Individual tickets are now on sale for our annual Avian Affair fundraiser. This year’s event will focus on Bird-Friendly Communities: Supporting Habitats for Birds and People - and we are thrilled to welcome renowned author and Extraordinary Birder host, Christian Cooper, as our keynote speaker. The evening program will include a paddle-raise for the Save Bolivar Flats campaign. Join us as we celebrate our achievements in bird conservation and help us raise funds to continue our mission for years to come. We hope to see you there!
Christian Cooper
Christian Cooper, Avian Affair 2025 Keynote Speaker
Christian Cooper, the Emmy Award-winning host of National Geographic's Extraordinary Birder, will be the keynote speaker for Houston Audubon's Avian Affair. Cooper's extensive work with the NYC Audubon (now NYC Bird Alliance) offers valuable lessons and inspiration for Houstonians working towards bird-friendly communities. His dedication to urban bird conservation in a major city like New York mirrors the challenges and opportunities present in Houston. Cooper's advocacy for protecting bird habitats within the urban landscape, promoting bird-safe building practices, and engaging diverse communities in birding initiatives provides a successful model for Houston Audubon and local conservation efforts.
By learning from his experiences, Houstonians can gain insights into effective strategies for creating a greener, more bird-friendly city, ultimately contributing to the broader national movement towards harmonious coexistence between urban development and avian life. His understanding of the unique needs of birds in an urban environment and his commitment to inclusivity in birding are directly relevant to Houston's own efforts to enhance its cities for both people and wildlife.
Underwriters
Bird-Friendly Champion
John P. McGovern Foundation
Diana Strassmann and Jeff Smisek
Habitat Hero
Carolyn and Paul Landen
Flyway Friend
Annie Benzon • Anonymous
Gene Graham • Dallas McNamara
Native Planter
Reeta Achari and Bill Dixon • Sara and Mark Bettencourt
Joan Brennecke and Mark Stadtherr/Pam Smolen
Claire and John Caudill/Doris and John Heard
Bettie Cartwright • Catherine Lee and Theis Clark
Jennifer and Ben Cowan/Troutman Pepper Locke LLP
Sarah Flournoy and Don Verser
Nene and Steve Foxhall • Kay Hale
Marianne and Rob Jones/Michelle and Bill Matthews
Isabelle and Eric Mayer • Deb Neubek
Carol and Dan Price
Window Watcher
Jonni and Skip Almoney • Cindy and John Bartos/Becky and Sam Smith
Georgia Fabbrini and Stuart Nelson • Lisa and George Francisco
Elizabeth and Steve Gast/Anna and Tim White • Linda Gilbert/Ann Hamilton
Linda and Tracy Hester • Yu-Ye Wen and Cin-Ty Lee
Cathryn and Doug Selman • Letha Slagle and Grant Gist
Margaret and Mike Pierce • Annette and Paul Sofka
Emily Todd • Jennifer and John Vogel
