Arkansas Bird Alliance (ARBA)

The Arkansas Bird Alliance (ARBA) was established as the Arkansas Audubon Society (AAS) at Petit Jean State Park in 1955 with a mission of educating Arkansans on the native birds of the state and their habitats; the organization changed its name in the spring of 2026. In the twenty-first century, this volunteer-run, nonprofit organization works “to inspire Arkansans to care about birds and their habitats, the threats they face, and their connections to us.” The ARBA has no connection to the National Audubon Society, Audubon Delta, or the Little Rock Audubon Center.

The ARBA hosts two conventions a year throughout the state. They feature presentations by locally and nationally known naturalists and typically include field trips and programs delivered by those in the field. The ARBA’s quarterly newsletter Arkansas Birds informs the community about events, member activities, and birding in general.

The ARBA sponsors the Halberg Ecology Camp each summer, focusing on natural history and conservation. Three camps are offered for three different age ranges. The AAS also has scholarships and a trust that support research, projects, and tuition for students pursuing higher education in Arkansas.

The ARBA presents two awards. The Shug & Luvois Shugart Red Cockaded Woodpecker Conservation Award is given to those who work toward the conservation of this specific species of local woodpecker, and the Max and Helen Parker Service Award is given to those who have shown outstanding service and dedication to the ARBA itself.

The ARBA’s Bird Records Database includes notable sightings of birds in the state from both professional and amateur birders, making it an important resource for ornithology in the state. Birders can also use the State Checklist to keep track of and learn more about all the bird species in Arkansas. Observations and sightings from the community can be found and explored through the database, and by 2025, there were nearly 60,000 recorded sightings of native birds.

The Conservation Committee of the ARBA focuses on the restoration and maintenance of habitats for birds and the surrounding wildlife. Many of the issues they are interested in are linked to the Wildlife Acts and land use regulations. The ARBA partners with entities such as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, and Ozark Bird Conservancy on various projects. The ARBA is supported in part by the Arkansas Audubon Society Trust.

For additional information:
Arkansas Bird Alliance. https://arbirds.org/ (accessed May 13, 2026).

Arkansas Audubon Society Records (MC 1282). Special Collections. University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Finding aid available online (accessed May 13, 2026).

Chris M. Iglesia
University of Arkansas at Little Rock