Program Description: All about Purple Martins. Come learn about the biology of the purple martin and what makes them unique songbirds, as well as attraction and colony management techniques.

Speaker Bio: Courtney Rousseau is the President and co-founder of the North Carolina Purple Martin Society; an organization she helped establish in 2010 alongside Tim Francis. In 2021, she helped incorporate the Society as a nonprofit, further solidifying its mission to promote purple martin conservation and educate the public about these remarkable migratory birds. Courtney manages one personal and three public martin colony sites in Wake County, and she provides consultation for two additional public sites in other parts of the state. She also mentors numerous new martin landlords annually and leads coordinated martin banding events in Raleigh. Her collaborative spirit has fostered strong partnerships with local birding and wildlife organizations in North Carolina.

In recognition of her contributions to environmental education and conservation, Courtney has received the John Connors Conservation and Environmental Education Award from Wake Audubon Society and the Conservation Service Award from South Wake Conservationists.

Originally from Greenville, North Carolina, Courtney is a graduate of NC State University. She is employed as an Environmental Educator at Agape Center for Environmental Education in Fuquay-Varina, NC.

The program is free and open to all! Our programs begin at 7:00PM but come a little early and socialize with us.