Grandfather Presents: Curtis Smalling

Join us for “State of the Birds 2023” with Audubon NC Executive Director Curtis Smalling. The one-hour presentation begins at 2 p.m. inside the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and is included with your daily admission ticket (free with Bridge Club Annual Pass). This is part of our Grandfather Presents Series.

What are the biggest opportunities and challenges for bird conservation in NC in 2023 and beyond? How are emerging social, economic, and ecological realities impacting our work and what is Audubon doing, thinking and planning for those realities, at the national, state, and local level? With a new strategic plan just announced, we will see how our approach will shape the next decade and beyond. But most importantly, how can you help birds in the places you  live, work, and play.

Curtis Smalling is currently the Director of Conservation and Interim Executive Director of Audubon NC. In these roles, he is responsible for the Working Lands, Coastal Sanctuaries, and Bird Friendly Communities and Policy programs for Audubon North Carolina.

He is a member of several conservation committees including the International Golden-winged Warbler working group (including working on this species and others on their wintering grounds in Nicaragua), chair of the NC State Scientific Council Bird Committee, and a member of the steering committee for the Bird Atlas effort in NC.  He has been involved in wind and bird interactions for two decades, including service on NC’s first wind working group and helping draft legislation and model local ordinances regarding wind energy in NC.

Curtis is a 1985 magna cum laude graduate of Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and in 1996 received a Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies  A life-long bird watcher, Curtis began watching birds with his grandfather, who was very interested in Purple Martins. He is a contributing author or editor for several books, publications, and peer reviewed papers. He resides in Garner, NC with his wife of 40 years, Mary, and has three children and five grandchildren.

Audubon North Carolina, a state office of the National Audubon Society, represents over 50,000 supporters and nine local chapters and six college campus chapters across North Carolina. Founded in 1902, Audubon North Carolina builds upon a rich heritage of conserving and restoring ecologically valuable land we share with all wildlife by focusing on the needs of birds.

Please RSVP below for the event in advance beginning June 26th. Last-minute walk-ins welcome as seating allows. Chat with the speaker 30 minutes before and after.