About Us

In December 1999, a group of dedicated birders and community-minded environmentalists formed Sonoran Audubon Society (SAS) in the West Valley communities of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. SAS became a chapter of the National Audubon Society.

Sonoran Audubon’s mission is to educate its members and the community at large about all wildlife (with an emphasis on birds), habitats, and the beauty and importance of the many complex interactions that make for a healthy environment. We encourage everyone’s involvement in the conservation, preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems and biological diversity.

Chapter meetings happen monthly from September to May. Besides conveying the business of the chapter to members, the monthly meetings are times to meet other chapter participants and to hear interesting speakers on birds, trips around the world and conservation efforts. Check the calendar for information on upcoming programs.

SAS hosts three or four field trips most months, including during the summer. The trips vary from a few hours in the morning to multiple day excursions to farther birding destinations. Most trips focus on birding interspersed with other activities if participants express special interests.

SAS offers workshops and training for everyone, ranging from hikes for beginning birders to advanced training on topics such as eBird, the online database of bird observations hosted by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. SAS was a founding sponsor of the Tres Rios Nature Festival. SAS monitors the bird populations at two Important Bird Areas (IBAs), at the Agua Fria National Monument and the Lower Salt and Gila Rivers Ecosystem.  Check out Tucson Audubon’s excellent summary of all IBAs in Arizona.

SAS collaborates with other organizations in Arizona to advocate for the issues important to the community and to native birds, particularly sustainable water availability and habitat conservation. Check out the Upper Agua Fria Watershed Partnership and find out more about the Western Rivers Action Network.