Our Mission: “To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, wildlife and their natural habitats for the benefit of humanity and North Carolina’s biological diversity.”
If you enjoy exploring the outdoors and wish to discover many natural areas of Forsyth County (as well as some interesting “unnatural” ones, then we’re the organization for you. Our “Second Saturday” bird outings (held on the second Saturday of each month) will acquaint you with the many favorite Birding Spots in Forsyth County such as Historic Bethabara Park, Reynolda and Tanglewood Park. Come visit newer birding hotspots such as Muddy Creek Greenway, Civitan Park and Bethania’s Walnut Bottoms. And don’t forget that bird mecca, the Archie Elledge Water Treatment Plant.
Members of Audubon take Field Trips to great outdoor places like Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on the North Carolina Outer Banks or the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and northwest North Carolina. Christmas and Spring Bird Counts, as well as a Pilot Mountain Hawk Watch contribute to citizen science. In 2014 and 2015, the chapter partnered with National Audubon’s International Alliances Program and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center in an effort to track the threatened Wood Thrush by tagging the birds with GPS locators. Also take part in Audubon’s Important Bird Areas program through our adoption of Hanging Rock State Park and the New River Corridor.
In line with our mission statement, members also contribute time on local Conservation projects. Currently, we are working with the Town of Bethania to improve habitat at their Walnut Bottoms property and with Forsyth County Recreation and Parks to maintain fields of native grasses and wildflowers at Tanglewood and perhaps other county parks. In addition, the chapter has partnered with Habitat for Humanitiy to create bird-friendly yards and gardens as part of Audubon’s Bird-friendly Communities progam.
Our monthly Chapter Meetings are designed to keep you informed on great birding opportunities, teach you how to identify species of birds, and tell you how you can help in various conservation and environmental protection efforts. Best of all, the meetings enable you to socialize with other birding enthusiasts and make new friendships with like-minded people! Our Constitution and Bylaws govern board and meeting procedures.
Ramona Snavely Award
Each year, the chapter recognizes a member for his or her long-time service and involvement in Forsyth Audubon activities with a framed photograph of one of their favorite birds. The award, named after chapter founder and matriarch Ramona Snavely, was instituted in 2007. Previous recipients are:
- Gardner and Margaret Gidley
- Chester and Ann Robertson
- Susan and Bill Hammond
- James Martin
- David Disher
- Marbry “Hop” Hopkins
- Phil Dickinson
- Susan and Warren Jones
- Royce Hough
- Ron Morris
- Carol and Brent Gearhart
- Bill Gifford
- Shelley Rutkin
- Jean Chamberlain
- Kim Brand
- Rob Rogers