GET INVOLVED
Northern Saw-whet Owl, Christian Deme
There are many ways you can help us do more for birds in Lake County! Join LCAS, become a volunteer, or make a tax-deductible donation to help support our education and conservation programs!
Audubon Magazine
Fall 2025
Join National Audubon Society
Lake County Audubon Society is a volunteer-run chapter of the National Audubon Society dedicated to conservation efforts in Lake County. Your membership helps support our programs and restoration projects. Thank you for helping us help birds and other wildlife! 100% of the first year of your National Audubon membership is provided to our local chapter.
What are some of the benefits of joining National Audubon?
Membership includes a full-year subscription to the awardAudubon magazine, keeping you informed about birds, their habitats, and conservation issues.
Your membership supports a powerful voice for birds and directly funds the National Audubon Society’s conservation work scientific research, and advocacy efforts to protect birds and their habitats.
Members have a voice in the fight for bird protection, with opportunities to influence public policies at local and national levels.
Membership connects you with like-minded individuals, allowing you to socialize and learn with a community of people who share your passion for birds and nature.
Members often receive free or reduced admission at participating nature centers and museums nationwide.
We look forward to seeing you at bird and nature outings, member meetings, stewardship events, and other programs.
You can make a difference. Spread the word and tell your friends and family about Lake County Audubon Society or give them a gift membership. Your membership supports community outreach and educational programs along with bird monitoring projects in Lake County.
The Lake County Audubon Society chapter code is: G64. To give our chapter code when joining National Audubon, you'll need to either enter it online during the membership application process or provide it when joining by mail or phone.
Volunteer
There is no better way to make a difference than to take action. There are several ways you can volunteer to help Lake County Audubon protect birds and natural ecosystems. We welcome volunteers at all levels – let us help you find something you enjoy doing with people you enjoy doing it with that will make a difference for birds and people.
Sharing Our Shore - Waukegan (SOS-W)
Join this program to support outreach and education activities in Waukegan, monitor birds at the Waukegan Beach and Dunes or as a piping plover monitor for our Waukegan Piping Plover Family. We welcome enthusiastic new members to the SOS-W committee and/or volunteer team!
Birdscaping - Plants for Birds
Lake County Audubon Society has established a grant program to assist with the purchase of native plants for Birdscaping projects in public places in Lake County. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $2,500 of LCAS cost-share for a Birdscaping project. This grant funding cost-share is for native plants only.
Bluebird Nest Box monitoring
Volunteers have been monitoring trails of bluebird boxes in Lake County for over 30 years. Lake County Audubon coordinates the monitoring of over 800 boxes each breeding season. Bluebird monitoring is easy to learn how, and there is likely a bluebird trail not far from where you live or work.
Breeding Bird Monitor
If you are an experienced birder, consider becoming a monitor for the Bird Conservation Network to support collecting data to assess the trends of breeding bird species in the Chicagoland region.
Bird and Nature Walks
If you have birding or naturalist expertise, volunteer to support or lead a bird/nature walk or sit in Lake County! We’ll work with you to choose a great location and provide lots of support. We offer bird walks for all skills levels, from beginner to expert.
Planning and Outreach
Good at planning and organizing? Have a special interest in birding or a bird-related topic? Consider becoming a committee member or organizing/supporting an Audubon outreach event. We would love to have your enthusiasm and expertise.
Stay Up To Date!
Sign up to receive regular email updates from Lake County Audubon.
We send out timely information about our bird and nature walks, programs and events, volunteer opportunities as well as updates about our Lake County Piping Plovers. bird/nature outings, special events, volunteer opportunities and related news.
Stilt Sandpiper. Photo: Christian Deme