After 25 years serving as the Executive Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Dr. John Fitzpatrick has announced he is retiring at the end of the year. If you’ve attended one of our annual meetings, you’ve likely met Dr. Fitzpatrick (Fitz); many have worked closely with him on AOS Council and various committees, and no doubt everyone recognizes the tremendous impact of his leadership at the Lab.

AOS leaders, including the NACC and Diversity and Inclusion Committees are working together to develop Society-level policies in our nomenclature, and to be intentional in all our activities to ensure all individuals feel welcome in our Society. We will discuss these issues at our 2024 meetings of Council and make a statement at the end of the NAOC VII meeting.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken the next step in its rollback of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) by releasing a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which includes an environmental analysis and alternatives for this rule. The public comment period is open until July 20.