Celebrate Spring, Support Nature
Nature Forward’s Birdathon is a fun and flexible spring tradition that invites everyone—new birders, seasoned experts, and people of all ages and abilities—to get outside and enjoy peak migration while supporting vital conservation, education, and habitat restoration.
Running April 15–May 31, Birdathon is a spring fundraiser with a variety of ways to support!
Participate YOUR way
Join, form, or pledge to support a team, or participate solo
Track bird species and pledges on your own
or register with RallyUp to collect donations and
track your impact.
Registration Questions?
Contact Erin Mosley, Membership and Annual Giving Manager,
at [email protected] or call (301) 450-1471.
Come along on a Nature Forward birding experience!
You’re invited to naturalist-led birding walks and programs offered throughout the season and across our region.
Click the “Find Upcoming Birding Events” dropdown menu to see just a few of the many great programs available—and Nature Forward members receive a discount.
Make birding easier with Merlin Bird ID and eBird
These free bird-tracking and identification tools from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
are especially helpful for beginners and families.
Merlin Bird ID is a free, easy-to-use app that helps identify birds—even if you’re brand new to birding. You can point your phone at a bird or record its song, and the app suggests possible species, with no expert knowledge required.
During Nature Forward programs or Birdathon, Merlin helps participants learn bird names, notice more wildlife, and feel confident joining in. It’s a fun and engaging way for families, students, and Birdathon participants to connect with nature while raising awareness and supporting conservation.
eBird is a free website and mobile app that allows users to log species, explore bird sightings worldwide, and contribute to conservation science. Key features include:
- Simple interface for beginners
- Powerful data tools for advanced users
- Free mobile app—even works offline
- Participation in a global community of 100M+ bird observations annually
More Ways to Support
Make a one-time gift, purchase Birdathon merchandise,
or dine out to help protect local habitats.
Have dinner at All Set Restaurant & Bar in Silver Spring, MD
on Tuesday, May 12 between 5 – 9 PM.
Tell your server that you’re dining in support of Nature Forward and
20% of your check will be donated in support of the Birdathon!
Explore sponsorship opportunities, benefits, and impact!
Learn more about sponsorship benefits, visibility opportunities,
and how Birdathon sponsorship strengthens Nature Forward’s mission
Thank you to our 2026 Nature Forward Birdathon sponsors!
We appreciate your generosity and community leadership on behalf of our 40,000 members, supporters, visitors, and program participants.
Contributing Sponsors
In-kind Sponsors
Sponsorship Questions?
Talissa Bavaresco, Special Event & Sponsorship Manager,
at [email protected] or (301) 450-1381
Registration and Donation Questions?
Erin Mosley, Membership and Annual Giving Manager,
at [email protected] or (301) 450-1471