Audubon Americas Migration from Theory to Practice

In 2021, Audubon shared an ambitious Business Plan for what was then known as the International Alliances Program. Two years after, we know the challenges and joys that migrating to new territories bring. This report is proof of an inspiring transformation that elevates our work as a  hemispherical organization, and encompasses our new name: Audubon Americas. 

Working on bird conservation makes you understand the meaning of a common saying: Time flies! Two years ago, in June 2021, we shared Audubon Americas Business Plan. I now notice how many “we will” the text has. It shows our optimistic and constructive approach and the National Audubon Society’s (NAS) determination to grow its presence and elevate the conservation impact and climate response across the hemisphere. At that point, we were not fully aware of the incredible journey we were embarking on, just as challenging and inspirational as the ones thousands of birds do yearly across the flyways of the Americas.

Putting together our first impact report has meant understanding what impact means beyond numbers and milestones and better thinking about the people, partners, and teammates who have helped, shared their
knowledge, and invested resources and time to help us grow. Connecting, building a bird-friendly community across the Americas, and bringing new perspectives into our work has also impacted Audubon.

The year 2022 marks, so to speak, a new ground for gaining greater relevance in the Americas as we project Audubon’s strategies across the hemisphere, adapting or creating new ways of implementing them, keeping in mind the local context, and thinking of regional impact, from the Boreal forests to the coasts of Chile.

Science and on-the-ground experience have been fundamental in understanding the hemispherical conservation shortfalls, which have become our building blocks and a world of opportunities for Audubon. Working closely with international partners like BirdLife, American Bird Conservancy, and RedLAC, among others, and building together initiatives that have an accountable impact across the region has been a genuine shift in the way we connect people, resources, and funding for the benefit of a more significant and urgent goal: climate change response and the conservation of birds and the places they live in. Working with multilateral banks like IDB and CAF has opened new agendas, scenarios, and alliances.

This report is just a tiny part of the bigger picture Audubon Americas is working on. For me, it is not a rearview mirror of the fantastic work the team has done but a vast and clear horizon for connecting birds and people across the hemisphere.