On Friday night, Nov. 15, Columbus, Georgia contractor Hughston Homes removed a bald eagle nest near North College Street, despite a viral petition and community support to save the nest. The bonded bald eagle pair, named Jim and Pam by locals, are now without a home for nesting season, sparking outrage in the Auburn community, as residents and students call for a boycott and city officials request a federal investigation.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, Auburn alumnus Kade Turner created a petition originally named “Save Auburn’s Bald Eagles: Protect Jim and Pam’s Nest from Development,” asking for support on a compromise to save the bald eagle’s nest.
The petition outlined Hughston Homes’ plans to remove the nest, after receiving a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit. Claiming they could not work around the nest, the contractor planned to remove it to build a 46-plot subdivision approved for the property.
Many members of the Auburn community strongly opposed the removal, with social media posts claiming that Jim and Pam had used the nest since 2017. Within 24 hours, Turner’s petition collected over 5,000 signatures. However, despite the public outcry, Hughston Homes cut down the tree housing the 6-year-old nest the night of Friday, Nov. 15.
Videos captured by local residents showed Jim and Pam circling the area the next morning, sparking outrage within the community. In a Nov. 16 announcement titled “A Community Betrayed,” Turner called Hughston Homes’ destruction of the nest “underhanded and insidious,” urging petition signers to boycott Hughston Homes, leave negative reviews and share the story nationally.
After the destruction, Turner renamed the petition to “Justice for Auburn’s Bald Eagles: Boycott Hughston Homes.” Following the nest’s destruction, awareness continues to climb. As of Tuesday, Nov. 19, four days after the nest was cut, the petition has 8,621 signatures.
Turner first encountered Jim and Pam during walks on campus as a student during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the eagles as “a source of inspiration during a challenging time.” When he heard about the possible removal, Turner started the petition.
“This petition was about ensuring the community’s voice was heard on an issue of right versus wrong,” Turner said. “Jim and Pam are more than just eagles; they symbolize Auburn’s natural beauty and resilience.”
Turner also described his disappointment in Hughston Homes’ lack of compromise, mentioning the bald eagle nest could have served as a unique feature of the contractor’s development if preserved.
Since the bald eagle is a federally protected avian, a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service is required to remove even an inactive nest. Hughston Homes claimed to have a permit to remove the nest from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, but Turner argued Jim and Pam’s nest was active, saying Hughston Homes was “morally reprehensible” and “ecologically irresponsible.”
The Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Auburn, Beth Witten stands with the distressed Auburn community.
Through a Nov. 16 Facebook post, Witten accused Hughston Homes representative Tyler Findley of lying and intentionally destroying the nest after Findley assured its safety until Monday. In an interview for The Auburn Plainsman, Witten explained the situation and her disappointment about the deception.
Witten’s involvement began on Thursday with an initial call to Findley, which prefaced several conversations in the following days.
On Friday afternoon, Nov. 15, Witten, alongside Mayor Ron Anders and City Manager Megan Crouch, had discussed potential options to save the nest, including the city purchasing the land. Witten said Findley promised the nest would remain untouched until a scheduled meeting between the City of Auburn and Hughston Homes on Monday, Nov. 18.
This meeting was meant to include Hughston Homes President Richie Eubanks, Findley, Witten, Anders and Crouch. Witten explained how she hoped this meeting could help explore opportunities to save Jim and Pam.
Enjoy what you’re reading? Get content from The Auburn Plainsman delivered to your inbox
“I specifically asked, ‘Is it safe to say that the eagle’s nest in question is safe over the weekend until after we had this call,’” Witten said. “And [Findley] said, ‘Yes, absolutely.’”
Witten and Findley also had plans to walk the Hughston Homes’ property. Findley doubted if a local resident’s video of the tree with the bald eagles was the same tree on the property, so Witten offered to accompany him.
“That’s where we left that, with a Zoom call to be scheduled and also with my understanding that no activity would take place over the weekend,” said Witten. “Then I wake up Saturday morning and I learn like everyone else does on social media that the tree had in fact been taken down.”
On Saturday, Nov. 16 at approximately 1 p.m., Witten called Findley to ask about the nest removal. Findley admitted to direct involvement, revealing that he had visited the property after their conversation on Friday and witnessed the contractor cutting down the tree.
Greatly disappointed, Witten said she was “infuriated that [Findley] intentionally deceived” her. When asked why he had not explained, Findley did not answer, and the call ended with exchanged “terse words,” as Witten described.
On Sunday afternoon, Hughston Homes canceled the Monday meeting and sent an email to the City of Auburn which stated that the contractor had attained legal representation, and a call was not warranted at the time.
Over the weekend, Crouch worked with city attorneys to request a federal investigation by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for Hughston Homes’ actions, which Witten supported.
Although Witten said she cannot speak to Hughston Homes’ intent, she mentioned the actions may have been in haste and negligible. Based on video evidence, Jim and Pam were using the nest the day it was removed. Witten argued the actions may have violated the permit.
Considering the widespread support and viral petition, Witten thanked the community members for raising awareness about the destruction of the nest.
“I’m grateful for the Auburn Family,” Witten said. “I’m grateful that we as an entire community, not just Auburn residents, but also Auburn alum, Auburn visitors and stakeholders in our community have all come together with the common goal, and that is to ensure the protection of this bonded pair of bald eagles.”
Beyond this support, Witten also cited the bald eagle’s significance nationally and locally.
“The traditions of Auburn University do spill over into the town and gown, and we equally revere eagles, not only because of their national symbolism and what they mean nationally to us, but also what the eagles mean as an Auburn Family member,” Witten said.
Witten encourages those interested in the bald eagle nest removal to attend the Auburn City Council meeting Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. The Auburn City Council will meet at the Council Chamber or 141 North Ross St. to address Auburn residents’ opinions and concerns.
