Chicago Audubon Society calls for a name change, moving away from ties to naturalist

Ivory-billed woodpeckers from an engraving by John J. Audubon. The Chicago Audubon Society cites the naturalist’s ties to a genocidal campaign against people of color in deciding to drop his name. It is encouraging the National Audubon Society to do the same. (JOHN J. AUDUBON, AP)

In a letter sent out this week by the Chicago Audubon Society, the environmental consulting organization says it plans to drop “Audubon” from its name and is encouraging the National Audubon Society to do the same.

The Chicago Audubon Society said it would determine a new name within the year if the National Audubon Society does not announce a new name.