By Olivia Bautch
Engagement Coordinator for the Bird Alliance of Central Indiana
You may have noticed more ways to engage with the Bird Alliance lately by learning and volunteering, and that’s a little bit of what our new part-time staff member has been working on since receiving grants from two area foundations. The Efroymson Family Fund and Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust have generously awarded BACI with grants that will fund the first two years of our new Engagement Coordinator part-time staff member.
It’s no secret that we’re living in a unique period for birds and birding. On one hand, the hobby is blowing up—gatekeeping and stigmas around the diverse ways to observe birds are at what is likely an all time low. Yet birds, their habitats, and related creatures are up against extreme obstructions and dangers: federal protections have been diminished or lost for threatened and endangered species as well as park lands, and private lands are bought and poorly managed, all at a devastating rate.
Nonprofits like the Bird Alliance of Central Indiana do important—vital—work, not only for the natural world, but for humans. But the reality of all-volunteer-run organizations is that the demand may outweigh what they can realistically provide. In 2026, we brought on a new Education Chair and Birdathon Chair, but still faced limitations to how far and wide we can reach with our programs, conservation, advocacy, and education.
Why an Engagement Coordinator?
That’s where Olivia comes in. You may know Olivia as an occasional writer – turned “Editor” Director on the Board – turned Editorial Chair and Thirty, Birdy & Thriving host. Her background is in Environmental Interpretation and nonprofits, working at Cincinnati Nature Center, Eagle Creek Ornithology Center, and as a longterm contract staff with Indiana Audubon. She also has both a Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology and a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication, and has volunteered at several local parks.
One of BACI’s overarching goals is to reach more of our service area (looking at you, southern counties!) through parks, partnerships, and populations:
Olivia’s already revived and revitalized our formal volunteer program that lapsed in 2023, complete with teams and roles for one-day, occasional, or regular opportunities at events, bird walks, workdays, media, and more. (side note: serious thank you to all of the new or newly-committed volunteers signed up over the past few months!)
Working with eager volunteers and parks systems, we’ll increase our conservation action on the ground across more of the region. On the Conservation and Bird Safe Indy Teams, we’ll be adding projects to monitor bird populations, and increase our support for threatened and endangered migratory species and their needs.
Olivia will not only manage volunteers and park partnerships, but also make connections that represent the diverse community that Central Indiana is! As Editor, she’s been the point of contact receiving all the news from land trusts, scientists, plant experts, restorationists, city officials, urban nonprofits, and bird enthusiasts of all walks of life. And like the success of BACI’s young adults group—now one year old—she has plans to work with leaders from various cultures, ethnic groups, abilities, and interests to foster communities of genuine belonging, education, and impact within the Bird Alliance and Central Indiana.
She’s still managing Bird Alliance editorial, and social media now too, to delight followers with bird stories and sightings, and promote field trips and conservation in action. She’ll also be taking on many of the behind-the-scenes tasks that give our Board more time to focus on their roles, jobs, and personal lives! This is just some of the work our new staff Engagement Coordinator will be able to make a reality.
Say hi to Olivia on the trail (or at a coffee shop)!
When Olivia is not working at her amazing new job as a *professional bird person* she’s birding, writing, overstaying at a new coffee shop, spending time with friends, or attending and serving at church. She’s also frequently found “just being” in nature observing its whimsical little insects, wildflowers, and wildlife. Olivia is thrilled to step into this role with BACI doing what she loves at an organization and mission she is incredibly passionate about: facilitating unique experiences for others, learning and teaching about birds, crafting quirky creative pieces, and making her community a more vibrant place to be.