Keep Birds in Our Skies and Song in Our Landscapes
Together, we can support the enjoyment, study, and conservation of birds
No matter your spark bird or your favorite bird — Birds connect us to nature, changing seasons, and to each other. The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology official state bird checklist includes over 450 bird species with roughly 225 species of birds nesting in Wisconsin, and about a third of those are in decline. Today, birds face mounting pressures from habitat loss, a changing climate, window collisions, free-roaming cats, and other human-caused threats. Education is one of our most powerful responses: when people understand birds and the habitats they depend on, they are more likely to take action to protect them.
Our ornithological society brings together people who study birds, enjoy birds, and work to conserve birds. Our 2025 Annual Report is on our website.
We create meaningful gatherings – Our successful 84th Annual Convention celebrated birds and people, bringing people together and building friendships, and sharing knowledge and efforts of bird conservation actions. This year, our fourth UnConvention focused attention on grassland birds — among the bird groups most in need of effective habitat conservation informed advocacy.
We honor leadership and service – Through the Passenger Pigeon Awards, we recognize people whose contributions inspire the birding and conservation community. We are grateful to those who commit time and energy to share the enjoyment of birds and work on their conservation.
Advancing ornithological knowledge – We provide grants to help fund important bird research. These projects help advance knowledge of Wisconsin birds. Our ornithological journal, the Passenger Pigeon, gives scientists and naturalists a trusted place to share discoveries that deepen understanding of birds and guide conservation actions. Our work with the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas ll helps us understand the distribution, abundance, and breeding behavior of all bird species nesting in Wisconsin. The more we learn about birds, the better our chance of helping protect them.
We connect people with birds – Field trips turn curiosity into lasting appreciation, welcoming participants into a community of enjoying birds as well as caring about their stewardship. Field trips are offered every month across the state and led by incredibly knowledgeable bird guides. We have created a calendar on our website to share our opportunities for bird watching and study, and those of our partners.
We protect special places – At Honey Creek Nature Preserve, thoughtful property management plans will protect habitat and demonstrate conservation in action. Our recent tree planting to target converting old fields to oak forest, trail repair, and the Cox Nature Center updates are examples of ongoing work on the Preserve.
We contribute to collaborative efforts – joining coalitions, supporting programs that share bird information, and doing dozens of presentations and outreach through engaging interactive booths at festivals and other events. We have contributed funding and work with other organizations like The Nature Place to promote environmental protection with equity, inclusion, and community empowerment.
The work we do requires sustained support. A gift today will help us convene bird enthusiasts and experts, spotlight imperiled species, recognize conservation leaders, fund research, publish valuable science, lead enriching field experiences, and care for Honey Creek Nature Preserve. Your gift can make an immediate difference.
Thank you in advance for being part of this community. Together, we can ensure that birds — and the incredible joy they bring — remain part of our shared world for generations to come.
or mail your gift in the form of a check to P.O. Box 2, Grafton, WI 53024.
