Orange Audubon Society Inc

Birding, public education and ecotourism on the lake apopka north shore: orange audubon society, inc. (oas) promotes the economic value of birding ecotourism as a means of helping to conserve the lake apopka north shore (north shore) restoration area, a globally important bird area, in its natural state. In 2016 oas began a birding event now known as the north shore birding festival (nsbf) with two goals: to showcase the 20,000-acre lake apopka north shore's rich birdlife and natural habitats, and demonstrate its economic value as a birding "ecotourism" destination as defined by the international association of ecotourism: "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." although participation was more limited due to covid concerns, oas' december 2021 nsbf attracted approximately 300 participants and leaders from 18 states (including 60+ florida cities) and canada to oas' who traveled to central florida to enjoy the natural wonders of the lake apopka north shore. Nsbf participants boosted the local economy, learned the history of the north shore's ecological decline that led to its acquisition by florida taxpayers and current restoration efforts, and were introduced to its less well-known areas and increasingly popular lake apopka wildlife drive, thereby helping to fulfill oas' conservation and nature education mission. Ambassador program at lake apopka wildlife drive: since 1998-99 when florida taxpayers acquired the 20,000-acre lake apopka north shore (lans), orange audubon society (oas) has worked to secure public access for birding and other nature pursuits. A bird pesticide-kill in winter 1998-99 put hopes of quick public access on hold, but as pesticide residues were remediated, oas collaborated with orange county to raise public interest through a family-focused birding festival from 2013-17. The increased interest led orange and lake counties to develop a hiking/cycling trail along the main levee separating lake apopka from the former farm fields. In 2015 the st johns river water management district (sjrwmd), which is responsible for restoration and management of lans, switched to a reduced, 4-day work week that enabled an 11-mile lake apopka wildlife drive (lawd) to be opened to the public on fridays, weekends and some federal holidays. No local tourism dollars were spent to publicize lawd. Understanding the importance of birding and open space to residents and visitors, oas stepped up its efforts to showcase lawd through a dedicated facebook and other social media sites, launched the north shore birding festival using the 2013-17 family-oriented festival as a springboard, and sponsored myriad other nature pursuits on the north shore and lawd. By march 2020, visitation to lawd had grown to about 150,000 per year. Demands from its increased popularity and limits of sjrwmd resources led to oas taking charge of a proposed lake apopka ambassador program implemented when lawd reopened to the public after a march 2020 covid shutdown. Since the july 2020 rollout of the ambassador program, oas volunteers have been greeting visitors to lawd, an effort that greatly relieves the burden of sjrwmd and enhances the experience of visitors who represent an increasing ethnic diversity from the local community plus out-of-state and foreign visitors. Nature center on lake apopka north shore: during the fiscal year, oas secured a long-term ground lease on a 69.5-acre property located at the lake apopka north shore. On the property, oas will convert an abandoned building into a low-carbon, sustainability-focused educational visitor's center with surrounding habitat of native plants, birdwatching observation sites, and walking trails. No other single effort will be more impactful than the orange audubon nature center at apopka birding park - a project envisioned since 1970 - as oas strives to enhance the quality and quantity of program services provided to further its conservation and nature education mission. Bringing the nature center project to fruition will not only benefit birds, other wildlife and the environment, but will also enrich the lives of people in the central florida community and visitors from around the nation and the world.