Rebecca Haynes energized the Upstate Chapter’s September meeting on September 19, 2024 with her dynamic presentation about Audubon South Carolina (ASC) and its conservation work. As an ecologist, policy advocate, and bird enthusiast, Rebecca detailed ASC’s ambitious “Flight Plan” to protect 300 million acres of bird habitat by 2028 and showed how these goals are driving meaningful action in South Carolina.
Rebecca emphasized the essential role of native plants in ASC’s conservation strategy. Native plants stabilize ecosystems, support biodiversity, and provide critical food and shelter for birds. She highlighted local projects, such as riparian buffer restoration in Glendale and longleaf pine ecosystem restoration, where native plants are central to habitat recovery. She also discussed how partnerships with groups like Upstate Forever and local HOAs help integrate native plants into community spaces, creating bird-friendly landscapes in urban and suburban areas.
Her stories of warblers returning to the same cypress trees year after year underscored the importance of preserving and restoring native ecosystems. She invited us to take action—by planting native species, visiting ASC’s properties like Beidler Forest and Silver Bluff, and advocating for policies that protect habitats.
In Rebecca’s words, “Protecting birds means protecting people.” And after her presentation, it’s safe to say we all left a little more inspired to do both.
