Advocacy


Since its founding, NYC Audubon has engaged in advocacy work in all five boroughs concerning bird conservation issues in New York City. In 1978, a cadre of regular Central Park bird watchers successfully opposed a Central Park Conservancy plan to “restore” the Ramble through changes such as tree removal. These fledgling activists soon founded the New York City Audubon Society—and launched over 40 years of dedicated advocacy for habitat preservation and protection for birds. Learn about our successes, NYC Audubon's current advocacy priorities, and how you can help with our advocacy work! 
Bird-safe glass installed along the glass railway at World Trade Center's Liberty Park. This bird-safe measure was implemented in part due to pressure from NYC Audubon volunteers who were finding many dead birds that had collided with the reflective glass. Photo: NYC Audubon
Bird-safe glass installed along the glass railway at World Trade Center's Liberty Park. This bird-safe measure was implemented in part due to pressure from NYC Audubon volunteers who were finding many dead birds that had collided with the reflective glass. Photo: NYC Audubon
Advocacy Accomplishments
For over 40 years, NYC Audubon has been a leader in bird and habitat conservation in  New York City’s five boroughs. Our successful initiatives include the “Buffer the Bay'' program to preserve priority lands around Jamaica Bay as well as the conservation of the grasslands of Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field, the Harbor Heron islands, and Goethal’s Bridge Pond on Staten Island. Recently, we've secured important policy wins with the implementation of Lights Out legislation and the nation’s strongest bird-friendly building laws. Learn about how NYC Audubon has helped push for a safer New York City for birds!
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The Jacob K. Javits Center green roof is the city's largest and provides habitat for over 50 bird species. With increased tax incentives for buildings to create green roofs, NYC Audubon hopes to increase their installations throughout the City. Photo: NYC Audubon
The Jacob K. Javits Center green roof is the city's largest and provides habitat for over 50 bird species. With increased tax incentives for buildings to create green roofs, NYC Audubon hopes to increase their installations throughout the City. Photo: NYC Audubon
Current Advocacy Priorities
With over 40 years of advocacy history, NYC Audubon continues to focus on legislation and action protecting birds and their habitats across the five boroughs.
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Project Safe Flight Volunteer Annie Novak. Photo: Sophie Butcher
Project Safe Flight Volunteer Annie Novak. Photo: Sophie Butcher
Take Advocacy Action!
Whether it's by meeting with government officials, coordinating public letter-writing campaigns and public comments, or raising consciousness of the dangers facing our birds and their habitats via outreach events, distributed brochures and educational materials, and social media, NYC Audubon advocacy volunteers are integral in pushing this meaningful work forward. Learn what immediate actions you can take to help protect birds and habitats, and how to stay informed about issues. 
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