Our Mission is: Conservation through Education, Advocacy, Land Management, and Monitoring
Buena Vista Audubon
The Buena Vista Audubon Society was chartered in 1951 as the coastal North San Diego County chapter of the National Audubon Society and has approximately 1,300 member households. Our programs help foster a knowledge and appreciation for the plants and animals that make up the natural ecosystem of our community. BVAS is a volunteer organization; over 150 volunteers run our nature center and programs, with the help of three part-time staff. BVAS is truly a member and community-supported organization, with the bulk of our operating funds coming from membership dues and donations. We are a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Buena Vista Audubon Society’s mission is conservation with a focus on understanding and saving the naturally occurring diversity of Southern California. Those who cherish nature routinely respect diversity in the natural world. BVAS supports the same respect for the diversity of the members of our community. Yet we acknowledge the need to be more inclusive and to provide opportunities that are easily accessible by all in our community.
We pledge to examine and adapt our practices to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in all levels of our organization and all facets of our work. We commit to having discussions about ways to engage in greater environmental justice, especially as it intersects with marginalized groups. We invite the community to join us in identifying meaningful pathways that will move us toward these goals.
What We Do
Education
A primary focus for BVAS is our nature education program for children. Over 1,700 school children participate in class outings to our Nature Center each year. Other children's activities include Nature Storytime for pre-schoolers, Scout groups, Joey & Johnnie's Clubhouse, & special events. BVAS also offers nature education for the community, including birding trips, natural history classes, and special nature programs and lectures, generally free of charge.
Birding
We offer numerous birding opportunities, from local field trips throughout North County, to trips abroad, to pelagic birding, and the Christmas Bird Count.
Conservation
Finally, we pursue a conservation mission to promote the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of sensitive habitats within San Diego County through public education and advocacy, promotion of environmentally sensitive land planning, and acquisition of conservation easements and land title. BVAS currently owns two parcels of land; the BVAS Wetlands Reserve and the Andy Mauro Nature Preserve. These two properties will be restored to native habitat in the near future.
The Nature Center was built by BVAS in 1987, in partnership with the City of Oceanside and with support funding from the state’s environmental license plate program. The center is located at 2202 South Coast Hwy adjacent to the 220-acre Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve. The Nature Center hosts a variety of programs for all ages and features:
- Interpretive displays featuring local wildlife
- A second story viewing deck of Buena Vista Lagoon
- Our 1/4 mile nature trail
- Native Plant Garden
- A natural history library
For more information about the Nature Center and grounds click here!
Donations that make a difference!
Your donation will help us further our mission of providing nature-based education to local children, offering birding classes and other programs, protecting and restoring North County wildlife habitats, and more!
Our Mission
Conservation Through Education, Advocacy, Land Management, and Monitoring
Mailing Address
Buena Vista Audubon
PO Box 480
Oceanside, CA 92049
Nature Center
2202 S. Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054
760-439-BIRD
(760-439-2473)
Hours
Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10 am-1 pm
Wednesday 10 am-1 pm
Thursday 10 am-1 pm
Friday 10 am-1 pm
Saturday 10 am-1 pm