Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance works to protect and improve habitat for birds and other wildlife through land acquisition and management, education, and advocacy.
- Mission of Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon)
Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (SoWBA), formerly called Madison Audubon, was established in 1935 as the Madison Bird Club, is today one of the most dynamic Audubon chapters in the nation. We bring birds into the lives of our more than 3,000 members (and many others!) throughout south-central Wisconsin. And not just birds—we view birds as ambassadors for the entire natural world in all its richness of plants and animals, butterflies and bees.
SoWBA is a chapter of National Audubon Society, with a service area that includes all or part of ten counties in south-central Wisconsin, including Adams, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Marquette, Richland, and Sauk counties.
When our sanctuary teams restore habitat for grassland, wetland, and woodland birds, we bring back entire natural communities and landscapes for all to enjoy.
When our education team puts a pair of binoculars in the hands of a curious kid, a whole new world comes into view.
When we advocate on behalf of birds, we promote a healthier, more sustainable and more inclusive human community.
Our Values
Photo by Monica Hall
Everything we do is for birds and the people who love them. Birds are amazing and bring so much joy and benefit to our lives! We acknowledge that everyone who loves birds wants to protect them for different reasons. To help advance our shared mission of bird conservation, we offer our organization’s core values:
Respect… for nature, for people, for differences
Community… natural community, birding community, social community
Curiosity… in nature, in each other, in new approaches
Accountability… to our community, to our mission, to nature
Explore our values document here, which outlines our guiding principles, as well as how we weave a love of nature and a respect for diversity, equity, inclusion, and access into all of our work. You will learn what these values mean for us within our organization, as well as what they mean for you as a member, volunteer, supporter, and community member.
Habitat protection & Wildlife Sanctuaries
With the help of Madison Audubon Society, grassland birds like these tiny bobolinks can thrive. Photo by Carolyn Byers
SoWBA has protected several thousand acres of critical habitat in south-central Wisconsin. Of all Audubon chapters nationwide, SoWBA is a nationally-accredited land trust and a leader in land stewardship, ranked third of over 450 chapters in total acreage managed for wildlife.
With a small, dedicated staff, enthusiastic interns, and passionate volunteers, SoWBA actively manages three wildlife sanctuaries and nearby properties to maximize their habitat value. Additionally, SoWBA has a long and continuing history of assisting other organizations and private landowners with land management and restoration projects.
YOUTH & COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Madison Audubon's Conservation Academy program with Operation Fresh Start helps disconnected youth in Madison learn about amazing and diverse career opportunities available in conservation. These hands-on sessions with local experts in a variety of conservation fields aim to help these incredible youths explore career options they may have never otherwise been exposed to. Photo by Emily Meier
YOUTH EDUCATION
SoWBA’s nature-based education programs help connect kids to the outdoors through partnerships with local schools and community centers. These hands-on learning experiences help kids from all backgrounds explore, enjoy, and discover the natural world in their own communities.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
SoWBA promotes community connections around a shared passion for nature. We host dozens of free field trips, special events, and thought-provoking lectures each year, many of which are FREE to the public.
Advocacy
Grassland birds like this female bobolink are especially threatened by habitat loss. Photo by Carolyn Byers
SoWBA believes that when we advocate on behalf of birds, we promote a healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive human community.
SoWBA and its board and staff seed to explore and recommend appropriate advocacy policy and encourage the action of our members. SoWBA educates and empowers its members and the public through clear, straightforward communication of these advocacy issues affecting our shared environment.
Governance
SoWBA’s bylaws are available to the public. For questions about organizational governance, send an email to info@swibirds.org, ATTN: Executive Director.
Banner photo by Phil Brown, Creative Commons
