About Yuma Audubon Society

Yuma Audubon Society is led by dedicated volunteers who generously share their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm for birds, wildlife, and conservation. From organizing field trips and educational programs to welcoming new members and supporting community events, our volunteers help create opportunities for people to learn about and enjoy the natural beauty of the Yuma region.

Officers

• President: Nancy Meister

• Vice President: Deirdre MacDonald

• Treasurer: Paul Moreno

• Secretary: Linda Johnson

Bird Walk & Field Trip Leaders

Our volunteer field trip leaders guide bird walks and outings throughout the region, generously spending their time organizing the itinerary and logistics, helping participants discover local birds, habitats, and seasonal migration while encouraging respectful enjoyment of nature. 

• Wayne Bowers

• Nancy Meister

"Migratory" Members

Like migratory birds, a subset of our active members migrate with the seasons. They are snowbirds staying in Yuma for half of the year, arriving when the cold and snowy weather sets in in their other Northern home base, and leaving Yuma when the summer heat starts limiting outdoor activities. So between November and April, our member number increases 2- to 3-fold, just like the population of Yuma, and our event and field trip schedule becomes fuller and more exciting.

The Arizona Native Plant Society - Yuma Chapter

Birds need native plants to thrive. Many of our members are also involved with the Arizona Native Plant Society-Yuma Chapter, reflecting the close relationship between healthy native plant communities and healthy bird habitats.

Our shared members and volunteers have participated in local habitat restoration projects, with one example including efforts at the East Wetlands. Nearly 400 acres have been transformed from a trash dump into a thriving mosaic of marsh, mesquite, cottonwood, and willows over the past 20+ years. One of the goals of the project back then was to create habitat for willow flycatchers. Today, visitors can listen to the willow flycatcher's "fitz-bew" calls among the willow trees as well as seeing many other birds, mammals, reptiles, and native wildlife, including bobcats, striped skunks, beavers, desert cottontails, desert spiny lizards, long-nosed snakes, etc. It has also become a peaceful and shaded place for the community to enjoy nature and quiet walks along the river and for us birders to go on our weekly bird walk.

With their knowledge in native plants, our active members, Deirdre MacDonald and Karen Reichhardt, are constantly involved and working with the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area staff in the restoration and maintenance of the East Wetlands.