2023 ABAS Birdathon Another Success
By: Chandler Roberts
While the 2023 Birdathon saw a smaller grant request than the past few years, our amazing donors and volunteers set out to raise $29,040 to fund eight different grants ranging from research studies to habitat restoration. Thanks to all of their hard work we were able to exceed that goal and raise $30,765 which allowed us to fully fund all eight grants and preserve a healthy carryover of nearly $10,000 for next year’s grant requests. This year, we continue to partner with American Bird Conservancy and their wonderful work in the Central Andes Birdscape in Columbia. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is creating a new green space on the near East Side of Indianapolis. Our long-time partner, Marian University EcoLab, is continuing habitat restoration work. Research studies at Indiana University are focusing on both common species like American Robins as well as how some species are reacting to climate change. Additional research projects at Ball State are continuing the excellent research of Cerulean Warblers led by Dr. Kamal Islam. Finally Camp Utopia was able to offer an expanded camp this year which was well attended and a great success. 12 teams participated in this year’s Birdathon and the Noddy Little Gulls were again the champions for most species seen at 141 species. The Carbon Neutral Team came in a very close second with 139 species, an impressive feat for a human powered big day. Bud & Carl’s
Legacy Team came out as the top fundraising team with an impressive $5,110.50 raised. Be sure to read the tales of their Big Day events as well as those of our other nine teams.
A sincere thank you to all of our generous Birdathon donors and our dedicated volunteers from Chandler Roberts, Birdathon Chair, members of the Birdathon Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Amos Butler Audubon Society. The funding of these wonderful projects would not be possible without your efforts and generosity.