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Audubon Chapters in Florida

Audubon Academy 2009
Audubon Chapters: Champions for a Better Florida

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March 27-29, 2009
FFA Leadership Training Center
500 Firetower Road
Haines City, FL

About Audubon Academy
Chapters are the crucial link to the community and government in taking actions that will protect Florida’s birds, wildlife, and habitats. Our communities need the voice of strong Audubon chapters throughout the state to define and shape a better Florida. Now in its’ 5th year, Audubon Academy is designed to strengthen chapters by providing encouragement and knowledge. Audubon Academy is a financially sustainable enterprise led by volunteers with support from AOF Chapter Coordinator, Jacqui Sulek, and funded by chapters, Academy participants, and Audubon of Florida.

AUDUBON ACADEMY 2009 GOES TO THE FLORIDA SCRUB

The ancient islands along the spine of Florida form an ecosystem unique in the world. Audubon Academy 2009 will be held March 27-29, 2009, near Haines City at the FFA Leadership Training Center, located in this fascinating and little-known part of Florida.

Whether your chapter is large and urban or small and rural, conservation projects are the powerhouse in an effective chapter. From urban back yards to large ecosystems, habitats for birds and other wildlife can be protected through effective conservation actions by Audubon chapters.

The Academy kicks off on Friday with lakeside activities, an excellent dinner and program. Saturday’s events begin with ecology field trips, then a day of interactive workshops, networking and sharing opportunities, good meals, and an exciting evening program. Workshops follow Sunday morning ecology field trips, and we wrap up at noon.

AUDUBON ACADEMY 2009 PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Friday, 3/27    
  3:00 PM Registration open
  4:00 PM Birding, kayak, canoe rentals available
  5:00 PM Welcome Gathering
  6:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner
  7:30 PM Program – “Ancient Islands: Lake Wales Ridge”
Speaker: Dr. Mark Deyrup, Sr. Research Biologist, Archbold Biological Station, Past-president, Highlands County Audubon
     
Saturday 3/28
CONNECTIONS: BIRDS, PLANTS, CLIMATE CHANGE
  6:30 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
  7:00 - 9:00 AM Field Trips – Catfish Creek Preserve
(Kayak or canoe rental available)
  9:20 AM

Welcome and Orientation

  9:30 AM Keynote Address: “Inspiring the Power of Grassroots Conservation Policy”
Eric Draper, Director of Policy, Audubon of Florida
  10:00 AM Audubon at Home
Rob Fergus, Program Director, National Audubon
  10:45 AM “Buntings, Larks, and Woodpeckers: Opportunities for Audubon Chapters in Bird Conservation”
John Ogden, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon of Florida
  11:45 AM Lunch
  12:45 - 1:45 PM “Solar Power to the People”
Sarah Ridley, Audubon of Florida, and Pete Johnson, Climate Action Chair, Duval Audubon
  2:00 - 3:15 PM

Concurrent Workshops:

“Conservation on a Larger Scale”
Charles Lee, Director of Advocacy, AOF

“Changing Cultural Views of Native Plant Landscaping”
David L. Cox, Ph.D., David Cox Consulting, LLC, Vero Beach, FL

“E-Bird”
Chuck Geanangel, Lake Region Audubon, and AOF board member (limited to 15 participants)

  3:30 - 4:30 PM

Concurrent Sessions:

“Stewardship Opportunities for Audubon Chapters”
Julie Wraithmell, Wildlife Policy Coordinator, Audubon of Florida

“Plant a Carbon Sink – Florida Native Plants”
Nancy and Bill Bissett, owners of The Natives, a native plant nursery

“E-Bird”
Chuck Geanangel, John Ogden (limited to 15 participants)

  4:30 - 6:00 PM Native plant sale and free time (canoe, kayak, birding, networking)
  6:00 - 7:15 PM Dinner
  7:30 - 9:00 PM Program: “Natural Florida in Word, Image, and Deed” Sponsored by FL Defenders of the Environment and the Florida Humanities Council
  9:00 PM Bonfire – Bring your musical instruments
     
Sunday, 3/29    
  6:30 - 8 AM Breakfast
  7 - 9 AM Field Trips, Native Plant Sale
  8:30 AM “Sharing Ideas from the Bird Education Conference”
Michelle Frankel, Ornithologist & Development Specialist, AOF
  9 - 10 AM

Concurrent Sessions:

“Using Grants to Accomplish Chapter Goals”
Michelle Frankel, Ornithologist and Development Specialist, AOF

“Establishing Wildflower Roads”
Louisa Taylor, Bay County Audubon, and Terry Zinn, Florida Wildflower Foundation

  10:15 AM - 12 PM “Does Your Chapter Need a Makeover?”
Dr. Stuart Langton, Ph.D, Sr. Fellow at Florida State University and President, Stuart Langton & Associates
  12 - 12:30 PM Evaluation and Wrap-Up
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