What community values are at the heart of the Christmas Bird Count?
Everybody counts in the CBC. Audubon welcomes everyone who enjoys birds and nature. Participation in the Christmas Bird Count brings us together as a caring community of people who are inspired by birds and want to protect them. Birds are our superpower. Their beauty, songs, and personalities capture our imagination, while their heroic migrations remind us that we are connected across distant geographies and communities. Bringing people together to appreciate and understand birds is the first step toward inspiring actions that protect them. Protecting and conserving nature and the environment transcends political, cultural, and social boundaries. Audubon believes that respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities helps grow the broader constituency needed to protect birds. We expect all CBC circle leaders to uphold these values in their local counts and to foster welcoming environments where all participants can contribute their skills, curiosity, and passion for birds, regardless of their experience level, background, or identity. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By creating space where all people feel a sense of belonging and connection, we strengthen our community science efforts with new perspectives, creativity, and leadership. As birds remind us to celebrate the beauty, resilience, and mystery of the world, they also inspire us to come together to protect it. We will continue to channel the charisma of our avian friends as we grow our network throughout the hemisphere, inspiring new constituencies—and future generations—to act on behalf of birds and people. When more people feel welcome to participate, our collective impact deepens and helps build a more vibrant future for everyone who shares this remarkable planet. Our community principles help us create an experience that is welcoming, scientifically valuable, and joyful for everyone involved.