About Us
The New Hope Bird Alliance (formerly New Hope Audubon Society) is an independent chapter of the National Audubon Society, serving Chatham, Durham, Orange and parts of surrounding counties in central North Carolina. See our map below. Our members live in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, and surrounding rural areas. The New Hope Bird Alliance strives to protect birds, wildlife, and their local habitats through conservation, education, advocacy, and outdoor enjoyment. Look for us on Facebook (page and group), Instagram, and Meetup.
There are many topics on this page. To jump to a particular topic, please use these links:
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Membership Meetings
Contact Us
Officers/Committee Chairs
Brochure
Annual Report
Constitution and By-Laws
Map of the New Hope Audubon territory
Our Mission
The mission of the New Hope Bird Alliance is to promote the conservation and enjoyment of birds, other wildlife, and ecosystems, focusing on Chatham, Durham, Orange and parts of surrounding counties. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a map of our territory.
Our Vision
We inspire and support people and organizations in our local communities to value and appreciate nature and to protect and conserve habitats for wildlife.
Our Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Just as biodiversity strengthens natural systems, the diversity of human experience strengthens our conservation efforts for the benefit of nature and all human beings. The New Hope Bird Alliance must represent and reflect that human diversity, embracing it in all the communities where we work. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our board, volunteers, members, and supporters, in order to achieve our conservation goals, and to “bringing nature home” to all people and all communities. Respect, inclusion and opportunity for people of all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives will attract the best ideas and harness the greatest passion to shape a healthier, more vibrant future for all of us who share our planet.
NHBA Membership Meetings
Our membership meetings are held in the Visitor Education Center at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, on the first Thursday of every month (except June, July, and August). Some meetings are also available via Zoom – check our monthly meeting schedule or our calendar for details on meetings formats and speakers. Everyone, including non-members, is welcome! See you at a meeting soon!
Contact Us
The New Hope Bird Alliance is a volunteer organization without an office or an office phone. Please use our email address to contact us, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You may also use our mailing address, but our response may be slower:
New Hope Bird Alliance
PO Box 2693
Chapel Hill, NC, 27515.
Or email us directly at [email protected]
Officers/Committee Chairs
The New Hope Bird Alliance (NHBA) is governed by a board of directors with duties outlined in the chapter by-laws. Officers are elected at the May membership meeting and serve through the following April. Committee and special project people are appointed by the board–volunteers are always welcome! Below is a list of current officers and committee chairs.
Officers
- President: Carol Hamilton
- Vice President: Ross McKinney
- Past President: Barbara Driscoll
- Secretary: Mary George
- Treasurer: Leanne Richbourg
- At-large: Cathy Rodrigues, Carolyn McAllaster, Gail Boyarsky
Committees
- Bird Friendly Habitat Committee: Co-Chairs–Barbara Driscoll, Jim George. Includes the residential Bird Friendly Habitat Certification program; the retail and wholesale garden center program to promote the sale of native plants and stop the sale of invasive plants; the Corporate Bird Friendly Habitat Certification program; and the Bird Friendly Communities program, which works with municipalities to promote bird friendly actions such as planting native plants, removing invasive plants, and sponsoring other bird friendly activities.
- Community Science Committee: Co-Chairs–Jin Bai and Gloria Gao. Includes all bird counts (Quarterly Eagle Count at Jordan Lake, Jordan Lake Christmas Bird Count, Jordan Lake Spring Bird Count, Mini-Breeding Bird Survey, Brumley N Bird Survey), Climate Watch, and bird-window collision monitoring project at UNC-Chapel Hill.
- Conservation Committee: Co-Chairs–Barbara Driscoll and Jennifer Maher. The Conservation Committee educates, protects, and advocates for birds, with a particular emphasis on local species in decline and the health of the habitats they depend on. The committee promotes bird-friendly and sustainable development by advocating with local governments to improve development ordinances and by educating private property owners about best practices for supporting birds. Our members support NHBA’s conservation and monitoring efforts at local Important Bird Areas (Jordan Lake and Eno River State Park) and other natural areas in the region. We install and monitor nest boxes, and collaborate on habitat protection with organizations such as Sandy Creek Park, Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, and the North Carolina Botanical Garden. A motus tower will be installed in 2026 to help track birds in migration.
- Education Committee: Chair–Margie Muenzer. This committee develops educational materials; offers interactive programs focusing on birds and the environment at schools, local libraries, community centers, and nature-themed camps; and provides educational exhibits at fairs and community events. We partner with New Hope Bird Alliance bird walk leaders in providing youth and family bird walks.
- Field Trips Committee: Chair–David Anderson. Includes all field trip activities and all bird walks.
- Fundraising/Development Committee: Chair–Sarah Roberts. This committee coordinates all fund-raising activities including grant applications. Includes position of Bird Seed Sale Coordinator and sales of bird houses.
- Media and Communications Committee: Chair–Emily Baqir. Includes management of all platforms for communicating with members such as: all social media (Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, etc.), email listservs, newspaper articles, and Google groups for the board and standing committees. Includes Webmaster, Blog Editor, and Archivist positions.
- Membership Committee: Chair–Rachelle Roake. Includes Programs, Hospitality, Engagement, and Recruitment.
Tell us your interests and GET INVOLVED! Fill out our VOLUNTEER FORM today.
Brochure
If you would like to download our New Hope Bird Alliance full-color brochure please click here. (BROCHURE TO BE CHANGED TO REFLECT OUR NEW NAME)
NHBA Annual Reports
Please click the links below to see our annual reports:
2023-2024 NHBA Annual Report
2022 NHAS Annual Report
Constitution and By-Laws
In May 2024, New Hope Bird Alliance updated and amended its Constitution and By-Laws. Click here for a PDF version of these documents.
Map of the New Hope Bird Alliance territory
The New Hope Bird Alliance territory is defined by zip codes not county lines. Our area is basically Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties with small areas of adjacent counties due to zip codes extending across county lines. Here’s a map of our territory.
Love Wildlife? Give Back.
New Hope Bird Alliance depends on the community to help fund meetings, educational resources, and conservation efforts. Make a donation* to help protect North Carolina’s wildlife for years to come. Thank you for your support!
*Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law.