Audubon Delta

Did you know consumer spending on birdwatching generates nearly $100 billion in economic output in the U.S.? Protecting our birds is an investment in our economy and our ecosystems. The NMBCA is one of the best investments we can make.

Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Each spring, millions of birds travel thousands of miles from Latin America and the Caribbean to their breeding grounds as far north as the Arctic. Months later, winter sets in, these migrants make...

Come check out the Little Rock Audubon Center to learn more about hot birding hotspots and trails around the Little Rock area.

As we prepare for the summer nesting season, please remember to with Least Terns & Plovers.

It’s Nesting Season: Don’t Forget to Share the Shore with Coastal Birds Birds like plovers and terns need our help to safely raise their chicks on beaches this summer.

of MS Coastal Steward Manager Amanda Douglas's interview on Least Terns earlier this month.

Volunteers help plant sunflowers for least terns Earlier today, Audubon Delta was out on the beach planting native-grown beach sunflowers to help with the bird habitat nesting area.

to Carl at Strawberry Plains Audubon Sanctuary speaking to the garden club in Mississippi about hummingbirds.

Are you ready for hummingbird season?

Did you know? Since its inception, programs funded by the Neotropical Migratory Birds Conservation Act have supported over 700 projects and invested over $89 million in grants to conserve migratory birds throughout the Americas—with a $5 return on every $1 spent. This act doesn't just protect birds; it strengthens our economy and ecosystems.

Read more about why we need to pass the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act to ensure it continues to receive the support and funding it needs!

Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Each spring, millions of birds travel thousands of miles from Latin America and the Caribbean to their breeding grounds as far north as the Arctic. Months later, winter sets in, these migrants make...

Inflation Reduction Act Delivers $94 Million Solar For All Program to Mississippi

Program to bring affordable solar energy to families across the state

Jackson, MS – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Hope Enterprise Corporation (HEC) was awarded $93.67 million in funding to implement the Solar For All program in Mississippi. The grant competition, created by President Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act, seeks to enable low-income and disadvantaged households across America to access the benefits of low-cost, clean solar energy, including home energy savings, energy resilience, improved air quality, wealth building, and quality jobs.

HEC is one of 60 Solar for All recipients who will help deliver residential solar power to over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities across the U.S., saving overburdened households more than $350 million in electricity costs annually – approximately $400 per household. Solar projects funded by this program will create nearly 200,000 jobs. A complete list of Solar For All award recipients can be found here.

“This program will bring affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy to Mississippi’s hard-working families of all income levels by reducing electric bills and enabling cost savings for households while delivering climate benefits to birds and people,” said Jill Mastrototaro, Mississippi Policy Director for Audubon Delta. “HEC has a demonstrated track record of lifting up communities across our state, and Audubon is excited to support this major initiative.”

“Sierra Club applauds the awarding of this game-changing grant to Hope Enterprise Corporation,” said Louie Miller, State Director for the Mississippi Chapter of the Sierra Club. “This program will jump-start the solar energy economy in Mississippi despite the best efforts of monopoly utilities who continue to thwart allowing Mississippi households to achieve energy independence.”

The Inflation Reduction Act authorized $7 billion in funding for the Solar For All program, but by last year’s application deadline, the EPA had received requests totaling more than $38 billion.

For more information, contact Louie Miller, Mississippi Chapter of the Sierra Club, (601) 624-3503, [email protected], or Jill Mastrototaro, Audubon Delta, (504) 481-3659, [email protected].

Happy
The National Audubon Society has events happening to celebrate. Check them out!

Audubon Events Marking Earth Day 2024 State offices and chapters across the Audubon network are marking Earth Day on and around April 22.

The human-built environment poses many challenges for birds, including distraction by artificial light & confusing aspects of glass. Reducing artificial light at night and making glass more visible to birds is and can make a big difference!

Bird-Friendly Buildings Making our built environment safer for birds.

The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act has been introduced in the Senate. The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and enhance needed conservation funding for at-risk birds as they migrate to our backyards and across the hemisphere.

Senators Cardin and Boozman Introduce Legislation to Invest in Migratory Bird Conservation Together with companion House legislation, the bills would authorize resources for migratory birds throughout the hemisphere.

The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act is a beacon of hope for more than 350 species of migratory birds. We’re grateful to the House for passing this bipartisan legislation! Now, we need the Senate to act!! Urge your members of Congress to support its reauthorization and total funding!

AUDUBON ALERT: Help Migratory Birds Across the Western Hemisphere Urge your Members of Congress to advance conservation efforts for migratory birds.

During the day, shiny glass exteriors, plants near windows, & greenery close to buildings can be deadly as birds can't distinguish reflection from open flyways. Window collisions kill up to 1 billion birds yearly in the US. Learn how to be : https://www.audubon.org/bird-friendly-buildings

Thank you to the House of Representatives' champions for birds for passing the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act! This legislation reauthorizes and enhances the bipartisan Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. It protects the habitats of the migratory birds we love along their seasonal routes and is one of the smartest ecological investments we can make.

Thank you to the cosponsors for advancing legislation to conserve birds wherever they fly!

Tag us in the selfies you take at the River Audubon Center gallery reception tonight!

Did you know that most birds migrate at night? Unfortunately, artificial lights and skyglow from buildings along their path can be fatal. Learn more about this issue and how you can help be :

Bird-Friendly Buildings Making our built environment safer for birds.

Don't forget to check out the new gallery at Pascagoula River Audubon Center
The center also will host a free gallery reception on April 11 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. The reception will display a new art gallery and an original National Audubon Society exhibit promoting Audubon Delta’s work on the Mississippi Coast.

A new art gallery featuring Dallas native Mike Perry’s artwork will be highlighted.

During the reception, Audubon Delta coastal scientist Collin Stempien will discuss his experiences bird banding for the organization. The exhibit includes education on bird banding and coastal work that the coastal stewards do on the Mississippi beaches for Least Tern birds.

There will also be a raffle drawing for the winner to receive a painting by Mike Perry. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five tickets.

The reception will also include hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and hands-on activities for guests and their children.

For more information, please contact the Director of Operations, Cailtin Lill, at [email protected].

River Audubon Center is hosting a free gallery reception on April 11 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. The reception will display a new art gallery and an original National Audubon Society exhibit promoting Audubon Delta’s work on the Mississippi Coast.

A new art gallery featuring Dallas native Mike Perry’s artwork will be highlighted.

During the reception, Audubon Delta coastal scientist Collin Stempien will discuss his experiences bird banding for the organization. The exhibit includes education on bird banding and coastal work that the coastal stewards do on the Mississippi beaches for Least Tern birds.

There will also be a raffle drawing for the winner to receive a painting by Mike Perry. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five tickets.

The reception will also include hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and hands-on activities for guests and their children.

For more information, please contact the Director of Operations, Cailtin Lill, at [email protected].

Today, the Dim the Lights for Birds at Night campaign will be launched!

During spring and fall, it's important to remember that artificial lights and skyglow can be fatal to migrating birds. Learn more about this issue and what you can do to help and be : https://www.audubon.org/bird-friendly-buildings

Check out Coastal Biologist, Abby Darrah’s article on the reproductive performance of Least Terns. Great job, Abby!

Poor reproductive performance of Least Terns after tropical cyclones in Mississippi, USA suggests delayed nesting seriously reduces colony productivity Abstract. Coastal birds that rely on sandy beaches for breeding are vulnerable to catastrophic flooding events resulting from tropical cyclones. The effect

Learn how you can get involved with our programs throughout the delta:

Get Involved Volunteers are an integral part, and we offer a variety of programs that are sure to create memorable experiences. Your generous donation of time and expertise helps educate the public and preserve and enhance the area's unique natural resources.

Did you miss out on last week's webinar with Dr. Erik Johnson on nest monitoring training for the Urban Native Green Project? Check it out here:

Nest Monitoring Training Webinar presented by Conservation Director Dr. Eriik Johnson on Urban Native Greens Community Science

We hope you had a great week and an even better weekend! Let us know your weekend plans in the comments!

when staff at Little Rock Audubon Center had seeds leaving for Kentucky for the NATIVE Project last week.

Check out their page for updates on their projects and events!

Don't miss out on today's webinar on the Urban Native Greens presented by Dr. Erik Johnson: Register today

https://audubon.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Kpz1HBPUTmm_5kJcFUjgOA #/registration

Register today for the webinar hosted by Dr. Erik Johnson following Monday.

In the webinar, he'll discuss the Urban Native Greens nest monitoring project.

https://audubon.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Kpz1HBPUTmm_5kJcFUjgOA #/registration

when some of our Mississippi Coastal Stewardship staff, Melinda and Amanda, hosted the GenSea field trip with Pass Christian High School last week.

Happy Monday!
Our is River Audubon Center Educator, Katie Fetzer, hosted Kindergarteners and 1st graders from Resurrection Catholic School last week.

We love educating our communities about our work!

Let us know in the comments what you did this past weekend.

on the impact report USFWS reported on the Seeds to Success program! Check it out!

www.canva.com

We're reminiscing about our Louisiana Coastal Bird Technician, Chloe St. Germain-Vermillion's presentation last month.

She presented a presentation for the Orleans Audubon Society this past February to promote Audubon Delta’s New Orleans Rooftop-Nesting Program.

She discussed details about the program’s charismatic focal species: Least Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Black Skimmer, and Common Nighthawk, findings, and data from the program, and showed cute tern chick pictures to the group!