Audubon Florida not too long ago honored chapter leaders throughout our annual Meeting, held October 15–17, 2026. For many years, Audubon Florida has introduced collectively workers, members, companions, and different stakeholders to rejoice the 12 months’s accomplishments and sit up for upcoming priorities. The three-day occasion was hosted on the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Seaside and targeted on a theme of Defending What Connects Us —Water, Wildlife, and Group.
Meeting is our probability to shine a light-weight on standout initiatives, acknowledge exceptional management, and rejoice what’s doable when chapters put their ardour for birds and pure areas into motion.
Every year, chapter leaders are invited to appoint their very own chapters, or others, for awards recognizing excellence in education schemes, conservation initiatives, and total chapter achievement by way of the Chapter of the Yr award. Awards are offered in two classes: one for smaller chapters (below 500 members) and one for bigger chapters (over 500 members).
Our awards acknowledge excellent work in schooling, conservation, advocacy, and total chapter achievement. We additionally acknowledge chapters of various sizes, as a result of we all know that membership, funding, and volunteer capability can form what a chapter is ready to accomplish.
Southeast Volusia Audubon Society: Small Chapter Excellent Training Program
Constructing on their Vegetation for Birds work, Southeast Volusia acknowledged a chance to assist youngsters study extra about birds themselves and the challenges they face.
A four-person staff developed a hands-on program that mixes birding, science, know-how, video games, and outside exploration.
Via seven classes held at their native Elementary college, the Marine Science Heart, and locally, they reached practically 180 youngsters, many with little or no prior birding expertise.
St. Pete Audubon Society – Giant Chapter Excellent Training Program
For 18 years, St. Pete Audubon has been bringing educators along with native scientists and environmental specialists to deepen their understanding of Florida’s ecology and provides them sensible instruments to deliver conservation into their school rooms and communities.
This 12 months’s theme, “Nature’s Secrets and techniques in Your Yard, at College, and at Dwelling,” introduced 39 educators collectively for hands-on experiences exploring native vegetation, wildlife, habitat conservation, and methods to welcome wildlife into our personal areas.
Hernando Audubon Society – Small Chapter Excellent Conservation Mission
The Weeki Wachee River has confronted growing challenges from nutrient air pollution, shoreline erosion, and rising leisure use. Hernando Audubon took the lead in bringing collectively county and state companies, environmental organizations, companies, landowners, leisure customers, and different stakeholders for his or her 2nd Weeki Wachee River Summit. The occasion offered a chance to share updates on restoration efforts, hear instantly from stakeholders, and focus on what is required to enhance compliance with the river’s Springs Safety Zone and fertilizer restrictions.
Orange Audubon Society – Giant Chapter Excellent Conservation Mission
Situated subsequent to the Lake Apopka North Shore and the doorway to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Orange Audubon’s new 70-acre property provides an necessary piece to a panorama that has already seen one in all Florida’s most famed restoration efforts. Orange Audubon has additionally had a long-standing presence on the Wildlife Drive, serving to join individuals with the unbelievable birdlife and conservation story of Lake Apopka.
Via this mission, Orange Audubon is increasing that conservation story past the Wildlife Drive, working with companions and volunteers to revive upland habitat and create one other place for each wildlife and folks to expertise the Lake Apopka panorama.
Highlands County Audubon – Small Chapter Excellent Advocacy
As Highlands County Fee explored whether or not to create a brand new native land conservation program, Highlands County Audubon stepped up as a visual and constant voice for conservation. Via neighborhood occasions, public outreach, conferences with elected officers, and partnerships with different native conservation organizations, the chapter helped deliver residents into the dialog about what lands and pure assets they worth defending. Greater than 400 county residents in the end shared their conservation priorities with county leaders, with defending threatened and endangered species and wildlife corridors rising among the many high priorities.
St. Pete Audubon Society – Giant Chapter Excellent Advocacy
Over the previous 12 months, St. Pete Audubon responded to a number of important threats to necessary coastal habitats, together with a proposed music competition on St. Pete Seaside throughout Black Skimmer nesting season. Additionally they advocated in opposition to a significant movie manufacturing proposed for Fort De Soto and proposed cuts to 2 of Pinellas County’s most necessary pure areas, Shell Key and Weedon Island.
Via public outreach, coalition constructing, letter-writing campaigns, public conferences, media interviews, and direct engagement with resolution makers, the chapter helped mobilize an infinite neighborhood response. Their advocacy contributed to the music competition being moved to a different venue and the movie manufacturing being relocated away from Fort De Soto, whereas sturdy neighborhood opposition helped persuade the County to revive funding for Shell Key and Weedon Island for the approaching 12 months.
Citrus County Audubon Society – Small Chapter of the Yr Award
Citrus County Audubon has proven how a robust, collaborative management staff could make a chapter simpler and bold. By working effectively collectively and taking a extra strategic strategy, the chapter has greater than doubled its membership, expanded its neighborhood outreach, and begun constructing impactful conservation initiatives and advocacy efforts near residence. From participating 1000’s of individuals at neighborhood occasions to creating an academic native plant panorama at a busy county park and serving to launch the Welcome Again Songbirds Pageant, the chapter is popping that stronger basis into significant motion.
West Volusia Audubon Society – Giant Chapter of the Yr Award
A lot of West Volusia Audubon’s work is rooted in its longstanding relationship with Volusia County’s Lyonia Environmental Heart. Via this partnership, the chapter has constructed sturdy connections with county workers and neighborhood members that present a basis for its broader conservation and schooling work all through the area. That influence is mirrored in the truth that LEC’s supervisor nominated WVAS for this award.
From supporting scrub-jay analysis at Lyonia Protect to participating residents in native plant gardening, environmental schooling, and native conservation, WVAS reveals how sturdy native partnerships can create alternatives that reach far past anyone location.
