We invite all members of North Carolina’s nine local Audubon chapters to Chapter Day 2009!  Chapter members drive much of Audubon North Carolina's conservation work, providing an invaluable grassroots presence for our statewide and national organizations. Local chapters play a vital role in citizen science projects like the Christmas Bird Count and offer Audubon biologists tremendous support through programs such as Adopt-an-IBA (Important Bird Area). Chapter Day is a perfect opportunity for members across the state to meet and share ideas on a range of chapter-oriented topics. Even if you are not currently involved with a chapter, Chapter Day is a great way to find out more about the exciting events, programs, and field trips that chapters offer their members. Read the agenda and register.

Readers of Audubon North Carolina’s E-News are among the first to hear about breaking Audubon North Carolina news. We’re redesigning our E-News and Action Alerts and to celebrate these new publications we encourage all of our supporters to sign up for our email list. Our periodic E-News and Action Alerts give supporters timely updates on events, news, and policy activities. The newly designed publications (coming soon!) will feature photos, links, and action buttons. And, subscribers will be able to manage their subscriptions and opt in and out of the various online publications.

For a limited time, we are offering a special incentive: If you sign up for E-News by January 31, 2009, you will be entered into a random drawing to win a special Audubon-themed gift! Five lucky prize winners will receive their gifts in February 2009. Signing up is easy: Just send a blank email with the subject line: SUBSCRIBE.

Two new online publications offer a colorful and informative look at Audubon North Carolina’s exciting conservation work:

• Our first annual report offers an overview of our accomplishments during the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
• The Fall/Winter 2008 Newsletter features the latest news and events and tips on year-end giving ideas. Keep an eye on your mailbox for the print edition which is coming soon!

Biologists are still compiling data from the first breeding season under the consent decree at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, but preliminary results from the National Park Service are encouraging: just months after the new court-approved plan went into effect, wildlife on Cape Hatteras began to show signs of recovery.

More and more people catch the birding and wildlife-watching bug every year. No wonder! Birding is a year-round past-time, with each season offering its own specialties. The hobby only requires a pair of binoculars, good walking shoes, and a love of wild things. Organized birding events are opportunities to spend time with like-minded people in the great outdoors. Or, if you don’t feel like chasing birds in the winter cold, you can always enjoy feeder-birds from the comforts of home. Audubon North Carolina and its partners are dishing up a full course of birding events throughout the winter and spring. So mark your calendar and dust off your binocs!