Regional Links

American Birding Association
The American Birding Association (ABA) represents the North American birding community and supports birders through publications, conferences, workshops, tours, partnerships, and networks. The ABA encourages birders to apply their skills to help conserve birds and their habitats and represents the interests of birders in planning and legislative arenas. Concern for the welfare of birds lies at the core of the ABA. The ABA has developed a code of ethics for birding.

American Bird Conservancy
The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is dedicated to conservation results and solutions to help native birds across the Western Hemisphere. They have on the ground projects targeted to help halt extinction, conserve habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity. Those four elements make up their conservation framework. The ABC learns from ornithological science and puts it into action to help conserve birds.

Bird Conservation Network
The Bird Conservation Network (BCN) is a coalition of 20+ bird conservation organizations in the broader Chicago metropolitan area. Volunteer BCN monitors, in cooperation with regional land managers, conduct an annual breeding birds survey and develop a trends analysis based on this survey. The BCN also advocates for birds at the local, regional, state, and national levels, creating position papers and a list of regional birds of concern. To learn more about the BCN survey and the Birds of Concern list, see the attached video featuring interviews with BCN monitors and land managers who use the data: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcs3AfAhxtU

Birdlife International
Birdlife International is the world's largest nature conservation Partnership. There are 117 BirdLife Partners worldwide and growing with 13 million members and supporters, over 7,000 local conservation groups and 7,400 staff. BirdLife's vision is a world rich in biodiversity, where people and nature live in harmony. They are driven by the belief that local people, working for nature in their own places but connected nationally and internationally through global Partnership, are the key to sustaining all life on this planet. This unique local-to-global approach delivers high impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.

Chicago Ornithological Society
Founded by professional ornithologists in December 1912, the Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) is an all-volunteer run organization that promotes the appreciation of birds and the restoration of bird habitat in the Chicago region. The COS aims to increase public awareness, knowledge, enjoyment and conservation of birds.

Illinois Audubon Society
The Illinois Audubon Society (IAS) was organized as an independent, state-wide, educational and scientific organization, incorporated April 10, 1897, by the State of Illinois. Its mission is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native flora and fauna of Illinois and the habitats that support them. The IAS has local chapters throughout the state. In addition to bird watching field trips, many chapters support conservation projects.

Kane County Audubon Society
The Kane County Audubon Society is a chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society.

McHenry County Audubon Society
The McHenry County Audubon Society is a chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society.

Will County Audubon Society
The Will County Audubon Society is a chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society. It strives to carry on the tradition of introducing the public to the joys of birding as it has done over its long history. Encouraged by past achievements, they are active in conservation efforts in Will County. The Will County Audubon Society also belongs to the Bird Conservation Network.

Illinois Ornithological Society
The Illinois Ornithological Society (IOS) is a state-wide birding organization that complements all the local bird clubs. The IOS publishes the Meadowlark journal documenting Illinois bird observations and the proceedings of the Illinois Ornithological Records Committee (IORC). The IOS also sponsors state-wide field trips for special birds that are difficult to target on regular bird walks including the Annual Gull Frolic, and trips for shorebirds, Smith’s Longspur, Yellow Rail, and Sabine’s Gull.

IBET (Illinois Birders Exchanging Thoughts)
Illinois Birders Exchanging Thoughts (IBET) is an e-mail list for the discussion of wild birds and birding issues relating to Illinois. Its mission is to promote the joy of birding by keeping members updated on rare and interesting birds and birding opportunities. IBET is administered by the Illinois Ornithological Society.

Illinois Young Birders Association
The Illinois Young Birders Association (ILYB) was formed in March 2010 by the Illinois Ornithological Society. ILYB is a birding organization for kids, teens, and young adults ages 9 to 18. It strives to foster and ignite a passion for birding among young people, provide community, promote conservation, investigate careers in birding, build positive relationships with other birding groups, and, most of all, to have fun!

National Audubon Society
Founded in 1905, the National Audubon Society, a non-profit conservation organization, protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and conservation. Its state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners reach millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action.

Audubon Great Lakes
A regional office of the National Audubon Society, Audubon Great Lakes manages conservation work throughout the Great Lakes region to protect and improve habitat critical for birds during their migration and nesting cycles, and builds networks of volunteers and advocates for the natural environment. Within the National Audubon Society’s network, Audubon Great Lakes is viewed as a leader in building communities of volunteer scientists and conservationists that take the lead in advocating for and managing the ecosystems that birds need to thrive.

Chicago Audubon Society
The Chicago Audubon Society, a member of the National Audubon Society, connects people with birds and nature through educational programming, field trips, advocacy, stewardship, and research. Supported sister organizations include the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and Bird Friendly Chicago. Members enjoy observing, studying, conserving and advocating for local native birds and other wildlife.

Thorn Creek Audubon Society
Thorn Creek Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society serving southern Cook County and eastern Will County. All are welcome to participate in its 30+ field trips and programs each year. Locally, TCAS collaborates with Thorn Creek Nature Center, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve, and others. Its mission: to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of birds; to educate adults and children concerning our natural environment; to preserve, protect and restore wildlife habitat; and to create awareness of local conservation issues.