Bay County Audubon Society and Bay County Conservancy Team Up to Protect Preserves and Habitat

Audubon chapters are the heart and soul of avian conservation across the United States. Their members volunteer for trash clean ups, educate visitors and locals alike about vulnerable native species, attend critical city council meetings, and – in the case of Bay County Audubon Society – actively steward important habitat through a rich network of protected preserves.

Bay County Audubon (BCAS) holds 10 conservation easements, owned by the Bay County Conservancy. The Conservancy itself protects an additional 409 acres across 39 preserves. This unique partnership stretches back to 1998.

“BCAS bought 30 acres of wetlands for preservation,” explains Bay County Conservancy President Candis Harbison. Understanding that land ownership and stewardship are big commitments, a partner organization — the Bay County Conservancy — was formed to focus solely on land management. “The conservancy gave a conservation easement to BCAS, giving them the right to enforce the agreed preservation of the property.”

What is a conservation easement? Put simply: The conservancy owns the property, but BCAS owns the development rights, ensuring the habitat remains wild in perpetuity.

Additional Conservation Lands

In the nearly 30 years since the founding of Bay County Conservancy, the organization has acquired lands through mitigation, land donation, grant, bequests, and monetary gifts.

“Some of these sites are quite large, such as the Tumble Creek Preserve (92 acres),” says BCAS Conservation Committee member Rose Horn. “Part of our responsibility as the easement holder is to regularly survey the sites to see if there have been any changes in the land use that violate the terms of the easement.

Volunteer Efforts Protect Preserves

Volunteers regularly visit the properties. “All lands must be monitored for non-native plants,” adds Harbison, “such as popcorn trees, Japanese climbing fern, air potatoes, cogon grass, and other invasives that take over (native plant habitat.)" Through these efforts, they ensure native plants survive and thrive to be food and shelter for birds and other wildlife.

Of course, public access to these natural spaces is important to the partnership’s overall mission. Volunteers also repair signs, clear trails, pick up trash, and more. The chapter leads birds walks to showcase not only fantastic local species, but also how conservation contributes to populations’ resilience in the long term. Click here to learn more about Bay County Audubon's conservation efforts and volunteer opportunities, and here for Bay County Conservancy.

“Bay County Audubon Society and Bay County Conservancy are an inspiration for chapters and other nonprofit groups who want to take a hands-on approach to protecting Florida’s special places,” explains Audubon Florida Chapters Conservation Manager Kristen Kosik. “Because of their efforts, Bay County is a better place for both birds and people.”