Introduction
One question that interviewers often ask bird advocates is, “Why? Why birds?” There might be no better city in the Nation than Chicago to explore this question.

Chicago sits at the heart of North America’s busiest migratory flyway, making it one of the most important urban landscapes for birds. Once known as the most dangerous city for migratory birds, Chicago has emerged as a leader in urban bird conservation, research, education, and community engagement.

It can be difficult to explain the joy and elation that comes from observing birds in urban environments. As author Jonathan Franzen noted, “Birds are our last readily available connection to the wilderness around us. They’re accessible without being ingratiating.” Beyond the personal gratitude hundreds of people get from birding every day, birds provide measurable economic benefits to all environments, including metropolitan areas like Chicago.

The city’s vibrant birding community spans diverse neighborhoods and demographics, supported by programs like the Urban Birding Festival, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, Birds in My Neighborhood, and research projects like the Chicago Bird Migration Monitoring Network. These grassroots efforts demonstrate that birds are not merely an ecological amenity, but an economic asset that brings communities together while generating measurable value that is worthy of protection and investment.

Chicago currently lacks a comprehensive study establishing the annual dollar value of birds in its urban environment. This report highlights the various sources of economic value that birds provide to the city, the strategic advantage for Chicago to focus on bird conservation, as well as analogous studies in other urban environments, all demonstrating the opportunity for Chicago to pursue research in this area. A comprehensive study of the annual dollar value of birds in Chicago would empower city leaders, nonprofits, and businesses to make informed investments in conservation and urban planning.

Executive Summary
Chicago’s bird population generates substantial economic value through tourism attractions, ecosystem services, community engagement, and participation in the rapidly growing $107.6 billion national birding economy. The local birding community is vibrant and diverse, anchored by world-class locations such as Montrose Point, the most birded hotspot in the U.S., and a network of grassroots organizations, educational programs, and conservation initiatives.

Bottom line: By investing in bird habitat, infrastructure, and safety, Chicago can grow its share of the national birding economy while improving quality of life for its residents.

Read the entire report here

Photo of Connecticut Warbler taken at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary by Matthew Dolkart

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Red Hill Birding will lead several field trips and Vic Berardi will share a mini-master class on Raptor identification as part of the 26th annual Illinois Beach Hawk Watch. Great food, great birding, trivia contest with prizes, silent auction, and an opportunity to network with great birders, join us as we celebrate a joyful weekend of bird watching and camaraderie. This event is open to members and non-members. September 26-27, 2025, Illinois Beach State Park, Zion, Illinois.  More information and registration here.

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That is why the Board of Directors of both the Illinois Ornithological Society (IOS) and Illinois Audubon Society (IAS) have agreed to combine our organizations to maximize our community reach and impact, and to emerge as a new, premier birding and conservation organization in Illinois. This exciting change takes place immediately.

Through this organizational combination, we will be aligning our existing programs, projects, events, publications, and membership benefits – all of which have been carefully and thoroughly assessed.

IOS and IAS have a long history together and, in recent years, have partnered on a variety of programming and projects. Now, by combining our efforts, current IOS members can look forward to membership in an organization that will provide more benefits to Illinois’ birds and birders, alike.

Transitioning to this new partnership will include merging information from both organizations into one membership system and IOS members will begin receiving quarterly issues of Illinois Audubon magazine. For those of you who currently hold dual membership with both organizations, only one annual payment (when due) will be necessary. Payments and renewal notices will continue to be processed through IAS.

We firmly believe that by coming together, we are entering a new chapter for Illinois birds and birdwatchers. There will be more opportunities than ever before for our joint community to support birds, scientific research, and the habitats they love and need. Our combined membership base and unified voice will be a unique and powerful force for birds across the state.

For more information, please consult this FAQ document. Please do not hesitate to reach out to either of us if you have questions.

Sincerely,
Andrea Tolzman, President, Illinois Ornithological Society
Kevin Richards, President, Illinois Audubon Society

Northern Cardinal photo by Bryan Hix

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Throughout 2024, our energetic and dedicated staff of talented professionals have worked diligently to accomplish many behind-the- scenes tasks as well as supporting activities for the public and for conservation throughout the state. Nature Talks, a new speakers bureau was launched, 175 people attended our Adventures field trips and an additional 50 participated in our annual gathering in Savanna, Illinois. Thirty-six new Bird & Butterfly Sanctuaries were certified, totaling 65 acres of wildlife habitat.

Illinois Audubon Society was a key partner in acquiring numerous parcels to expand our land protection over the last 12 months. Highlights include the following:

• Provided financial support to assist the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke-Hopkins Park with the purchase of 30 acres of high-quality, rare black oak savanna in Kankakee County.
• Purchased 106 acres at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area in the Marion County unit where industrialization pressures have been impactful.
• Helped purchase 985 acres in Richmond, Illinois, which will be part of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. With our financial assistance, this land purchase will connect several existing conservation areas, creating a continuous 5,600-acre macrosite in McHenry County.
• Acquired 60 acres of grassland bird habitat in our Green River Lowlands Preserve (Lee County) where we have now protected a total of 1,027 acres.

To the many Illinois Audubon Society volunteers, I extend a heartfelt “thank you.” Volunteer stewards donate countless hours at our sanctuaries providing stewardship, education, outreach and financial support to our conservation efforts.

Your continued support is important in helping the Illinois Audubon Society further its mission and continue to be a leader in conservation in the state of Illinois.

Please consider making a tax-exempt, year-end gift, to one of the following areas of need:

• Land Protection & Stewardship: Land purchases, stewardship and restoration costs.
• Education & Outreach: Magazine costs, field trips, youth programs, annual events, chapter support and educational brochures.
• General Support: Funds that help us operate. Expenses such as salaries, supplies, utilities, annual fees for services, maintenance, repair and legal fees.

On behalf of the Illinois Audubon Society Board of Directors and staff, thank you for your continued support in 2024 and into the future.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday season,

Kevin Richards, President
Illinois Audubon Society Board of Directors

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“This addition to the Prairie Ridge State Natural Area is adding one more critical piece to the jigsaw puzzle,” remarked Deb Carey, Chair of the Illinois Audubon Society’s Land Protection and Stewardship Committee. “Natural areas in Illinois are fragmented and the Illinois Audubon Society is working diligently to knit together parcels into sustainable sanctuaries for native flora and fauna. A visitor to the site will be mesmerized by the ballet-like flight of Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers. Oftentimes the beautiful charismatic species are noted, but it is the thousands of insects, soil organisms, plants, and fungi that support the entire earth and provide habitat for everything, including humans.”

Todd Strole, Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, remarked, “Illinois Audubon has been a long-time partner in this landscape and the impact is real. When an organization pairs its financial abilities with a clarity of purpose, good things happen and it is making a difference for all grassland wildlife in the area.”

Bob Gillespie, Site Manager at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area said, “This addition to the Loy Land and Water Reserve (LWR) increases that 216-acre site by approximately 100 acres. The original Loy LWR was purchased by the Illinois Audubon Society in December of 2010. This welcome opportunity to expand the preserve will allow for more prairie reconstruction. The newly acquired property will provide for the development of populations of imperiled species including the state-threatened eryngium stem borer moth (Papiapena eryngii), state-endangered royal catchfly (Silene regia), and state endangered prairie rose gentian (Sabatia campestris). Bird species such as the Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, and Barn Owl will be common visitors as the newly planted prairie flourishes in the next few years.”

Gillespie added, “This property is a necessary addition to Prairie Ridge State Natural Area. The tract increases the acreage of the Marion County unit of Prairie Ridge, especially in the northern extent of the project where industrialization pressures have been impactful. Buffering the Loy LWR, and adding acreage in the geography of the Perbix tract of PRSNA, provides continuity to the preserve and decreases the fragmentation of habitats. One hundred acres of additional prairie will provide habitat for grassland birds and areas to expand populations of state listed plants and animals. This is a fantastic incremental step in closing gaps in preserve design and creating additional grassland at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area.”

Photo by Paul Rossi

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For over a century the Illinois Audubon Society has been helping to foster the connection between native plants, animals, people and natural lands. Together, as members of Illinois Audubon Society, we serve on the front line of a growing wave of the conservation movement because of generations of conservationists who came before us. More important is the work that lies ahead; recruiting new minds, new advocates, defenders and stewards who will continue to protect natural areas for birds and all the creatures on this Earth.

Our mission focuses on two very important elements: the appreciation of native plants and animals and protecting the habitats that support them. We accomplish this by:

Providing opportunities to learn about and enjoy nature through field trips, programs such the Backyard Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary, publishing an entertaining and informative magazine and by supporting our chapters so that they can multiply our efforts.

Protecting the best remaining natural habitats in Illinois from the Ozark Natural Division where we protected the recharge area of Fogelpole Cave which contains the endangered cave amphipod, a tiny subterranean creature that exists nowhere else but there, to the Grand Prairie Division (Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, H&B Bremer Sanctuary), the sandy lowlands of Lee County (Green River Lowlands Preserve) to the Northeastern Morainal Region (Bottlemy and Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge).

These great accomplishments do not happen without dedication and determination of members, volunteers who steward our sanctuaries and run our chapters, volunteers who participate on committees and members of our board who earnestly give hours of their time. Because of this and generous financial gifts, we are able to continue to protect and preserve Illinois’ natural areas and increase awareness of the natural world around and within us.

Each year we come to our members with a request to help us continue forging ahead, to remain a conservation leader in the state of Illinois and engage the stewards of tomorrow. Your tax-deductible contribution can be critical in helping to fund the following three areas:

• Land Protection & Stewardship: Land purchases, stewardship restoration costs.
• Education: Magazine costs, field trips, youth programs, annual events, chapter support, informational brochures.
• General Support: These funds help us keep operating – expenses such as salaries, supplies, utilities, annual fees for services, maintenance, repair, legal fees.

On behalf of myself, the Illinois Audubon Society Board of Directors and staff, thank you for your support now, throughout the year and into the future.

Randy Schietzelt, President, Illinois Audubon Society Board of Directors

Donate Here

photo by Jeanie Klein

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A Memorandum of Understanding between Living Lands & Waters and Illinois Audubon Society will be signed prior to transporting volunteers to the island for the workday. “We’ve been involved with cleaning up and reforesting the island since IAS bought it,” says Chad Pregracke, Living Lands & Waters Founder and President, “we’re glad to lend a hand and continue the tradition.” Headquartered in East Moline, Illinois, Living Lands & Waters is a nonprofit environmental organization established by Pregracke in 1998. Since the organization was founded, Living Lands & Waters has grown to be the only “industrial strength” river cleanup organization like it in the world.

The 40-acre island is situated in the middle of the Illinois River near Starved Rock. It was protected from development in 2004 when the Society purchased the island with funding from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Bald eagles use the island as a wintering site, perching in the trees and flying forth over the river to feed at the nearby lock and dam. In recent years an active nest has also been observed on the island. Registration for the volunteer workday is required. Register online here.

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As a successful recipient of this grant, we are also eligible for an additional $6,000 upon completion of 400 hours of volunteer stewardship on the focus area.  There is no doubt that the dedicated volunteer stewards at Green River Lowlands Preserve will reach this next challenge as well. Interested in joining a workday? Contact Deb Carey here.

Combining our member’s donations, Foundation match, volunteer hours and additional funds for equipment, this grant will provide up to $32,000 in funds.

The long-term goal at Gremel Nature Preserve is to enhance and maintain sustainable habitat for native plants and animals. The focus area for the grant is an Illinois Natural Area Inventory (INAI) sedge meadow that is suffering from an encroachment of non-native woody shrubs competing with native wetland plants for space, sunlight and water. These non-natives also make the areas uninviting to some of our animal species,such as Blanding’s turtle, who find it impossible to travel through these multiple-stemmed, invasive shrubs. Our birds will benefit too when insect populations increase as the diversity and quality of native plant species is improved.

We are grateful to the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for their continued support in land protection and restoration assistance.

INAI Sedge Meadow at Gremel Nature Preserve photo by Deb Walens (Birdsong Chapter/Starved Rock Audubon Society)

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One hundred and twenty-five years ago, the Illinois Audubon Society formed to fight the slaughter of birds for their feathers. A small dedicated group met in Chicago, determined to protect birds such as herons and egrets from potential extinction in the name of fashion. Their dedication and passion for protecting birds was only the beginning as the Society would later become advocates for protecting migratory birds, birds of prey and endangered species such as the greater prairie-chicken and American bald eagle.

As President of the Board of Directors, I am proud to take an active part in helping the oldest nonprofit conservation organization in Illinois maintain its mission. I believe that the Society’s work in land protection and natural resource education has, and will continue, to make an impact in Illinois.

Through my experience on the board, I have contributed my time to help the society achieve successful land acquisitions, launch restoration projects and supported the development of educational field trips and events attended by members and non-members. This volunteer commitment has provided me with a knowledge and understanding of what it takes to maintain the resources necessary to accomplish these tasks.

What is your reason for being a member?  Perhaps it is our work in land and water protection in Illinois, the opportunity to stay informed by receiving the Illinois Audubon magazine, field trips with the Society and local chapters or a connection to a particular sanctuary or project.  I am asking you to sponsor your personal passion by giving a year-end gift of support. Your donation is a vote of confidence and will help continue our work into our 126^th year and beyond.

On behalf of myself , the Illinois Audubon Society Board of Directors and staff, thank you for making a difference.

Randy Schietzelt, President
Illinois Audubon Society Board of Directors

Donate here. Our online payment process provides space for you to let us know if you would like to designate your donation to the following areas:

• Land Protection & Stewardship – Land purchases, stewardship and restoration costs.
• Education – Magazine costs, field trips, youth programs, annual events, chapter support and informational brochures.
• General Support – These funds help us keep operating – expenses such as salaries, supplies, utilities, annual fees for services, maintenance and repair and legal fee.

If paying by check, mail to Illinois Audubon Society, PO Box 2547, Springfield IL, 62708.  Please note on the memo line that this donation is for our Annual Appeal and include a favorite designation if desired.

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“Our Board of Directors is thrilled to introduce this selection,” said President Randy Schietzelt. “Fessett possesses the qualifications, expertise and drive to help Illinois Society move into its next 125 years of excellence.”

Fessett began her career in nonprofit conservation in 1999 working for the Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. She served as the Community and Economic Development Coordinator in the Havana office and focused on the Emiquon Project. In 2000 she joined the Illinois Audubon Society Board of Directors as an At-large member and left that post in 2006 to become the Assistant to the Executive Director for the Society.  Prior to 1999 she was employed as an administrator at Argonne National Laboratory near her hometown of Lemont, Illinois.

As Assistant to the Executive Director, Fessett managed all aspects of Society operations including membership coordination, outreach and marketing and budgeting. Her duties also included, developing and conducting many events and field trips, website development and maintenance. She has successfully written many grants for land acquisition and sanctuary restoration and improvement projects.

Fessett holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration (1998) from Lewis University in Romeville, Illinois.

The appointment concludes a seven-month search process completed by the Search Committee, led by the immediate Past President of the Board, Deb Carey. “It was evident to the committee that Jo’s proven ability, past experience and passion for her work made her the perfect candidate to step up and serve as the Executive Director of the Illinois Audubon Society,” said Carey.

Fessett will continue to work from the Society’s headquarters in Springfield, Illinois. She can be contacted at jfessett@illinoisaudubon.org.

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