Update: On February 1, 2024, our membership voted to approve amending our new name to Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance. Read more about this process at swibirds.org/new-name.
A Short-eared Owl sits on the Tillotson Prairie sign at Faville Grove Sanctuary in Jefferson County, WI (photo by John Wethall)
To our supporters and followers:
Recently, over the Thanksgiving holiday, our staff needed to make a post on social media and turn off comments after the publication of a YouTube video by Badgerland Birding. In that video, they objected to our new name and made multiple false and misleading claims about Badgerland Bird Alliance, including our process and intent for developing a new name. Our board is aware of the situation and reviewing information to determine next steps, but in the meantime we would like to make sure our members and followers have accurate information.
This issue will not prevent us from continuing our mission-oriented work to protect and celebrate birds through habitat restoration, youth education, conservation advocacy, and citizen science.
Youth from Vera Court Neighborhood Center join Badgerland Bird Alliance staff on a walk to learn about birds, binoculars, and nature (photo by Mickenzee Okon/Badgerland Bird Alliance).
Dozens of volunteers help collect millions of native seeds at our wildlife sanctuaries each year (photo by Arlene Koziol).
False Claim #1: Badgerland Bird Alliance is attempting to “steal” the name from Badgerland Birding.
Why this is false: We would never engage in an effort to steal a name—it is absolutely not in our organization’s character or best interest. “Bird Alliance” is the core of our name, shared among a network of chapters. The word Badgerland is a very commonly-used geographic descriptor for Wisconsin organizations; there are nearly 200 entities in the state that use Badgerland in their name. Even in the recent application to federally-trademark “Badgerland Birding”, use of the word Badgerland is listed with a disclaimer, perhaps because of its nature as a common geographic term.
The committee and board evaluated numerous name options and independently determined that “Badgerland Bird Alliance” best describes where we work (10 counties in southern Wisconsin) and what we do. Learn more about this in our name announcement video.
False Claim #2: Badgerland Birding and Badgerland Bird Alliance “do a ton of the same things.”
Why this is false: Badgerland Birding is a Limited Liability Corporation business. They operate largely through their YouTube channel, social media, and birding tours in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. They produce high-quality, entertaining videos that share information about birding. In contrast, Badgerland Bird Alliance is a local nonprofit conservation organization. We operate as a conservation land trust and through on-the-ground programming in southern Wisconsin. Our focus is on native habitat restoration for wildlife; volunteer citizen science programs; direct advocacy for wildlife and natural resources; free nature outings; and youth education, primarily for kids in classrooms and community centers. We both do work that involves birds and is effective, but we each do that work in different sectors, in different ways, and for different purposes.
False Claim #3: Badgerland Bird Alliance gets substantial funds and direction from National Audubon Society.
Why this is false: BBA is an affiliated chapter of NAS and we have similar missions. However, we are entirely separate organizations with our own fundraising, staffing, programming, and communications. As a chapter, we receive a small portion of dues from NAS which amounts to about 0.5% of our total funding; the rest is from grants and donations that we secure independently.
False Claim #4: Badgerland Bird Alliance did not conduct proper due diligence.
Why this is false: BBA had an extensive and careful process to develop and vet the new name. There is more detail here. During the due diligence process, BBA searched for and considered all of the many organizations, businesses, and groups in Wisconsin (and beyond) with names that use common terms like Badger, Badgerland, Bird, Birding, Alliance, and other similar words, and discussed these with legal counsel before moving forward.
False Claim #5: Badgerland Bird Alliance is a large, corporate-like entity that is bullying Badgerland Birding.
Why this is false: BBA is a small, local conservation nonprofit with about 3,000 supporters in south-central Wisconsin. Badgerland Birding has more than 27,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel and are building a national-scope brand. Throughout this process, our staff has been diligent, respectful, and responsive to their concerns, which we have shared with the board for review. In our last conversation with Badgerland Birding (just prior to the video’s release), we strongly emphasized our desire to work together collegially to find a positive path forward. That is still the case.
What’s next: Our board is taking this very seriously, and will continue to carefully and respectfully consider Badgerland Birding’s concerns and the feedback their followers have provided. We will continue reviewing and collating feedback, but ask that it be kept professional in nature. If you are a member or supporter who has questions, you may also email us at info@bbabirds.org or info@madisonaudubon.org. More to come.
Again, we will continue our mission-oriented work to protect birds through habitat restoration, youth education, conservation advocacy, and citizen science. Thank you for your attention and for your continued support as we resolve this.
Faville Marsh at Badgerland Bird Alliance’s Faville Grove Sanctuary in Jefferson County, Wisconsin (photo by Aaron Carlson).
