Charley Causey (center) received the award from Audubon Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell and Everglades Science Center Director Jerry Lorenz. Photo by Charles Lee/Audubon

TALLAHASSEE, FL – More than 300 participants from across the state met at the 2019 Audubon Assembly in Gainesville Florida to discuss conservation, water, and birds. Field trips, learning sessions, a plenary panel, and keynote presentation by Dr. Tom Frazer, Chief Science Officer for Florida, focused on science-based strategies for clean water and healthy watersheds, while awards recognized individuals and organizations that went above and beyond to create a more resilient Florida.

This year’s Theodore Roosevelt Award went to Charlie Causey for his enduring support of the health of Florida Bay and the Everglades. Causey has supported the work of Everglades Science Center directly through his foundation, the Florida Keys Environmental Fund, which has been supporting natural resources of the Florida Keys since 1989.

Driven by his desire to fish and awareness that good fishing is dependent upon a healthy environment, Causey was instrumental in getting Everglades National Park to establish “pole and troll” zones and no motor zones. He also created the Coalition of Park Users with funds for seasonal rangers to patrol remote areas with active wading bird colonies, created a boater education program that morphed into the mandatory boater education program included in ENP’s General Management Plan, and found funds to pay for much-needed signage throughout Florida Bay and many other infrastructure items in the Park. He was instrumental in galvanizing the community and has supported scientific research into coral, sponge and seagrass die-offs with a focus on manually re-establishing damaged communities. 

Audubon Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell presented the award.