New name reflects service area and chapter values
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. – At its annual member meeting on September 12, Board President dawn villaescusa revealed Seven Capes Bird Alliance as the new name of the former Audubon Society of Lincoln City.
“Our chapter began considering a new name two years ago,” explained villaescusa, “because Lincoln City didn’t reflect our service area of Lincoln and Tillamook Counties. Shortly thereafter, other Audubon chapters began to drop Audubon from their name, because John James Audubon held white supremacist views and desecrated Native graves. We agreed that Audubon in our name did not align with our chapter’s values and could be a barrier to participation in our activities.”
Founded in 2005, the nonprofit remains a chapter of the National Audubon Society and a collaborative partner of the other eleven Audubon chapters throughout Oregon. “Bird Alliance” has been adopted by Portland’s chapter—now Bird Alliance of Oregon—along with many other chapters throughout the nation.
Seven Capes Bird Alliance now defines its service area as the Oregon coast from Cape Perpetua in the south to Arch Cape in the north, with five capes (Foulweather, Kiwanda, Lookout, Meares, and Falcon) in between. These capes are beautiful and distinctive, provide essential habitat for birds and other wildlife, and remain a focus for the chapter’s conservation initiatives.
Before the Board voted on its new name, the organization surveyed its members and conservation partners multiple times and consulted the other Oregon chapters. Seven Capes Bird Alliance’s new logo, designed by Drift Awake Studios in Gearhart, Oregon, features a stylized view of sunset on the Oregon coast with capes receding in the distance and seven birds flying overhead.
Frequently asked questions about the name change can be found on the chapter’s rebranding website at www.sevencapes.org/our-new-name. “While our name has changed, our mission remains the same,” villaescusa confirmed, “to encourage residents and visitors to protect and enjoy the native birds, other wildlife, and habitats on the Oregon coast. We’re still working together for birds and nature, but now with a new name that is more welcoming and inclusive.”
Seven Capes Bird Alliance (sevencapes.org) was founded as a chapter of the National Audubon Society in 2005. A nonprofit membership organization, SCBA is active in education and advocacy for protection of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats in Lincoln and Tillamook Counties.
