Press Room

September 2017 | News from the Nest

The latest statewide conservation updates from the Audubon New York network.


The first day of fall is here! The birds have begun their southward journeys, and we are relishing the last of the warm weather. Autumn is an opportune time to plan and prep your garden for next year. If you are getting out your gardening gloves, we encourage you to consider native plants – plants that occur naturally in the area where you live. Not only do native plants have many ecological benefits for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife, they also have already adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, meaning they require less water, less maintenance, no artificial fertilizers or pesticides, and have been shown to increase bird diversity and abundance. Audubon’s Plants for Birds program and native plants database provides regional listings of bird- and wildlife-friendly plants and plant nursery locations, making it easier than ever to identify native plants for your area and create a more bird-friendly backyard.

At this year’s Keesee Award Luncheon, the Thomas W. Keesee, Jr. Conservation Award will be presented to Shelia Brady and Susan and Coleman Burke, all renowned gardeners focused on planting and promoting the benefits of native plants. Ms. Brady is a registered Landscape Architect and has been elected to the Council of FASLA and is a Fellow of the Garden Conservancy. Mrs. Burke cultivates her own exquisite gardens around the country, from her home in Bedford, NY, to her Nantucket Island garden, which was “archived” for the Smithsonian in 2012.

Also being honored at this year’s luncheon are Terry Tempest Williams, with the Audubon New York Environmental Writing Award, and Pat Keesee. More details about the November 8th luncheon, and the link to purchase tickets, can be found here. We hope that you are able to join us!

NEWS FROM AROUND THE NY NETWORK

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT | Golden-winged Warbler

Golden-winged Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler Photo: Caleb Putnam, Flickr cc

Family: Parulidae (new world warblers)
Species: Vermivora chrysoptera
“Vermivora” is Latin for “worm eater”.
“chrysoptera” translates to “Gold-wing”

The Golden-winged Warbler has suffered one of the steepest population declines of any North American songbird over the past 45 years. Click the link below to read more about our work protecting the habitat they need to survive. 
 The Young Forest Project: Growing Wildlife Habitat Together