Backyard birdwatching enthusiasts understand the challenges of attracting specific birds, meeting their dietary needs, and recognizing their unique habits. Louisville Audubon Society (LAS) offers comprehensive education on birds and local wildlife while working towards conserving and restoring natural ecosystems. They focus on birds, wildlife, and habitats, to promote biodiversity and benefit humanity and Earth.
The Louisville chapter is a part of the larger National Audubon Society, a nonprofit organization founded in 1905 and named after the renowned French-American naturalist, artist and ornithologist John James Audubon. Audubon was known for his extensive studies and detailed illustrations of American birds in their natural environments. After Audubon died in 1851, George Bird Grinnell, a co-founder of the early Audubon Society in the late 1800s, chose the name to honor Audubon’s significant contributions to wildlife art and natural history.
Three years ago, current LAS President Cathy Dennis approached Lee Payne to take over as the organization’s leader. Payne is deeply involved in the community, participating in various organizations such as Beckham Bird Club, Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, Kentucky Ornithological Society, Wild Commonwealth Podcast, Muhammad Ali Center and the NAACP. Payne is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, majoring in environmental science.
Payne could easily be described as a modern-day Dr. Dolittle, with a unique ability to attract animals – although without the comedic antics portrayed in the movie popularized by Eddie Murphy. He cherishes the interactions he has with animals and finds joy in the natural connections he experiences.
“When I was a child, I would miss the school bus on purpose to walk home through the woods to see the animals,” Payne says. “One day I was walking in those woods with my mom and someone was cutting down the trees. I started crying, telling my mom if they only knew what was in the woods, they wouldn’t be cutting down the trees. My mom told me people might not listen to me now because I was just a kid, but someday people would.”
As an adult, Payne has utilized his voice to cultivate an ecosystem where everyone can appreciate birds and advocate for their environment. Part of this advocacy involves urging local lawmakers to consider animals and their habitats when proposing legislation that impacts nature. One specific bill he has focused on is Senate Bill 59, which aims to prevent the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife from enforcing fines and penalties for capturing Cooper’s hawks or red-tailed hawks. Payne’s efforts highlight his commitment to protecting wildlife and preserving natural habitats for future generations.
“If passed, this bill would make it legal to shoot and kill Cooper’s hawks or red-tail hawks,” Payne says. “These raptors play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our local ecosystem by controlling the rodent and small-mammal population. This helps prevent outbreaks of diseases and reduces crop damage by these animals. This is LAS’s biggest fight right now.”
Payne expresses concern that Senate Bill 59 undermines Kentucky’s commitment to wildlife conservation by eliminating penalties for taking Cooper’s and red-tailed hawks, potentially leading to an increase in poaching, trapping, and illegal trade of these birds. LAS believes in supporting local organizations dedicated to environmental conservation to safeguard birds and their ecosystems for the future.
To join LAS, individuals must first become members of the National Audubon Society. Membership options include a monthly recurring donation of $5 or more, an annual recurring donation of $20 or more, or a one-time gift of $20 or more.
Once membership is confirmed, members are connected with their nearest local chapter. Payne notes that many major cities lack a local bird club and an Audubon Society chapter, emphasizing the importance of supporting organizations like LAS to promote bird conservation and environmental stewardship.
“We have both the Beckham Bird Club and LAS here in Louisville, so we work very hard to make sure we don’t overlap in terms of events, meetings and programming,” Payne says.
Tavia Cathcart Brown, the executive director of Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, spent seven years on the board of LAS and remains an active member of the organization. Her passion for feathered, egg-laying vertebrates is the driving force behind her involvement with LAS. Cathcart Brown appreciates the society’s dedication to education and outreach, particularly in engaging and inspiring young birdwatchers to discover the joys of the hobby.
“Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve partners with LAS for many of our birding walks,” Cathcart Brown says. “Everyone of all abilities is welcome to join, but we’ve noticed the walks have been really great for beginners. We don’t expect people to show up with an extensive knowledge of birds. Together we can provide a good level of education for attendees.”
Cathcart Brown acknowledges that LAS boasts a membership of over 900 individuals, attributing much of this success to Payne’s contagious energy, outgoing personality, and deep passion for nature and wildlife. She describes Payne as magnetic, a knowledgeable guide and an educator. His active presence on social media allows him to share his extensive knowledge about various members of the animal kingdom, further engaging and educating the community about the wonders of nature.
“Some of us call him the owl whisperer because he knows so much, but he’s always able to find them, or they find him,” Cathcart Brown says. “He loves knowledge and he truly loves to share his knowledge with others. He’s a wonderful resource for the organization and its members.”
The local Audubon Society chapter is also dedicated to safeguarding birds by raising awareness about the threats of light pollution on migrating birds. Payne explains that many birds migrate at night but are frequently disoriented by the glare of artificial city lights, leading to fatal consequences and disruption of their migratory routes. In response to this issue, Lights Out Louisville is an initiative by LAS to ensure the safe passage of migrating birds by reducing light pollution and its adverse impacts on avian populations.
“Lights Out Louisville asks local businesses and residents to limit their usage of artificial and outdoor lighting during peak migration season,” Payne says. “We understand lights are needed. We ask from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in March through May, and again August through October, that people turn off any unnecessary lights, use motion-activated sensors so lights only come on when needed, and shield lights on the top, so the light points down where it’s needed and not up where it’s not.”
For more information on Louisville Audubon Society, visit louisvilleaudubon.org.
