Bucks for birds

Shoppers ‘round up’ to raise more than $2,600 for local Audubon group

From left, Jennifer Wahlquist from the Blue Hill Co-op presents a giant check to Downeast Audubon board members Cathy Rees, Zach Holderby, Susan Guilford and Sue Shaw. Photo courtesy of Downeast Audubon.

March 17, 2026

By staff

Local shoppers raised more than $2,600 for Downeast Audubon last month through the Blue Hill Co-op’s “Change for Good” program.

The birding education organization was February’s recipient of the Co-op’s fundraising program that asks customers to round up their purchases when they check out at the register.  

Jennifer Wahlquist, the Co-op’s outreach coordinator, presented members of the Downeast Audubon board with a check for $2,607.22, “the highest ever for the month of February over the eight years of the program,” according to a press release from the wildlife group. A total of 5,429 individuals donated to the cause.

Nonprofits apply to the Co-op to be the recipient of the “Change for Good” program, which runs year-round.

“These funds will significantly help [Downeast Audubon] provide scholarships for area students to nature-based camps, arrange for nature-based school programs, sponsor research grants, support Maine birding festivals, care for a bluebird trail of over 500 houses, support a new Young Birders Club and more,” according to the release.