By Soumika Gaddameedi, Event & Donor Relations Coordinator, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
Spring migration is in full swing! It’s a perfect time for local Bird City groups to form a team and to count as many bird species as you can during the Great Wisconsin Birdathon.
The birdathon is our state’s largest fundraiser for bird conservation, hosted annually by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. The event returns each spring from April 15 to June 15, and the 2023 goal is to raise an additional $100,000 for Wisconsin’s highest-priority bird conservation projects. Nonprofit organizations, bird clubs, and Bird Cities that form teams can keep half the funds they raise for their own conservation efforts.
In 2022, the Birdathon put more than $22,000 into these grassroots projects. The funds supported a variety of local projects, from building and installing nest boxes, scopes, and bird-related signage to putting birding backpacks in libraries.
The organizers say more than 60 teams are taking part across the state, and there’s still time to form your own team or participate as an individual. It’s free to participate, and no birding experience is required. You can get involved whether you’re sitting in your backyard or visiting your favorite birding hotspots.
The Great Wisconsin Birdathon is also a great opportunity for educators looking to get their classrooms excited about nature. Birding is a chance for students to engage in the environment around them through place-based learning.
Soumika Gaddameedi coordinates the Great Wisconsin Birdathon and other special events. Contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Learn more:
Learn more and register your team.
Read the 2022 Birdathon Report.
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin