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From left, Milt Briggs, Tim Fitzer and Marlene Ishihara of the Sacramento Audubon Society count birds migrating on the Pacific Flyway at Conaway Ranch in Woodland in 2013. The organization announced Saturday that members voted to change the group\u2019s name to Sacramento Bird Alliance.<\/p>\n
Paul Kitagaki Jr.<\/p>\n
pkitagaki@sacbee.com<\/p>\n
The Sacramento Audubon Society voted to change its name to the Sacramento Bird Alliance<\/a> after members voted to change the organization\u2019s name, joining a growing number of local chapters seeking to distance themselves from John James Audubon, the naturalist whose legacy has come under scrutiny because of his support for slavery.<\/p>\n The organization announced the results Saturday.<\/p>\n About 67% of the 223 members who cast ballots voted to change the name after the group\u2019s Board of Directors recommended the move last year, the Sacramento Bird Alliance said on its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nearly one-third of the National Audubon Society\u2019s more than 500 local chapters have changed their names since the organization\u2019s national Board of Directors rejected a name change<\/a> in 2023, the Sacramento chapter said. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the national board’s president at the time said Audubon’s name was too intertwined with the organization and the conservation movement to remove.<\/p>\n What is Audubon\u2019s legacy?<\/p>\n Audubon\u2019s most notable book, \u201cThe Birds of America,\u201d published in the early 1800s, is considered one of the most influential works in American conservation history, documenting bird species and inspiring conservation efforts.<\/p>\n But his legacy has come under scrutiny for his actions and beliefs outside of conservation. According to the Sacramento Bird Alliance, Audubon was \u201ca slave holder and a racist that produced some unethical and questionable scientific products.\u201d<\/p>\n Chapter leaders said \u201cBird Alliance\u201d has become the most common replacement name among local chapters because it emphasizes the organization\u2019s mission rather than an individual.<\/p>\n \u201cThese facts are a distraction from our mission and may keep some people from knowing about our work and learning about birds through our work,\u201d Cliff Feldham, the Sacramento Bird Alliance\u2019s president-elect, said in the announcement of its new name<\/a>. \u201cWith our new name we will distance ourselves from that distraction and keep the focus on birds.\u201d<\/p>\n What is the Sacramento Bird Alliance?<\/p>\n Feldham said the group will legally change its name and update its website and social media accounts this summer. He added that anyone with concerns about the name change can contact him or the chapter\u2019s Board of Directors.<\/p>\n The Sacramento chapter was founded in the 1950s, decades after the national organization was established in 1905.<\/p>\n The volunteer-run organization advocates for local conservation efforts, provides education about birds and bird conservation, and organizes birdwatching events.<\/p>\n The Bird Alliance also leads field trips, hosts conservation workdays and offers other community events.<\/p>\n The Sacramento chapter calls the capital region a \u201cbirder\u2019s paradise\u201d because of its proximity to the Sierra Nevada, the Pacific coast, foothills and major waterways. More than 290 bird species can be found in the greater Sacramento area, the organization said.<\/p>\n \u201cI truly believe the name change, along with some new, younger volunteers, will allow the organization to grow and flourish,\u201d outgoing President Paul Miller said in an article about the end of his tenure at the helm<\/a>.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n
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