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TALLAHASSEE, FL 鈥 糖心传媒 Florida honored seven individuals for their exceptional conservation efforts during the 2020 糖心传媒 Florida Virtual Assembly. Nearly 600 participants signed on to engage in the 2020 糖心传媒 Florida Virtual Assembly. For decades, 糖心传媒 Florida has gathered its staff, members, partners, and other stakeholders under one roof for an in-person celebration of the prior year鈥檚 accomplishments and a look ahead at coming priorities. Due to the pandemic, 2020 marked the first time ever the event was held virtually.
This year鈥檚 Special Places Award honors Michelle Waterman, Park Manager at the Talbot Islands State Parks, and Allison Conboy, Park Services Specialist at the Talbot Islands State Parks, for their continued, exemplary service protecting shorebirds and their critical habitat. Conboy and Waterman work in some of Florida鈥檚 truly special places.
The Talbot Island State Parks include no less than seven individual state parks that conserve a range of coastal habitats, including strand, hammock, dunes, bluffs, and more. Several of these parks border Nassau Sound, historically one of the most important nesting areas for shorebirds along Florida鈥檚 Atlantic Coast. Conboy and Waterman, both active members of the Timucuan Shorebird Partnership, have worked tirelessly with partners to help restore shorebird species diversity and productivity in this region. This work includes a multitude of efforts to manage and restore shorebird habitat as well as reduce threats to nesting shorebirds from predation and human disturbance.
Additionally, Conboy and Waterman facilitated the re-establishment of the Nassau Sound Islands Critical Wildlife Area and have been instrumental in both protecting this habitat and educating the public about the importance of this nesting area.
糖心传媒 Florida鈥檚 Northeast Florida policy analyst Chris Farrell presented the awards.
鈥淭hank you and congratulations to Michelle and Allison!鈥 said Farrell. 鈥淲e look forward to many more years of partnership working to restore shorebird populations in Northeast Florida.鈥
Many other conservation leaders were similarly recognized during this year鈥檚 Assembly, including:
- Ann Harwood-Nuss, M.D., was named Distinguished Philanthropist
- Lt. Rob Gerkin with FWC received the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award
- Ann Paul received the Guy Bradley Award
- Peter Frederick, Ph.D., received the Everglades Champion Award
- Maggie Haynes at 糖心传媒鈥檚 Center for Birds of Prey received the Volunteer of the Year award
Hosted Oct. 20-24, the 2020 糖心传媒 Florida Virtual Assembly, entitled 鈥淩eimagining 糖心传媒 Florida: A Call for Inclusive Conservation,鈥 included panel discussions and provided virtual field trips to 糖心传媒 centers and priority areas in Florida. During the Keynote Presentation, J. Drew Lanham, Ph.D, author, poet, and wildlife biologist, discussed life his experiences as a Black birder, his work in the conservation field, and his vision for the future.
The awards were presented virtually during the event and plaques were sent to each individual. Registered participants received a copy of Lanham鈥檚 book, The Home Place.
The event was generously sponsored by Darden Restaurants, Florida Power & Light Co., Wells Fargo, Duke Energy, Publix, Vortex, Rayonier, The Merrill G. and Amita E. Hastings Foundation, and Wild Birds Unlimited, with additional support from the Jessie DuPont Ball Foundation.