by Rose Jeffery At the Robert Cooper Audubon Society board meeting of August 4, 2026, we discussed whether our society should shed the honorific “Audubon” from our name. This move has been taken by many chapters across the nation, including two prominent Indiana chapters. Amos Butler Audubon Society is now Bird Alliance of Central IndianaContinue reading “What is in a name?”
Author Archives: rcaudubon
Conservation awards celebration
Dec. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | BSU Alumni Center RSVPs to cooperaudubon@gmail.com requested by Nov. 20 Each year, the Robert Cooper Audubon Society celebrates individuals and organizations who make noteworthy contributions to conservation and environmental education in our region. On Wednesday, December 2, we will honor this year’s winners! The evening will begin with lightContinue reading “Conservation awards celebration”
RCAS’s position on data centers in East Central Indiana
Delaware Co. residents: Take action by Nov. 6!Read our position paper HERE Local governments across the country—including those in East Central Indiana—are being asked to permit new data centers, facilities that will have large impacts on citizens’ lives, both now and in the future. Most recently, the Academy of Model Aeronautics board has entered negotiationsContinue reading “RCAS’s position on data centers in East Central Indiana”
2026-2027 season
Oct. Mary Callaghan, Indiana Assistant Outreach Biologist for the International Crane Foundation, shared information about Whooping Cranes in the Eastern Migratory Population. Her presentation explored historic threats, the reintroduction of Whooping Cranes to the Midwest, and why we consider this a story of creativity and perseverance for an endangered species whose North American population onceContinue reading “2026-2027 season”
Dutro-Ernst Woods service day
Nov. 8 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. On Sunday, November 8, we’ll spend part of the afternoon working at Dutro-Ernst Woods, a Red-tail Land Conservancy property, to attack Asian bush honeysuckle and other invasive plants. Bring loppers, shovels, gloves, and a warrior spirit! The Dutro-Ernst parking lot is at the corner of Perdieu Rd. and Kilgore Ave.,Continue reading “Dutro-Ernst Woods service day”
Fall Creek Woods
Oct. 31 | 8:30-10:30 While we’ll still be on the lookout for birds (as always!), the highlight of this trip will be fall foliage and beautiful landscapes. We’ll walk a .75-mile loop trail that winds through Smith-Crisler Nature Preserve, a dedicated state preserve located within Fall Creek Woods, which is a property of Red-tail LandContinue reading “Fall Creek Woods”
Wild Borneo: Island of Natural Wonders
Nov. 18 | 7 p.m. | BSU Nature Lab & Zoom Borneo, the world’s third largest island, is well known for its plant and animal biodiversity. It is home to more than 620 bird species, including 60 endemic species of birds found nowhere else in the world. British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace explored Southeast AsiaContinue reading “Wild Borneo: Island of Natural Wonders”
Mounds State Park
Nov. 14 | 9-11 a.m. Please join us for our next monthly bird walk at Mounds State Park on Saturday, November 14. Meet in the parking lot next to the Visitors Center at 9 a.m. Binoculars will be provided for those who don’t have their own. The following bird walk will be on December 12. NOTE: From March-October, walksContinue reading “Mounds State Park”
Cranes over Indiana
Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | BSU Nature Lab & Zoom The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is an endangered species that once had an estimated population of 10,000 birds across North America. In 2026, there are around 700 individuals in the wild and around 130 more under human care. At our October program meeting, MaryContinue reading “Cranes over Indiana”
In memoriam: John Cheney
Our chapter is mourning the passing of long-time member and volunteer John Cheney, who died in July at the age of 85. John’s welcoming presence at the sign-in table has been part of our program meetings and special events for many years, and we will miss him very much. Our sympathies are with his widow,Continue reading “In memoriam: John Cheney”
Invasive species: a problem for our local ecosystems
You may have seen the work of Robert Cooper Audubon Society volunteers in action at Mounds State Park or Dutro-Ernst Woods, where we’ve been working to remove invasive plant species. Learn more by downloading an article that defines “invasive species,” highlights a few of the worst offenders in East Central Indiana, explains how they disruptContinue reading “Invasive species: a problem for our local ecosystems”
Indiana Audubon Society celebrates Robert Cooper
The Indiana Audubon Society recently published an article about our chapter’s namesake, Robert Cooper, that was written by Terri Gorney Lehman. The article, which celebrates both Dr. Cooper and his wife Esther, is part of Terri’s Flight Paths Through History series, which explores the people, places, and moments that have shaped Indiana birding. Terri, whoContinue reading “Indiana Audubon Society celebrates Robert Cooper”
