Birds Connect Seattle Headquarters | Sharon Wada

Birds Connect Seattle has officially opened its doors in downtown Seattle, and we couldn’t be more excited to share the energy, beauty, and purpose of our new space with the community.

Located in the heart of the city, our new urban conservation hub welcomed visitors during our Grand Opening Week (July 23–27). From our thoughtfully designed retail section to interactive exhibits, a cozy member lending library, and a visit from John the Falconer, the space truly came alive, and we captured it all in photos.

Birds Connect Seattle Ribbon Cutting | Sharon Wada

Our Grand Opening Week began with a celebratory ribbon cutting, joined by longtime supporters, staff, volunteers, and community partners. With scissors in hand and excitement in the air, our Board President Anthony Floyd, with the help from Retail Manager Mechio Hardeman and Executive Director Claire Catania, cut the ribbon and officially opened the doors to our new downtown home. It was a joyful moment that marked the beginning of a space dedicated to urban conservation and community connection.

First purchase by member Birte Falconer | Sharon Wada

Not long after, we rang up our very first purchase in the new retail shop. Member Birte Falconer purchased bird-window collision deterrents. 

Grand Opening Visitors | Sharon Wada

The Grand Opening of our new headquarters was a resounding success. From the moment the doors opened, the space buzzed with energy, excitement, and a shared sense of purpose. (The pigeon hair clips were the hot item of the day and sold out instantly!)

Grand Opening Visitors | Sharon Wada

Birds Connect Seattle members, downtown neighbors, and curious passersby filled the space throughout the day. Laughter echoed through the exhibits, conversations sparked around the bird species depicted in the mural and great books available in the library, and the shop saw a steady stream of mission-minded shoppers.

John the Falconer | Sharon Wada

One of the week’s most memorable moments included a visit from John the Falconer, who introduced guests to his incredible birds Benedict the Saker Falcon and Ladybird the Eurasian Eagle Owl.

John the Falconer | Ellie Yamanaka

The Grand Opening brought together longtime supporters and brand-new visitors in a space that truly belongs to everyone.

Young Child Explores Bird Skin Specimen | Sharon Wada

Visitors were invited to take a closer look at our collection of bird skin specimens, offering a rare opportunity to see the intricate plumage, size, and structure of local and migratory birds up close.

Bird Skin Specimen Exhibit | Sharon Wada

These preserved specimens help tell the story of avian life in and around Seattle, connecting individuals to science and conservation in a tangible way.

Carleen Zimmerman Nature Journaling Exhibit | Ellie Yamanaka

Alongside our bird skin specimens, we were proud to debut Drawn to Nature, The Art of Nature Journaling, an interactive temporary exhibit featuring the beautiful art of long-time Birds Connect Seattle member and volunteer Carleen Ormbrek Zimmerman.

Tori Shao with Birds Connect Seattle Staff | Sharon Wada

We were pleased to welcome Tori Shao, the artist behind our beautiful new mural.

Welcome Desk by Chieh Furniture | Sharon Wada

And to welcome the creators of our welcome desk. The desk was made by a local woodworker, Chieh Furniture, using a salvaged live–edge Maple slab, reclaimed Douglas-fir, and a salvaged seconds from RichLite countertops in Tacoma (a sustainable, paper-based product). The Maple slab came from the largest tree in Tukwila that fell down in a wind storm in a public park.

Hanae Bettencourt, Community Engagement Manager presenting a Lunch and Learn program | Sharon Wada

Come visit our new downtown Seattle space to shop, explore, and connect with birds and nature. Discover interactive exhibits, eco-friendly gifts, and free Lunch & Learn talks focusing on local Seattle birds.

Birds Connect Seattle Optics Display | Sharon Wada

Browse our curated optics selection. Whether you are just starting your birding journey or looking to upgrade your binoculars, stop by to test and explore our selection of high-quality birding optics.

Birds Connect Seattle Staff | Sharon Wada

Visit us in downtown Seattle, Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and discover a space where conservation, community, and curiosity come together to advocate and orgnize for cities where people and birds thrive.

Birds Connect Seattle has been directly impacted by the reckless termination of the AmeriCorps program. This loss affects not only our organization, but also the countless communities and ecosystems that depend on the service, dedication, and talent of AmeriCorps members. 

AmeriCorps has been a cornerstone of civic engagement across the country, with members providing vital support in disaster relief, habitat restoration, conservation, education, and public health. Here at Birds Connect Seattle, AmeriCorps members have been instrumental in advancing our mission—leading programs like Young Birders, Seattle Bird Collision Monitoring Project, Climate Watch, and environmental education in classrooms. Their contributions are both practical and profound, enriching the lives of individual children, teens, and adults, and strengthening our collective stewardship of the natural world. 

Birds Connect Seattle has had the honor of hosting exceptional AmeriCorps members whose contributions have left lasting impacts on our organization through the years. Many states, including Washington state, have joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the illegal executive order that terminated AmeriCorps grants. Until this comes to a resolution Birds Connect Seattle is facing uncertainty—both immediate and long-term—about how this abrupt discontinuation will affect our team, our programming, and our community partnerships. 

We are grateful for your continued support as we navigate this difficult moment. 

How You Can Help: 

1. Contact your federal and state elected officials and urge them to protect funding for AmeriCorps. Your voice can help restore this vital program. Find your elected officials. 
2. Share the importance of AmeriCorps with your networks. Public awareness is key to defending this critical service made possible through grant funding.  
3. Support organizations like Birds Connect Seattle through donations. Your generosity helps sustain our mission in the face of unexpected challenges. Make a gift. 

AmeriCorps servicemembers and the programming they make possible.

Warm winter greetings, bird advocates—

Our 2022-2023 fiscal year was certainly one for the history books, not just in the story of Birds Connect Seattle, but of chapters all around the country who have since joined the movement to grow more inclusive bird conservation organizations. You, our members, led the way, and I couldn’t be prouder. 

In keeping with the theme that “birds connect,” we’re trying something new for this annual report. On the one hand, these kinds of documents can be impressive catalogs of an organization’s yearly accomplishments. On the other, they can be so focused on the “what” that you might forget about the “why” behind all the work.  

Birds are the central thread weaving together all of our programs and activities. They inspire us and remind us of the interconnectedness of all life. That’s why we decided to tell the story of our year through birds as metaphors for our mission in action. In this issue, you’ll read about how our staff, volunteers, and members connected people to birds in the spirit of 1) change, 2) community, 3) joy, 4) urban conservation, 5) activism, and 6) leadership. This work takes many forms, in education programs, community science projects, and conservation action in our local community. Thank you for your partnership in bringing it all to life. 

Onward,  

Claire Catania
Executive Director

Read the six words, and six birds that represent our year at Birds Connect Seattle.

JOY

LEADERSHIP

Sarah Hankins and Ellie Yamanaka of Birds Connect Seattle at Refuge Day (photo by Glenn Nelson)

Q. You have been “Seattle Audubon” for 107 years; how are people supposed to know who you are?
In evaluating the possibility of the name change, we came to believe that a vast majority of people, especially historically excluded people such as younger and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, did not recognize “Audubon.” The ubiquity and power of the brand was presumed – by those already familiar with it. As such, it was a good time for a name change that is more reflective of who we are and what we want to accomplish. Also, the name-change process gives us an opportunity to better focus on marketing ourselves to a larger audience.

Q. What if I send an email to your old “seattleaudubon.org” addresses?
No sweat. They will be forwarded to the correct person in our organization. Feel free to change the addresses, however, just by substituting @birdsconnectsea.org for @seattleaudubon.org.

Q. I wrote my donation check to “Seattle Audubon.” Can you cash it?
Yes, Birds Connect Seattle has retained the right to use Seattle Audubon. Our bank will continue to process checks written using either name. All donations remain tax deductible and our Federal Tax Identification Number remains 91-6009716.

Q. I made a bequest to Seattle Audubon. Do I need to change my will?
No, Birds Connect Seattle has retained the right to use Seattle Audubon and all the essential, relevant information – address, Federal Tax Identification Number, and banking – remains the same. If you happen to be updating your trust, insurance, or retirement accounts, replacing our former name with Birds Connect Seattle can make the future processes a little easier.

Q. What does Birds Connect Seattle mean to your mission?
Our essential mission – to “advocate and organize for cities where people and birds thrive” – does not change. We believe our new name, and the branding that will accompany it, brings better focus to what we’re about.

As we embarked on the re-naming process, several things were important to us:

1. Removing any kind of barrier to participation in the enjoyment and protection of birds,
2. Clearly signaling the importance of community and inclusion (aka, connection),
3. Clearly signaling that ours is a birds-focused conservation organization,
4. Giving a solid nod to the work that has been done and will be done by the “Audubon” network by producing a naming convention that could be accessible to other chapters also considering a name change.

A Dark-eyed Junco slips during a 2022 ice storm in Seattle (photo by Glenn Nelson).

Q. Didn’t the National Audubon Society decide not to change its name? Does that mean you’re leaving the Audubon network?
The National Audubon Society announced its decision to keep its name this past spring. We may have different names, but the work that brought us together in the first place has not changed. The national organization says it will leave it to independent chapters to determine their own positions on the “Audubon” name, and we continue to value the strength of collaboration in our mission to love and protect birds and the habitat they share with people.

Q. What are other Audubon chapters doing?
We have spoken with numerous chapters in our region and across the country. Anyone interested in learning more is invited to complete our interest form. So far, at least seven other chapters — Chicago, Detroit, District of Columbia, Golden Gate (San Francisco), Madison, New York, and Portland – have voted to undergo a name change. It is our understanding that other large independent chapters are preparing to follow suit. The Bird Union, which represents employees of the National Audubon Society, also dropped “Audubon” from its name. Previously, the Audubon Naturalist Society in Maryland , which is independent of the National Audubon Society network, renamed itself Nature Forward in October, 2022.

For media accounts on the decisions and actions of chapters, including ours, check out our page on local and national coverage.

Q. Why does the center in Seward Park still have the “Audubon” name?
Our friends at the Seward Park Audubon Center operate under Audubon Washington, which is a field office of the National Audubon Society. Employees at both entities are employees of the National Audubon Society. Birds Connect Seattle is an independent organization with its own governance, budget, and staff. We can independently choose a name, while Seward Park and Audubon Washington are tied to the decision of the national organization.

Q. If you wanted other chapters to have access to “Birds Connect,” why did you trademark that name?
We have discussed sharing the naming convention and are prepared to do so. This is a big reason (in addition to his abundant creativity) why Tykee James, the president at DC Audubon, was a member of our Name Selection Committee. Trademarking the name helps reserve it for identifying and branding organizations that aim to protect birds and the habitats they share with people.

A Green Heron contemplates its reflection (photo by Glenn Nelson).

Q. Why are you canceling John James Audubon?
We recognize Mr. Audubon’s contributions to the admiration, study, and protection of birds. However, his actions, including slave trading, scientific fraud, and anti-abolitionist sentiments, do not reflect our organization’s values. Relatedly, we support the eradication of eponymous names – initially, at least, for birds and, of course, our organization.

Q. Can we move away from wokeness and talking about race, and get back to birds and conservation?
Talking about and working toward access and inclusion for people is practicing conservation. Birds cannot protect themselves and, let’s face it, we need to protect them from threats, such as habitat loss and climate change, wrought by humans.

Q. If inclusion and antiracism are part of your mission, will you do anything beyond just changing your name?
Changing our name was a necessary step to removing a major barrier to inclusion in the protection of birds and the people who love them. It’s also only the most visible part of our mission for inclusion and antiracism.

In 2020, we adopted a strategic plan, Cities at the Center, with equity as one of three core themes. The next year, we completed a comprehensive audit of our organization’s internal and external practices around diversity, equity, and inclusion. A year after that, in addition to launching our name-change process, we created and filled the position of Community Director to help lead and track our inclusion and antiracism efforts. In conjunction with changing our name, we have re-examined and improved the equity and diversity in our hiring and programming. We have expanded and strengthened our community partnerships.

Our commitment to change, inclusion, and antiracism touches every corner of our organization, and we recognize that this only is a beginning and that the work is ongoing.

Q. What “harm” was the “Audubon” name inflicting on BIPOC and other historically marginalized people and communities?
At the heart of the question and its answer is how much recognition that “Audubon” actually registered with people and communities that have been historically excluded from mainstream activities like birding and conservation.

Our strong experience, and the experience of so many others, is that “Audubon” had virtually zero recognition among BIPOC communities and individuals and, indeed, among a vast majority of younger people in the U.S. Because of the history of our country, which includes a strong white supremacist framework baked into the DNA of our landscapes, the conservation sector suffers a major trust deficit with BIPOC communities. Further, the issues with John James Audubon are easy to discover these days and, if we invited previously excluded peoples to our mission and activities, we believe they would have balked because of the “Audubon” name.

Preventing even a single BIPOC individual from participating in and/or enjoying the benefits of the mainstream conservation movement would be unconscionable. That would play a part in denying access to accumulated resources and political power to BIPOC communities, which suffer the impacts of environmental calamities first and disproportionately.

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