Collier County Audubon Society Inc

Programs: The organization worked on the following conservation projects during the year: everglades restoration including picayune strand restoration; wetland conservation in the northern everglades; kissimmee river and fisheating creek; water quality restoration in the everglades; speaking for sw florida watershed council; working on the florida panther project for panther habitat and protection. The organization worked on the development of wildlife corridors for south florida. The organization helped develop a land use program for hendry county. The organization worked on the sw florida shorebird stewardship project; litigation defending lee county's density reduction/groundwater resource area; successfully opposed three rock mining applications near corkscrew swamp; revision of state and federal wetland permitting rules; advocated public land management in big cypress natural preserve; and served on babcock ranch management advisory board.

the organization's education goal was to present to local school children interesting trips, programs, and activities to stimulate their interest in the natural world. Our objective was to develop future conservationists. The corkscrew swamp sanctuary youth program goal was to attract children to the wildlife of sw florida and the environment that supports the wildlife, specifically, teacher training, workshops, volunteer training, pre-trip orientation, and program presentation at the corkscrew swamp sanctuary. The 2nd grade program was insect adventures and the fifth grade program was wild florida adventure. Following the visit to corkscrew swamp sanctuary, there was a post-trip evaluation. Approximately 1,500 students participate annually.

the fgcu wings of hope environmental education program goal was to promote environmental education and stewardship to school age children and their families in collier and lee counties with field trips, environmentally oriented hikes, lectures, classroom studies at their respective schools, and field studies at fgcu. The program is guided by teachers, college students, and parents. The studies deal with birds, animals, water quality, and feature the florida panther as an "umbrella species". Approximately 4,000 fourth through sixth grade students participate in this program annually.