Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

OAS follows National Audubon’s efforts toward Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) efforts in 2021-2023 included:

• The Future Leaders for Equity, Diversity and Justice (FLEDJE) Program, sponsored by Audubon Florida and National Audubon, provided EDIB training to OAS volunteers. OAS secured a $1,000 FLEDJE grant and purchased binoculars for an after-school nature club at Zellwood Elementary, a Title One School. OAS’ Education Coordinator visits this school monthly.
• Outreach to Hispanic Population: For several years OAS has provided Spanish-speaking Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive Ambassadors the during Latino Conservation Week in July. In the annual Buscando Pajaros field trip, an Orlando Wetlands Park volunteer, who enjoys hosting tours in Spanish, leads a tram ride. In an expansion of this effort, the same talented guide leads trips for the NORTH SHORE BIRDING FESTIVAL and bi-annual Orlando Wetlands Festival.
• Recruiting younger participants:
  • OAS’ Young Birder’s Club is for young people ages 9 -17 from Orange, Seminole and Brevard Counties. The group holds monthly field trips and works with the Florida Young Birders Club, which is sponsored by the Florida Ornithological Society. Check our Field Trips Listings.
  • To engage college-age participants, OAS partners with Audubon Florida on the Conservation Leadership Initiative. OAS volunteers serve as mentors each year for local college students, incorporating them into our activities. OAS’ NORTH SHORE BIRDING FESTIVAL also recruits many young trip leaders, hosts trips targeting younger participants and charges half price to students for most field trips. Scholarships to defray travel costs, supported by donations of our members and festival participants, also assist out-of-town students to participate in the festival.
• Access: OAS is evaluating our birding sites for wheelchair accessibility and submitting our information to the Birdability website. See section under Field Trips.
• If you can help us toward securing participation in OAS activities that reflects the demographics of our community, please email us at info@orangeaudubonfl.org.

OAS’ Recent Recognitions

2022: OAS wins Audubon Florida’s Chapter of the Year

2020: OAS recognized by the St. Johns River Water Management District with the Bob Owens Award for Volunteer Service

2019: OAS president, Deborah Green, wins the prestigious National Audubon Society Dutcher award