Rotary Happenings: Rotarians learn about Audubon Society of Florida
Roseate spoonbill, American white pelican, great blue heron, mangrove cuckoo and white ibis. Sanibel has always been a sanctuary for all of our animals. While locals may see most of these birds on a daily basis, others come from near and far hoping to spot one of over 200 species of birds that are found on our barrier island. The gift of being able to see so many different species can be directly contributed to the Audubon Society of Florida.
Executive Director Julie Wraithmell recently presented the history and mission of the Audubon Society of Florida to the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club. It all started in 1886 when George Bird Grinnell, editor of Forest and Stream, appealed to his readership to unite for bird preservation and protection. He named the society after distinguished naturalist and painter John James Audubon. Although the society folded a few years later, it was the beginning of a revolution of change. At the time, entire flocks of birds were slaughtered for their plumage, and many of the birds were from the Everglades and South Florida due to its abundant birdlife.
In 1900, the first meeting of the Florida Audubon Society was held with quite a list of prestigious officers: New York Gov. and later U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, Florida Gov. W.D. Bloxham, American Museum of Natural History’s Frank Chapman, Rollins College President G.M. Ward, Stetson University President J.F. Forbes, and the editors of the state’s largest newspapers. A little later, the list grew to include President Grover Cleveland, Florida Gov. W.S. Jennings, ornithologist Theodore S. Palmer, and Maria R. Audubon. Partnered with leaders of other state Audubon Societies, the American Ornithologists’ Union and Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs, it made significant progress in bird conservation and education programs.
Today, Florida Audubon and the National Audubon unify their efforts in Florida, becoming a stronger, more effective Audubon of Florida. Audubon of Florida boasts 40,000 members in 45 community-based chapters. They are fighting to make change in many of today’s most relevant environmental concerns in Florida and its coast island sanctuaries: Everglades, climate change, coastal conservation, waterways and water quality. All of which affect bird species, as well as the human species. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit https://fl.audubon.org/.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club holds a meeting on Fridays at 7:30 a.m. at the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club, at 949 Sand Castle Road, Sanibel, and via Zoom. To attend in person, email Bill Harkey at William.Harkey@gmail.com; attendance is limited to 30 people. To take part via Zoom, call 239-472-7257. For more information, visit sanibelrotary.org or www.facebook.com/sancaprotary.