Mission

The Monterey Audubon Society is devoted to celebrating and conserving the birds and wildlife of California's Central Coast.

The Big Idea

Watching or observing birds (aka birding) and being out in nature improves mental and physical health, enriches lives, and creates community. It also cultivates an awareness of the fundamental benefits that healthy and biodiverse ecosystems provide to our society. We want to both support folks who are already birders but whose physical abilities limit their participation, and also introduce birding to people who might not have seen themselves as being able to participate in this outdoor activity in the past. Although Monterey Audubon has offered birding trips since the organization was founded nearly 80 years ago, it needs to actively remove barriers that might keep people from participating in its field trips. We'll accomplish this by offering trips at ADA accessible locations, training more trip leaders, and collaborating and consulting with groups that do similar work.

Monterey Audubon Society has enriched my life more than I can say! At the age of 71, living alone and with mobility issues, I was missing birding adventures that had brought me so much joy years ago. I discovered “Birdability” through their newsletter and was excited to learn about accessible birding. I contacted Amanda Preece, MAS Environmental Advocate, who was enthusiastic about offering mindful birding experiences for mobility-challenged individuals like me. I am grateful she let me help. This was such a mental health boost for me after the Covid shutdown! More exciting ideas emerged – offering birding presentations/experiences to people who may not otherwise be able to participate, such as those at senior centers and assisted living facilities. Besides the tremendous joy I feel spending time in nature and meeting new people while birding, I now have a new sense of purpose helping others feel that same great pleasure.

- Bev Gatliff