AUDUBON SOCIETY OF THE EVERGLADES RECEIVES TWO STATE AWARDS

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Nov 1, 2016) – The Audubon Society of the Everglades (ASE), a chapter of the National Audubon Society and Florida Audubon, is the proud recipient of the Chapter of the Year Award from Florida Audubon. In addition, ASE Chapter President Paton White was awarded Florida Audubon’s annual Leadership Award. In the words of Eric Draper, Executive Director of Audubon Florida, “Audubon Society of the Everglades has done a remarkable job of building a new leadership team and refocusing on conservation. Once more Audubon is an effective force in Palm Beach County.”

At the awards ceremony of the annual Florida Audubon Assembly held in St. Petersburg, Florida, Oct 28-29, with National Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold in attendance, Paton White, President of the Audubon Society of the Everglades, accepted the Chapter of the Year Award and the Leadership Award. Eleven representatives from ASE attended the annual gathering, the highest number of representatives from any of the Florida Audubon chapters.

Paton White believes that the Chapter of the Year Award recognizes ASE’s “extraordinary commitment to building a community of fun, education and conservation.” Executive Director, Eric Draper, has stressed that we walk in the footsteps of those that go before us and create a path for those that come after us. Audubon Society of the Everglades has a proud history, and follows in some remarkable footsteps. Accepting the award, Paton White shared key factors in the success of ASE, including what the expansion of the board of directors has enabled the chapter to accomplish. Paton acknowledged Susan Snyder for the role she played in keeping the chapter alive for decades. She also acknowledged Vice Presidents Susan McKemy and Scott Zucker for their dedication and commitment to moving the chapter forward in communications and technology and building an engaged conservation team, which is currently working to save Palm Beach County’s treasured ARM Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Paton White received the Leadership Award for her key role in building a new leadership team and renewing the organization’s focus on conservation.

About Audubon Society of the Everglades:
Founded in 1966, Audubon Society of the Everglades is a chapter of the National Audubon Society and Florida Audubon focused on Palm Beach County. The chapter creates opportunities for Audubon members and others to meet and share their common interests. ASE fosters a culture of conservation in Palm Beach County through education and advocacy, focusing on the conservation of birds and other wildlife and their habitats. Organized and run entirely by volunteers, ASE has over 2000 members, runs over 120 field trips annually, and offers a wide variety of creative, informative, science-based events, programs, groups and activities for all ages. For more information about Audubon Society of the Everglades, please visit their website: http://www.auduboneverglades.org/ or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AudubonEverglades/

Photo Captions:

Photo: 2016 10 ASE Chapter Award
Caption:
Audubon Society of the Everglades (Palm Beach County Audubon Chapter) receives 2016 Florida Audubon “Chapter of the Year” Award during Audubon Assembly in St. Petersburg, Fl.
L to R:
(All are Audubon Society of the Everglades unless noted otherwise)
Susan Snyder (Program chairman),
Roy Snyder (Finance committee),
Jacqui Sulek (Florida Audubon – Chapter Conservation Manager)
Susan McKemy (Vice President),
Debbi Smith (Community Outreach),
Louann Dillon (Treasurer),
Scott Zucker (Vice President – Conservation),
Paton White (President)
Marcia Yeip (Board member),
Cathy Hanson (Secretary),
Mary Young (Education Committee),
Linda McCandless (Field Trips),
Eric Draper (Florida Audubon Executive Director),
Celeste DePalma (Florida Audubon – Everglades Policy Associate)

Photo: 2016 P White Leadership Award
Caption:
Paton White, President of the Audubon Society of the Everglades (Palm Beach County Audubon Chapter) awarded the 2016 Florida Audubon Leadership Award.
L to R:
Jacqui Sulek (Florida Audubon – Chapter Conservation Manager)
Paton White (Audubon Society of the Everglades President)
Celeste dePalma (Florida Audubon – Everglades Policy Associate)
Eric Draper (Florida Audubon – Executive Director)

Photo: 2016 10 ASE with David Yarnold
Caption:
Audubon Society of the Everglades (Palm Beach County Audubon Chapter) Board members with David Yarnold, National Audubon Society President and CEO. at the 2016 Florida Audubon Assembly
L to R:
(All are Audubon Society of the Everglades except as noted)
Paton White (President),
Louann Dillon (Treasurer),
David Yarnold (National Audubon Society – President and CEO),
Susan McKemy (Vice President),
Cathy Hanson (Secretary)