Raptor & Grassland Birds Conservation Co-chair Mike Callahan with rescued Bald Eagle/Photo by Todd Anderson
Southern Maryland Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society and is the largest citizen group involved in bird and nature study and natural resource conservation issues in Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and southern Prince George’s counties. Founded in 1971, Southern Maryland Audubon is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization incorporated in Maryland. Our activities are financed by memberships, fundraising activities and donors. Our volunteer officers and directors are elected by our membership to conduct chapter programs.
Our primary missions are education, public outreach and environmental advocacy to support birds and the habitat they need to thrive in Southern Maryland and beyond.
We offer a robust calendar of free bird walks and monthly talks by local and national experts. Field trips, led by experienced members, take place throughout the year to some of the most scenic parks and private properties across Southern Maryland. We offer youth bird walks, beginning birding outings for all ages and neighborhood bird walks. Birders of all ages and experience levels are always welcome!
Our Conservation team partners with conservation groups throughout Maryland the nation to advocate for healthy habitats for people, birds, and wildlife. We also focus on educating homeowners and renters and public officials and business leaders in creating Bird-friendly Habitats in their communities and around their homes. We recently partnered with the Town of La Plata, the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership, Port Tobacco River Conservancy, and the Conservancy for Charles County to finalize the LaPlata’s designation as the first Bird City in the state of Maryland.
Our Raptor and Grasslands Conservation Committee provides volunteer Grassland Ambassadors to work with farmers and other landowners to encourage management of fields and crops to support threatened raptors and grassland birds such as the Eastern Meadowlark. We build and monitor Barn Owl boxes and band the fledglings for research.
We sponsor scholarships that send local teachers and students to Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine to learn conservation practices from national experts in a variety of bird and wildlife fields. Applications open each January for camps the following summer.
Our Youth Outreach and other volunteers offer classes and workshops to the public, students, 4-H groups, gardening organizations and others in birding, creating bird-friendly habitats and other conservation issues. We take classrooms outside and take our expertise to local festivals and community science events.
Please see our Calendar of Events for a full listing of current trips and meetings.