We're Working Together For Chicagoland Birds

More About US

Promoting Bird Conservation in Chicagoland for over 20 years

We are a coalition of over 20 organizations, including bird clubs, Audubon chapters, ornithological societies, and conservation organizations sharing an interest in the conservation of birds.

Our groups' members total more than 35,000 people living primarily in the Chicago area, but also throughout Illinois, northeastern Indiana, and southern Wisconsin. Our mission is to conserve birds and the habitats they need to survive. With no full-time staff, BCN’s board is made up entirely of volunteer representatives from the member groups who carry out the needed work.

Loggerhead Shrike

What We Do

Monitoring, Advocacy, and Research

We're actively involved through bird monitoring, protecting birds of concern, conducting research, producing info papers, promoting restoration, public advocacy, informing government, educating the public, and reducing bird threats.

01.

Monitoring

Using scientific protocols, BCN volunteers monitor bird populations throughout the Chicago region during the breeding season and throughout the year. Our data helps land managers and researchers improve habitat, prioritize species of growing concern, gauge the status of our natural areas, and review the impact of regional restoration projects.

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02.

Species Assessments

We analyze and produce bird population trends for species in the Chicago region. These trends help researchers focus in on trends in managed lands that may not be accurately represented by national trends and also raise awareness regarding the necessity for bird conservation in the Chicagoland area.

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03.

Advocacy

Through the collective force of our over 20 member organizations, we actively advocate on behalf of birds, promote campaigns and initiatives, collaborate with land managers, and inform and influence public officials on policies affecting bird conservation and habitat management.

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04.

Research

The Bird Conservation Network compiles and gathers research on best practices and relevant issues such as birds and window collisions, habitat management and conservation, preferences of migratory birds, and more. We disseminate these research findings to a variety of audiences to enhance bird conservation efforts in our region

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05.

Education

Through public education, we inform and inspire the public, volunteers, and land managers through research and advocacy initiatives, conferences, and presentations. BCN also helps reduce threats to birds through the promotion of programs including bird collision monitoring, Cats Indoors, and Lights Out Chicago. These programs give everyone from individuals to building owners a way to make a direct impact on birds' safety.

06.

Conservation

BCN plays a pivotal role in organizing and supporting regional efforts for threatened and endangered birds. These include protecting Swainson’s Hawk populations in Kane County, working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to protect endangered Common Terns nesting along Lake Michigan, and partnering with the University of Illinois and Illinois Audubon Society to study regional populations of Black-crowned Night Herons.

Member Organizations

American Bird Conservancy
Audubon Great Lakes
Chicago Audubon Society
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors
Chicago Ornithological Society
Citizens for Conservation
DuPage Birding Club
Evanston North Shore Bird Club
Illinois Audubon Society
Kane County Audubon
Lake-Cook Chapter of IL Audubon Society
Lake County Audubon Society
Loyola University School of Environmental Sustainability
McHenry County Audubon Society
The Nature Conservancy Bird Committee
Peoria Audubon Society
Thorn Creek Audubon
The Wetlands Initiative
Will County Audubon

Our Leadership

Executive Committee

BCN President

Diann Bilderback

Vice President

Jim Giocomo

Treasurer

Linda Gohlke

Secretary

Joanne Harrison

Past President

Sonny Cohen

At Large

Aubrey Sirman

At Large

Bob Fisher

At Large

Jim Giocomo

Committee Chairs

Advocacy

Bob Fisher

Development

Diann Bilderback

Communications

Bob Fisher

BCN Survey Chair

Aubrey Sirman

BCN Survey Co-Chair

Tim Balassie

Contact Us

Our Mission

BCN Mission Statement

The purpose of the BCN is to advocate for and promote the perpetuation and appreciation of the native avian fauna of the Chicago region, both resident and migratory, with its associated native flora and fauna, and the habitats that support them through a coalition of birding organizations and individuals. To achieve this goal, an understanding is needed: of the habitat needs of birds during all seasons of the year; the influence human activities and natural processes have on those habitats and all the species that occur in them; and how that influence affects their avian denizens. Promotion of a sound ecological relationship between human populations and their environments, and the education and involvement of the birding community and the public at large in such efforts, is also critical.

Our History

The Early History and Formation of BCN

Founded in 1996, the Bird Conservation Network has been active in Chicagoland bird conservation for almost three decades. Learn more about the Early History of BCN compiled by Libby Hill.

Our History

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Orchard Oriole

Make a Direct Impact For Chicagoland Birds

We're a regional a regional 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused exclusively on protecting birds and their habitats. Your donation helps fund BCN and support projects like breeding bird trends analyses, the BCN Survey, the Birds of Concern, and research and collaboration with land managers.

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