If you would like to donate to the Peace River Audubon Society’s General Fund, please use the donation button directly below.
Checks can be mailed to PRAS PO Box 510760, Punta Gord FL. 33951-0760
Ron Mills Youth Camp Scholarship Fund
In memory of PRAS president, Ron Mills, (1950-2021) the PRAS board has decided to set up a scholarship fund for children to attend summer camp at the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. Ron loved to share his passion for the natural world with others, especially children. Ron served on the board of the Early Learning Coalition of Florida Heartland, and has led guided hikes for PRAS that amazed adults and children alike with his ability to call in birds, especially Barred Owls.
Endangered Bird Fund – Online Donation
Since 1970, on balance, many more birds have died than have survived, resulting in 2.9 billion fewer breeding birds today according to the American Bird Conservancy. Habitat loss and degradation are the overall drivers of these declines. PRAS advocates for more land conservation and improved feeding sources in existing lands.
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Forests alone have lost 1 billion birds since 1970.
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Grassland birds are also hard hit, with a 53% reduction in population — more than 720 million birds.
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Aerial insectivores — birds like swallows, nighthawks, and flycatchers — are down by 32%, or 160 million.
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Coastal shorebirds, already at dangerously low numbers, lost more than one-third of their population.
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The volume of spring migration, measured by radar in the night skies, has dropped by 14% in just the past decade.
PRAS is concerned about two local decreasing bird populations in Charlotte County: the endemic Florida Sc​rub Jay and the charismatic Burrowing Owl. PRAS is launching two initiatives:
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Native Sand Live Oak Tree (favorite acorn food of FL Scrub Jays) giveaways and encouraging planting of native plants for birds and butterflies.
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Gulf Cove Burrowing Owls Community Outreach Campaign patterned after Marco Island's successful Model
In addition, PRAS and CHEC maintain the Ron Mills Bird Blind at Burnt Store Road along with an array for Purple Martins who are solely dependent on human provided nesting since their native nesting habitat decline​. This fund helps PRAS in its mission to foster an awareness of birds and other wildlife through conservation and education.
Audubon Pennington Park Fund – Online Donation
Audubon Pennington Park is a 7.9 acre park that Charlotte County leases to the Peace River Audubon Society. Maintenance is provided by PRAS volunteers and the County. The park features cypress swamp, oak hammock, and pine flatwoods and the amenities include a parking lot, trails, and a few scattered benches. Donations are needed for the printing of brochures that are available at the entrance and are free for visitors, acquisition of native plants for the butterfly and bird gardens, and additional specimen signage to identify trees and plants.
PRAS College Scholarship Fund – Online Donation
The Peace River Audubon Society College Scholarship Fund is an endowed fund to support an advanced college undergraduate environmental studies major residing in Charlotte or Desoto Counties. Our goal for the fund is $50,000 and we are making progress with every fundraising effort to meet that goal. Once the goal is attained, the interest earned will support yearly scholarships. If you would like to donate to this fund please contact our Treasurer, Sandy Artman at (717) 880-3341 or click on the “Donate” button below.
Other Ways To Give
If you would like to take advantage of the tax benefits for planned giving options by leaving a legacy through a bequest in your Will or through a gift annuity in yours or someone else’s memory please contact your attorney or financial advisor. Your gift will support our work while meeting your own personal needs for income, retirement planning, and tax savings.
The Peace River Audubon Society is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Our Federal tax ID number is 59-2190872. We do not engage a professional solicitor and 100% of the funds generated by this request will be used to support our Chapter programs. Our registration number with the FDA Division of Consumer Services is SC-040701.