The Orleans Audubon Society is dedicated to conserving wildlife and wild places of the southeastern U.S. and to fostering an appreciation of nature. We are a 100% volunteer organization, and run grassroots environmental advocacy and education campaigns, promoting coastal restoration and the environmental health of the Pearl River Basin.

OAS has two intensive raptor conservation projects focused on the breeding success and survival of Swallow-tailed Kites and Bald Eagles. We monitor nests, roosts and other centers of activity, and both projects rely heavily on citizen science. Recently, we developed a Swallow-tailed Kite management recommendations brochure for landowners and the general public. Download the brochure here: Swallow-tailed Kite CONSERVATION Brochure.

We are working with Entergy and the New Orleans City Council to promote avian friendly power that protects Bald Eagles and other birds from electrocution. OAS also developed a guide for native fruiting plants that attract birds, based on Bill Fontenot’s avian frugivory research.

Environmental education programs include: birding courses and seminars for beginners, advanced birding workshops, birding field trips, outreach programs, and lecture programs. We also hold several socials where birders, wildlife gardeners, naturalists and other outdoor and nature enthusiasts can mingle. The Ibis, the quarterly newsletter of the OAS, provides articles on current conservation and environmental issues as well as program and field trip announcements. Environmental education programming is focused on a variety of topics from coastal restoration, climate change, and wildlife gardening using native plants. Recorded programs are posted to the Orleans Audubon Society YouTube Channel.

Help us conserve Louisiana’s birds, other wildlife, and wild places. Become a member, volunteer, follow us on Facebook, sign up for free email announcements at our Mail Chimp landing page or make a donation.

The Orleans Audubon Society is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1949 and incorporated in the State of Louisiana on November 17, 1970.

We are a Chapter of the National Audubon Society, consisting of 1,052 conservation-minded members, and servicing the following parishes: Washington, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, St. John the Baptist, Orleans, Terrebonne, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and Lafourche Parishes.

Officers

Jennifer O. Coulson, President, Swallow-tailed Kite Project, Conservation Committee, Wild Bird Rescue

Chloe St. Germain-Vermillion, Vice-President, Editor of The Ibis, Rooftop Nesting Birds Program, Conservation Committee

Mary Joe Krieger, Treasurer

Sherry A. DeFrancesch, Secretary, Wild Bird Rescue

Board of Directors

Byron Almquist, Public Lands

Joan Garvey, Membership Chair

David P. Muth, Sanctuary Chair, Conservation Committee

John Nelson, Field Trip Chair, Swallow-tailed Kite Project, Wild Bird Rescue, Sanctuary Committee

Glenn Ousset, Citizen Science Chair

Charlie Pfeifer, Louisiana Wildlife Federation Delegate, Conservation Committee

Wendy Rihner, Environmental Education Chair, Native Plants, Publicity Chair

Michael J. Tifft, Legal Chair, Sanctuary Committee

Andrew C. Wilson, Conservation Chair, Legal Committee, Louisiana Wildlife Federation Alternate Delegate

Peter Yaukey, Sanctuary Committee, Birding Course Series

Past Presidents

Michael L. Crago

Barry Kohl

Margie Baldwin

Vivian Newman – 1984

Frank Philip Fischer, Jr. – 1970

Dr. Carolyn R. Morillo – 1973

Dr. Lawrence Palmer O’Meallie – 1963-1964

John H. Stibbs – 1963, 1968

Past Board Members

Joelle Finley – 2006-2025

Dr. Tom Earle

Frank Philip Fischer, Jr.

Christopher C. Friedrichs

Gay M. Gomez

Juanita R. Grimes

Rufus C. Harris, Sr.

S. Chieko Hunter

Todd Hymel

Ariel Kay

Barry Kohl

Gail Kohl

Amy Kyle Smith

Brian Lenz

Maury A. Midlo

John Morton

Nancy L. Newfield

Elena Piazza

Robert Daniel Purrington

Phillip Wallace