Bird Alliance of Oregon’s leader says new name is about reducing harm and removing barriers

For many, the name Audubon conjures up images of birds or birdwatchers venturing into nature with a pair of binoculars to catch a glimpse of a beloved warbler or bird of prey. But for some, the name can evoke a painful reminder of the legacy of John James Audubon – an artist, self-taught ornithologist and naturalist who owned slaves, opposed abolition and stole human remains from Native American graves. Acknowledging that painful history, the Portland chapter of the National Audubon Society recently changed its name to Bird Alliance of Oregon. The group joins other chapters in Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco and elsewhere that have either adopted a new name or committed to doing so, despite the national organization’s decision to stick with the Audubon name. We hear from Stuart Wells, the executive director of Bird Alliance of Oregon, about the significance of its new name, especially for people of color and other marginalized groups who continue to face barriers to recreate in nature.