Public Programs

woman with falconer's glove holding a short-tailed hawk
Dark morph Short-Tailed Hawk from Avian Reconditioning Center. Photo: Nicola Dronoff-Guthrie

Guest Speakers

Orange Audubon Society’s guest speaker programs are free and open to the public. They take place on the third Thursday of the month, September through June, at 7:00 PM. Most programs are at Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando (directions). The December program is aired LIVE on Orange Audubon Society’s YouTube channel. Please consult the OASis or Facebook page for updates.

Third Thursdays in 2026

  • Sept 17 – Now on our You Tube Channel — Rescue, Care and Rehabilitation of Reptiles
    • Kim Titteringen
  • Oct 15 — Wild Turkeys
    • Jay Exum
  • Nov 19 — Sparrows of Florida
    • Alex DeBear
  • Dec 17 — Birds up Close (on Zoom)
    • Lorna Gibson

Third Thursdays in 2027

  • Jan 21 — Close focus on Nature
    • Steven Long
  • Feb 18 — Swallow-tailed and Snail Kites
    • Ken Meyer
  • Mar 18 — Dark Skies over Groveland  
    • Andrew Landis
  • April 15 — Disney and Avian Conservation
    • Jason Fisher
  • May 20 — Saving the Florida Wildlife Corridor
    • Casey Wang
  • Jun 17 — 39th Annual Chertok Nature Photography Contest Awards Program
    • Teresa Williams
florida scrub jay in bush
Florida Scrub-Jay. Photo: Mary Keim

Bird Chats

Bird Chats are OAS’ online conversations, featuring expert guest presentations following presentation of a mystery bird quiz and latest bird sightings. Bird Chats are held the first, second and fourth Thursdays from 7:00–8:00 PM with summer break.

To automatically receive receive the Zoom link each week, register at: https://mailchi.mp/18d77cc16d26/bird-chat-registration

  • Bird Chats start in September (with a hiatus around the holidays) and continue through June. Past Bird Chats are posted on Orange Audubon’s You Tube channel.
Alan Shapiro speaking to a garden club. Photo: Ellen Shapiro

Speaker’s Bureau

OAS has a list of speakers who are willing to address schools and organizations on subjects such as bird-friendly plants and gardening, the environment, and Florida outdoors.

For more information, see here.