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NEW YORK — “This is a highly strategic and long-needed investment in grassroots mobilization for climate action. We’re humbled by this gift and ready to put this money to work. Climate change is the number one threat to birds and this gift from Overlook International Foundation will be the difference in ̽����ѡ’s ability to engage our 1.2 million members in creating bipartisan solutions,” said David Yarnold () ̽����ѡ’s president and CEO in reaction to Overlook International Foundation’s gift of $10 million to support the organization’s climate change work.

̽����ѡ’s unique membership spans the breadth of the political spectrum with 55 percent progressive and 45 percent moderate to conservative members spread among 463 local, bipartisan chapters across the country and 23 state field offices.

“No one is better positioned than ̽����ѡ to create a bipartisan public demand for climate solutions. Many of our members are already climate advocates for birds. Now we will have the resources to organize even more of our members and other Americans like them to harness that energy in a focused effort. From South Carolina to Washington to Arkansas, ̽����ѡ’s trusted local voices matter everywhere,” added Yarnold.

“If we are going to make progress on climate—everyone has to come to the table—party affiliations aside. We’re running out of time,” said Marisa de Belloy, executive director of the Overlook International Foundation. “Climate change can feel like an abstraction—even when extreme weather events tell us how very real it is. ̽����ѡ has a unique ability to make climate change personal—everyone has a bird story.”

As part of their commitment, OIF has earmarked a portion of this gift as a challenge to ̽����ѡ—and will match all new or increased gifts to ̽����ѡ’s climate work up to $3.33 million.

In 2014, ̽����ѡ published its . The study shows that more than half of the bird species in North America could lose at least half of their current ranges by 2080 due to rising temperatures. These species include the , the , and the .

Given the urgent threat climate change poses to birds and people, ̽����ѡ supports common-sense, bipartisan solutions that reduce carbon pollution at the speed and scale necessary to protect birds and the places they need. 

To learn more about ̽����ѡ’s Climate Initiative, including how members and supporters can take steps to help birds in a changing climate, please visit . To read about solar options in your state and why solar energy is good for birds, please click here.

The ̽����ѡ protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. ̽����ѡ's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, ̽����ѡ's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. ̽����ѡ is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more how to help at and follow us on  and  at @audubonsociety.

Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, ngonzalez@audubon.org, (212) 979-3068.

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