Eunice Burnett Honored for Community Engagement and Local Leadership

Audubon Connecticut gathered conservation leaders, community advocates, and supporters at its annual Environmental Leadership Awards Benefit, celebrating Eunice Burnett for her decades of service to conservation and community engagement in Greenwich.

Burnett’s journey with Audubon began in 2005 through educational programs at the Greenwich Audubon Center. She later joined the Audubon Connecticut Board in 2009 and helped establish the “Audubon at Home” initiative in 2010. Her passion for gardening and sustainability found its voice in Audubon’s “Plants for Birds” program, where she championed native plantings and habitat restoration projects, including a grant-supported revegetation effort at the Greenwich Center.

 In her remarks, Burnett reminded the audience why this work matters so deeply: “We can all agree that these bird songs are beautiful and moving and their absence would be tragic. We may not agree on everything, but diversity of ideas and solutions AND biodiversity are critical to our survival – all our survival - humans as well as birds.” She continued, “Let us agree that birds are worth saving for our future generations.”

Dr. Elizabeth Gray, CEO of the National Audubon Society, noted that meaningful change for birds “is local, but its impact is far greater. When we protect habitat here, we are supporting the survival of these birds across their entire journey.”

The Environmental Leadership Awards Benefit honors local visionaries who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to protecting birds and the places they need. Eunice Burnett’s passion, leadership, and community-driven focus offer a powerful reminder of what is possible when we work together.

The 2025 Environmental Leadership Awards was held at the Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. Proceeds from the Environmental Leadership Awards Benefit support Audubon’s vital conservation work in Connecticut.