The Audubon Society of Rhode Island has been instrumental in protecting these species through direct action as well as by saving habitat that supports them. In honor of Endangered Species Day (May 19, 2023), learn more about this landmark piece of legislation!

From the start, the decline in the bird population (revealed from multiple international studies) was a given. From there, the Audubon initiative was launched as a fact-finding mission, to go in and find out more about how the Audubon Society of Rhode Island could help species in decline.

At wildlife refuges across Rhode Island, Audubon manages hundreds of acres of open fields for birds and wildlife. Without proper management, most of these breaks in the forested landscape would revert to shrub thickets and eventually forest in the process of field succession.

Restoration and community engagement are key for climate resiliency. Thanks to Restore America’s Estuaries Southern New England Program Watershed Implementation Grant, retrofits on existing green infrastructure in Roger Williams Park as well as community training sessions and other engagement opportunities are coming to the Stormwater Innovation Center in 2023.

With intentional investments and incentives to level the costs of building solar on previously disturbed land or “preferred sites”—such as gravel pits, landfills, commercially zoned properties, rooftops, and parking lots—forests can be protected and coexist with renewable energy and clean energy jobs.

Alfred Hawkes helped Audubon turn the lens from individual birds and species to the habitat they lived in and habitat protection. Today, Audubon continues With the growing climate crisis upon us, Audubon’s most critical fight to protect the environment, wildlife and people of Rhode Island, may have just begun.

A little over a year ago, Audubon created our Avian Research Initiative. Data collection is nearly complete and the late fall and winter will be spent analyzing and writing, with the goal of releasing the first “State of Our Birds” report at the beginning of 2023.

As fall turns to winter, most Warblers have left Rhode Island for warmer climates. But there is one that returns to our state in large numbers this time of year due to their unique ability to switch their diets with the seasons.

To support the acquisition of vital natural habitat in Rhode Island, Barbara Walsh and Earl Simson have generously donated $111,000 to Audubon, allowing the organization to strategically expand already protected areas and acquire other tracts of land for conservation.

Reflecting on a career spanning from 1999-2022. Thank you for your leadership, Larry!