Photo: Birders birding during the 2024 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, captured by Evie Kirkwood.
BY WHITNEY YOERGER
Being a member of Indiana Audubon (IAS) is more than a line on your résumé of good deeds. It’s an invitation into a thriving community of people who care about birds, and about the wild places that sustain them. Whether you’re here for the birds, the friendships, or the chance to give back, membership opens the door to countless ways to deepen your experience.
Recently, we asked members via Facebook to share how they make the most of their membership. Here’s what they had to say—in their own words.
Explore the Outdoors Together
Many members first discover the value of their membership through field trips and events. “I have enjoyed the excellent field trips, especially out of the state (and my first coming up out of the country),” said Cathy Meyer. “Getting to know more birders from all of the state has been a benefit of the trips and the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival.”
For newer members like Rena Oliba, even a couple of activities can make a big impact. “I absolutely enjoyed the two activities I’ve made it to and added birds to my life list,” Rena shared. “I like having the possibility of going on group trips out of the state.”
Field experiences help transform birding from a solo hobby into a shared passion. As Jenny Young put it, “Most of the local field trips are free, so a great way for new birders to learn more about birding and meet some cool birders.” These shared adventures also create connections that last long after the final bird checklist is tallied.
Tap into Resources for Lifelong Learning
Some members are drawn in by the resources that fuel personal growth and curiosity. “For me, it’s the large amount of resources for me to grow and learn as a bird enthusiast,” said IAS Executive Director Brad Bumgardner. Free access to Birds of the World, IAS publications, conservation data, and virtual programs makes membership an investment in your own birding journey.
Carol Goodall also highlighted key benefits, sharing, “Early registration for the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival and the free subscription to Birds of the World.” Staying curious keeps your birding sharp—and Indiana Audubon offers plenty of ways to keep learning, including a new members-only video portal. (Login here and then access the page.)
Membership also opens new windows of understanding. Tina Rosier reflected, “I have been a bird/nature lover all my life, but an IAS member for only seven years. I love the [Indiana Audubon Quarterly] and the many field trips and travel opportunities. It has also been a great outlet for meeting new people, making new friends, and understanding different perspectives that I would not have encountered without IAS.”
She added, “Prior to joining IAS, I had no idea about the specifics of bird migration or that bird strikes were a problem. The education that IAS does in support of bird and habitat conservation is important. Without joining IAS I never would have realized this!”
Discover Hidden Membership Perks
Not every benefit is obvious at first. Some members, like Mona Clayton, point out that newcomers might not immediately realize which membership levels come with merchandise discounts or how to access valuable resources like Birds of the World. Learning about these benefits early can help members maximize the value of their membership.
Mona also shared how membership has opened up unexpected joys: “Never imagined I’d have a bunch of bird feeders, support conservation, and find joy in listening to birds and could be found wearing my binoculars and toting my optics in the car wherever I roam.”
Jennifer McQuade, reflecting on her early experiences, shared another key piece of advice: “At first I didn’t know that in the greater Indianapolis area, there are two major Audubon groups—Indiana Audubon and Amos Butler Audubon. Don’t hesitate to support both!” She also pointed out some of Indiana Audubon’s most powerful resources: “The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival is sponsored by Indiana Audubon and is a great way to be introduced to a large concentration of birding hot spots. The Indiana Birding Trail and Guide are a fantastic way to explore birding, no matter where you live in Indiana.”
Deepen Your Connection to Conservation
Membership isn’t just about what you receive. It’s about how it shapes your relationship with the natural world. For many members, Indiana Audubon opens up new ways to see the vital connection between birds, habitats, and conservation efforts across the state.
Resources like Find a Wildlife Rehabilitator help people take action when birds are injured, sick, or displaced. If you’re unsure whether a bird you’ve found is a fledgling or need to locate expert care for an injured bird, knowing what to do can make all the difference. And that knowledge starts with conservation-minded communities like ours.
The impact goes beyond personal knowledge. Supporting Indiana Audubon means helping protect habitats through on-the-ground conservation projects, education programs, and scientific research. As Brad Bumgardner noted, members directly fuel important research, education, and outreach efforts that make a real difference for birds today.
Find Your Place in the Indiana Landscape
Others find their place among the bustling energy of events like the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. John B. Marshall described it as “spectacularly well organized, with great ‘early access’ for Indiana Audubon members, terrific walks led by well-known guides, excellent educational programs throughout each day, a great ‘headquarters’ location with loads of food, friendship, and birding information, and awesome guest speakers that make the two hours of driving to and from each day worthwhile!”
Resources like the Indiana Birding Trail, a free guide to more than 60 of Indiana’s best birding destinations, make it easier to explore these landscapes firsthand. From discovering new migration hotspots to visiting a local nature preserve for the first time, the Indiana Birding Trail helps members and non-members alike experience the richness of Indiana’s wild places.
From vibrant festivals, including the Hummingbird Migration Celebration, to quiet moments in nature at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, Indiana Audubon offers spaces where every kind of birder, and every kind of nature lover, can belong.
Stay Connected, Stay Inspired
Even if life moves you across state lines, staying connected is easy. Jenny Young, who moved to Michigan but remains a member, said she primarily stays in touch through Facebook and email updates. Rena Oliba, still in her first years as a member, said she also stays connected primarily through the IAS Facebook page, showing that engagement can happen from near or far.
And staying connected matters because conservation isn’t a moment; it’s a movement. Your membership helps protect habitats, fuel research, and inspire education across Indiana and beyond.
Ready to Make the Most of Your Membership?
No matter how you engage—as a field trip regular, a Quarterly reader, a virtual event participant, or someone quietly supporting from afar—your membership is a powerful tool for good.
As Mona Clayton beautifully summed up, “I’m especially grateful for friends I’ve made and the wealth of sharing and learning I’ve gained and continue to obtain from countless birders, board members, staff, and beyond.”
The best part? There’s no one right way to be an Indiana Audubon member. Your experience can grow and change with you. As you explore all the possibilities, you’ll find, as so many others have, that membership doesn’t just connect you to birds. It connects you to something bigger.
Tags: birding insights membership drive
