3rd Annual Audubon Academy at Ecker College
Saving Florida Birds: The Role of Audubon Chapters

By Jacqui Sulek, AOF

Chapters are the crucial link to communities when it comes to acting to protect Florida’s birds and their habitats. Besides becoming familiar with local birds, chapter leaders must be knowledgeable about conservation outcomes that will result in the desired protection. Veterans and newcomers alike have praised the effectiveness of this low-cost weekend conference, designed to develop, strengthen and sharpen each participant’s skills. Both current chapter leaders as well as anyone interested in becoming knowledgeable about conserving Florida birds are welcome. All workshops are interactive and led by chapter leaders from around the state.

Conservation-focused workshops will include: Status of Florida Birds in Each Region, Conservation Planning, How to Save Land for Birds, Uniting Amateurs and Professionals in the Study of Florida Birds, Teaching Your Community About Birds, and Florida as Migration Highway. Other workshops are Orientation for New Chapter Leaders and learning new ways to raise funds for your chapter.

The keynote speaker will be Charles Lee, Audubon of Florida Director of Advocacy. Other special speakers are David Anderson, Audubon of Florida Executive Director, Eric Draper, AOF Director of Policy, and Scott Hecker, National Audubon Director of Coastal Bird Conservation. Registration for the Academy is $25. Motel rooms at $60/night are available on the Eckerd campus, just steps from the sessions. Call 727-865-7000 (Eckerd College Continuing Education Center/West Lodge) to reserve accommodations.

An Exciting Addition to the Academy! On Saturday evening, March 24, Florida folk musicians Amy Carol Webb and Jon Semmes and the Florida Friends will perform at the Florida Forever Concert at Eckerd College. Sponsored by The Will McLean Foundation, these dynamic performers will entertain and inspire us to work together to protect Florida’s natural lands. Tickets ($10) can be purchased through the registration process. Registration forms will be available soon on the Audubon of Florida website (www.audubonofflorida.org).

For additional information, contact Joyce King, sjking@se.rr.com, or call 352-475-1999; or Jacqui Sulek, Audubon Chapters Coordinator, jsulek@audubon.org, or 850-224-2473, or (cell) 850-251-1297.