Fall is upon us with cooler air, shorter days, and the beautiful emergence of fall color. The Western Meadowlark, our state bird in North Dakota, Nebraska, and several neighboring states, is beginning its journey south, a reminder that every season holds both a reflection of what’s been accomplished and a vision for what lies ahead.

This summer was one to celebrate. At Rowe Sanctuary and Spring Creek Prairie, young campers explored the wonder of the Platte River, the tallgrass prairie, and the skies overhead—learning not just about birds, but about the deep connections between people and place. In North Dakota at Brigham Sanctuary, our team hosted the inaugural Audubon Adventures Nature Camp over four days, a milestone for our team and an opportunity to reach new audiences. The energy, curiosity, and joy from these campers give us hope for the next generation.

We also achieved ..a major conservation win: through the Conservation Forage Program, we have now restored over 10,000 acres of critical grassland habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. This puts us over halfway toward our ambitious goal of restoring 18,000 acres, thanks to our many partners, landowners, and supporters.

Just as the Western Meadowlark takes flight toward its wintering habitat, we at Audubon Great Plains carry forward the momentum of this summer’s successes into the seasons ahead. Thank you for joining our journey!

Kristal Stoner, Vice President Audubon Great Plains