Georgia House Recognizes 2026 as the Year of the Georgia Birding Trail

L to R: Board Chair Marc Goncher, Board Vice Chair Esther Stokes, Board Member Jon Philipsborn, Communications Coordinator Brooke Michael, Executive Director Adam Betuel, Rep. Mary Frances Williams, Board Member Sally Sears

Birds Georgia goes to Washington! (Kind of.)

The Georgia House of Representatives recognized 2026 as the Year of the Georgia Birding Trail in celebration of Birds Georgia's Centennial year.

The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver and Rep. Debbie Buckner and introduced on the House floor by Rep. Mary Frances Williams on March 10, acknowledges the importance of birds, birding, and conservation to Georgia’s natural heritage and economy.

The Georgia Birding Trail is the legacy project of Birds Georgia’s 100th anniversary. When complete, the trail will form a network of hundreds of birding hotspots organized into regional loops spanning the state – from the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia’s coastal marshes. Each location will be carefully selected for its accessibility, amenities, habitat quality, and diversity of birdlife.

By guiding visitors to some of the state’s best places to experience birds, the Georgia Birding Trail will help showcase Georgia’s remarkable biodiversity while making birding more accessible to residents and visitors alike.

“We’re grateful to Rep. Oliver, Rep. Buckner, and Rep. Williams for recognizing the importance of birds and conservation in Georgia, and to our Board member Sally Sears for championing this resolution,” said Executive Director Adam Betuel. “We’re excited to launch the Georgia Birding Trail in 2026 and help more people discover the remarkable birds and habitats that make Georgia so special.”

In addition to connecting people with nature, the initiative aims to support local communities and conservation efforts across the state. Birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in the United States and generates significant economic benefits through travel and ecotourism.

Stay tuned! We'll be announcing more updates on the Georgia Birding Trail this year.