5/12/10

Environmental advocates and educators from around the state converged on Hartford April 22nd to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day with Audubon Connecticut leading the charge. Jeff Cordulack, Communications Manager, assembled a wonderful display highlighting Audubon Connecticut's programs from Centers to Chapters to Audubon at Home. The Audubon table was prominently positioned at the entrance to the display hall and drew crowds all day primarily thanks to Scott Heth, director of Audubon Sharon, who delighted lawmakers, staff and visitors with live bird demonstrations featuring an American Kestrel, Barred Owl and Screech Owl. Bent of the River director, Leslie Kane, pitched in to help with the bird wrangling and turned out to be a natural. Patrick Comins, director of bird conservation, joined Leslie, Scott and Jeff answering questions and promoting Audubon Connecticut. Executive director, Tom Baptist, joined the team to attend an afternoon panel discussion organized by CT DEP, followed by a Legislative Reception organized by Sandy Breslin, director of governmental affairs, and held in the lovely North Lobby of the Capitol at the end of the day.

Hosting a Legislative Reception is common practice for many business and advocacy groups. Such events offer an invaluable opportunity to spend a few minutes chatting with busy (and weary) lawmakers who are making critical decisions about legislation at this busy time of year. This reception marked a first for Connecticut's environmental community - - at least in recent memory - - and brought together key legislators, advocates, and DEP leaders, including Commissioner Amey Marella, who attended the event. Audubon partnered with the CT Fund for the Environment, CT League of Conservation Voters, CT Organization of Outdoor and Environmental Educators (COEEA), and the Sierra Club to host the event. Sue Quincy from COEEA donated her time and talents to secure donations and took charge decorating the tables. Critical seed funding for the event was generously donated by Dan Lufkin, past Audubon Leadership Award honoree and CT's first DEP Commissioner, and the Tremaine Foundation, both in honor of Earth Day. Four gorgeous hanging bird posters lent by the Audubon Center at Bent of the River were strategically positioned around the room and in the rotunda of the Capitol so everyone saw birds at the Capitol on Earth Day!

Scott Heth from Audubon Sharon talks about Barred Owls to visitors at the Earth Day event.
	Eastern Screech-Owl animal ambassador at the capitol