Audubon North Carolina honored some of our state’s conservation heroes at its annual meeting in Wilmington in early June.

• VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Marlene Eader. Marlene has logged hundreds of volunteer hours for Audubon NC in just three years and has contributed greatly to Wrightsville Beach’s conservation efforts. She has been an invaluable help to the Be a Good Egg social marketing campaign, shorebird surveys, bird banding and just about everything else done in the name of bird preservation in the southeastern corner of North Carolina.

• HONORARY WARDEN –Town of Wrightsville Beach accepted by Alderman Bob Sisson. This award appoints an Honorary Warden for exemplary service in protection of our state’s most important habitats and sanctuaries. The Town of Wrightsville Beach has worked closely with Audubon NC for many years and is a true partner in the protection of nesting terns, skimmers and oystercatchers on the south end of Wrightsville Beach. Without this cooperation, protecting these species and the delicate coastal habitat would not be possible.
• BIRD-LORE CONSERVATION EDUCATION AWARD Wrightsville Beach Elementary School and Cissie Brooks, Marine Science Coordinator and School Counselor. This award pays tribute for their exceptional efforts to educate the public about birds, their habitats, and inspiring conservation of the special landscapes we share with all wildlife. For over a decade Cissie has collaborated with Audubon NC to bring conservation education to the kindergarten through fifth grade students of Wrightsville Beach Elementary School. In 2001, Cissie received a grant that enabled Wrightsville Beach Elementary School to build a pier and dock adjacent to the school that extends into the salt marsh. This project earned a Marine Science Focus School designation. Her students have also worked to remove invasive plants, and most recently created artwork that Audubon is using to post around sensitive bird areas.

“Audubon North Carolina is proud to honor these conservation heroes,” said Heather Starck, Audubon North Carolina executive director. “These are individuals and organizations that go well beyond ‘business as usual’ to support and further conservation practices in the coastal area of North Carolina.  We hope the citizens of our state will also take a moment to thank this year’s award winners for all they continue to do to preserve critical habitats for birds day in and day out. “

All winners were honored at the Audubon North Carolina Awards Banquet on June 2 in Wilmington, NC.  The banquet took place during the annual meeting hosted by Cape Fear Audubon Society Chapter based in Wilmington, and Audubon North Carolina. The annual award recipients were selected by meeting award criteria by the Audubon North Carolina staff and board.