Maine Audubon has officially achieved Service Enterprise Certification, a national recognition awarded to organizations that strategically leverage the skills and talent of volunteers at all levels of their work. This designation places Maine Audubon among the top-performing nonprofits in the country — "organizations that don’t just use volunteers, but operate with a culture of volunteerism deeply woven into their strategic planning, operations, and mission delivery," said Volunteer Maine, in a news release.

A Service Enterprise is an organization that not only engages volunteers but actively integrates them into its culture and daily operations. These high-performing organizations recognize volunteers as essential contributors, aligning their skills with the organization’s strategic goals. By centering volunteer engagement as a core strength, Service Enterprises are able to expand their reach, operate more efficiently, and amplify their overall impact.

Maine Audubon earned this distinction by demonstrating a strong culture of volunteer engagement across every department and program, according to Volunteer Maine. Their work includes expanding systems for accurate volunteer data tracking and reporting; strengthening communication with and about volunteers; and creating clearer pathways for training, feedback, and ongoing recognition.

Maine Audubon has also invested in new ways to engage volunteers—from long-standing conservation initiatives like the Annual Loon Count and Piping Plover monitoring, to community science projects, expanded education programs, and outreach partnerships with schools, cultural organizations, and workforce development groups.

"Their commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and truly integrating volunteers into their mission has positioned the organization as a leader in effective volunteer engagement," said the release.

“Maine Audubon’s achievement reflects a deep, organization-wide commitment to volunteerism as a strategy, not a supplement,” said Brittany Gleixner-Hayat, Volunteer Maine’s executive director. “Their leadership, staff, and volunteers exemplify what it means to advance a mission through shared purpose, community partnership, and high-impact engagement.”

"Volunteer Maine commends Maine Audubon for its dedication, innovation, and continued investment in Maine communities," said the release. "This certification marks both an impressive accomplishment and a strong foundation for continued growth and impact statewide."