What is a Chapter?

Photo by Terry Jennings

Red Knots

“Chapters enable Audubon members and others to meet and share an appreciation of their common interests, creating a culture of conservation in their community through education and advocacy focusing on the conservation and restoration of birds, other wildlife and their habitats….[Each] Chapter is an organization of Audubon members that is chartered and annually re-certified by National to function in a designated geographic area.” - from the Audubon Chapter Policy

Chapters are encouraged to identify themselves in print or on the Web as “<XYZ> Audubon Society, a Chapter of National Audubon Society, Inc.”—accompanied by National Audubon Society’s logo—to distinguish themselves from other birding and conservation groups that are not certified by Audubon. For more details, see the Logo Use Guidelines.

Audubon supports its Chapters through:

• Access to all Audubon members in the Chapter's territory
• A network of National Audubon Divisions and Programs
• Chapter Services phone and email support
• Funding for projects and general operations
• Leadership training
• Membership services
• Education resources
• Advocacy support
• Timely conservation news & science reports
• Technical assistance for Web-based reports and related tools
• Voting eligibility in regional director elections

In turn, Chapters provide Audubon and Audubon members:

• Birding, education & conservation opportunities for members at the local level
• Advocacy on local, state and national conservation priorities
• Annual report feedback on activities and accomplishments
• Innovative ideas to share among Chapters and National programs
• Data for various bird counts

Read more about the National Audubon Society-Chapter relationship

Find Audubon Chapters in your state through the Chapter Locator

Learn how to start a Chapter in your area