BOCN Changes Name to Urban Bird Foundation

Building on our incredible conservation successes, Burrowing Owl Conservation Network is changing its name to Urban Bird Foundation (Urban Bird) to directly address the innumerable threats to bird populations and green spaces in urban and suburban environments.

“We are changing our name to Urban Bird because it points the way forward to a healthy, sustainable planet for birds, people and their interconnected human and wildlife communities,” explained Executive Director Scott Artis. “To effectively and efficiently protect burrowing owls in urban and suburban settings, we must widen our scope — create an imperative for the conservation of green spaces that provide essential habitat for birds and also endow education, health and economic benefits to communities. If we want to continue seeing species like burrowing owls in our neighborhoods and cities, and if we want our children to have easy access to nature, then we must protect green spaces and re-evaluate policies that promote outsourcing habitat as a means to mitigate for development.”

The almost 5-year old non-profit, formerly known as Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, began as a group of dedicated birders, conservationists, biologists, and concerned citizens who came together for the protection and restoration of Bay Area burrowing owls and their habitats. The organization quickly evolved from a local effort to a California- and North American-wide movement focused on restoring habitat, increasing populations and reaching out to communities for the benefit of burrowing owls and ecosystems.

Urban Bird’s mission to protect and restore burrowing owls remains constant. It is this reason that the organization has expanded their mission, which is strategically designed to better reflect the work and direction we must take to ensure burrowing owls, other birds and wildlife have a place in our communities. Urban Bird is rooted in the principles of sustainable development — social, environment and economics. We understand the issues and we have bold, innovative and science-based solutions that are beneficial for bird populations, human health and economics. As Urban Bird, we are helping to create local, regional and national solutions for a healthy, sustainable future.