Typically, the agenda for the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society’s monthly board meeting involves hummingbird walks, backpack giveaways or migration reports. April’s session took birders by surprise when they learned their chapter is being canceled by its insurance company for being an environmental advocacy group.

“It’s insane,” said Laurie Murphy, treasurer for the 600-member chapter. She received the notice from The Hartford stating that in July the company was discontinuing the Audubon chapter’s property and casualty coverage.

“The reason for nonrenewal,” the terse notice stated, “is we have learned that you operate as an environmental protection organization.”

. . .

“This has nothing to do with risk,” he said. “We’ve never put a claim in. All we’ve done is paid a premium.” Snell said since the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society became policyholders of The Hartford last summer its mission and website and actions have not changed.

He said the position of The Hartford smacks of conservative ideology and wondered if the company is influenced by the Trump administration’s view of environmental activism.

. . .