Trumpeter Swan Society

The Trumpeter Swan Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to assure the vitality and welfare of wild Trumpeter Swans. We work across North America on issues affecting the three trumpeter swan Populations. Each Population has its challenges and opportunities. Our program areas address issues that may be in one or more Populations. We use science based information and research and work with national, state, regional and local partners in swan restoration and management; swan research and public education, and outreach and advocacy about trumpeter swan issues.

Our goals include:
1. We are building a movement of people who advocate on behalf of trumpeter swans. This is in the context of science-based swan information.
2. We inform and assist decision-makers by advancing science-based information supporting trumpeter swan management/restoration/research.
3. We invest in our organization’s infrastructure to sustain our successes.

1. We have a multi pronged public relations and communication plan with science-based information and messaging; an active, engaged Citizen Science Trumpeter Watch reporting program tracking migrations and new nesting and wintering grounds; opportunities asking supporters to participate in at least one annual trumpeter swan advocacy issue.

2. We offer information and expertise for trumpeter swan research projects; planning for and implementation biennial Swan Conferences (next in 2022); identify information needs/potential swan research, management or conservation projects; work toward goals for future restoration, expansion and management efforts; participate in the Flyway Swan Subcommittee meetings and the annual meeting of the National Flyway Council.

3. Effectively use committees to review projects and make recommendations to the board; create and implement existing and new revenue streams that supports the strategic plan.

Our board and staff have long term and extensive relationships and experience with federal and state waterfowl management agencies, as well as regional nonprofits and partnerships involved in swan wetland, wintering and migrating habitat and restoration issues.

We have a board that is diverse in expertise including extensive waterfowl biology and agency and nonprofit experience, finance/investment and environmental law; staff with biology and business/nonprofit and fundraising experience; a growing number of donors, and an endowment fund to secure the future to carry out our mission. Strong governance and policies guide the board of directors and staff in implementing and evaluating programs, fundraising, and guiding board and staff responsibilities.

With more than 50 years of swan conservation experience, and in line with our strategic goals, we:

1) Created a mobile responsive website with capability for online Trumpeter Watch reports, online donations, Swan Conference event registration, an extensive “Swan Library” and Information section. We have hosted 25 Swan Conferences since 1969, bringing together swan biologists, managers, non profit leaders and the general public to share and receive the most up-to-date trumpeter swan information from across North America.
2) Have regularly attended the Flyway Swan committee meetings in the Mississippi Flyway and successfully advocated for a revised Interior Population Management Plan; planning for biennial Swan Conferences
3) Have recruited Board members with a diverse set of skills and experiences. Our Conservation Committee, comprised of waterfowl/swan biologists, reviews swan projects, issues, threats, research projects and makes recommendations to the board.

We continue to work on expanding our donor base including major donors, and we need to develop a bequest program to ensure long term sustainability. Funding unrestricted projects is improving but has need for continuing improvement.