Please see below for July 10, 2025 joint press release issued by Central Westchester Audubon Society (CWAS) and Saw Mill River Audubon (SMRA) about the merger of these two Westchester County, New York Audubon chapters.

• To learn about upcoming Audubon events for Central Westchester Audubon communities, we invite CWAS members and others to subscribe to the SMRA event notice list.
• We warmly welcome Central Westchester Audubon members to participate in upcoming Saw Mill River Audubon field trips.

• In Fall 2025, we will mail the Saw Mill River Audubon seasonal newsletter to all current SMRA and CWAS members. 
• If you are a current member of Central Westchester Audubon Society, Saw Mill River Audubon assures you that your National Audubon membership and/or chapter membership in CWAS will fully transfer to SMRA. 

Please contact Saw Mill River Audubon if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions about this merger. Call SMRA Executive Director Anne Swaim at 914-666-6503 or email our office.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Central Westchester Audubon Society Announces Planned Closure and Merger with Saw Mill River Audubon After Over 50 Years of Conservation Service

White Plains, NY – July 10, 2025 — After more than five decades of dedicated environmental advocacy, bird conservation, and community education, Central Westchester Audubon Society, Inc. (CWAS) is announcing its plans to cease independent operations and merge with Saw Mill River Audubon, Inc. This merger aims to strengthen Audubon local efforts by uniting resources, expertise, and volunteer networks.

The legal closure of Central Westchester Audubon Society, Inc., which is subject to the approval of the New York State Attorney General, is set to occur over the coming months.

Saw Mill River Audubon will be inviting Central Westchester Audubon members to participate in SMRA activities this summer and beyond. 

Saw Mill River Audubon President Erik Andersen said, “We look forward to welcoming Central Westchester Audubon members to Saw Mill River Audubon. We are also planning new outreach efforts in the Central Westchester Audubon communities of Elmsford, Harrison, Port Chester, Purchase, Rye, West Harrison and White Plains.”

“Our chapter was built on a simple but powerful idea: that a small group of dedicated individuals could make a real difference in protecting the natural world,” said Lisa Curtis, president of CWAS. “It’s bittersweet to close this chapter. However, we’re excited for the expanded opportunities this merger will bring. As we look to the future, we do so with pride in what we’ve accomplished and confidence in what lies ahead.”

Founded in the early 1970s by a passionate group of local birders and nature enthusiasts, Central Westchester Audubon has been a vibrant advocate for environmental stewardship in the central Westchester area. From organizing seasonal bird counts and classroom projects to hosting educational workshops and guided bird walks, the chapter has played a vital role in fostering a love for nature among generations of residents of central Westchester.

Saw Mill River Audubon, with its broader geographic reach and larger pool of volunteers and staff, will continue and expand programs and initiatives offered by Central Westchester Audubon, ensuring that its legacy lives on.

More about Saw Mill River Audubon activities is here: www.sawmillriveraudubon.org

For more information, contact Anne Swaim, Executive Director, Saw Mill River Audubon at 914-666-6503 or email our office.