Audubon employees are the lifeblood of the group, chargeable for cutting-edge science, boots-on-the-ground conservation and restoration, inspiring schooling for teenagers and adults alike, and a lot extra. As a part of the annual Audubon Meeting occasion held in October, Audubon Florida honored seven conservation leaders from across the state and acknowledged two employees members with Workers of Distinction awards.
Govt Director Julie Wraithmell offered the primary 2025 Workers of Distinction award to Allyson Webb, land stewardship supervisor at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
With 18 years of land administration expertise on the Sanctuary, Webb was acknowledged for turning the nook in Audubon’s stewardship program, notably with prescribed fireplace. Below her tenure, coaching and security have improved markedly, collaboration with companions has grown (native fireplace departments, nationwide coaching middle, neighbors, native businesses, and organizations), and Audubon is now seen as a regional chief within the software of prescribed fireplace. She is credited with considerably rising the variety of acres burned annually and has even improved processes for monitoring and reporting on the progress made.
Webb’s inventive manner of constructing partnerships has improved the safety of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s pure assets, working instantly with legislation enforcement companions to deal with trespassing and poaching on the property. She additionally usually leverages companions to profit Audubon’s combat towards invasive species on the property, has constructed relationships with native companies which have instantly benefited our crew’s funds, and has even cast connections with donors.
Webb additionally serves as a mannequin in teaching or mentoring employees. She was acknowledged by the Nationwide Audubon Society for using out there instruments and usually works with conservation crew employees to search out skilled progress alternatives.
Audubon is grateful for all she does for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the birds that depend on its habitat.
The second Workers of Distinction award for 2025 was offered to Kara Durda, shorebird program supervisor for Tampa Bay. In response to Audubon Florida Director of Chook Conservation Audrey DeRose-Wilson, who offered the award, Durda is devoted to Audubon’s mission, inclusive management, and has a real reward for bringing individuals collectively.
Durda uplifts and encourages these round her and is commonly the primary to offer a shout-out in a gathering, ship a observe of encouragement, or have fun another person’s success. She makes her teammates really feel appreciated and seen, and that positivity has helped create a robust, supportive tradition for the coastal crew.
That very same power carries over to her work with volunteers. This 12 months alone, Durda recruited and educated greater than 30 new shorebird volunteers and arranged a enjoyable and inventive appreciation occasion. Her take care of her group was additionally evident after the 2024 hurricanes made landfall within the Tampa Bay space. She labored carefully with property managers and FWC to stability needed hurricane restoration efforts with defending rooftop-nesting birds, doing her greatest to make sure the birds’ security whereas recognizing the impression of the storm on group members.
Durda’s dedication to inclusion goes past her day-to-day work. By way of the Birdability Conservation Captain Corps, she’s been studying how one can make birding extra accessible for everybody, and he or she’s sharing these classes together with her crew.
Durda brings heat, curiosity, and connection to all the things she does. Whether or not mentoring teammates, supporting volunteers, or representing Audubon within the area, Durda reveals how actual impression begins with how we deal with each other.
Audubon is grateful for all she does for birds and the group that retains them secure.
For many years, Audubon Florida has gathered its employees, members, companions, and different stakeholders underneath one roof for Audubon Meeting, a celebration of the 12 months’s accomplishments and a glance forward at coming priorities. The three-day occasion was hosted this 12 months at Central Florida’s Mission Resort + Membership in Howey-in-the-Hills. With a theme of “Energy of Birds, Energy of Us: Science and Pleasure as Catalysts for Conservation,” Audubon Florida’s 2025 Meeting demonstrated modern methods to guard birds and the locations they want, at present and sooner or later, via studying classes, area journeys, and displays. The occasion was generously sponsored by Publix, Florida Energy & Mild Firm, Rayonier, Ferber Firm, Lykes Brothers, Inc., Lake County TDC, Disney, Vortex Optics, and Adventures Unbound.
