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Oct. 18 | Conservation Action Agenda-Setting Session

Each year, hundreds of conservation leaders, ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ members, and ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ staff set ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida’s Conservation Action Agenda. Twelve resolutions—seven regional and five statewide—provide guidance on priority issues and conservation efforts. The agenda provides members, chapter leaders, directors, staff, and the public with summary statements of our policy and conservation positions. The Conservation Action Agenda is the only statewide conservation agenda in Florida that uses an open process to set its policy agenda with all stakeholders invited to participate. Regional priorities unite ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida chapters in seven regions.  and

Oct. 27 | Welcome Luncheon 

We convened at lunch to kick off this year’s ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Assembly as ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell welcomed participants with a celebration of the accomplishments of 2023 and staff awards. This year's theme was Conservation in a Changing Landscape. 

Oct. 27 | Learning Sessions

• Creating Habitat in Unconventional Ways to Maximize Connections for Conservation Lands 
  People may not think twice about the design of routine infrastructure projects like wastewater facilities and solar fields. At ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, we realize each project is an opportunity to enhance our green infrastructure. Projects that would have been barriers to wildlife can be designed to provide important habitat and connect conservation lands across the state. Panelists included Amy Wicks/Lisa Hall (Babcock Ranch), Jeff Smith (Florida Power & Light Company), and Keith Laakkonen (³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida). 
• Perspectives from the Next Generation of Conservationists 
  The next generation of Florida’s environmental leaders are taking action. Five of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida’s young leaders join a panel discussion—led by ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ board member Steffanie Munguia—to explore what brought them to ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, what conservation work is resonating with our next-gen leaders, and what they envision for the future of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ as we protect birds and the places they need. Panelists included Brian Cammarano, Zachery Holmes, Emily Johnson, Kristen Ranges, and Kayla Ehrlich.
• From Birding to Conservation: Bringing New Birders into the Conservation Movement 
  During the pandemic, thousands of people turned their eyes to the skies and discovered a love of birding. Each birder and bird watcher has the opportunity to make a difference protecting birds and the places they need, and this session dives into the details of how to turn their passion for birds into passion for conservation. Speakers included Brad Cornell, Chris Farrell, and Erika Zambello (³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida) and guest interviews with John Mahoney (³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ), Aisha Yousuf, explorer and data scientist, and Bibi Baksh-Pabion (BirdNote Daily). . 

Oct. 27 | Evening Program

Julie Wraithmell, ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida Executive Director, kicked off the evening program withfollowed by the Keynote Presentation: A Conservation Photography Conversation with professional photographers Kirsten Hines and Gabby Salazar, PhD, and National ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Society’s Senior Director of Social Media and Storytelling Preeti Desai. When does wildlife photography become conservation photography? The best nature photography doesn’t just capture the imagination—the images both educate the viewer and inspire action. Hear from three photographers leading the charge to use nature photography for conservation, harnessing the power of the lens to create change for birds and wildlife.  

Oct. 28 | Chapter Celebration

After the Saturday morning breakfast invited chapter members and fellow bird enthusiasts to share ideas about issues facing their communities and conservation stakeholders, we hosted our traditional . Experience the heart and soul of the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ network and their successes in engaging with both traditional and new partners.  

Oct. 28 | Plenary Session: Meeting the Challenge: Bird Conservation in a Changing Landscape

Florida’s birdlife faces challenges from an ever-changing environment. Climate change, invasive species, land use changes, and more threaten some of the Sunshine State’s most iconic species. We explored how Bald Eagles, Burrowing Owls, Roseate Spoonbills, and imperiled shorebirds react to these changes, and how research can inform the management and policy responses needed to safeguard their future. Panelists included Shawnlei Breeding and Jerry Lorenz, PhD (³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida), and Raoul Boughton, PhD (Mosaic). Audrey DeRose-Wilson (³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Florida) was moderator.  

Thank you to our generous Assembly sponsors!