The Lost Bird Project

The Bellevue Botanical Garden is proud to present The Lost Bird Project, an exhibit by artist Todd McGrain, on display through late summer 2026.

The Lost Bird Project recognizes the tragedy of modern extinction by immortalizing North American birds that have been driven to extinction, including the Passenger Pigeon, the Carolina Parakeet, the Labrador Duck, the Great Auk, and the Heath Hen.

The first of these species went extinct in 1844, and all five disappeared by 1932. The large-scale bronze sculptures on display at the Bellevue Botanical Garden serve not only as dramatic reminders of the biodiversity lost due to human activity, but of our duty to prevent further extinction.

We are fortunate and honored to host this important exhibit at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. These sculptures are an exhibit that travels to outdoor venues to inspire conversations about the need for conservation. The sculptures can be found in the Urban Meadow at the Garden. See map on this page for the exhibit location.

The permanently installed Lost Bird Memorials are presented at specific locations directly related to that particular bird’s decline.

Thank you to our generous sponsors of individual birds featured in this exhibit: Arlene Alton, Roberta Goodnow & Daniel Lipkie, Deborah Girdler, and Anonymous (2).