This year, I am on the team, The Nature Plovers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Two Ways to Give:

1. To pledge per species seen, simply FILL OUT THIS FORM with a pledge amount.

2. Donate a flat amount - click donate button at the bottom of the page!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Nature Plovers (curious about our name?)

The year is 2021. The skies are melodic and swift over Houston, TX, where warblers, shorebirds, and other avian friends are calling out to connect.

Communicating through movement and sound with others on the journey north, they participate in a mysterious and beautiful dialogue that we witness with delight yet do not fully understand. Birds of all description - stunning shapes, sizes, colors, and sounds are engaged in the primordial urge to move.

As we decipher the patterns of this movement, we continue to learn about an important dance unfolding between us and the environment - the awesome dance of nature. With this dance comes a message of beauty, and also a warning.

Two years ago, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology reported, “Since 1970, on balance, many more birds have died than have survived, resulting in 2.9 billion fewer breeding birds today … Of the nearly 3 billion birds lost, 90% came from just 12 bird families, including sparrows, warblers, finches, and swallows.”

It is clear we must render aid by advancing the conservation of birds and positively impacting their supporting environments. This will in turn create a healthier natural environment and a more beautiful place to live.

On April 23rd, as part of Houston Audubon’s 2021 Birdathon, a team of passionate birders will join forces to raise funds and awareness for Houston Audubon by participating in an effort to witness as many birds as possible in a 24-hour period.

Known as The Nature Plovers, we will search far and wide for species across Texas. By making a pledge you will receive play-by-play updates through the day, as well as our plove and admiration!

Our team members are:

Cin-Ty Lee | Diana Strassmann | Chris Hammond | Chris Bick | Tim Perkins | Stuart Nelson

Please contribute to this mission by giving as you are able.

Every pledge helps! There are two ways to give:

1. Pledge an amount per bird - simply FILL OUT THIS FORM with a pledge amount. You’ll receive live updates as we plan and undergo our Big Day, and your giving total will be tied to the number of species we see. Last year, our pledges ranged from $0.25 to $5.00 per species seen, and we saw 187 species. This year, we are trying to break our record and then some, aiming for over 250 species.

2. Donate a flat amount - use this page to donate! You’ll receive live updates as we plan and undergo our Big Day. You can always come back later if you’d like to increase your pledge.

If you have questions, please email us at stuzi56@gmail.com.

Let’s demonstrate our PLOVE for nature, together.

Birdathon is Houston Audubon's annual spring fundraiser where participants compete to count as many bird species as possible in a 24-hour period. All contributions support Houston Audubon's mission to advance the conservation of birds and positively impact their supporting environments.