Mission & Objectives

The mission of Audubon Ohio is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats in Ohio by promoting conservation and biodiversity through education and advocacy.

Our goals and objectives for the period ending on June 30, 2008 are as follows:

Goal A: Provide accessible quality nature education to diverse and under-served audiences in Ohio through self-sustaining Audubon Centers, teaching responsibility and stewardship of Ohio's natural resources, and fostering conservation as a core value among all Ohioans.

Objectives:

1. Complete the Columbus Audubon Center.
2. Seek and implement opportunities to develop additional Audubon Centers if doing so will not undermine our ability to complete the Columbus Audubon Center.

Goal B: Enhance leadership in the agenda for bird conservation in Ohio by initiating conservation and education strategies for the protection of Important Bird Areas.

Objectives:

1. Develop and foster implementation of a 20-year plan for bird conservation in Ohio.
2. Publish a book on Ohio IBAs.
3. Publicly dedicate a substantial number (as many as half) of the IBAs.
4. In concert with the land managers/owners and other stakeholders, develop and encourage implementation of bird conservation plans on 15 IBAs.
5. Implement functioning Avian Inventory and Monitoring Teams (AIM Teams) on 15 IBAs.
6. Foster an Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative (OBCI) to address integrated and coordinated efforts for bird conservation by non-governmental organizations, state agencies and federal agencies, governmental divisions, and private organizations.
7. Facilitate the development and implementation of a site based conservation restoration initiative that emphasizes bird habitat.
8. Establish an early warning system and rapid response plan for unanticipated acute threats to IBA's that do not yet have a conservation plan.

Goal C: Lead selected public policy initiatives focused on the conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat.

Objectives:

1. Lead and support efforts of chapters and other advocates to protect IBAs at risk of development.
2. Promote the use of guidelines developed by Audubon Ohio in land acquisition and protection of IBA's by government agencies.
3. Advocate for legislation, regulation, appropriations and policy initiatives that support the environmental education efforts of Audubon Ohio.

Goal D: Strive to integrate education, conservation, and advocacy into all Audubon Ohio activities.

Objectives:

1. Establish a fully coordinated program (Audubon Center, Important Bird Area, and chapter) in one urban region of Ohio.
2. Implement a statewide program to engage people in appreciating, learning about and conserving birds and bird habitat at home.

Goal E: Build the organizational strength of the Audubon family in Ohio.

Objectives:

1. Develop a chapter assistance program, helping chapters develop their leadership, membership, programming, and financial stability.
2. Strengthen and diversify Audubon Ohio's leadership, membership and audience throughout all of our program areas.
3. Develop and implement a fully-functioning, multimedia communications program that effectively reaches Audubon Ohio's varied audiences.
4. Increase the financial security and sustainability of Audubon Ohio's initiatives.
5. Enhance Audubon Ohio by developing partnerships and organizing and streamlining operations to maximize its resources and carry out its programs efficiently and effectively.