From volunteering at Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue to maintaining both a bird feeder garden and native plants at Hammock Park and Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Louis Petersen is no stranger to wildlife conservation. Recently, he has expanded his support for Florida’s feathered friends by naming the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey as a beneficiary in his estate planning.

“I like organizations like Audubon that work on environmental conservation and education. I specifically appreciate Audubon because of their work with habitat restoration for raptors and other birds,” explained Petersen.

For the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, planned gifts like Petersen’s ensure the future success of critical programs, including rehabilitation, which leads to the safe release of hundreds of raptors each year; conservation education and community science opportunities for all ages; and the Conservation Leadership Initiative, a program for college students that prepares the next generation of conservation champions.

When asked about the process of allocating his estate, Petersen shared, “It was simple. I changed the beneficiary of my account online with my bank, contacted Audubon beforehand to receive the EIN number, and was then sent a form where I designated the Center as the sole source where funds will go.”

A simple act like Petersen’s will make a lasting difference for the Center for Birds of Prey and continue a legacy of conservation.

Leaving a gift to Audubon in your will or trust, by beneficiary designation, or another form of planned gift can make a lasting difference to our work on behalf of birds and the places they need. For more information on how you can include Audubon in your estate planning, contact Audubon Florida Development Manager Rosa Rivera at rosa.rivera@audubon.org