What’s the difference between The Connecticut Audubon Society (http://www.ctaudubon.org http://www.ctaudubon.org/) and Audubon Connecticut (http://ct.audubon.org http://ct.audubon.org/)?

I got an email from the latter about a benefit auction, considered registering but as it asked me to type in a bunch of personal information and a credit card #, I thought, “Hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t click on a link in an email, let me google it and directly pull up the website.”  When I did, I got to the former website and of course - no auction.  I thought I was being scammed for a minute until I found the latter’s website.  So, there are two different groups that call themselves “Audubon”?

I figured if anyone knew, it would be this group!  Thanks all!

Eric Lichtenberger
Simsbury CT

I'm very sorry the site didn't work for you.  I have asked for our event team to look into that.  If it was for the upcoming Audubon Connecticut auction, it is indeed a legitimate auction and for a very important fundraising event we are holding in April.  Proceeds from that event are critical to our conservation efforts in the state and we have some great items up for auction.  Thank you for your interest in supporting a good cause for birds!

As to the difference between the two Audubon Societies, it is a bit of a long story:

There are two statewide Audubon Groups in Connecticut.  Audubon Connecticut is the state office of the National Audubon Society.  That is who I work for.    The Connecticut Audubon Society is one of the oldest independent state Audubon groups in the country, older than the National Audubon Society.    Connecticut is about the only place where there is both a strong state presence for the National Audubon Society and a vibrant, independent statewide Audubon society.  When National Audubon formed, there were several northeastern states that wanted to remain independent, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maine and New Hampshire.  In most cases, National did not ever gain much of a presence in those states.  However, In Connecticut, there are strong chapters of the National Audubon Society as well and Audubon came to have extensive holdings, including some of the oldest nature education centers in our network (in Greenwich and Sharon) and more than 4,000 acres of land.  Because of this history and at the request of our chapters, a state office of Audubon was formed here.

Both groups do excellent work and there is more than enough to be done in this state to conserve birds and educate people about these wonderful creatures that the two organizations get along great.  We work together extensively, most visibly through the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, where we partner with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI) to conserve coastal waterbirds and the places most important for them along our coastline.  Both Audubons are highly rated charities (as is RTPI).

Now, just to make a long story even longer.  There are other Audubons in Connecticut.  The Hartford Audubon Society is also independent and not affiliated with Audubon Connecticut nor the Connecticut Audubon Society.  They are another great group, of which I am a life member.  There are also local chapters, which are affiliated with the National Audubon Society, but also are independent organizations.  Included among these are the Menunkatuck Audubon Society. the Potapaug Audubon Society, the Mattabeseck Audubon Society, The Litchfield Hills Audubon Society, The Naugatuck Valley Audubon Society and the Quinnipiac Valley Audubon Society.

I hope this answers your questions and I'm again sorry for the problem you had with the auction site.

Sincerely,

Patrick

Patrick M. Comins, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Connecticut
Phone: (203)405-9115

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From: CTBirds ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org on behalf of Eric Lichtenberger via CTBirds ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 8:33 PM
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: [CT Birds] Difference between Audubon Connecticut and Connecticut Audubon Society?

What’s the difference between The Connecticut Audubon Society (http://www.ctaudubon.org http://www.ctaudubon.org/) and Audubon Connecticut (http://ct.audubon.org http://ct.audubon.org/)?

I got an email from the latter about a benefit auction, considered registering but as it asked me to type in a bunch of personal information and a credit card #, I thought, “Hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t click on a link in an email, let me google it and directly pull up the website.”  When I did, I got to the former website and of course - no auction.  I thought I was being scammed for a minute until I found the latter’s website.  So, there are two different groups that call themselves “Audubon”?

I figured if anyone knew, it would be this group!  Thanks all!

Eric Lichtenberger
Simsbury CT

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

Hi Eric,

That's a good question and confusing to many! Connecticut is home to a variety of Audubons, all with good missions and dedicated volunteers. Here's a quick rundown of the four big birding players in Connecticut. If I make any mistakes, anyone, please correct me:

Connecticut Audubon Society : a very active, membership-based not-for-profit organization focused on bird habitat, ecology, and advocacy in Connecticut. They have facilities in Glastonbury, Milford Point, Pomfret, the Birdcraft Museum in Fairfield, own/maintain 19 sanctuaries, and have paid staff. They run many walks and programs for members and the public and are an active voice for conservation in Connecticut. Their website is http://www.ctaudubon.org .

Audubon Connecticut : this is the Connecticut chapter affiliated with the National Audubon Society, and is very active in Connecticut also. They own/run facilities at the Bent of the River Preserve in Southbury; the Greenwich Audubon Center; and the Sharon Audubon Center. They are active in both state and national advocacy and offer many walks and programs for members and the public. Members join National Audubon and are able to participate in any of seven local chapters, which are: Audubon Greenwich; Litchfield Hills Audubon; Mattabeseck Audubon; Menunkatuck Audubon; Naugatuck Valley Audubon; Potapaug Audubon; and Quinnipiac Valley Audubon. Their website is http://ct.audubon.org/ .

Connecticut Ornithological Association : This all-volunteer organization is devoted exclusively to birds, birding, bird habitat, and the scientific study of birds, with a little advocacy thrown in. It's the clearinghouse for the "hard core" birders in the state, offers trips and lists trips from other organizations on its website, runs the ctbirding listserve (which is how you're getting this), produces high quality publications, and holds an annual conference. Their website is http://www.ctbirding.org/

Hartford Audubon Society : This is a separate, all-volunteer not-profit organization dedicated to bird habitat, ecology, and public education. Founded in 1909, HAS owns three preserves, runs many trips and birdwalks for members and the public, and participates in advocacy with other groups. Their website is http://www.hartfordaudubon.org/

So, you may ask, which one should you join? I'd say, join CT Audubon, Audubon CT, AND COA, and join HAS if you're in the greater Hartford area as well. If you're outside of the greater Hartford area, you can participate in the local Audubon CT chapter activities, or CT Audubon center activities. In any event, please do support as many of them as you can. They all do slightly different things but are united in the mission to offer quality birding opportunities to the public, to educate members and the public about birds and habitats, and to being advocates for habitat preservation and sensible environmental protection.

Sarah Faulkner, Collinsville
----- Original Message -----

From: "Eric Lichtenberger via CTBirds" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
To: "ctbirds" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 8:33:55 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Difference between Audubon Connecticut and Connecticut Audubon Society?

What’s the difference between The Connecticut Audubon Society (http://www.ctaudubon.org http://www.ctaudubon.org/) and Audubon Connecticut (http://ct.audubon.org http://ct.audubon.org/)?

I got an email from the latter about a benefit auction, considered registering but as it asked me to type in a bunch of personal information and a credit card #, I thought, “Hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t click on a link in an email, let me google it and directly pull up the website.” When I did, I got to the former website and of course - no auction. I thought I was being scammed for a minute until I found the latter’s website. So, there are two different groups that call themselves “Audubon”?

I figured if anyone knew, it would be this group! Thanks all!

Eric Lichtenberger
Simsbury CT

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org