Birds, birds, birds! That is our focus,” says Amy Koch, current President of the St. Johns Audubon Society. “Our primary mission is to get people out in nature to learn about and appreciate birds. Once you can identify something, you tend to want to protect it.” St. Johns County is indeed a special place for birds, with 330 (and counting) species identified.
The National Audubon Society was begun almost 120 years ago by a few individuals who were against the plume trade. Since then, almost 500 local chapters have sprung up nationwide, with Florida numbering at forty. Our very own St. Johns County chapter was incorporated as a non-profit in 1979. “It’s had its ups and downs and was languishing,” says Amy, “until former President Jean Rolke brought it back to life.” Now, with about 600 members, the opportunities are endless!
Check out the St. Johns Audubon Society website or its Facebook page – you will be amazed at the plethora of educational, recreational and volunteer experiences that await you. The active season runs September through May and includes regular bird walks, Birding 101, Annual Bird Counts, Waterways Clean-Ups on the Litter Gitter, Bird Stewardship, EagleWatch, and more. All events are open to the public and most are free.
Learn more about the St. Johns Audubon Society at www.stjohnsaudubon.com. Written by Carla Tesconi St. Gelais. Photography by Kate Gardiner.