A new name, a change for the good
When articles examining John James Audubon’s troubling conduct entered serious public discussion in 2020, board and staff began reflecting how the name relates to our identity, aligns with our organizational values, and impacts our ability to carry out our mission. Members and partners have shared with us that the “Audubon” name creates barriers.
After rigorous deliberation and thorough discussion, our organization’s board of directors voted unanimously during the December 2022 meeting to drop the “Audubon” name and identify a process to seek a new name for the organization.
In light of this, we were deeply disappointed when National Audubon decided to bear a name that causes pain and harm to members of our community. Our organization has continued to pursue a name change, in cooperation with our membership and in communication with other chapters. Learn more about our new name process here.
Our mission remains the same: we will continue to do great work for birds, habitats, kids, and community. A name change simply allows more people to enjoy, participate in, and improve our shared work; to create a brighter future for birds.
Where does “Audubon” come from?
John James Audubon (1785-1851) is a naturalist and artist who made significant contributions to ornithology, culminating in the publication of books like The Birds of North America. Decades after his death, the Massachusetts Audubon Society was formed and named to honor him. The National Audubon Society was formed a short while later, and chapters dedicated to bird conservation around the country formed with the same name. Our organization, formerly “Madison Audubon,” adopted the name as a chapter of the national organization in 1949.
What is the problem With honoring John James Audubon?
Recently, due scrutiny has been paid to the full story of J. J. Audubon’s life. While there are positive connotations associated with the Audubon name, the man’s racist actions also forge a negative legacy.
Audubon—the man—bought and sold people to enslavement to fund his travels and openly rejected the abolitionist movement. He ransacked the burial sites of Native peoples and used knowledge from Black and Indigenous communities for his own benefit without compensation or recognition. Historians have demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that Audubon committed plagiarism in addition to inventing false bird species for his own financial and social gain. Learn more in the resources section below.
But Wasn’t Audubon just a “Man of his time”?
Some historical figures participated in the system of slavery, which created immense harm and pain that perpetuates to this day. However, these choices were not the only ones available to Audubon and others at the time. Many people and religious groups openly denounced slavery on moral grounds from the seventeenth century onward. The abolitionist movement was prominent in public discourse during Audubon’s life, especially where he lived in New York. Yet, Audubon remained notably outspoken against the idea of abolition and was involved with capturing and returning people to enslavement.
But doesn’t changing the name erase history?
No, changing a name does not erase history or “cancel” anyone. J. J. Audubon’s contributions will persist regardless of what our organization is named. Also, we recognize and will continue to celebrate all the amazing work that our organization and countless members, volunteers, board, and staff have done under the name over many years. A name change seeks to celebrate, honor, and build on all the incredible passion, generosity, and kindness that has contributed to our special and storied history.
An osprey catches a fish (photo via Pixabay).
Why change the name?
The “Audubon” name has a special meaning to some when it comes to birds and conservation. We have heard first-hand that Audubon’s racist legacy causes pain, unease, and distrust among partners and community members—either those who are involved in our work or those who could be. We take that seriously, and know that just acknowledging the man’s history while retaining the name falls short.
Fledgling bird lovers and nature enthusiasts seeking to learn more about our organization will very likely encounter J. J. Audubon’s history. We want all bird-lovers and enthusiasts to feel welcome in our organization, and cannot be what we claim to be while using his name.
Why Now?
This organization’s staff and board have discussed the barriers created by the “Audubon” name for years, including frequent and thoughtful communication with leaders at other chapters around the country. In late summer 2022, the board tasked a special committee with reviewing the “Madison Audubon” name. The committee compiled articles and information, examined public feedback we received, and thoroughly explored the rationale for a name change. That committee presented their findings and recommendation on the name to the full board for consideration at the December 2022 board meeting. On December 12, 2022, the board of directors voted in unanimous support to approve that recommendation.
Many chapters around the country are doing the same reflection and due diligence right now. Several respected organizations that previously included “Audubon” in their name have already been renamed or are in that process, including fellow Audubon chapter organizations in Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; Portland, OR; Washington, DC; New York City, NY; Golden Gate, CA; Detroit, MI; Buffalo, NY; Tahoma, WA; and numerous smaller, volunteer-run chapters. All chapters can retain their affiliation with the National Audubon without bearing the shared name.
American Robin with berry (photo via Pixabay).
What’s Happening now?
National Audubon Society announced they will retain the “Audubon” name on March 15, 2023. This did not affect our organization’s path. Our new name better exemplifies our work, mission, values, and community.
Throughout this process, we have been guided by input from our members and strongest supporters. We have also been in communication with other Audubon chapters around the country who are changing their name, in the hopes of finding a new name that better represents the bird conservation work we collectively do.
In April 2023, our board met to discuss next steps and formed a Name Selection Committee—composed of community partners, engaged members, staff, and board representatives—to review member feedback and name suggestions.
Check out additional resources below.
Purple Martin flock (photo by Kori Smith).
Our organization has always held itself to high standards, and we continue to base our work in respect, accountability, and integrity. As always, thank you for being a partner in our work together: helping birds to flourish at our sanctuaries, children to experience the joys of the outdoors, and communities to come together to enjoy and advocate for conservation. You can support our work here.
Additional Resources:
Read more about our official new name.
Our Commitment to Equity & Inclusion page and our organizational Values document.
Is social justice for the birds? Audubon attempts an answer by Clyde McGrady, New York Times (August 2023).
Tahoma Audubon announces their board has voted to move forward in finding a new name (August 2023).
Buffalo Audubon moves toward a new name: Local chapter votes to change name by Janet Gramza, Buffalo News (June 2023).
Detroit Audubon’s board of directors vote to change the organization’s name (May 2023).
Golden Gate Audubon announces their board has unanimously voted to remove “Audubon” from their name, their membership agrees (April 2023).
Why the Audubon name must go: It will save more birds by Christian Cooper, Washington Post (April 2023).
Listen to NPR’s Science Friday National Audubon Society sticks with its name, despite namesake’s racism with Stuart Wells, executive director of Portland Audubon and conservation scientist Corina Newsome (April 2023).
Watch this video announcing the new organizational name for Birds Connect Seattle and featuring Dr. J. Drew Lanham discussing the importance of removing the Audubon name (March 2023).
New York City Audubon announces that their board of directors voted to drop the Audubon name (March 2023).
National Audubon announces the decision to keep the Audubon name (March 2023).
DC Audubon Society publicly announces they will drop the Audubon name (March 2023).
Portland Audubon commits to dropping “Audubon” from their name (February 2023).
The union that represents the staff at National Audubon becomes the Bird Union, calling on National Audubon to change their name as well (February 2023).
Chicago Audubon Society signals their intention to change their name (February 2023).
Watch a recording of Madison Audubon’s November 2022 speaker series featuring Brigitte Fielder, “I’ll Fly Away: Birds and the Enslaved in Flight in Audubon’s World.” Available on Facebook or YouTube.
Audubon Naturalist Society drops controversial “Audubon” from its name: The DC-area nonprofit is among the first to drop the racist ornithologist from its name by Damare Baker, Washingtonian (October 2022).
Audubon’s beautiful birds don’t erase his racist life, by the Seattle Times Editorial Board in support of the Seattle chapter’s decision (July 2022).
Seattle Audubon became the first large chapter to signal its intention to change its name (July 2022). Learn more about their process.
What’s In A Bird Name? by Ariana Remmel, Audubon Magazine (Summer 2021).
A D.C. area environmental group is dropping the name of John Audubon, naturalist who was an enslaver and Indian grave robber by Darryl Fears, Washington Post (October 2021).
River Center’s Expansion and Remodel call for changes — a new Mission, Name, and Logo. Dungeness River Nature Center blog post (September 2021).
What’s in a Name? Plenty, if It Belongs to a Slaveholder or White Supremacist, by Glenn Nelson, South Seattle Emerald (August 2021).
How Audubon societies are grappling with a racist past by Philip Marcelo, The Christian Science Monitor (July 2021).
What Do We Do About John James Audubon? by J. Drew Lanham, Audubon Magazine (Spring 2021).
John James Audubon Was Never Good by Ryan F. Mandelbaum, Gizmodo, (September 2020).
The Myth of John James Audubon by Gregory Nobles, Audubon Magazine (July 2020).
