When: October 24, 2026 @ 9:30 am
Help endangered birds raise their families
The Golden-Winged Warbler is one of the most threatened forest-dwelling birds in the United States. This species has suffered a severe population decline in the past fifty years, and is currently under review to be offered full protection via the Endangered Species Act. Their population crash is due in part to loss of breeding habitat; these small but brightly colored birds nest in dense, high-elevation meadows, but once their chicks leave the nest, the parents move their teenage young to mature forests to teach them how to thrive as a woodland warbler. This means that Golden-Winged Warblers not only require intact, high-elevation meadows, but also healthy, mature forests.
Here in Western North Carolina, we are at the southernmost edge of Golden-Winged Warbler breeding habitat, and Mainspring is turning our focus on creating and maintaining habitat that these birds can raise their babies in. Join us for this workday to open up a high-elevation meadow to suit Golden-Winged Warblers’ nesting needs, and help this precious species bounce back from their concerning decline! The location of this workday is an under-visited but beautiful corner of WNC, and we are excited to show our volunteers this secret spot.
Learn more about Golden-Winged Warblers through the Golden-Winged Warbler Working Group, or Cornell’s All About Birds.
During this workday, we will be removing young trees and other woody plants from a high-elevation meadow, restoring the “early successional” habitat that Golden-Winged Warblers seek for their nesting grounds. This is a long workday, starting at 9:30am and ending around 3:00pm, with snacks and lunch provided. We will be working in a dense and wild meadow, so long sleeves, thick pants, and sturdy boots are recommended to protect against the briars that grow here. We also recommend a hat, sunglasses, and other sun protection, as there is not much shade at this location and we will be outside all day. Please bring also bring plenty of water (we will have a refill station), work gloves (if you have them), and anything else you need to be comfortable outside for the duration of this event.
We will meet at the North High Falls/Cullowhee Falls Trailhead at 9:30am on Saturday, October 24th, then caravan to the event location (approximately 20 minutes.) See the map below for exact meeting location. Please leave pets at home. This event is weather-dependent.
Email Kaitlyn at [email protected] with questions and to RSVP.
