Illinois Audubon Society Commits $384,000 to Windy City Bird Lab
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Illinois Audubon Society Commits $384,000 to Windy City Bird Lab through a Three-Year Capacity-Building Partnership to Support Chicago’s Birds
SPRINGFIELD, IL - February 5, 2026 — Illinois Audubon Society today announced a three-year, $384,000 capacity-building partnership to support the growth and development of the Chicago-based Windy City Bird Lab. These funds were made available by a generous bequest from Pamela Vawter, intended for the study and support of birds in Northeastern Illinois.
Windy City Bird Lab was founded in 2024 by J’orge Garcia to broaden access to birds and bird research across Chicago’s urban landscape. Drawing on his experience in STEM education and human-centered design to develop tools and learning environments, Garcia is now building a hub in the West Loop for tangible, community-centered work in urban bird conservation and research.
“J’orge’s fresh and innovative voice is a timely and valuable addition to the landscape of bird advocacy, and we are thrilled to help amplify it through our support of the Windy City Bird Lab," said Jo Fessett, Executive Director of Illinois Audubon Society.
This new investment marks a significant milestone for Windy City Bird Lab and enables Garcia to transition the Lab into a new era led by a collaborative team of experienced nature educators and strategic leaders. Projects housed at Windy City Bird Lab include the Bird Migration Monitoring Network, the Grosbeak Bioacoustics System, and the Birds in My Neighborhood program.
“The growing demand to expand our services made it clear there was a real need for this work,” said J’orge Garcia, Executive Director of Windy City Bird Lab. “Partnering with Illinois Audubon Society allows the project to grow strategically and collaborate with Deja Perkins of Naturally Wild LLC and trusted environmental science educator Dave Bild to shape the future of our work.”
Founded in 1897, Illinois Audubon Society is the state’s oldest nonprofit conservation organization. To date, the Society has protected 7,400 acres by investing $21 million to protect land and water throughout Illinois.
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About Windy City Bird Lab: Windy City Bird Lab’s mission is to raise awareness of Chicago’s bird populations and make environmental science more accessible through project-based community learning opportunities while providing technological support to local research and conservation efforts.
About Illinois Audubon Society: Illinois Audubon Society's mission is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native flora and fauna of Illinois and the habitats that support them.
Media Contact:
J’orge Garcia, Executive Director, Windy City Bird Lab
773-809-4633
jorge@windycitybirdlab.org
www.windycitybirdlab.org
Jo Fessett, Executive Director, Illinois Audubon Society
jfessett@illinoisaudubon.org
www.illinoisaudubon.org
Photo attached: Supporters, collaborators, and volunteers gather to celebrate the new partnership in an open house for the Windy City Bird Lab in the West Loop. (Windy City Bird Lab)