About Liberty Bird Alliance
About Us
At Liberty Bird Alliance, formerly Wyncote Audubon Society, we welcome everyone to experience the joys of birding. Our mission as an organization is to care for birds, for their habitats, and for the conservation efforts that will keep them with us for generations to come. And we hope you’ll join us in that effort!
Originally founded as the Wyncote Bird Club in April 1914, its founding members hailed from Wyncote-adjacent communities like Glenside and Elkins Park. In 1967, they became an official chapter of the National Audubon Society and shifted to the name Wyncote Audubon Society in 1970.
In 2024, we elected to find a new name that represents what we do, embodies our organizational values, and is inclusive and welcoming to the entire Greater Philadelphia Region. In September 2024, we announced our new name, Liberty Bird Alliance. Learn more here.
The Liberty Bird Alliance serves over 2000 Audubon members in Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, including Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Manayunk, Mt. Airy, Roxborough, North Philadelphia and Northeast Philadelphia.
We hope you’ll join us at one of our monthly meetings, held on the second Tuesday of most months from September through May. Or sign up for one of our programs and volunteer opportunities. We’re excited to meet you and welcome you to the Liberty Bird Alliance family.
Year Founded
Liberty Bird Alliance History
The Liberty Bird Alliance was founded in April 1914 as the Wyncote Bird Club. Its original meetings were held at All Hallows Church and later at Thomas Williams Junior High in Wyncote. Its original members hailed from Wyncote-adjacent communities like Glenside, and Elkins Park.
With the intent to preserve forest habitat as a refuge for birds and wildlife, two properties in the Pennypack Creek watershed were donated to the National Audubon Society in 1956 and 1959, forming what is now part of the Crosswicks Wildlife Sanctuary. Several areas of the sanctuary were later dedicated to early and active chapter members, recognizing their conservation legacy.
The Wyncote Bird Club became an official chapter of the National Audubon Society in 1967 and was renamed as the Wyncote Audubon Society in 1970.
Members
Liberty Bird Alliance at Work
Liberty Bird Alliance participates in community days, bird festivals, and other community events where there is a focus on community organizations and bird friendly activities. Our volunteers set up tables and displays to provide information and encourage interest in our programs, activities and membership.
Municipalities Served
Liberty Bird Alliance Service Area
The Liberty Bird Alliance serves the nearly 2000 Audubon members in its service area which encompasses major portions of Montgomery County and Philadelphia, including Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Manayunk, Mt. Airy, Roxborough, North Philadelphia, and Northeast Philadelphia.
Liberty Bird Alliance Leadership
Nilesh Shah
President
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Nilesh
Nilesh Shah
Nilesh Shah is the current President of tthe Liberty Bird Alliance. He retired from his role as one of the Global R&D Directors of the Dow Chemical Company after 34 years of service in the chemical industry. Nilesh was born in India and raised in Calcutta. He moved to the U.S. in 1979 to pursue graduate studies in Chemical Engineering and chose to reside permanently after meeting his wife, Jean Brady, in graduate school. Nilesh has been birding since 1987 and enjoys bringing the joy of birding to others. He is passionate about science, is a bibliophile and loves to travel.
Margaret Rohde
Vice President
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Margaret
Margaret Rohde
Margaret is the Conservation Manager for Wissahickon Trails and oversees their trail and preserve management, habitat restoration, climate adaptation and trail accessibility planning, and bird conservation program. She started birding at age 6 and is a North American Banding Council Certified Bander. Margaret joined the Board in 2016 as a representative of Wissahickon Trails, and enjoys tying together projects and programs that support both organization’s missions.
Connie Sanchez
Treasurer
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Connie
Connie Sanchez
Connie is the Treasurer for Liberty Bird Alliance. In addition, she is staff for National Audubon Society, serving in various conservation and communication roles for over 20 years. Connie currently manages Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Buildings Program, focused on hazards birds face as they navigate the built-environment, such glass and lights, working closely with local chapters and staff throughout the network. A native of New Jersey, Connie got hooked on birds during her undergraduate studies in ecology and evolution at the University of Rochester and went on to further explore her fascination with birds in graduate studies in Kansas, specializing in ornithology. Connie’s true passion lies in creating connections with people and nature through stories, science and technology.
Jason Porter
Secretary
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Jason
Jason Porter
Jason serves on the Outreach Committee, helping to identify events to provide outreach and volunteers who can serve in this role. As an avid birder and Montgomery County Master Naturalist candidate, Jason is passionate about wildlife viewing, protection, conservation, and environmental education. Jason started his career as a Microbial Ecologist, conducting research in natural lake systems, but after years of serving as a High School Biology teacher and teacher coach, he is currently an Education Strategy consultant working with school and non-profit clients to develop high-quality STEM programs for students.
Committee Leadership
Leigh Altadonna
President Emeritus
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Leigh
Leigh Altadonna
Leigh Altadonna is President Emeritus of the Liberty Bird Alliance that serves Audubon members in major portions of Montgomery County and Philadelphia. Leigh is retired from the Abington School District after 44 years of service. He worked as a teacher, principal, Director of Curriculum, and Assistant Superintendent. He grew up in Glenside and developed a passion for birds and birding from his early association as a child with the Liberty Bird Alliance Bird Club and Briar Bush Nature Center. Leigh continued his pursuit of birds and their conservation through service with many organizations. Leigh has served four terms on the Board of the National Audubon Society and two terms on the National Audubon Society Action Fund Board. He currently serves on the Board of Bird Town Pennsylvania and as President of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council.
Troy Bynum
Director
Field Trip Committee Chair
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Troy
Troy Bynum
Troy Bynum, owner of TB Wildlife Photography LLC, is not only an enthusiastic birder but also a passionate wildlife photographer from Philadelphia, PA. Troy’s work focuses on capturing and showcasing the remarkable colors, intricate patterns, and rich textures that are abundant throughout the natural world. In his work, Troy draws attention to the oftentimes overlooked naturally occurring beauty found in the wild. Troy is on a mission to accentuate and celebrate the inherent magnificence of nature.
Wendy Clymer
Director
Committee Chair
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Wendy
Wendy Clymer
Wendy is Secretary and Membership Chair, and has also served on the Scholarship, Hospitality, and Crosswicks Committees, and the Historic Birding Records Project. She’s a second-generation board member since her parents also served. After receiving a degree in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State, she interned at National Audubon’s Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary in KY. She was Program Coordinator for the Perkiomen Watershed Association and for Briar Bush Nature Center, taught 4th grade science, and was a Ranger 1 at Fort Washington and Benjamin Rush State Parks. Her hobbies include visiting family and friends, walking, bicycling, traveling, and of course, birding.
Olivia Cochran
Director
Education Committee Chair
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Olivia
Olivia Cochran
Olivia is the Chair for the Education Committee and leads the efforts to engage schools with Audubon Adventures, a bird-themed magazine geared toward elementary students. She is also a full-time Farm Educator at Fox Chase Farm which is run and operated by the School District of Philadelphia. In her spare time, she loves birding, hiking, rock climbing, and generally doing anything active outside.
Katie Eberhart
Director
Community Science Chair
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Katie
Katie Eberhart
Katie Eberhart was first introduced to birds by her grandmother, an avid nature-lover. Once Katie got to graduate school to study Ecology, her interests really took off under the guidance of her advisor, a keen bird watcher. You’ll now primarily find her searching for migrants in the lower Wissahickon in the Spring, braving the cold during Climate Watch surveys, participating in the Birdathon, and finding new birds during her travels. One of Katie’s favorite birding memories is seeing the unique Oilbirds roosting in a dark, wet ravine in Ecuador. Finally seeing Darwin’s finches is a very close second.
Stephanie Egger
Director
Bird Safe Philly Committee Chair
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Stephanie
Stephanie Egger
Stephanie Egger not only serves as Bird Safe Philly Commitee Chair for Liberty Bird Alliance but is also a member of the the Bird Safe Philly leadership team and is involved in monitoring, data management, managing the social media platforms, and working with buildings for retrofitting glass to reduce bird collisions. For her paid job, Stephanie is a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab. She’s an avid birder, and loves to bring awareness to her neighbors, friends, and family on the joys and benefits of birds and preserving their habitat for future generations to come.
Matthew Hartwell
Chair
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Matthew
Matthew Hartwell
Matt Hartwell is a biology and environmental science educator with 27 years of teaching experience in the Abington School District, following earlier work in the Philadelphia School District and a Master’s degree in Biology from Temple University. Inspired by a lifelong passion for birds and nature rooted in family experiences on Cape Cod, he integrates birding into his classroom and serves as faculty sponsor of the Abington High School Bird Club. Matt is an enthusiastic birder whose experiences include Ecuador, the Galápagos, and the Amazon, and he is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards through education and conservation.
Nora Joyce
Youth Representative
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Nora
Nora Joyce
Nora is a current high school senior, and serves as the Youth Representative for the Liberty Bird Alliance. She also serves as the President of the Abington Senior High School Bird Club. As long as she can remember, her family has been taking her on excursions into nature. Her dad introduced her to birding when she was very young, and she has always had a pair of binoculars around her neck since. She hopes to continue birding into college and beyond. Her favorite area for birding is the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in Nags Head, North Carolina, and her favorite bird is the White-Breasted Nuthatch.
Sherry Krider
Director
Outreach Committee Chair
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Sherry
Sherry Krider
Sherry organizes volunteers for community events including native plant sales, bird festivals, and other local events that focus on bird-friendly activities. There are many opportunities to share the love of birds, habitats, and plants with our neighbors, and volunteers are welcome. Sherry was honored with the Edward Hicks Parry Award in December 2021 for her long association and record of service to the Liberty Bird Alliance.
Paige Menton
Director
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Paige
Paige Menton
Coming soon…
Garrett Miades
Director
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Garrett
Garrett Miades
Garrett serves on the Bird Safe Philly Committee and manages Bird Safe Philly’s website. He is passionate about bird conservation and introducing Philadelphians to the wonders of nature right in their backyard. As a career Marketing Automation and Email specialist, Garrett brings professional experience in mass communications and CRM strategy to his role on the board. He is also a touring musician in multiple rock bands.
Rebecca Reicherter
Director
Webmaster
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Rebecca
Rebecca Reicherter
Rebecca serves on the Advocacy Committee and also manages Liberty Bird Alliance’s website. She is passionate about conservation, habitat preservation, and native gardening and strives to be an ambassador of nature wherever she goes. An analytics director in tech by day, she brings her professional experience in strategy, insights, and marketing to her role on the board. She also has experience doing wildlife rehabilitation while living in Napa, CA and researching brown-headed cowbird behavior as an undergrad at Penn.
Kuenhi Tsai
Director
Finance
Committee Chair
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Kuenhi
Kuenhi Tsai
Kuenhi Tsai is a Senior Vice Presient and Head of Clinical Research at a small biotech company which develops oncology medicine. Previously he was a researcher on ring-necked pheasant in Montana, Swinhoe’s and Mikado pheasants in Taiwan, and studying wildlfie survival analyses. After obtaining Ph.D. degree in statistics and biometrics, he worked as a biostatistician at Roche, Vertex, and Merck. He joined the Board in 2023.
Anthony Zaccagni
Chair
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Anthony
Anthony Zaccagni
Anthony Zaccagni is a wildlife biologist and Outreach Coordinator/Community Engagement Specialist at Fox Chase Farm. He recently earned a Master’s degree in Wildlife Management and Ecology from Unity University, specializing in birds and their ecosystems, after completing a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation at Delaware Valley University. An avid birder, Anthony regularly explores hotspots such as Cape May, Hawk Mountain, and local wetlands, with more than 200 species logged on Merlin. He also serves as an environmental and wildlife guide for student programs and is committed to building a career in ornithology through education, conservation, and community engagement.
Liberty Bird Alliance is a proud supporter of the Bird Town Pennsylvania program which works alongside local municipalities to promote community-based conservation.
Our Partners
Liberty Bird Alliance has the good fortune to work alongside incredible partners, all doing their part to protect birds and the place they need. Below are some of the invaluable partners in our region who work tirelessly to strengthen conservation efforts, protect birds, and enhance their communities.
