Welcome to the Southern Maryland Audubon Society
The mission of the Southern Maryland Audubon Society is “to promote appreciation, conservation, and protection of birds, other wildlife, and their natural habitats through education, research and outreach”. We would like to invite you to join us in the many ways we work to fulfill our mission. We have monthly meetings and field trips throughout most of the year, offer a variety of ways to become involved in the local birding community and produce an excellent newsletter we are proud to share with you. Please explore our website and then consider joining us for an adventure outdoors sometime. We’d love to have you.
Birding in Southern Maryland is a 16-page brochure created by the Southern Maryland Audubon Society to help the birding community find local bird watching locations. It covers Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s and southern Prince George’s counties. It is available here for download as a PDF file. You can print out a paper copy or save it to your smart phone or tablet to have handy for your next bird watching outing.
*** Due to the coronavirus outbreak, all upcoming events are cancelled until further notice. ***
Town of La Plata
Becomes the First Bird City Maryland!
We are thrilled to announce that the Town of La Plata has been designated the first Bird City Maryland! This program, run by the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership (MBCP), aims to make communities healthier for people and birds. For the past year Southern Maryland Audubon Society (SMAS) has worked with the Town of La Plata staff to fulfill the program requirements. We also invited additional partners, the Port Tobacco River Conservancy and the Conservancy for Charles County, into the fold. That hard work has paid off! On February 10, 2020, MBCP issued their press release: the Town of La Plata became Maryland’s first official Bird City!
To celebrate, on February 24, the Town Council held a reception at Town Hall. Over 50 bird and nature lovers from the community attended. We celebrated with a commemorative cake from Charles Street Bakery and enjoyed beautiful avian-themed artwork from Shop 53 Custom Tattoo and Art Studio.
Following the reception, the Town Council thanked the community partners for their guidance and support during the application process.
“We are very excited to have the designation of being Maryland’s very first Bird City! One of the great benefits of being a Bird City is that it brings people together, builds community spirit, and makes our community a nicer place to live. Great things are happening in La Plata!” said Mayor James.
That night, the Council also recognized the Purple Martin as the official town bird! Purple Martins are a bird of the people. Throughout most of their range, martins are dependent on human-created nesting structures. Even outside of nesting season, purple martins commonly establish roost sites around people. La Plata has two Purple Martin house structures in the middle of town.
Bird City Maryland Events
SMAS sponsors or supports many events for Bird City Maryland. Join us April 19, 2020 for a celebration at the La Plata Train Station at 1 p.m. We will mark the return of our Purple Martins from their southern homes, meet our Purple Martin housekeepers, and recognize Arbor Day. Native plants are an important part of Bird City Maryland. Purple Martins, like 75% of bird species, eat insects; and insects rely on native plants. Come and get a free native shrub sapling!
One requirement for Bird City Maryland is to recognize World Migratory Bird Day. Join SMAS on April 25 at the Celebrate La Plata annual spring festival. Check out our booth, which will highlight this year’s theme, Birds Connect Our World.
ANNUAL MEETING AND PICNIC
June 2, 2019
Southern Maryland Audubon Society held its Annual Meeting and Picnic in Accokeek, Maryland, at the Alice Ferguson Foundation (AFF), Cafritz Environmental Center. We had a big crowd, a feast of delicious food, and an inspiring, Green venue. SMAS elected a great new board of directors for 2019-2020, including new officers. We also presented awards and ended the day with an enjoyable birding trek over the marshland boardwalk. Thank you, AFF, for hosting us, and big applause to Brenda Wright and Bill Townsend for all of your help. You made our picnic truly memorable!
Conservationist of the Year
Liz Sanders, JES Avanti Foundation
Presented by Bob Lukinic, Conservation Chair
Raptor Conservation Awards
Carole Schnitzler
Tim Wells
Presented by Mike Callahan, Raptor Conservation Chair
President’s Award
Presented by Lynne Wheeler to
Program Chair – Tiffany Farrell
Outgoing President Gift
Presented to Lynne Wheeler by newly elected President Tiffany Farrell on behalf of the chapter
New Board of Directors
President – Tiffany Farrell Vice President – Margarita Rochow
Treasurer – Julie Daniel Secretary – Julie Simpson
Past President – Lynne Wheeler
Directors – Elena Gilroy, Tracey Stuller, Tom Seaton, Greg Klesch, Tim Wells