This month, Audubon marked four important milestones in its work to connect people with nature in America's urban communities. Nature recreation, education, and conservation opportunities offer powerful antidotes to the so-called nature deficit disorder afflicting America's children and especially residents of urban communities that offer limited opportunities for outdoor experiences. With three new Audubon urban centers under construction and another joining the 43 already in operation, Audubon is expanding its reach into America's cities and planting the seeds of nature awareness, understanding and concern that can grow into life-long environmental stewardship.

	The Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center, a partnership between Seattle Parks and Recreation and Audubon, officially opened its doors on April 26, 2008 - John James Audubon's Birthday - in a ceremony presided over by Christopher Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Parks, and John Flicker, President of Audubon. The new center will connect Seattle residents and others with nature, providing a gateway and introduction to the region's rich and diverse flora and fauna, while also engaging visitors in conservation action. Learn more.
	The Nina Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix, slated to open in spring 2009, hosted a ground-breaking event on April 12. Located in the 595-acre Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, close to Phoenix’s downtown, the new center will be a hub for conservation programs for Phoenix residents and others. The site’s lush riparian habitat features native Sonoran plants and is a magnet for a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. Learn more.
	The Grange Insurance Audubon Center's ground-breaking celebration engaged members of the Columbus, Ohio community in an Earth Day tree planting event. The new center, which will be energy efficient and a model of green construction will be built within the Scioto Audubon Metro Park and is expected to open in 2009. It will serve as a resource for Columbus residents, and especially for the 112 schools within a five-mile radius. Learn more.
	The Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, slated to open in 2009, also included tree-planting in its ground-breaking ceremony on April 23. Local schoolchildren planted a dogwood tree to celebrate the preservation of the canyon. Made possible through a partnership with the City of Cedar Hill and Audubon Dallas, the new center building will be named the C. E. Doolin Education and Visitors Center. Plants and animals from East, West and Central Texas all converge at Dogwood Canyon, just 15 miles southwest of downtown Dallas. Learn more.