Over the summer, Audubon’s Western Everglades Research Center helped collect data on fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates in the Picayune Strand Restoration Project. These wetland fauna tell scientists and project managers how restoration is going. Picayune Strand was the very first Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) project to be started back in 2007.

Florida Bay and Everglades National Park are choked from the freshwater they need. Two exciting developments are changing that.

With the support of Audubon members, the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir is getting closer to breaking ground after significant victories in Tallahassee and Washington. This top Everglades priority will clean, store, and move water south of Lake Okeechobee- restoring the historic freshwater flows through the parched Greater Everglades Ecosystem and into Florida Bay.

Important Nesting Site Now Protected for Rare Coastal Species

The 2018 Audubon Photography Awards had its fill of food-themed submissions. These are some of our favorites.

Audubon EagleWatch observations revealed most eagles that lost nests to Hurricane Irma went on to successfully rebuild and raise young. EagleWatch data also indicate the average number of young produced is holding steady at 1.31 fledglings per occupied nest, compared to 1.32 last season.

The Sunshine State is home to one of the largest nesting populations of Bald Eagles outside of Alaska coupled with one of the highest rates of development in the U.S. Less available open space and more people puts significant stress on the species. Audubon is at the forefront of protecting eagles and their habitat, but we need your help as pressures mount and protections are threatened.

As part of an ongoing research study, juvenile eagles are banded prior to release after treatment and recovery at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. The band color indicates the type of nest the young eagle hatched in: green for nests in trees and black for nests on artificial structures.

Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane in September 2017, just as many Bald Eagles were preparing for the nesting season. Intrepid volunteers ventured out after the storm passed, reporting on the status of approximately 300 nests across the state.

Shawnlei Breeding, Audubon’s EagleWatch Manager, often gives presentations on Florida’s Bald Eagles and conservation in the Orlando community. However, one routine presentation turned into an exciting field trip when dozens of children had the opportunity to visit a nearby eagle nest thanks to Audubon EagleWatcher Jim Johnson.