Equity and the Environment |
Equity and the Environment |

Statement on National Audubon’s Decision to Keep the Name Audubon

This morning National Audubon announced that they decided to keep the name Audubon, despite John James Audubon’s history as a slaveholder and person who stole skulls from the graves of Native Americans. This decision is disappointing and damaging, showing disregard to the communities of color and allies, including National Audubon’s own union staff, who have openly expressed that the name is harmful and a barrier to our important work. 

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Conservation |
Joe Liebezeit and Micah Meskel
Conservation |

Introducing Our Interim Conservation Directors

Joe Liebezeit will serve as interim statewide conservation director, and Micah Meskel will serve as interim urban conservation director while we begin the search for a new conservation director. Together they possess over 20 years of experience at Portland Audubon and significantly longer over their careers.

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News |
Great Blue Heron landing
News |

FAQs About Portland Audubon Decision to Change the Name Audubon

In order to best achieve our mission as an organization committed to racial equity and the environment, we cannot continue to condone bearing a name that celebrates a slaveholder who embraced white supremacist systems. Here are some FAQs to further explain how and why this decision was made.

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News |
James Davis doing keynote address at UERC Luncheon in 2007
News |

Remembering James Davis

In December 2022, the Portland Audubon community lost a beloved member of the flock. James Davis, an amazing naturalist and educator, served as Portland Audubon’s first director of education and his vision and expertise laid the foundation for much of the programming that continues to this day.

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