Florida Forever Concert to be Held in Conjunction with Audubon Academy

By Joyce King

The Florida Forever Concert, featuring musicians Amy Carol Webb and Jon Semmes, will be held on March 24, 2007 at Eckerd College's Fox Hall, at 7:45 p.m. The concert is sponsored by The Will McLean Foundation to benefit Audubon of Florida's Florida Forever campaign, and will bring together musicians whose love for Florida is matched by Audubon of Florida"s commitment to preserving our state"s unique environment.

From 2001 to 2006, the Florida Forever program has protected more than 535,000 acres with its land purchases, including habitat for 190 species of Florida's native animals and plants. However, while the average price of land in Florida has increased from $3,800 per acre in 1990 to over $29,300 today, the annual budget for conservation land purchases has not increased since 1990. Audubon of Florida and others members of the Florida Forever Coalition are calling on state lawmakers to accelerate funding for this important program.

The need to increase available conservation funds is urgent. Every day, almost 1,100 new people move to Florida, spurring rapid development of our state"s wild places and putting great stress on the ecosystems that define Florida"s natural beauty -- the basis for our state"s economy. Florida's wild places are irreplaceable. By conserving them, we ensure that clean water, clean air and our state's remarkable wildlife and wild places are all protected for future generations to enjoy.

Tickets are available for $15. Ticket requests and checks should be mailed to: Joyce King, 280 SE 31st Way, Melrose, FL, 32666. Tickets are also available at Art Du Monde, 2109 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, Mon.-Sat., 11 am-5 pm. Call 727-822-6054 (Monique Borboen-Abrams) for information. The concert is in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Audubon Academy at Eckerd College. For further information about the Florida Forever Coalition and Audubon Academy, go to http://www.audubonofflorida.org.