Audubon of Florida's Corkscrew Sanctuary, home of the largest stand of old-growth Bald Cypress trees in North America, officially received certification as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance from Ramsar Secretary General Anada Tiega, who traveled from Switzerland for the February 18 event. On the left is Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon of Florida, with the Secretary General (wearing an Audubon cap) and other VIPs.

More at Audubon of Florida's News Blog.

Photo courtesy of Nancy DeNike.

Paramount Plaza Conference Center
Gainesville, Florida
March 26-28, 2010

Click here for more information on the schedule, workshops, and location of the Audubon Academy.

For the latest in conservation news

Stay current on Florida’s conservation and wildlife issues. Learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities. Hear personal accounts of natural Florida. Interact with fellow conservation-minded individuals. Be a part of the Audubon online community. Audubon of Florida’s News Blog offers all this and more. It is updated daily and is a great way to stay abreast of all late-breaking conservation news in the state.

We have temporarily blocked the Texas oil companies’ attempt to pass legislation that would have put oil rigs three miles from our beaches. The Florida House of Representatives passed the legislation, but with your help, we were able to block the bill in the Florida Senate this year. The oil industry has indicated, however, that they will start a “continuing process” to bring back legislation next year to open Florida’s nearshore waters to drilling.

We need your help and the help of all Floridians to protect our coastal economy and ecology. Make a special contribution to our Protect Florida's Beaches Fund and help Florida protect its almost $562 billion coastal economy, its pristine beaches and extraordinary birds and wildlife. We have solutions that will help Florida end its dependence on oil, solve global warming, and create jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. Please help Audubon protect Florida’s beaches. Make your contribution today.

The voice of conservation in Florida for 100 years, we connect people with nature to save birds and protect the places that make Florida special.

Audubon is rooted in the values of community leadership, science-based decisions and firsthand outdoor experience.

Please join our Audubon family of chapters, staff, volunteers, and sanctuaries in solving the conservation challenges of the 21st century.