Audubon International vs. the National Audubon Society
and the Progress of Riverwood Audubon
Submitted by Carole Morgan
As the interest in Riverwood Audubon (RA) increases, residents have posed questions regarding the difference between the two established organizations, as well as the pursuit of Riverwood in becoming an Audubon Certified Sustainable Community.
According to Wikipedia, The National Audubon Society (Audubon) is an American, non-profit, environmental organization dedicated to conservation. Incorporated in 1905, Audubon is one of the oldest of such organizations in the world and uses science, education and grassroots advocacy to advance its conservation mission. It is named in honor of John James Audubon, a Franco-American ornithologist and naturalist who painted, cataloged, and described the birds of North America in his famous book Birds of America published in sections between 1827 and 1838.
The society has nearly 500 local chapters, each of which is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization voluntarily affiliated with the National Audubon Society, which often organize birdwatching field trips and conservation-related activities.
According to the Audubon International website, the mission of this organization, which officially began in 1996 with no formal affiliation with the National Audubon Society or its chapters, is “to deliver high-quality environmental education and facilitate the sustainable management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources in all places people live, work, and play.” To date, Audubon International has enrolled over 3,000 properties and communities in the certification programs toward earning the Sustainable Community designation.
Through education, technical assistance, certification, and recognition, Audubon International facilitates the implementation of environmental management practices that ensure natural resources are sustainably used and conserved. Several of the organization's longstanding environmental education and certification programs have received national awards. Audubon International is able to positively impact environmental health at multiple geographic scales, including individual properties, communities, and ecoregions.
In preparation for Stage 2 of this multi-year certification process, RA Sustainability Coordinator Larry Lancette has begun requesting funds to proceed with the next step of this endeavor. In addition to local fundraising efforts and business and community support, $7,500 to $8,500 is the three-year projected cost, which would average annually between $1.92 and $2.16 per home for the designated period of three years.
Lancette recently stated, “Stage 2 includes completion of a 20-year plan for Riverwood, through the development of demonstration sites for future projects or programs, the dissemination of monthly information and updates to media outlets, and the establishment of timeline indicators for the plan. After receiving the material for this stage, Riverwood Audubon will determine the most appropriate way to interface with the long range plans. The cost is nominal when considering it covers a one to three-year planning activity.”
For those wishing to demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship in supporting Riverwood Audubon’s efforts through contributions or comments, please contact Lancette at 941.743.0958 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Visit www.riverwoodaudubon.weebly.com for updates and additional information.
and the Progress of Riverwood Audubon
Submitted by Carole Morgan
As the interest in Riverwood Audubon (RA) increases, residents have posed questions regarding the difference between the two established organizations, as well as the pursuit of Riverwood in becoming an Audubon Certified Sustainable Community.
According to Wikipedia, The National Audubon Society (Audubon) is an American, non-profit, environmental organization dedicated to conservation. Incorporated in 1905, Audubon is one of the oldest of such organizations in the world and uses science, education and grassroots advocacy to advance its conservation mission. It is named in honor of John James Audubon, a Franco-American ornithologist and naturalist who painted, cataloged, and described the birds of North America in his famous book Birds of America published in sections between 1827 and 1838.
The society has nearly 500 local chapters, each of which is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization voluntarily affiliated with the National Audubon Society, which often organize birdwatching field trips and conservation-related activities.
According to the Audubon International website, the mission of this organization, which officially began in 1996 with no formal affiliation with the National Audubon Society or its chapters, is “to deliver high-quality environmental education and facilitate the sustainable management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources in all places people live, work, and play.” To date, Audubon International has enrolled over 3,000 properties and communities in the certification programs toward earning the Sustainable Community designation.
Through education, technical assistance, certification, and recognition, Audubon International facilitates the implementation of environmental management practices that ensure natural resources are sustainably used and conserved. Several of the organization's longstanding environmental education and certification programs have received national awards. Audubon International is able to positively impact environmental health at multiple geographic scales, including individual properties, communities, and ecoregions.
In preparation for Stage 2 of this multi-year certification process, RA Sustainability Coordinator Larry Lancette has begun requesting funds to proceed with the next step of this endeavor. In addition to local fundraising efforts and business and community support, $7,500 to $8,500 is the three-year projected cost, which would average annually between $1.92 and $2.16 per home for the designated period of three years.
Lancette recently stated, “Stage 2 includes completion of a 20-year plan for Riverwood, through the development of demonstration sites for future projects or programs, the dissemination of monthly information and updates to media outlets, and the establishment of timeline indicators for the plan. After receiving the material for this stage, Riverwood Audubon will determine the most appropriate way to interface with the long range plans. The cost is nominal when considering it covers a one to three-year planning activity.”
For those wishing to demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship in supporting Riverwood Audubon’s efforts through contributions or comments, please contact Lancette at 941.743.0958 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Visit www.riverwoodaudubon.weebly.com for updates and additional information.
