ABOUT OCAS

OCAS is the Orange County Audubon Society. We are a bird and wildlife conservation organization. We steward 5 bird and wildlife sanctuaries in Orange County, New York. Most are open to the public with walking paths and/or a viewing stand accessible to visit for the quiet enjoyment and study of nature.

We curate monthly presentations throughout the county and several birding field trips each season. We’ve developed presentations about bird identification, gardening with native plants for birds, pollinators, and climate change that organizations, libraries, or schools can book for their members. 

With the help and support of our members, we  continue to steward our sanctuaries for the benefit of all. We are sharing sanctuary updates with stills from trail cameras. Community science is an important part of our community engagement and we are committed to contributing to the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, Climate Watch, Bird Atlas, and eBird.org.  We are continuing to mentor through our very student internship program and volunteer programs at days camps in Middletown and Pine Island. We’re expanding community participation and outreach throughout the county, including SUNY Orange lecture series on Mondays at 5:30 and Earth Day tabling, Earth Fest Warwick, the Middletown Shade Committee’s Arbor Day Celebration, and our booth at the Warwick Applefest.

We are a member chapter of the National Audubon Society and share the goals of the current 5 year plan to “bend the curve” on bird deaths. In Orange County, OCAS fosters appreciation and conservation of all aspects of the environment. Our Chapter started in 1970 with a group of environmentalists and birders here in Orange County, NY. Our 501c3 nonprofit charitable organization status means your membership and other donations are tax deductible. 

OCAS wholly endorses the National Audubon Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:  

“The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.” 

Click Here for Membership Information

THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD MEMBERS: ALL OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS ARE VOLUNTEERS

Sanctuary Superintendents
6 1/2 Station: Walter Jahn, & Eric Goodman
Long Swamp: Ben Schneeberg
Muddy Kill: Walter Jan
Norman Brook: James Van Gelder
Stony Creek: James Van Gelder

Thanks to Eric Kubelle for his original design of our website.