Audubon Mural Project in New York City’s Community Gardens

Across New York City's vital pockets of green space, a colorful flock is taking wing. As part of the Audubon Mural Project—a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change—NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program and NYC Parks GreenThumb worked with the National Audubon Society, Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals in community gardens across the city. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds as well as native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter. By creating vibrant urban green spaces, community gardeners provide essential support for birds and people.

Audubon scientists found that climate change threatens two-thirds of all bird species in North America. Many of these birds stop by New York City each year during migration to rest and refuel; others live here seasonally or year-round. The murals remind us that people and birds share the same spaces, and we both need them to be healthy for us to thrive.