FLIGHT OF THE CENTURY:
​CELEBRATING 100 Years of Birds Georgia

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It all began with a handwritten note tucked inside a copy of Chapman’s Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America:

“Anyone interested in birds call C. R. W. Hemlock 2134. Please do this.”

That simple message, written by Carter R. Whittaker, the first president of the Atlanta Bird Club, sparked a movement. On March 15, 1926, fourteen bird enthusiasts gathered in Whittaker’s home with a shared purpose: “For the protection and study of our native birds.”

Nearly a century later, that modest gathering has grown into Birds Georgia, the state’s longest continuously operating bird conservation organization. For 100 years, we have worked to protect birds, restore vital habitats, and inspire communities across Georgia to discover the joy of birding.

To honor this legacy, we invite you to explore our story through the following interactive digital experiences:
  • Explore Our Centennial Timeline — Travel through nearly 100 years of Birds Georgia history, from our founding in 1926 to today. This interactive timeline features rare photographs and documents from the University of Georgia and Atlanta History Center archives and our own historic scrapbooks.
  • Discover the History of Conservation in Georgia — Learn how bird conservation has shaped and been shaped by the broader conservation movement across the state, highlighting key places, species, and moments that continue to influence our work today.
  • View the Our Flight of the Century Centennial Celebration Publication — Explore a beautifully designed digital booklet that brings Birds Georgia’s 100-year history to life through stories, photographs, and milestones from across the decades.​

In 2026, we invite you to celebrate this remarkable milestone with us. Our Centennial Celebration will be a year-long series of events honoring our legacy while launching the next 100 years of conservation. From guided birding trips and hands-on habitat restoration days to a special Centennial Bird Fest and Fall Flyway Festival, there will be opportunities for everyone to connect with birds, nature, and one another.
We’re also proud to announce the development of the Georgia Birding Trail, our Centennial legacy project. This statewide network of birding hotspots will protect habitats, boost eco-tourism, and inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Birds connect us all. Join us in honoring our history – and help us build a future where birds and people thrive.
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