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Who Are We?

The Texas Bluebird Society is an all-volunteer grassroots organization helping bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds through increasing nesting sites while sustaining and increasing their food supply (insects; berries of native plants).

The Texas Bluebird Society was founded in 2001 by avid bluebirders from across the state who joined together to pool their passion for and knowledge of these beautiful birds.

By joining together we are able to:

  • share Texas-specific experiences
  • encourage habitat creation
  • support research
  • educate the public with regard to bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting birds

Bluebirding is not a competitive sport but a cooperative one. We are working on a project far larger than bluebirds! We are taking the DREAM "Bluebirds Across Texas . . . one nestbox at a time" and making it real! We are educating tens of thousands about changing habitat and the need for well-ventilated nestboxes that are appropriate for Texas conditions. By encouraging the planting of native trees and plants, we are helping to create diverse habitats that attract insects and provide berries for wintering bluebirds. This all helps to reduce habitat fragmentation and increase biodiversity.

A goal from the heart of the Texas Bluebird Society is to share the beauty and wonder of bluebirds. The vocal courtship of these birds when they discover a nestbox, then the miracle of egg laying, the patient incubation and nurturing of the eggs, the frantic feeding and caring for their young and the trials and tribulations of the family as the young leave the nest. These birds' lives condense into 30 days what would be 30 years for a human family.

Our members range from those who have the hope of one day seeing a bluebird or attracting a bluebird to a nestbox, to those who have been helping the bluebirds (and other native cavity-nesting birds) in one yard or dozens of yards or even thousands of yards all across Texas.

We ask members to participate in scientific study by opening at least one nestbox once or twice a week during nesting season and reporting their observation through NestWatch.org. Our presenters speak to organizations and work with school children. Those who staff a TBS Booth at a festival conduct membership nestbox exchanges and distribute educational materials. Some simply share with friends and neighbors their knowledge of bluebirds. Others distribute our website's information about bluebirds and plans for building a nestbox.

The Texas Bluebird Society needs volunteers in every part of the state to help share in this wonderfully rewarding hobby! We invite every Texan with a nestbox to participate in NestWatch, whether or not they're a member. We need volunteers for everything from nestbox builders to booth staffers to presenters to adults and children.

By joining together we are able to educate the public and conduct research specific to Texas, benefiting bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting birds. In the process, as people experience the "peace, joy and hope" of bluebirds, they often discover those same things in their own lives.

By joining the Texas Bluebird Society you can have a part in making "Bluebirds Across Texas . . . one nestbox at a time" a reality.

Why Texas Bluebird Society Exists

Everyone knows what Texas Bluebird Society does ("Bluebirds Across Texas ... one nestbox at a time") and how we do it. But, "why we exist" is a story in itself, told by Pauline Tom (a founder of the organization).

"Texas specific" publications did not exist when I started with bluebirds in 2000. The info I gleaned through extensive reading was not "incorrect" somewhere in the USA, but much did not apply in Texas (i.e., House Wrens; Tree Swallows; blowflies; hypothermia; spacing at 300-yards; NABS-sized nestboxes; migration south.)

Keith Kridler and David Shiels, located through cyberspace, taught me what works best for Texas differs from general info about bluebirding, including what's published by the North American Bluebird Society (NABS).

I cried out, "WHY doesn't NABS have an affiliate in Texas to help Texans??!!" NABS informed me, "In 20 years, no one has ventured to start an affiliate for all of Texas." And, no one had plans.

The void consumed me. With electronic communication, the time for a bluebird organization was right. In order to lend a helping hand to Texans, I got the ball rolling. Keith and David, bluebird experts with decades of experience in Texas, agreed to help make it a reality.

Help getting started came from outside Texas in the form of answered emailed questions from presidents of NABS affiliate organizations from coast to coast. At the NABS Convention in Ohio in June, I saw faces and heard voices of close comrades. And, after hundreds of emails just between the two of us, Keith Kridler (a charter NABS member) and I sat together for the first time, piecing together plans.

In the next few months, Keith rounded up a few other Texans with experience to comprise the Charter Board. We pooled passion and knowledge.

Texas Bluebird Society incorporated in September 2001. At the Board Meeting the following month, under oak trees in my backyard in Mountain City, a whirlwind brainstorm produced the slogan: Bluebirds Across Texas ... one nestbox at a time.

In that motto we stay centered, with roots that anchor us ...TEXAS (with a "nestbox-T") Bluebird Society. ---------- Phyllis Campbell, president@texasbluebirdsociety.org

The following is a map of our members, both past and present. Over 95% of them received a free nestbox through our signature "One Nestbox" membership special, which we offer at festivals and presentations and through our volunteer distributors.

A map of our members, both past and present

Dr. Thomas Wheeler

Director
Bellaire / HARRIS

Ann Fox

Director

Tyler / SMITH

The Texas Bluebird Society thanks those who have generously contributed to our web site. On behalf of our society, our heart-filled thanks.

Our Website

Website Support by CRC Enterprises

Website hosting by InMotion Hosting, Inc.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
1-800-843-2473

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/

B. Dalton

For the flying bluebird photo in the website banner

Gerry Stewart

For the bluebird nest photo in the website banner

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucycat/

The Texas Bluebird Society strongly encourages you to read our Privacy Policy and the Privacy Policy of every site to which you provide personal information. Please see our Privacy Policy below.

The Texas Bluebird Society is committed to protecting your privacy. Sometimes we do need information to provide services that you request, such as requesting information or purchasing items from our site. This privacy policy explains data collection and use in those situations. This privacy statement only applies to the Texas Bluebird Society web site. Please be very sure to read Privacy Statements of all sites you visit before providing your personal information.

Collection of your Personal Information

We will ask you when we need information that personally identifies you (personal information) or allows us to contact you. Generally this information is requested when you are purchasing items or requesting more information from us. We may at times have other content on our site for which we may need personal information.

Use of your Personal Information

We will use the personal information we collect from you for the following purposes:

  • to ensure our site is relevant to your needs
  • to collect needed information
  • to collect contact information

Control of your Personal Information

When you give us personal information, the Texas Bluebird Society will not share that information with third parties. It will only be used for the purposes stated above. Your information WILL NOT be disclosed to anyone for any reason.

Enforcement of this Privacy Policy

If you have questions regarding this policy, you should contact the Texas Bluebird Society. Address your question and someone will get in touch with you as quickly as possible.

The general mailing address for all purposes
(e.g. membership, accounting and information, taxes) is:

Texas Bluebird Society
P.O.Box 132101
Spring, TX 77393


The following lists those documents that control Texas Bluebird Society

ByLaws Revised September, 2020 [pdf]

Document Retention and Destruction Policy [pdf]

TBS Board Code of Ethics Policy [pdf]

TBS Board Conflict of Interest Policy [pdf]

TBS Whistleblower Policy-2011-07-17a.pdf


Our 990's provide the public with our financial information. (For financial reports, contact execs@txblues.org)

IRS990_2019_final.pdf

IRS990_2018_final.pdf

IRS990_2017_final.pdf

IRS990_2016_final.pdf

IRS990_2015_final.pdf

IRS990_2014_final.pdf

IRS990_2013_final.pdf

IRS990_2012_final.pdf

IRS990_2011_final.pdf

IRS990_2010_final.pdf