Join Audubon and The Birdsong Project for Aspen Summer of Birds

(July 1, 2024) — Today the National Audubon Society and The Birdsong Project opened registration for events in the Aspen, Colorado area as part of the summer slate of programming announced in April. Aspen Summer of Birds will build on the success of the GRAMMY-winning For the Birds: The Birdsong Project 20LP vinyl box set with community-focused programming that demonstrates how art can help drive conservation action for birds. Free events include bird walks, educational talks, and live musical performances inspired by The Birdsong Project performed by Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) students.

Audubon Rockies and Anderson Ranch Arts Center kicked off the summer’s events with a workshop in early June called “Wildlife Wonder,” where participants ages 6-8 learned how to draw, paint, and build their favorite animals in realistic and creative forms using various artistic mediums.

Registration is now open for the following programs:

Educational Talk, BYO Picnic Lunch & Live Music 
with Audubon’s Chief Scientist Chad Wilsey & Aspen Music Festival and School Performers
Saturday July 27, 2024 | Talk: 11 a.m. | Picnic Lunch + Music: 12 - 2 p.m.
ACES at Hallam Lake
Join the National Audubon Society and The Birdsong Project for an afternoon of celebrating birds through the arts, in partnership with the incredible Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES). Attend an opening educational talk with Audubon's Chief Scientist Chad Wilsey, who will share examples of how birds connect people across the hemisphere through their amazing migratory journeys and how art can help drive conservation action. Then enjoy what promises to be a dazzling afternoon performance by a string quartet from the Aspen Music Festival and School at ACES at Hallam Lake. Bring a blanket and picnic lunch and enjoy this unique community event in nature.

Morning Bird Walk & Live Music
Sunday July 28, 2024 | Bird Walk: 7-9 a.m. | Music & Mingle: 9-10:30 a.m.   
Coffman Ranch, Carbondale, CO
with Roaring Fork Audubon Society, Aspen Valley Land Trust & Aspen Music Festival and School Performers
Join the National Audubon Society and The Birdsong Project for a morning in nature celebrating birds and their beautiful songs. Led in partnership with local chapter Roaring Fork Audubon Society, the walk will take place at Coffman Ranch, one of the last great ranches on the Roaring Fork River that is safeguarded by the Aspen Valley Land Trust. While some bird song has stopped for the season, it's always a fun adventure in the early morning, and you never know what may be found—including activity from newly fledged birds. After the walk, please stay for coffee and mingling alongside live music inspired by birdsong, performed by a string quartet of local alumni from the Aspen Music Festival and School.

The following programs are open to the public:

Aspen Saturday Market Pop-up: Audubon Membership Drive & Live Music at the Aspen Music Festival and School Tent 
Saturday July 27, 2024 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
Aspen Saturday Market
The Birdsong Project and Audubon will have copies of the GRAMMY-winning For the Birds: The Birdsong Project 20LP vinyl box set on display and available for purchase, as well as information on how to support birds by becoming a National Audubon Society member.

Pop-up at Paradise Bakery Pavilion with Live Music by Aspen Music Festival and School Performers
Saturday July 27, 2024 | 7 - 9 p.m.  
Paradise Bakery Pavilion, Aspen
The Birdsong Project and Audubon will take over the plaza outside the beloved Paradise Bakery and delight the public with a musical evening arranged and performed by Aspen Music Festival and School students.

Live Music at Carbondale Mountain Fair
Sunday July 28, 2024 | Musical Performance: 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.   
Oasis Stage, Carbondale, CO
Local musician Natalie Spears will take the stage accompanied by Aspen Music Festival and School alum string quartet as part of the 53rd Carbondale Mountain Fair.

More Aspen-area birding opportunities this summer can be found here.

Activations and events are presented by Audubon and The Birdsong Project in collaboration with a range of local arts and environmental organizations including Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), Aspen Music Festival & School (AMFS), Audubon Rockies, local chapter Roaring Fork Audubon Society, and more.

The Birdsong Project and Audubon were originally introduced to local Aspen partners, starting with ACES, by resident artist, environmentalist, and philanthropist Isa Catto. Inspired by The Birdsong Project, Catto created her own original artwork featuring environmentally threatened birds printed on notebooks, tote bags, and silk scarves, all available for purchase via the Isa Catto Studio website in support of Audubon’s conservation mission. 

Co-created by Grammy Award-winning Music Supervisor Randall Poster (Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, Todd Haynes) and Executive Producer Rebecca Reagan, For the Birds: The Birdsong Project was released as an art-filled, 20-LP box set in 2022 featuring Yoko Ono, Elvis Costello, Laurie Anderson, Yo-Yo Ma, Beck, Karen O, Tilda Swinton, Robert Pattinson, Jeff Goldblum, Greta Gerwig and many more to benefit the National Audubon Society. For the Birds: The Birdsong Project has been dedicated to protecting birdlife representing cultures from 31 countries, from small towns in Northwest Africa to the rural countryside of Ireland and bustling cities like Paris, Tokyo, and New York.

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About For the Birds: The Birdsong Project: The Birdsong Project was produced by Randall Poster, the Grammy Award-winning producer and music supervisor known for his longtime work with Wes Anderson and Martin Scorsese. It was conceived and inspired by Executive Producer Rebecca Reagan, who brought a grand creative vision and wisdom to the project. Additional executive producers are Elliot Bergman, Stewart Lerman, and Lee Ranaldo. The project features a who's-who of decorated actors, Pulitzer prize winners, top musicians, and beyond, including Olivia Wilde, Sean Penn, Robert Pattinson, Greta Gerwig, Mark Ronson, Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, Ad-Rock, Bette Midler, Danielle Haim, Florence Welch and hundreds more. The Producers and Artists of this collection are proud donors to the National Audubon Society and its mission to protect birds and the places they need today, tomorrow, and for all of our futures. Earlier this year, For the Birds: The Birdsong Project earned a Grammy Win for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package. The 5 Volume, 20-LP Deluxe Box set packaging was designed by Jeri Heiden and John Heiden with contributions from dozens of artists.

About the National Audubon Society: The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they are telling us that our planet is in trouble. As a long-time leader in the conservation movement, Audubon is rising to meet the urgency of this moment. Like the birds we love, Audubon's work spans the Americas – from Boreal Canada to coastal Chile. In communities across the hemisphere, Audubon is tackling climate change, protecting and restoring important places for birds and people, and fostering a community where the joy of birds sparks action for our planet.