
→BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS / HOW TO START YOUR JOURNEY
WHAT IS A BIRDER?
Simply put, a birder is someone who loves birds. Birding begins in a backyard and extends to the furthest reaches of the globe. With help from one of our longtime members, we have assembled a few helpful tips that everyone can use—from the true novice to the expert birder. There is no time like the present to welcome the appreciation of our feathered friends in your daily life.
ALABAMA AUDUBON’s Education MiniGrants provide up to $1,000 per award to support educators and educationally-oriented nonprofits throughout Alabama. They provide funding for projects that promote conservation, and a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the natural world. Awards are limited to tax-exempt nonprofits with IRS public charity status and to public entities qualifying under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. All potential applicants are welcome to reach out to us to discuss the general suitability of a project idea prior to submission.
Please contact us at info@alaudubon.org with any questions about our Education MiniGrants program. Or click here for full information and application details!
→Native plants
Check out this native plant list for some inspiration for your yard!
Online Resources:
National Audubon Society Plants for Birds
Where you can buy native plants in Alabama:
Ruffner Mountain, 1214 81st Street South, Birmingham. Spring & Fall plant sales.
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson. Spring & Fall plant sales.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham. Spring & Fall plant sales.
Donald E. Davis Arboretum at Auburn University, S. College St & Garden Dr, Auburn. Spring & Fall plant sales.
Petals from the Past, 16034 Co Rd 29, Jemison. Large nursey/garden center that stocks many native plants.
Recreative Natives, 125 Valley View Road, Cropwell. Small native plant nursery.
Nemophily Natives, 3938 Cotton Valley Lane, Auburn. Small native plant nursery.
→Gallery of ART From ABS 2024 Entries
In partnership with Birmingham Zoo we proudly showcase bird-inspired artwork!
Alabama Bird Search – Youth Challenge (ABS) and T-shirt Art Contest. During this state-wide, twenty-four-hour “Big Day” competitive birding event, youth teams ranging from prekindergarten through high school compete against other teams in their age division for most species identified, among other categories, for prizes and recognition.
We love supporting art and birding of all ages!
Read more about it here!
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
Through more than seventy-five years of conservation work in one of our nation’s most ecologically rich states, ALABAMA AUDUBON has seen firsthand how diversity strengthens natural communities. This same principle applies to human communities, which is why our organization is committed to providing equitable and inclusive opportunities for all Alabamians to learn about and enjoy wild birds, their habitats, and the natural world. One of the best ways to support that belief is by valuing and actively seeking to strengthen diversity among our staff, our board, and our membership. To that end, we welcome everyone to participate in our work, as we strive to make our programs, classes, and events welcome, inclusive, and accessible to all.