Are you ready to spend our coveted sunny weather outside, learning about our avian residents and protecting their habitats so future generations can enjoy these beautiful animals? Not to mention it’s a great way to get exercise, meet new friends and have fun! The South Sound Bird Alliance, formerly Black Hills Audubon Society, is waiting to take members from Thurston, Lewis and Mason counties on birdwatching excursions and more.
Black Hills Audubon Society Then, South Sound Bird Alliance Now
The Black Hills Audubon Society was started in 1973 as a chapter of the National Audubon Society. It was the first Audubon chapter in the area. “A small group of bird-loving conservationists formed the group to promote preservation of wildlife habitat, provide educational opportunities, and to enjoy the natural world, especially birds,” shares Kathleen Snyder, South Sound Bird Alliance president.
In April 2025, they voted to change the name to the South Sound Bird Alliance. The organization is an all-volunteer nonprofit with over 1,300 members. Members share a love of birds and other wildlife, natural history and an interest in protecting habitats. “Our goals are to promote environmental education and recreation and to maintain and protect our ecosystems for future generations,” shares Mary Ann Steele, a member of the South Sound Bird Alliance. “We work with the state Audubon office and National Audubon.”
More Than a South Sound Birdwatching Club
While they definitely encourage birdwatching in Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties – with a lot of resources on their website, including where to find birds, field trips and more – the nonprofit has a higher purpose. With a goal of education and protection, they hold classes for all ages. Classes and workshops are held on a range of subjects, including bird identification; species habitat needs; how to use eBird; beginning birding in your own backyard; and more. They have also published their children’s book, “What is a Bird?” in Spanish and Vietnamese.
In addition, the group works in advocacy through legislative and judicial means, shares Kathleen. “We work to ensure that south sound prairies remain viable for nesting bluebirds, swallows, wrens and chickadees by providing nest boxes,” she adds. “We sponsor field trips for people interested in birding, and we promote research with community science surveys and with facilitation of migration tracking towers.”
Recently, advocacy work included appealing Thurston County’s rezoning of a Black River
property for industrial uses. “We successfully appealed the Port of Olympia’s Determination of Nonsignificance in regards to their Olympia Airport Master Plan, but still are awaiting their new plan,” she adds.
Some of their advocacy work expands beyond the South Sound. They have partnered with two Mexican nonprofits to install two Motus towers on the Baja Peninsula. “Motus towers can pick up signals from migrating birds, bats and insects that have radio tags on them,” shares Kathleen.
Other activities include a long list of fun things – you will never be bored as a member of the South Sound Bird Alliance – including:
- Bird Field Trips
- Birds & Brew
- Bird Book Club
- Monthly Speaker Series
- Christmas Bird Counts
- Nest box installation, monitoring, and maintenance
- Outreach events
- Annual Dinner
- Annual Picnic
Catios: Cat Indoors Campaign
As part of their advocacy and awareness mission, the South Sound Bird Alliance is currently running a Cat Indoors campaign. Their goal is to help safeguard cats and birds through the encouragement of catios for outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats. “We hope to host a catio tour this year,” shares Kathleens, “as well as publish an informational brochure.”
Do you already use a catio? They would love to have photos of your setup! You can send them to ksnyder75@gmail.com. You can also email her with questions or comments regarding catio usages. Bonus points if the photo of the catio has kitties inside!
Join the South Sound Bird Alliance
Ready to learn about birds, have fun and make a difference? You can join the South Sound Bird Alliance website. There are two types of memberships (one local, one national), both cost just $20/year. With the South Sound Bird Alliance option, the money stays local. If you choose to be a member of the National Audubon Society, you will automatically be a member of the South Sound Bird Alliance, but dollars are used at the national level in that case. Kathleen notes that the South Sound Bird Alliance membership also has a “pay as you are able” option.
Members meet most months on the second Thursday in the evening. They have speakers from different organizations and other topics at the meeting. Members also participate in field trips, classes, volunteer and community science surveys.
“Anyone interested in birds and their conservation would enjoy becoming a member,” says Kathleen. “Those who are interested in local conservation and land use issues would also find a home with us. Audubon chapters attract wonderful folks who are knowledgeable, dedicated and are great to spend time with.”
