Jayni Chase & Kathryn D. Wriston Honored

1 May 2012 - On April 26, Audubon Connecticut honored Jayni Chase and Kathryn D. Wriston's contributions to conservation during their annual Environmental Leadership Award Dinner at the Round Hill Club.

Jayni Chase, presented with the Environmental Leadership Award, founded the Center for Environmental Education in 1988 in order to provide K-12 teachers and students with the resources needed to build environmental education programs. Her outstanding work has led to the successful engagement of thousands of children and families in environmental education programming.

Kathryn Wriston was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for her deep involvement with land conservation in western Connecticut and eastern New York. She and her late husband, Walter B. Wriston, worked for more than 45 years to preserve over 650 acres of pristine forest in Connecticut which will be managed by Audubon as a permanent sanctuary.

Over 300 people attended the event, including Fairfield and Westchester notables such as Connan & Andy Ashforth; Kit & Rob Rohn; Rep. Lile Gibbons; Late Show with David Letterman's Executive Producer, Rob Burnett; National Audubon Society Board Chair, Holt Thrasher; and Audubon President and CEO, David Yarnold.

Guests enjoyed a series of monologues by Master of Ceremonies Chevy Chase, but the event was stolen by both honorees whose acceptance speeches described why environmental education is a critical component in young people's development, and how Audubon is an essential partner in these efforts.

With over $550,000 raised at the event, Audubon will further its stewardship and policy initiatives, protecting the most at-risk birds found along Long Island Sound's coast, as well as expanding the Atlantic Flyway, Connecticut Forest Stewardship, and Audubon At Home initiatives that assist individuals, landowners, and communities with the preservation and enhancement of strategic bird habitats across the state.