President's Message: December 2022

Hello Audubon Friends,

We should all take a deep breath as the summer has come to an end, and what is hopefully the close of the hurricane season. With Thanksgiving and the December holidays, we all should also take a few minutes to count our blessings. 

I want to do that now, with you.

 

There is so much for us to be grateful for, in our Audubon world. I can share with you some of my points of gratefulness. I am sure that you have many to add to my list.

 

First, I am grateful for my family. That goes without saying.

 

I am grateful for the opportunity to get out in the field with Audubon members and friends, to see birds, dragonflies, butterflies, turtles, alligators and even snakes (!), in our special local habitats. 

Because of national wildlife refuges, state parks, county preserves, aquatic preserves, and land conservation organization preserves, we have abundant places in our region to see wildlife, to walk or bike or kayak or boat in beautiful landscapes. 

These places have been set aside for us by far-sighted conservationists, including Theodore Roosevelt! The list also includes former Governor Martinez and our county commissioners. Many others, who are more numerous to name, and those who serve as staff managers of these lands, deserve credit. Thank heavens for their work.

 

I am grateful for the birds and animals themselves. With our binoculars and scopes, we can watch their fascinating behaviors, learn details of their existence and appreciate their graceful movements. This includes a line of White Pelicans scoping synchronously as they fish prey from bays or lakes, a Bald Eagle soaring above a kettle of vultures, a flock of blackbirds streaming into wetland vegetation at the end of the day, a skein of ducks fast-flying to safe harbors, or stately Wood Storks stalking open-beaked in shallow wetlands. Each bird offers us a chance to observe new features, every time we see them. These countless details add to our deepening appreciation for the wonders or our world

I also appreciate the work of our Audubon volunteers who give their time, enthusiasm, energy and even money, to help advance conservation and environmental education in our community. I am proud of the breadth of action that we together offer this region of our world. I thank you all for what you do!