At Golden Gate Bird Alliance, we believe deeply in our dual responsibility to protect and enhance the welfare of bird populations and their habitats and to promote a safe, inclusive, welcoming, and holistic birding experience. We strive to minimize and counteract our personal and collective environmental impact through education, advocacy, on-the-ground habitat protection, and individual action. Please adhere to our code of conduct while birding, interacting with wildlife, and interacting with the diverse array of people who participate in our programs, both in-person and online.
We stand by National Audubon Society’s Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We emphasize the following:
- Do not insult, belittle, threaten, or attack other participants under any circumstances, whether by private message, email, in person, on social media, or chat group.
- Be considerate of other people’s personal space and make room for all participants. Do not touch others without their expressed verbal consent. Share access to viewing sites and take turns being in the front during in-person field trips, classes and other programs.
- Be mindful that members of our community span different birding abilities, birding styles, economic backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, religions, cultures, political views, physical abilities, and other identities that may or may not be visible. Assume nothing and respect everyone.
- Do not make offensive references to race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or physical or cognitive ability. Framing offensive remarks as a joke is no excuse.
- Disagreements and criticisms are best delivered privately and respectfully, not in public forums.
With respect to the welfare of birds, we follow the ABA Code of Birding Ethics, Audubon’s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography and emphasize:
- Do not post the locations of nests.
- Do not post the locations of day-roosting owls.
- Do not post the locations of sensitive species, where such visitation by birders could have an adverse impact.
- During nesting season, do not use audio recordings to lure birds into view.
- If your approach causes a bird to flush (fly or run away) or change its behavior, you’re too close.
Our responsibility is to adhere to the Code of Conduct and to encourage others to do the same. When in doubt, consider the welfare of the birds and others around you.
Violations of these guidelines will be reviewed by the Golden Gate Bird Alliance staff, members of the Board of Directors, and/or the Golden Gate Bird Alliance Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and may lead to a ban from our chat list, social media, field trips, volunteer events, travel program, or other GGAS activities.
To report a Code of Conduct violation:
Email the Executive Director at ED@goldengateaudubon.org, the board president at president@goldengateaudubon.org, or submit your Code of Conduct Violation report anonymously at the link below https://goldengateaudubon.org/report/.