Today, Audubon of Florida was an invited guest at a "listening session" for President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative. About twenty varying state conservation and environmental organizations met to discuss their priorities for Florida with the US Department of Interior's Counselor to the Secretary for America’s Great Outdoors, Will Shafroth. Also invited were representatives from agencies such as the Department of Defense, the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Parks Service.

Audubon of Florida board member George Willson was in attendance on behalf of our organization. He used his speaking time to share some insight about the many Florida ranching families' legacy of quality conservation work in Central and South Florida, as well as the success that he has had in working with these important landowners - a possible option for the Department's conservation work in Florida.

It was encouraging to hear Mr. Shafroth seem optimistic to the prospect of partnering with our organizations on regional priorities - he even asked that we mark a map of Florida with a pen so he can see exactly where our priorities lie.

In addition to the round-table discussion setup by Mr. Shafroth and his staff, Audubon presented handouts on some of our federal conservation priorities for Florida: Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Lower Suwannee River and Gulf Watershed Conservation Easement and a map of the Latt Maxcy Ranch in the Kissimmee watershed.

Although more time was needed to fully convey Audubon's recommendations, including the interactivity and connectivity of our Florida's Special Places campaign, the America's Great Outdoors Listening Session was a sincere and great start.

We look forward to working with the Department of Interior, state agencies and other conservation organizations in our shared goals of protecting Florida's Special Places and connecting people to the natural world.

To learn more about this program, please visit the America's Great Outdoors website.