Deadline is Noon on Wed April 10th for matched funds

To donate go to givingchallenge.org and search for Peace River Audubon by noon for matched funds

A Plant Sale at Audubon Pennington Park kicks off on April 9th the Donation Day at 10AM and hopes to get 50 donations at the opening of the Giving Challenge at Noon.  Fast Fifty contest!

The Giving Challenge starts at Noon , April 9 and continues until April 10 at noon

Peace River Audubon is joining the 2024 Giving Challenge with the Goal of Raising $7k

This is your chance to double your donation but you have to go to the Giving Challenge website in order to get matching funds.

Your donations between $25 and $100 may be matched if you donate from April 9th noon until noon on the 10th

So get ready to pick your fund!

Endangered Bird Fund 

PRAS is concerned about two local decreasing bird populations in Charlotte County: the endemic Florida Scrub Jay and the charismatic Burrowing Owl.  PRAS has started 2 Conservation Initiatives in addition to supporting the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center Ron Mills Bird Blind and Purple Martin Gourd Array.

1.Advocate for conservation of land populated by Florida Scrub Jays and advocate to restore scrub habitat, particularly the Native Sand Live Oak Trees (favorite acorn food of FL Scrub Jays). PRAS & CHEC partnered a nursery that can grow Sand Live Oak trees and other native scrub plants for plant giveaways at festivals. PRAS encourages planting of native plants for birds and butterflies through a Certified Yard or Garden Program.

2. Gulf Cove Burrowing Owls Community Outreach Campaign patterned after Marco Island's successful Model where 10 breeding pairs have grown to 250 breeding pairs. Audubon's CLI FGCU college student is a mentee for PRAS who is developing a community outreach pamphlet for the Pacida Burrowing Owls.

She will give a talk on April 20th at the Earth Day Festival at CHEC - Cedar Point.

This fund includes costs for 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. PRAS free speaker meetings and field trips enhance education for both initiatives.  This fund helps PRAS in its mission to foster an awareness of birds and other wildlife through conservation and education.

Audubon Pennington Park Fund

Peace River Audubon Society has the responsibility of maintaining Audubon Pennington Park in Port Charlotte, FL. This is a small preserve, rich in local flora and fauna with a diversity of different habitats including pine flat woods, oak hammock and cypress swamp. A volunteer group meets weekly there to maintain the trails, plant native plants for birds and butterflies, clear exotic invasive vegetation, and oversee the health of the park. Educational signage for plants and walking trail directions are provided as well. Weekly nature walks are guided by Rob Mills every Saturday at 8:30 AM. This 9.7 acre urban park services approximately 7,500 visitors annually.

Ron Mills Children's Camp Scholarships

PRAS offers scholarships for children to attend CHEC summer camps mostly in Title 1 School districts.

College Scholarship Fund

The Peace River Audubon Society College Scholarship Fund supports college undergraduates enrolled in environmental studies residing in Charlotte or DeSoto Counties.

Scientific Information on the decline in bird populations

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 driver of these declines. PRAS advocates for more land conservation and improved feeding sources in existing lands.

• Forests alone have lost 1 billion birds since 1970.
• Grassland birds are also hard hit, with a 53% reduction in population — more than 720 million birds.
• Aerial insectivores — birds like swallows, nighthawks, and flycatchers — are down by 32%, or 160 million.
• Coastal shorebirds, already at dangerously low numbers, lost more than one-third of their population.
• The volume of spring migration, measured by radar in the night skies, has dropped by 14% in just the past decade.

Since 1977, Peace River Audubon has worked in the Charlotte Harbor community.

• PRAS is 1 of 4 founders that established the Charlotte County Environmental Centers (CHEC) on Burnt Store Rd & Cedar Point.
• PRAS maintains Audubon Pennington Park through a Charlotte County Conservation Lease and offers weekly free guided nature walks.
• PRAS provides free monthly talks, nature walkabouts and bird field trips for the public during season.
• PRAS collaborated with CHEC to establish the sole Native Plant Nursery in Charlotte County and the Ron Mills Bird Blind.
• PRAS advocates for water quality, wildlife rulings through Everglades Coalition and climate resiliency.
• PRAS members volunteer for JayWatch, EagleWatch, Audubon Christmas Count and conducts Winter and Breeding Bird surveys with the Florida Shorebird Alliance
• PRAS offers a Native Plant Yard and Butterfly Garden Certification Program and a Children's Activity Booklet on Plants for Birds.
• PRAS collaborated with 3 local libraries to sponsor Loaner Bird Backpacks so families can use adult and child binoculars and field guides to go out and enjoy nature.

Please tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and encourage them to join us.

Beginning at Noon on April 9 and ending at 11:59 AM on April 10th, help us reach our goals.

Donate for matching funds through The Giving Partner Website. https://www.thegivingpartner.org/organizations/peace-river-audubon-society-inc

Our mission is to foster awareness of Florida birds and other wildlife through conservation, exploration and education.