Urban Bird Foundation concluded its nonprofit operations at the end of 2026. | This website continues as an archive and platform for our founder’s, Scott Artis, continued burrowing owl conservation and bird rescue efforts.
Birds. People. Communities. Real-World Results
Urban Bird Foundation worked at the intersection of people and wildlife, supporting on-the-ground conservation, habitat protection, research, and education for birds and the places they depend on.
Where We Work
West
Midwest
South
Northeast
"Birds connect us to place. They remind us that healthy communities include wild places. And they show us what's possible when people care and take action together."
Scott Artis, Founder & Conservationist
Protecting Birdlife Across the United States
Selected Projects and Campaigns
Programs: Fighting for Urban & Suburban Birds
Undercover Investigations
Nearly 20 Years...
Since 2008, Scott Artis and his Urban Bird Foundation worked for the protection of burrowing owls, habitat and other wildlife in the places we call home – our communities. We do not believe in the outsourcing of wildlife and green spaces, but in the integration of these wonderful, accessible habitats into our local environments. Whether a few acres or tens of acres or more, these habitats serve as important suburban and urban wildlife corridors that benefit human and wildlife communities…and of course, BURROWING OWLS!
Thanks for all your support during our Urban Bird Foundation’s operation over the last 20 years. We hope you will continue to support Scott’s continued conservation work and bird protection initiatives.
The Campaigns
Urban birds are facing major conservation challenges. From burrowing owls to seabirds and shorebirds, birds in urbanized areas need our help more than ever.
As human impacts like development, plastic pollution, and car strikes continue to grow, it’s imperative that we must do more to protect our wild neighbors. Together, we can make a lasting impact and ensure our communities continue to be bird friendly.
Learn how we are fighting the greatest threats to birds and their urban and suburban open spaces, forests, wetlands, creeks, rivers, and shorelines.
Scott Artis
Scott Artis founded Urban Bird Foundation in 2008 with a simple conviction: one determined person can make a difference for wildlife. What began with efforts to protect burrowing owls grew into nearly two decades of grassroots conservation, wildlife rescues, habitat restoration, community organizing, and environmental advocacy.
A longtime conservation leader, Scott has worked across bird protection, endangered species conservation, salmon recovery, and environmental policy. Today, he lives on the northeastern Wyoming prairie, where he continues restoring habitat, observing wildlife, advocating for conservation, and helping animals in need.
Urban Bird Foundation’s official nonprofit chapter has closed, but the stories, lessons, and commitment to protecting birds live on and his work continues.
Learn More