100 Years of Birds Georgia – A Celebration for All

By Brooke Michael, Communications Coordinator

It all began with a handwritten note scrawled inside a copy of Chapman’s Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America: 
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“Anyone interested in birds call C. R. W. Hemlock 2134. Please do this.”

The note came from Carter R. Whittaker, the first president of the Atlanta Bird Club. At the group’s first meeting on March 15, 1926, held at Whittaker’s home, 14 bird enthusiasts gathered with a simple, clear mission: “For the protection and study of our native birds.”

Nearly 100 years later, that vision has grown into Birds Georgia, the state’s longest continuously running bird conservation organization. For a century, we have worked to protect birds, restore habitats, and inspire communities across Georgia.

In 2026, we invite you to be part of our Centennial Celebration – a year-long series of events honoring our legacy and launching the next 100 years of conservation. From guided birding trips and habitat restoration workdays to a special Centennial Bird Fest and Fall Flyway Festival, there will be something for everyone to honor the past while shaping the future.

As part of this milestone, 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.