Audubon Community Nature Center’s 2026 Birdathon fundraiser supports the Ryan Exline Memorial Scholarship and the care of Audubon’s Animal Ambassadors.

The Audubon Community Nature Center will host its annual Birdathon, which combines birding with raising money for a cause, starting April 25. .

Each year, teams of birders raise money to fund the Ryan Exline Memorial Scholarship and to provide ongoing care and habitat improvements for Audubon’s Animal Ambassadors.

The scholarship awards $500 to an area college-bound high school senior or college student who intends to pursue a future in an environmental or related field. Additional money raised helps cover the $6,500 annual expenses to keep Audubon’s Animal Ambassadors healthy, including visits to the vet, food, and other necessary items. This year’s goal is to raise $2,000 to fund the scholarship and to offset some of the animal care expenses.

Those who want to participate can find a birding buddy and sign up as a team where people can pledge online to support the team’s efforts. Birders can bird for 24 hours from Saturday, April 25, to Sunday, May 3. Then teams can ask for pledges by sharing the link to the Birdathon website, AudubonCNC.org/birdathon-2026.

The Birdathon kicks off with Breakfast with the Birds on Saturday, April 25. Audubon staff and volunteers will make a breakfast to go with a short presentation, birding at the birdfeeders and a short walk if weather permits. Paid reservations are required by Monday, April 20. For details and to register, call 716-569-2345 or go online to AudubonCNC.org/breakfast-with-birds.

For more information visit the center’s website or email Aaron Sidder at ASidder@AudubonCNC.org to join or form a birding team. New birders are welcome, and Audubon can add new participants to a team with a seasoned birder to help as well.

Those who don’t want to bird can visit AudubonCNC.org/birdathon-2026 and support a team. Donors can contribute based on the number of birds seen or by making a flat contribution.

For assistance creating a team’s webpage, contact Jenn Piskor, Audubon marketing and design director at JPiskor@AudubonCNC.org.