The Pennsylvania Audubon Council is one of many Audubon Councils that are established in states throughout the country. We heard from several Council leaders from other states when there was interest and support from our chapter leaders to reestablish a Council here in Pennsylvania. Leaders from the chapter council in New York, Ohio, and Colorado shared their perspectives on the value of Councils in their respective states. These representatives noted that their Councils provided a means for mutual chapter to chapter networking and support. They are an important mechanism for the Council to bring forward and act on the conservation issues of highest concern to their chapters. The Pennsylvania Audubon Council was reformed with the dual mission of fostering chapter to chapter support and conservation advocacy.

At the 1998 National Audubon Society National Convention at Estes Park Colorado, a session for Council networking was part of the program. There were workshops for chapter leaders that focused on strengthening organizational effectiveness and promoted Councils as integral to the Audubon Network. Attached is a four-page document from that Convention devoted to the role and function of “State Councils.” It offers an historic insight into the value of Councils to both chapters and the broader Audubon network.