By Jared Teutsch, Executive Director

Drive anywhere in metro Atlanta and it’s easy to see the impacts of habitat loss and degradation —trees and hills covered in kudzu, impenetrable thickets of Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle, landscapes covered by English ivy — these habitats are not only unsightly, but they are also ecological deserts for birds and pollinators and are a major contributor to the decline of these species.

Birds and people both need healthy habitats to thrive. With this in mind, Georgia Audubon is working to create and maintain ecosystems that benefit birds and people, too. Through innovative partnerships and with the help of our own in-house habitat restoration team and a large group of amazing volunteers, Georgia Audubon is actively restoring and managing sites across Georgia that support and sustain bird and pollinator populations. 

Georgia Audubon’s Habitat Team focuses on removing exotic and invasive vegetation, managing ecosystems, and planting native bird-friendly plant species. The goal is to create and maintain a functioning native ecosystem that benefits all organisms, including birds, wildlife, and people. Our projects include nest box placement, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, wildlife sanctuary certification, bird banding, nest monitoring, and educational displays. We are actively restoring and managing sites across the state. Here are just a few examples from our work in metro Atlanta. 

Lyon Farm at Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area

Georgia Audubon was recently awarded a grant from National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program to restore habitat in the South River Watershed for the benefit of birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. The project site is located within the Lyon Farm area of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, adjacent to the South River in southern DeKalb County. 

As part of the restoration effort,…