Our HIstory

OUR HISTORY

With more than 2,500 members across the state, Birds Georgia is a member-supported,  501c3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to building places where birds and people thrive. We create bird-friendly communities through conservation, education, and community engagement. Founded in 1926 as the Atlanta Bird Club, the organization became a chapter of National Audubon in 1973, and continues as an independent chapter of National Audubon Society today. We look forward to celebrating the 100-year anniversary of our organization in 2026. ​

A bit more history of BIRDS georgia

Here are a few notable items from Birds Georgia's history:
  • 1965 - Dues for the Atlanta Bird Club were $2 for adults and $1 for students.
  • 1968 - The Atlanta Bird Club voted to become a branch/chapter of the National Audubon Society.
  • 1972 - The Atlanta Bird Club voted to change their name to the Atlanta Audubon Society  with Wally Dryfoos as the first President. After a successful year at Atlanta Audubon Mr. Dryfoos was named president of the Georgia Ornithological Society 1973-1975.
  • 1976 - Atlanta Audubon started the annual members photography contest.
  • 1977 - Atlanta Audubon began recognizing backyard wildlife sanctuaries and working to educate homeowners.
  • 1978 - Atlanta Audubon member Laurie Stubbs Johns donated 7 acres in DeKalb to the Society in honor of her late husband.
  • 1978 - The Louisa G. Echols scholarship was created to honor and provide an opportunity for an adult to attend a National Audubon workshop.
  • 1979 - The Upper Flint River Audubon Society merged with the Atlanta Audubon Society.
  • 1980 - The Atlanta Audubon newsletter is renamed Wingbars.
  • 1984 - Atlanta Audubon started supporting Audubon Adventures in Atlanta area classrooms.
  • 1989 - Atlanta Audubon participated in the first annual Birdathon fundraiser.
  • 1991 - The Edward Barnsley Scholarship was created to send a young student to an Audubon or similar nature camp.
  • 1995 - Atlanta Audubon gets its first email address.
  • 1996 - The Shade-grown Coffee committee was formed to educate the public on effects of coffee on the environment.
  • 1997 - Mrs. Daniel Geltner donated 186 acres of land in Douglas County to Atlanta Audubon Society.
  • 1999 - Longtime Atlanta Audubon member Anslem Atkins, Wingbars editor 1981-1997 (16 years), passed away.
  • 1999 - The Anslem Atkins scholarship was established to fund a 2-week residency at the Hambridge Center.
  • 2000 - Atlanta Audubon opened their first office in Midtown Atlanta at 1447 Peachtree Road.
  • 2000 - Hired Jim Wilson to head up the Georgia Important Birds area program at the new office.
  • 2000 - Atlanta Audubon wins 2nd place in National Audubon Large Chapter website contest.
  • 2000 - First Georgia Important Bird Area is awarded to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
  • 2001 - Atlanta Audubon joins EarthShare of Georgia.
  • 2001 - Atlanta Audubon helps fund observation platform at the Clyde Shepard Nature Preserve.
  • 2002 - Started the Atlanta Audubon Master Birder Program.
  • 2002 - Atlanta Audubon started the annual Backyard Sanctuary Tour.
  • 2003 - Atlanta Audubon wins award for setting up a habitat at the Southeastern Flower Show.
  • 2005 - Youth Birding Competition is created.
  • 2005 - Created the Freedom Park Birds and Butterfly Garden at Candler Park.
  • 2006 - Atlanta Audubon office is moved to the Dunwoody Nature Center.
  • 2006 - Created the Georgia Birding Skills Program.
  • 2006 - The educational program Learning About Birds is started.
  • 2007 - Atlanta Audubon hired Catharine Kuchar as its first Executive Director.
  • 2009 - Moved from the Dunwoody Nature Center to the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in North Buckhead.
  • 2009 - Hired Emily Toriani-Moura as first Education Coordinator.
  • 2010 - Nikki Belmonte hired as Education Coordinator.
  • 2010 - Atlanta Audubon holds first International Bird Trip to Colombia.
  • 2013 - Nikki Belmonte named Executive Director of Atlanta Audubon.
  • 2014 - Atlanta Audubon hires Director of Education, Melanie Furr. Dottie Head joins staff as Membership and Communications Coordinator.
  • 2015 - Atlanta Audubon hires first Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, and Director of Development, Michelle Hamner. Dottie Head named Director of Membership and Communications. 
  • 2016 - Atlanta Audubon hosts International Trip to Paraguay.
  • 2017 - Atlanta Audubon surpasses 1,000 members.
  • 2019 - Atlanta Audubon surpasses 1,500 members
  • 2019 - Jared Teutsch named Executive Director of Atlanta Audubon.
  • August 1, 2020 - Atlanta Audubon becomes a statewide organization known as Georgia Audubon.
  • November 30, 2023 - Georgia Audubon rebranded as Birds Georgia