EVENTS
Our events are free and open to the public; any exceptions would be clearly noted. Any changes or cancellations will be posted here as well as on Facebook.
When we share an event sponsored by another organization, please check with the sponsor for details and up-to-date information.
Dubuque Audubon November Program
Dubuque Watershed Agricultural Engagement Program
Thursday, 11/13/25
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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Our speaker will be Eric Schmechel, Watershed Program Director for Dubuque County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). He is going to be discussing the agricultural engagement program, focusing on the new Dubuque County batch and build cover crop program, soil health plans, and the newly formed 501c3 non profit – Dubuque Farmer to Farmer.
Eric Schmechel holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning and Science from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Eric started his career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and then moved to Dubuque in 2007 to work on the Catfish Creek Watershed Project. He now serves as the Dubuque Watershed Program Director, oversees 3 full time staff, and is involved with both urban watershed programs as well as agricultural engagement programs.
Dubuque Audubon December Program
Birding in Panama
Thursday, 12/11/25
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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Mary Leigh will share information and photos from her birding trips to Panama, which included the Canopy Family locations (Tower, Lodge, and Camp) and some places in western Panama. The Canopy Family offers great birding opportunities that include guides, meals, and transportation. Hopefully you’ll enjoy seeing the best and worst bird photos, along with some monkeys, sloths, and other fun photos. Marty Corfman, our Dubuque Audubon president, joined Mary for the last half of this year’s trip. Marty will also share some photos and stories!
They plan to invite fellow travelers to join in a Q&A at the end or just to give a wave if they’re in attendance (Jean Schmitz, who was all in, Chris Leigh, Mary’s husband who joined some of the time, and Susie Gilligan, who started this whole adventure). Also, board members Maggie O’Connell and Sandy Walton made a recent trip to Panama, so there may be plenty of people who can answer questions related to the Canopy Family!
Read more about Mary and Marty
Mary Leigh is a retired computer programmer who has been interested in birds since she was a kid. She didn’t consider herself a birder until 2022, when a friend showed her the light (that would be Susie), and she began keeping a bird life list and birding locally beyond her back yard. As her photos accumulated, she created MostlyBirdsByMary.com in order to have something to do with them. When looking for local birding opportunities that fall, she went to her first Dubuque Audubon Society meeting and ended up volunteering to fill the vacant secretary position, which put her on the board. The following summer, she started helping with the newsletter after learning the board didn’t have anyone to format it. After a year, she switched from secretary to web admin and redesigned the Dubuque Audubon website.
Marty Corfman’s interest in birding was a slow burn, starting with bringing a small camera to Mexico in 2010. She steadily increased her love of birding over the next years, while working on her bird photography. In the summer of 2023, Marty got connected with the local Audubon chapter through her discovery of the destruction of Bobolink nests on private property in Dubuque. That led to ongoing communication with our city leadership to promote the conservation of bird habitat and bird-friendly policy. Ken Kiss and Jim Olesson kindly asked her to join the board, and the rest is history! Marty’s first entirely birding trip was this one to Panama. What a fantastic experience!
Dubuque Audubon Annual Christmas Bird Count
TBD (between Dec. 14 and Jan 5)
Join Dubuque Audubon field trip leaders as we split into groups to identify and count birds within a 15-mile-diameter circle centered at Center Grove Cemetery, Dubuque, IA. Sectors include Swiss Valley, Mines of Spain, City of Dubuque, Western Dubuque, Deere Dike/north of Dubuque, Dubuque Airport, and western Grant County.
Details will follow.
Our monthly programs are typically held on the 2nd Thursday of the month, so you could mark your calendars for January – May.
Dubuque Audubon March Program
Voyage to the Bottom of the World
Thursday, 3/12/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
In December of 2014, Ty Smedes spent almost a month exploring the southern reaches of the globe on the Expedition ship Ortelius. The first stop was the Falkland Islands, the site of the largest Black-browed Albatross colony in the world, numbering 220,000 breeding pairs. In addition, Rockhopper Penguin pairs were breeding in various places among the albatross.
Next stop was South Georgia Island, the diamond in the Southern Ocean’s crown jewels of Sub-Antarctic islands, a spectacular glaciated landscape home to some of the greatest wildlife densities found anywhere on earth. Ty will take us ashore to visit the huge Fur Seal Colonies and to witness the titanic struggle between bull Elephant Seals, each battling to become beach-master. We will visit King Penguin colonies numbering 335,000 pairs or more. We’ll see and hear their struggles to survive in a challenging climate, where some of the roughest seas in the world meet. This island, just 100 miles long and with 100 million birds, is the most wildlife-rich island on the planet!
Along the Antarctic Peninsula, we will visit dazzling blue icebergs in shapes that defy the imagination. This stunning landscape hosts several penguin species and the leopard seals that hunt them – framed by a backdrop of endless glaciers and spectacular mountain scenics.
Join us for this educational and visually stunning presentation about this beautiful and wildlife-rich part of the world.
Ty Smedes is an accomplished and internationally recognized photographer. He has been featured by the Iowa DNR, numerous magazines, has published several books, and leads international photo tours. In his words, “My ultimate goal is to help others enjoy, appreciate , and value our often fragile and threatened natural eco-systems and natural heritage.”
© Marty Corfman
Dubuque Audubon Annual Duck Waddle
Saturday, 3/14/26
(Tentative Date)
(Traditionally the 2nd Saturday in March)
Green Island Wildlife Management Area
located in Jackson County, IA
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Join us on our annual trip to Green Island Wildlife Management Area in Jackson County to observe migrating waterfowl! Green Island is one of Iowa’s largest wetland complexes and attracts thousands of ducks, geese, cranes, and other aquatic-based birds each March. Audubon guides will be on hand to help identify the numerous species. Binoculars are recommended.
Details will follow.
Dubuque Audubon Annual Spring Species Count
Saturday, 5/9/26
(Tentative Date)
(Traditionally the Saturday before Mother’s Day)
Join us for our annual fun day of spring birding! You’re welcome to spend as much or as little time as you like. We’ll meet up for a potluck picnic at the end of the day. This event is free, and no birding experience is required. Audubon guides will be on hand to help you identify species.
Details will follow.