The start of a great idea
The Bird-a-thon started in 2007 as the brainchild of Bill Stewart, then chair of the DOS Conservation committee, who wanted to raise money for bird conservation, especially the Red Knot which had recently been declared an endangered species. The idea was initial met with quite a bit of skepticism, but has succeeded beyond the wildest imagination of anyone in 2007. Below is a table summarizing the amount of money raised each year and the properties that have been purchased, usually in partnership with other organization. Note that DOS is not involved in land management so the properties are turned over to other organizations to be managed and permanently protected.
Read an article by Sally O'Byrne about the early days of the Bird-a-thon. Click here.
History of the Bird-a-thon
A table of the amount of money raised and land purchased since the start of the Bird-a-thon in 2007. Dollar amounts have been rounded to the nearest thousand.| Year | Dollars Raised | Property Location | Acreage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39,000 | Lewes | 88 |
| 2023 | 24,000 | ||
| 2022 | 58,000 | near Woodland Beach | 165 |
| 2021 | 44,000 | Augustine Creek | 347 |
| 2020 | 62,000 | Thousand Acre Marsh | 200 |
| 2019 | 103,000 | Thousand Acre Marsh | 53 |
| 2018 | 50,000 | Mispillion Harbor | 1 |
| 2017 | 41,000 | Blackbird Creek | 635 |
| 2016 | 32,000 | Augustine Wildlife Area | 141 |
| 2015 | 35,000 | Little Creek Wildlife Area | 117 |
| 2014 | 45,000 | Ted Harvey Wildlife Area | 748 |
| 2013 | 39,000 | Augustine Wildlife Area | 194 |
| 2012 | 32,000 | ||
| 2011 | 37,000 | ||
| 2010 | 29,000 | Mispillion Harbor | 52 |
| 2009 | 45,000 | ||
| 2008 | 39,000 | ||
| 2007 | 28,000 | Fowler Beach | 27 |
| TOTALS | 781,000 | 2768 |