Costa Rica, and a certificate program in Natural History Field Studies, co-sponsored by Graduate School USA. Publications The Society's current publication is Naturalist Quarterly. In 1948, Shirley Briggs became the first editor of ANS's Wood Thrush. The periodical was soon renamed Atlantic Naturalist, and it appeared under that name from 1950 to 1976. Atlantic Naturalist published work by some of the country's leading nature writers, conservationists, and naturalists, among them Carson, Peterson, Halle, Zahniser, Stewart Udall, William O. Douglas, and Chandler Robbins. It was succeeded by the Audubon Naturalist News. By 2009, the News was on a quarterly publication schedule. With the Spring 2011 issue (volume 37, number 2), it was renamed Naturalist Quarterly, incorporating the Society's catalog of environmental educational programs into its coverage of ANS people and events and local conservation activities. Awards From time to time, ANS grants the Paul Bartsch Award for distinguished contributions to natural history. The award honors mid-Atlantic resident Bartsch, curator for the Smithsonian Institution, ANS board member, and frequent contributor to Atlantic Naturalist. Past recipients include Carson (1963), Peterson, Robbins, Briggs (1972), Alexander Wetmore (1964), David Brower (1967), Claudia Wilds, Clarence Cottam, Donald Messersmith (2002), and Lawrence Zeleny. Name change In the 2020s reappraisal of figures involved with slavery, ANS announced in October 2021 that it would change its name to remove the reference to John James Audubon, who owned slaves, opposed the abolition of slavery, and wrote about the inferiority of Black and Indigenous people. The organization sought a name "that better reflects the growing, rich diversity of the region that we serve," looking "forward toward a stronger, more inclusive future." In October 2022. membership voted to change the name of the organization to Nature Forward. Similar organizations The present Audubon Society of the District of Columbia (DC Audubon), established in 1999, is a local chapter of the National Audubon Society. Audubon Naturalist Society is not directly affiliated with the national organization. The National Audubon Society also maintains a public policy office in Washington, D.C., as well as other local chapters around the metropolitan area. References Bibliography External links https://natureforward.org/ Video: Lisa Alexander and Kathy Rushing discuss strategic planning for the organization, refocusing on Washington metro area, new partnership for Rust Sanctuary Presentation by Diane Cameron to the Montgomery County, Maryland Planning Board on Ten Mile Creek Audubon movement Ornithological organizations in the United States Bird conservation organizations Environmental organizations based