How the New Green Roof Tax Abatement Program Can Combat Climate Change in NYC
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY
Jesse McLaughlin, Senior Associate, Advocacy | October 8, 2024
Why does our city get so hot? The Green Roof Tax Abatement is a solution not just for climate change, but for environmental justice.
Why does our city get so hot? The Green Roof Tax Abatement is a solution not just for climate change, but for environmental justice.
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Tribute in Light 2024 Recap: Ensuring Safe Passage for Birds
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY
Katherine Chen, Senior Manager of Community Science & Collision Reduction | October 8, 2024
Since 2002, NYC Bird Alliance has partnered with the September 11 Memorial & Museum to ensure that the annual Tribute in Light can honor lives while also keeping birds safe. As with every year, in 2024 our scientists monitored the Tribute from sunset to sunrise, shutting off the lights three times to ensure safe passage for migrating birds.
Since 2002, NYC Bird Alliance has partnered with the September 11 Memorial & Museum to ensure that the annual Tribute in Light can honor lives while also keeping birds safe. As with every year, in 2024 our scientists monitored the Tribute from sunset to sunrise, shutting off the lights three times to ensure safe passage for migrating birds.
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NYC Bird Alliance’s Fall Roost 2024: A Night to Remember in Central Park
category: GENERAL
We had an amazing night at NYC Bird Alliance’s annual Fall Roost gala at Tavern on the Green! It was inspiring to bring together conservationists, bird lovers, and community leaders in celebration of our shared mission. Read our recap for highlights and photos from a memorable evening in Central Park.
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Bird Collisions: The Impact of "One"
Hillarie O'Toole | August 7, 2024
The numbers tell a grim story: over one billion birds die each year in the US due to building collisions. But it is through individual stories that we can begin to understand the “butterfly” effect that the loss of just one bird can have on the ecological community. Just one White-throated Sparrow's death has an effect on the environment.
The numbers tell a grim story: over one billion birds die each year in the US due to building collisions. But it is through individual stories that we can begin to understand the “butterfly” effect that the loss of just one bird can have on the ecological community. Just one White-throated Sparrow's death has an effect on the environment.
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Yellow-Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBON
Kellye Rosenheim | September 16, 2024
Yellow-Crowned Night Herons can be found in every borough and are important indicators of the health of New York Harbor.
Yellow-Crowned Night Herons can be found in every borough and are important indicators of the health of New York Harbor.
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New Initiative Welcomes More New Yorkers to Enjoy Nature
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBONENGAGEMENTADVOCACY
Carol Peace Robins | September 16, 2024
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides affordable housing to nearly 12% of all City residents. NYC Bird Alliance, in partnership with the Public Housing Community Fund, has started a pilot program to engage these residents.
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides affordable housing to nearly 12% of all City residents. NYC Bird Alliance, in partnership with the Public Housing Community Fund, has started a pilot program to engage these residents.
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Lenore Swenson, 1946-2024: A Remembrance
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBON
The NYC Bird Alliance community is deeply saddened by the loss of longtime member, supporter, and friend Lenore Swenson, who passed away on June 18, 2024.
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American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius)
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN AUDUBON
Andrew Maas, Director of Marketing and Communications | June 21, 2024
As I sit at my desk during a work-from-home day, I hear the unmistakable call—"klee klee klee!"
As I sit at my desk during a work-from-home day, I hear the unmistakable call—"klee klee klee!"
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Islands in the Sky—Growing NYC’s Green Infrastructure
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN AUDUBON
Olivia Liang | June 21, 2024
While some see New York as a collection of skyscrapers and concrete, in truth it is a biodiversity hotspot with growing, vital green space.
While some see New York as a collection of skyscrapers and concrete, in truth it is a biodiversity hotspot with growing, vital green space.
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President's Perch
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBON
Mike Yuan, NYC Bird Alliance Board President | June 21, 2024
As I embark on my term as president of the board of directors, I think back on the organization’s presence in my life for the past 15 years.
As I embark on my term as president of the board of directors, I think back on the organization’s presence in my life for the past 15 years.
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Birds are Everywhere: A New York City “Little Year”
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBONENGAGEMENTADVOCACY
Linda Ewing | June 21, 2024
Birds may be everywhere, but birders are not. An uneven distribution of bird observations underlies what Brooklyn birder Nick Dawson is calling his “little year.”
Birds may be everywhere, but birders are not. An uneven distribution of bird observations underlies what Brooklyn birder Nick Dawson is calling his “little year.”
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Review: Ten Birds that Changed the World
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBON
Carol Peace Robins | June 21, 2024
British naturalist Stephen Moss’s 10 Birds that Changed the World doesn’t assert that the birds themselves actually changed the world. Rather, it depicts how human interaction with them changed the course of history—often to the pronounced detriment of the birds.
British naturalist Stephen Moss’s 10 Birds that Changed the World doesn’t assert that the birds themselves actually changed the world. Rather, it depicts how human interaction with them changed the course of history—often to the pronounced detriment of the birds.
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Riverside Park Conservancy Completes Bird-Friendly Retrofit
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY
NYC Bird Alliance and Riverside Park Conservancy | April 8, 2024
In March 2024, Riverside Park Conservancy completed a bird-friendly retrofit of their Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House, in partnership with a NYC Bird Alliance consultation.
In March 2024, Riverside Park Conservancy completed a bird-friendly retrofit of their Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House, in partnership with a NYC Bird Alliance consultation.
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President's Perch: A Proud Farewell from Karen Benfield
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBON
Karen Benfield, NYC Bird Alliance Board President | March 6, 2024
With spring comes growth and renewal in our City’s green spaces. As I wind down my four-year term as president, I am awed by the growth and renewal inside our organization as well, and I step down fulfilled by the privilege of being part of such magnificent expansion of urban conservation.
With spring comes growth and renewal in our City’s green spaces. As I wind down my four-year term as president, I am awed by the growth and renewal inside our organization as well, and I step down fulfilled by the privilege of being part of such magnificent expansion of urban conservation.
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How Can Weather Forecasts Help Us Save Birds?
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN AUDUBON
Sara Kross, PhD, Katherine Chen (NYC Bird Alliance Community Science and Outreach Manager), and Benjamin Van Doren, PhD | March 6, 2024
Migration is a particularly dangerous journey, and it’s estimated that collisions with windows kill up to one billion birds across North America annually. NYC Bird Alliance scientists and partners have focused on this problem for decades. Now, new research on weather’s impact can make solutions more effective.
Migration is a particularly dangerous journey, and it’s estimated that collisions with windows kill up to one billion birds across North America annually. NYC Bird Alliance scientists and partners have focused on this problem for decades. Now, new research on weather’s impact can make solutions more effective.
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A Tale of Two Egrets
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALURBAN AUDUBONADVOCACY
Don Riepe | March 6, 2024
For most of my life, I lived happily at Broad Channel, Queens, with the birds outside. Until 15 years ago, when the birds started coming inside. As I sat on my dock in 2009 looking out at Jamaica Bay, a beautiful white Great Egret landed at my house and soon, my new friend Egor the egret would stop by nearly every day for a snack.
For most of my life, I lived happily at Broad Channel, Queens, with the birds outside. Until 15 years ago, when the birds started coming inside. As I sat on my dock in 2009 looking out at Jamaica Bay, a beautiful white Great Egret landed at my house and soon, my new friend Egor the egret would stop by nearly every day for a snack.
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2023 Christmas Bird Count Soars to New Heights
Carol Peace Robins | March 5, 2024
The 124th Annual Christmas Bird Count, which took place on December 17, 2023, was a historic one for NYC Bird Alliance. Not only did we have a record 400 registered volunteer counters, but for the first time in the Count's history, a green roof was included in the festivities. Carol Peace Robins recounts the historic day at Hudson Yards.
The 124th Annual Christmas Bird Count, which took place on December 17, 2023, was a historic one for NYC Bird Alliance. Not only did we have a record 400 registered volunteer counters, but for the first time in the Count's history, a green roof was included in the festivities. Carol Peace Robins recounts the historic day at Hudson Yards.
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Share Your Feedback on Top Five Name Choices
category: GENERAL
NYC Bird Alliance will soon choose a new name that is inclusive and represents our focus on bird conservation. We have some exciting news to share with the public about the process! We're down to five possible name choices.
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2023 Harbor Herons Report: A Q&A
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY
Olivia Liang | January 8, 2024
NYC Bird Alliance’s annual Harbor Herons Nesting Survey has monitored and protected these birds since 1982. To get a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s data collection, NYC Bird Alliance sat down with Tod Winston, our Urban Biodiversity Specialist and creator of the 2023 State of the Harbor Herons, and Dr. Shannon Curley, PhD, our Harbor Herons Nesting Survey Coordinator.
NYC Bird Alliance’s annual Harbor Herons Nesting Survey has monitored and protected these birds since 1982. To get a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s data collection, NYC Bird Alliance sat down with Tod Winston, our Urban Biodiversity Specialist and creator of the 2023 State of the Harbor Herons, and Dr. Shannon Curley, PhD, our Harbor Herons Nesting Survey Coordinator.
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Syrinx Spotlight: PSF Volunteer, Photographer & High-School Senior Winston Qin
Olivia Liang | December 4, 2023
Winston Qin is a gifted photographer, an aspiring engineer, a lifelong bird enthusiast, a Project Safe Flight volunteer… and a high school senior. Meet this exceptional teenager devoted to protecting our City’s wild birds.
Winston Qin is a gifted photographer, an aspiring engineer, a lifelong bird enthusiast, a Project Safe Flight volunteer… and a high school senior. Meet this exceptional teenager devoted to protecting our City’s wild birds.
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NYC Bird Alliance's Birdy Holiday Gift Guide
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALENGAGEMENT
NYC Bird Alliance Staff | December 1, 2023
The holiday season is here and the NYC Bird Alliance staff has put together our best and birdiest list of gift recommendations! We have 15 amazing recommendations that are sure to win over the cheery cardinals, weird ducks, and even the grumpy grackles of your life. Happy holidays and happy birding!
The holiday season is here and the NYC Bird Alliance staff has put together our best and birdiest list of gift recommendations! We have 15 amazing recommendations that are sure to win over the cheery cardinals, weird ducks, and even the grumpy grackles of your life. Happy holidays and happy birding!
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Small Wins. Big Impact.
Olivia Liang | November 10, 2023
"We understand that the New York we’re in today is not the New York we all grew up in. What is our responsibility?"
A Q&A with NYC Bird Alliance’s new Director of Advocacy and Engagement, Saman Mahmood.
A Q&A with NYC Bird Alliance’s new Director of Advocacy and Engagement, Saman Mahmood.
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Remembering Betty Hamilton
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBON
It is with sadness NYC Bird Alliance reports the passing of Betty Hamilton on September 14, 2023, at the age of 99. Betty was a friend, colleague, and active leader with NYC Bird Alliance from the very beginning. We are pleased to share these remembrances of Betty from NYC Bird Alliance’s past organizational leaders.
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9/11 Memorial Shines a Spotlight on Risks to Birds
category: CONSERVATIONGENERALADVOCACY
Katherine Chen | October 5, 2023
For over 20 years, NYC Bird Alliance scientists have monitored the 9/11 Tribute in Light. This year was particularly hazardous for birds.
For over 20 years, NYC Bird Alliance scientists have monitored the 9/11 Tribute in Light. This year was particularly hazardous for birds.
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Bird's Eye View: Summer 2023
category: GENERALURBAN AUDUBON
Jessica G. Wilson, Executive Director | June 1, 2023
Executive Director Jessica G. Wilson shares her excitement about the future of NYC Bird Alliance in light of the board's recent decision to change the organization's name, and how she has been inspired by the organization's work to center Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in all of its work across conservation, advocacy, engagement.
Executive Director Jessica G. Wilson shares her excitement about the future of NYC Bird Alliance in light of the board's recent decision to change the organization's name, and how she has been inspired by the organization's work to center Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in all of its work across conservation, advocacy, engagement.
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