ANNUALREPORT

The mission of Audubon Connecticut is to further the protection of birds,

other wildlife and their habitats throughscience, education, advocacy and

conservation, for the benefit of humanityand the earth’s biological diversity.

Our vision is a Connecticut with a richand diverse natural heritage, where there

is ample habitat for birds and otherwildlife, where a majority of its people

appreciate and participate in the naturalenvironment, and whose children are

educated and motivated to become theconservation leaders of tomorrow.

audubonct.org

Falkner Island Unit of the Stewart B. McKinney National WildlifeRefuge, one of 27 IBAs in Connecticut, is the only remaining nestinglocation for the federally endangered roseate terns in Connecticut.

M I S S I O N & V I S I O N

Front cover: American Oystercatcher

Audubon initiated in 2011 bold steps to transform its national programs and priorities. With leadership from Audubon PresidentDavid Yarnold, the National Audubon Society approved thisyear the major concepts of a new strategic plan. Our organization-wide priorities are to 1) improve forests, farms, and other habitatsto work for birds; 2) share coastal habitats with birds and peopleto improve the survival of key bird species; 3) deploy strategies to ensure the health and viability of critically important birdhabitats through our IBA program; 4) develop climate adaptation strategies that reduce risks associated with climatechange; and 5) create bird-friendly communities and cities.

Each of these priorities has two central objectives. The first is: acton a large scale to improve the protection of birds. The second is:engage people in intelligent conservation actions. Audubon

Connecticut is proud of its many accomplishments that haveachieved these results. Audubon science and policy continues as a state-wide leader in the protection of key bird habitats both inland and along the coast. Our Centers in Greenwich, Sharon,and Southbury served tens of thousands of children and adults, elevating conservation and science literacy and growing a strongcorps of future conservation leaders. This report describes the full extent of our successes in Connecticut this year.

Our chapters, members, stewardship boards, donors and staff allhelped make this happen. With your support, we can do evenmore in the year to come-for birds, for wildlife and for the worldwe share. Thank you for your ongoing love of birds and nature and for your support for all that Audubon does to make our world a better place.

T H OM A S R . B A P T I S T

E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r

The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, as viewed from Long Beach in Stratford; both the marsh and beach are recognized as an IBA.

The Barn Island IBA in Stonington, CT is critical habitatfor many birds traveling along the Atlantic Flyway.

Important Bird Areas ProgramThe Important Bird Areas Program (IBA) is a cornerstone ofAudubon’s bird conservation effort. The Program works at local,state and national levels to identify and conserve a network of key habitats. This work is part of a global effort to ensure healthy bird populations, bringing together sound conservationscience and empowering local stakeholders to ensure that thesespecial places are protected for the benefit of the birds that depend on them. Partnerships are the key to our success, focusing efforts of Audubon, state, federal, and other non-profitpartners on the places where conservation efforts will have thegreatest impact.

IBA Spotlight: Barn Island Wildlife Management AreaBarn Island is the most significant tract of undeveloped coastalhabitat left in Connecticut. The diversity of quality forest, grassland, and tidal marsh provide essential migratory stopoverand nesting habitat for many shorebirds, land birds, and raptorsclassified by Connecticut as ‘threatened,’ ‘endangered’ or ‘speciesof special concern.’ Several of Audubon’s ‘WatchList’ species, like clapper rail, brown thrasher, wood thrush, blue-winged warbler, and willow flycatcher actively nest in Barn Island’s 1013 acres of protected lands. Well known to the birding community, people often visit hoping for a repeat sighting of

S AV I N G T H E M O S T I M P O R TA N T B I R D A R E A S

some of the rare birds seen over the years, including sandhill crane,white-faced ibis, and barnacle goose.

Partnership was a key in this conservation success story. In 2003,Audubon began its involvement with the Barn Island Wildlife Management Area by joining the US Fish and Wildlife Service andConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection(DEEP) in efforts to permanently protect 144 acres of tidal headwatersfor the Barn Island area. Audubon helped to bring conservation partners like Connecticut Ornithological Association and New HavenBird Club to the table and worked closely on the development of grants that ensured permanent protection for Barn Island.

In 2011, the partnership continued to bear fruit with the addition of 16 acres of grassland and tidal marsh. This new site includes activebobolink nesting areas and will be a valuable habitat migration corridor for saltmarshes as sea levels rise at this Globally Significant IBA. Audubon also provided an IBA Small Matching Grant toward the purchase price to help make the case that the project had widespread community support. The preserve will be owned in title by the Avalonia Land Conservancy with an easement held by DEEP and managed as part of the State Wildlife Management Area. The property was protected through a grant from the USDA Grassland Reserve Program.

SaltmarshSparrow

Teaming Science & Policy to Protect IBAs, Forests,and Long Island SoundOur science and advocacy efforts produced many positive conservation outcomes in 2011. Despite challenges on both the political and fiscal fronts, we achieved success thanks to our outstanding partners, supporters and staff.

Audubon successfully advocated for more than $370 million in federal funding.

• More than $300 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, defending the program from elimination.

• $62 million for the nationwide State Wildlife Grants program, $468,566 of which supported more than 50% of DEEP’s non-game wildlife program.

• $5.9 million for Long Island Sound stewardship andrestoration – a significant achievement in the face of continuing federal budget cuts.

• $2.80 million for additions to the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, adding 310 acres of critical habitat, including 95 acres in Connecticut.

In early spring, 42 abandoned cottages were removed fromLong Beach West, increasing the nesting habitat for pipingplovers and least terns on this barrier beach. This landmarkachievement was the direct result of Audubon’s advocacy forFederal funding, which allowed the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Trust for Public Land, and Town of Stratford to restore this important coastal site. The cottage removal alsohelped avoid serious environmental harm when Tropical StormIrene struck on October 28. The intense storm washed over thedunes and might have pushed one third of the old cottages intothe pristine habitat of the Great Meadows Marsh.

P R O T E C T I N G P R I O R I T Y B I R D S & T H E I R H A B I TAT S

Irene’s powerful surf created new sand dune habitat suitable

for shorebird nesting on the site where 42 abandoned cottages

once stood on Long Beach West in Stratford.

In 2011, Audubon partnered with the USFWS and theManomet Center for Conservation Science on an American Oystercatcher Stewardship Project, with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to study the distributionand abundance of this charismatic and threatened species. We documented 142 adult oystercatchers at 32 sites along Connecticut’s coast. Thirty nesting pairs successfully fledged 21chicks. To protect piping plover nests, Audubon assisted the CTDEEP with installing more than two miles of string fencing and800 of metal fencing. For the 2012 nesting season, Audubonand its partners will expand nest site monitoring and targeted stewardship initiatives at key nesting sites.

In the face of political change and fiscal challenges, Audubon hasstood firm against proposals to eliminate or cripple key federalagencies and programs that protect birds, wildlife and their habitats. To name a few: the Endangered Species Act, the EPA,and the State Wildlife Grant Program. Audubon also helped tosafeguard Connecticut’s Council on Environmental Quality fromelimination, to defend key laws like the Connecticut EndangeredSpecies Act, and secure record levels of funding for the StateClean Water Fund to create jobs by improving stream, river, lakeand Long Island Sound water quality.

Through Audubon’s leadership of the Friends of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, our Long Island Sound Campaign has expanded to include the entire Connecticut River watershed. As chair of the Friends group,Audubon coordinates with more than 20 organizations including, the Appalachian Mountain Club, Connecticut RiverWatershed Council, The Nature Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, the National Wildlife Refuge Association, and the local Friends group representatives from each division in the four-state Refuge.

Piping Plover

The Audubon Center at Bent of the River protects 660 acres of diverse habitats on both sides of the Pomperaug River in Southbury.

A U D U B O N G R A N T S E M P OW E R C O N S E R VAT I O N A C T I O N

Audubon’s Matching Grant Program for Important Bird AreasThanks to support from the Jeniam Foundation in 2011, AudubonConnecticut awarded funds to eight projects as part of the Important Bird Area (IBA) Small Matching Grants Program. The funds support scientific research on bird distribution and breeding success, and aid habitat restoration, improvement, and educational outreach at IBAs.

The UCONN Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering hasembarked on a project that uses automated acoustic recordings andmore traditional point count methods, to provide valuable data onthe distribution of forest birds breeding in Connecticut that is crucial to the completion of the IBA inventory. The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge received funds to study the distribution, abundance and productivity of piping plovers andAmerican oystercatchers at coastal IBAs.

The Friends of Northwest Park used funds to improve the habitat forgrasshopper sparrows, the target species of this IBA. MenunkatuckAudubon Society and Audubon Greenwich are working to improve migratory stopover habitat at the Guilford Salt Meadows Sanctuaryand Fairchild Sanctuary, respectively, by removing invasive plantsand replacing them with native species.

The Connecticut Butterfly Association has continued to make improvements to the butterfly garden at Lighthouse Point Park inNew Haven and the Friends of the Cove Island Wildlife Sanctuary willadd a chimney swift tower to the sanctuary in Stamford. Both ofthese projects provide educational opportunities at IBAs. Lastly,Audubon Connecticut continues to support the Migration Festival at Lighthouse Point Park as an important outreach event. The 2011Festival was a great success with 1,200 people in attendance.

Menunkatuck Audubon Chapter volunteersplanted 400 native shrubs and trees inAudubon’s Salt Meadow Sanctuary in Guilford.

Audubon members throughout the state provide valuable supportfor bird studies though a variety of citizen science projects. Withhundreds of dedicated volunteers participating each year, Audubondeveloped several new bird research projects in 2011.

New Haven Breeding Bird AtlasFrom May to July 2011, thirty dedicated volunteers went afield toconduct bird surveys for the Greater New Haven Pilot BreedingBird Atlas, a project funded by the Community Foundation ofGreater New Haven. This exceptional group visited 300 countpoints to record the presence and abundance of bird species. Thedata will create maps and models that predict the distribution of worm-eating warblers, wood thrush, and other species of conservation concern. With these efficient new tools, Audubon can identify high priority habitats, designate new IBAs, and betterguide wildlife conservation.

Habitat Oases InitiativeWith support from the Jeniam Foundation and Disney WorldwideConservation Fund, Audubon hired a part-time intern to launch theHabitat Oases for Migrating Songbirds program. In collaborationwith Audubon chapters and federal, state and municipal agencies,16 citizen scientists surveyed 16 sites during fall and spring migration in urban green spaces from Greenwich to Lyme to Hartford. This data will help scientists determine the plant preferences of birds during migration, and we are using this information to guide public and private land management practices in an effort to transform parks, gardens and backyardsinto valuable habitat for migrating birds.

Forest Bird InitiativesConnecticut forests cover 2,900 square miles and not all forests are created equal. Older stands with forest gaps provide habitat

I N C R E A S I N G C O N S E R VAT I O N A C T I O N B Y P E O P L E

for cerulean warbler, while moist soil and the presence of a shrub-subcanopy layer are important to wood thrush. Audubon is working to identify critical forest habitat for priority birds throughthe Highlands Project and the Greater New Haven Pilot BreedingBird Atlas. In Sharon, Scott Heth and Mike Dudek have begun a‘Forest Bird Initiative’ that directly engages landowners by teachingabout the native species of concern and sharing management methods that will enhance forest habitat. In its first year alone, the Forest Bird Initiative hosted three workshops with 350 peopleand conducted 12 private property assessments that included over2000 acres of forestlands. No doubt, this program will continue to grow with support and become a model for other forest regionsin Connecticut.

Master Bird Conservationist ProgramIn the spring of 2012, with funding from the Leon Levy Foundation, Audubon Connecticut will provide a four day workshop to intermediate-level birdwatchers. Through the workshop, participants will gain knowledge on bird species of conservation concern, attend talks on conservation strategies thatrange from global to those that can be applied in the backyard, and receive training in field ornithology techniques. The programis free, but participants will be required to commit to 20 hours of volunteer service participating in citizen science programs, educational outreach activities or conservation advocacy.

Volunteers are key to our success in documenting distributions and population changes of Connecticut birds. Thank you to all the Audubonchapter members and dedicated volunteers throughout Connecticut.

Louisiana Waterthrush

AUDUBON C EN T ERS I N T H E I R COMMUN I T I E S

Connecting People to NatureAudubon Centers are important and active conservation hubs. Busywith school, weekend programs and special events, our three Centershost wildlife festivals, summer camps, nature walks, and guest speakers throughout the year. Recently, documentary film screeningsaccompanied by panel discussions have attracted many new visitors.In FY 2011, Audubon staff greeted:

Centers Helping Communities with Climate ChallengesTo address energy and climate change issues in their community, theAudubon Center in Sharon created a partnership with the SharonEnergy Task Force. Together, they initiated 240 ‘home energy audits’to reduce energy loss with better insulation and sealing and audits on several municipal buildings. They also acquired energy saving software for the Sharon Center School’s computer system and conducted school programs about renewable energy and more efficient choices available today.

In its own facilities, Audubon Sharon documented its energy usageand is now taking steps to meet an energy reduction goal of 15% in

2012. At Audubon Greenwich, all of the buildings were evaluated by energy audits and management is now taking similar steps to reduce energy consumption.

The Great Backyard Bird CountAudubon Centers play an important role in getting more people involved with citizen scientists efforts like e-Bird, Project FeederWatch, and the Great Backyard Bird Count. Despite the deep snowfall and frigid conditions, Connecticut’s ‘citizen scientists’made an impressive showing during the 14th Great Backyard BirdCount in February by counting 116,074 individual birds of 136species on 1,677 checklists. In 2010, with good weather, new recordswere set with 153,705 individual birds from 141 species on 1,994checklists. Both these years are remarkable when you consider that in 1998, just 273 checklists were submitted and documented only11,403 birds from 45 species. To get involved with a citizen science initiative, contact one of the Audubon Centers in Connecticut.

School Students 11,724Public Programs 24,372Day Campers 664Special Events 5,573Self-Guided Visitors 14,534Total Visitors 56,867

The Atlantic FlywayIn the Eastern United States, millions of birds follow the AtlanticFlyway braving storms, oceans, mountains, predators, habitat fragmentation, all while traversing the most populated region of the Americas. To our delight, many birds find respite in our sanctuaries throughout the state where Audubon can study their populations and take conservations measures to ensure their survival.

Bent of the River At the Center in Southbury, the new IBA Coordinator, Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe and University of New Haven graduate student, Lucas Coe-Starr continued research on shrublandbird survivorship. The bird territories were mappedand 70 of the target species were caught with mist-nets. Of those, 26 had been banded on-sitepreviously and 10 were young, current hatch-yearbirds. The territory mapping indicated a distribution similar to 2010 and this research willhelp the Center make informed land managementplans to ensure that shrubland birds continue tonest at Bent of the River Sanctuary.

Audubon Greenwich In Greenwich, the Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch conducted its 25th year of full-time hawk counting and the hardworking hawk

watchers recorded 18,260 raptorsfrom 16 different species headingsouthward. This effort is assisted bydozens of volunteers, seven days a week, and the reliable data is important for this continentally-significant research.

Audubon Sharon In Sharon, the American Kestrel Nestbox Program continues to expand from 39 nestboxes in 2008;56 in 2009; 74 in 2010; to 82 in2011. This year, 29 breeding pairsfledged approximately 115 chicksand 85 nestlings and 12 adults were banded. Banded kestrels, when later re-captured, provide critical data about the welfare andmovement of this beautiful raptor,whose numbers have declinedsharply in recent years.

AUDUBON C EN T ERS A S R E F UGES ON T H E AT L AN T I C F LYWAY

B U I L D I N G F I N A N C I A L S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

Environmental Leadership Award DinnerThe Environmental Leadership Award Dinner in May 2011 honored Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, M.D., for her years of work establishing Audubon At Home as a nationwide program forAudubon. The dinner is our largest fundraiser of the year andthanks to the 330 generous guests and supporters, Audubon Connecticut raised $602,500 for conservation initiatives statewide.

Dr. Waletzky served on the Board of National Audubon Societywhere she initiated, funded, and developed the Audubon At Homeprogram. Her support of the program has been integral in expanding Audubon Connecticut’s efforts to engage the public and help them make healthier, more environmentally-friendly decisions everyday. However, Dr. Waletzky’s accomplishments go far beyond Audubon.

Dr. Waletsky is the daughter of Laurance Rockefeller, who also led astoried conservation career, and following in her father’s footsteps,she has found many innovative approaches to engage people in conservation actions. She serves as the Chair of the New York StateCouncil of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and Chairof the Taconic Region Parks Commission. She created the annual“No Pesticides Day” as a member of the Westchester Pest Management Committee. Dr. Waletzky was also one of the

founders of the Alliance for New York State Parks, an organizationdevoted to developing public and private support for the 213 StateParks and Historic Sites. She is an icon in the world of conservationand a most worthy recipient of our Leadership Award.

Audubon's President, David Yarnold and Executive Director, Tom Baptistpresent Dr. Waletzky the 2011 Environmental Leadership Award.

C R E AT I N G B I R D - F R I E N D LY C OMMUN I T I E S A N D C I T I E S

Audubon At HomeAudubon At Home (AAH) is helping people incorporate conservation actions into their daily lives. From our Habitat Recognition Program that provides landowners with personalizedlandscaping recommendations, to working with schools to createliving classrooms outdoors, AAH is actively helping Connecticutresidents restore the health of our communities and protect ourvaluable natural resources.

To provide up-to-date information and the best conservation tools,Audubon is creating outreachmaterials, hosting workshopsand events, and supportingcommunity and regional-scaleconservation projects. Thisyear, 7,665 people participatedin AAH-themed programs atour Centers and at outreachprograms held throughout the State. On the ground, 559 acres have been assessedby the Habitat RecognitionProgram.

In 2012, Audubon Connecticut plans to further expand the Audubon At Home initiative across the state. This will greatly benefit Connecticut’s wildlife and human habitats and further establish Audubon as the premier conservation organization in the State.

To learn more about Audubon At Home and schedule a Habitat Assessment for your property, call or visit us online at:www.audubonct.org/aah.

This inviting and eco-friendly habitat on Katie & Donal O’Brien’s property is home to many woodland songbirds.

Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2011

(July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011)

Audubon Connecticut once again expanded our conservation,

education, and policy programs thanks to donors like you.

Individuals, corporations, foundations and partner

organizations contributed greatly to our work, donating

$1,415,429 in fiscal year 2011.

Audubon Connecticut benefits enormously from supporters

who have made legacy gifts or bequests. The endowment

established by these gifts provided more than $1.1 million in

operating revenue in fiscal year 2011. These far-sighted gifts

greatly enhance our financial stability, and we are grateful to

this group of Audubon donors for their leadership and support.

Our endowment is made of gifts that, indeed, “keep on giving.”

The successes fueling our growth are only possible because of

your generosity. The board and staff of Audubon Connecticut

thank you for your continuing support.

F U N D I N G C O N S E R VAT I O N I N C O N N E C T I C U T

EasternMeadowlark

REVENUE

41%INVESTMENT

INCOME

20%INDIVIDUALS

19%FOUNDATIONS

16%EARNED INCOME

4%GOVERNMENT & CORPORATE

GRANTS

TOTAL $3,129,751

EXPENSES

52%CENTERS &

SANCTUARIES

18%DEVELOPMENT

15%NAS

SUPPORT SERVICES

9%SCIENCE

6%POLICY

TOTAL$3,129,751

% %

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

W I N G S O F S U P P O R TAudubon Connecticut is very grateful for the generous supportand commitment given by following individuals, organizations,and corporations in 2010-2011.

$100,000 +Gerrish H. Milliken Foundation

Sonia & Paul Tudor Jones, II

$50,000 - $99,999Stewart FoundationLucy Rockefeller Waletzky,M.D.

$25,000 - $49,999AnonymousThe Carl and Marsha HewittFoundation, Inc.

Community Foundation forGreater New Haven

Dalio Family FoundationThe Jeniam FoundationM J P M FoundationLaurie Thomson & Andy Chisholm

Amber L. Turner

$10,000 - $24,999African PortfolioEunice & Robert BurnettNanny & Marty CannonCynthia Foster Curry &Bernard Curry

Davis & Dyke WineryJoseph & Barbara Ellis

Horizon Foundation, Inc.Joel Oppenheimer, Inc TheNatural History Art Gallery

The Johnson-Stillman FamilyFoundation

Joni & Kevin KimberlinLaurance S. Rockefeller FundThe Leon Levy FoundationNancy & TJ MaloneyMcKelvy Family Foundation,Inc.

Katie & Donal O'BrienThe Peter Jay Sharp Foundation

Jill & Geoffrey RakerMartha & Krishen SudHolt Thrasher & Juliet Bakker Thrasher

$5,000 - $9,999AnonymousJohn & R. Ellen AvellinoBrown Penny FundJanet Maslin CheeverLee & Barbara CollinsThe Coughlin GroupDavid Schwartz Foundation,Inc.

Kathy & John EdwardsDebby & William Ethridge

Susan Mufson FinkelsteinHoward & Kathleen FuhrGE Capital CorporationGoldman, Sachs & Co.George & Rachel GuminaLauren & Gray W. Hampton, III

Elaine & Lou HechtHelen & Ritter Shumway Foundation

Suzanne & Richard HoganGail & Philip LobkowiczKristina & Frank LoverroStephen & Susan MandelThe Mary Ann and LawrenceTucker Foundation

Sawnie & Jim McGeeJeanne M. Mininall & Arthur Bass

Kristen & David OddiAnne & David OgilvyOverhills FoundationR. T. Vanderbilt TrustDavid Rockefeller, Sr.Robert & Marilyn Schumann

S. Donald SussmanElise Wang & Jeff SullivanJessica & Basil Zirinis

$1,000 - $4,999The 1830 Family FoundationAnonymousVanessa E. ArredondoAndrew & Connan AshforthJenny & Michael BaldockTom & Valentina BaptistSharon & Stephen BaumPam BentBerkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Bessemer TrustJudith L. BiggsAnnie & David Bingham, M.D.Jeremiah M. Bogert, Jr.Allison & Frederic A. Bourke, III

Kevin & Margaret BousquetteRichard & Linda BreedenCamille & William BroadbentElaine Buckberg & Timothy J. Helwick

Tiffany Burnette & Don Casturo

Virginia & Richard CaseBernadette CastroJonathan & Priscilla ClarkCarole & Andrew ClarksonCoastal Point Construction,LLC

Community Foundation ofNorthwest Connecticut

Connecticut Community Foundation

John & Kimberly ConteLucy & Frederick DanzigerPatricia & Mark DaviesLucy & Nathaniel DayAndrea de Cholnoky & Scott Wilson

Margaret W. DeMarrais &Charlie Paley

Deupree Family FoundationCatherine & F. Markus Deutsch

Ann & Michael deV. FlinnKaren A. DixonThomas & Maureen DoreAnne & Kevin Driscoll

Julia & Tom DunnMadeleine & Börje EkholmAnn R. EllimanHaley & Joe ElmlingerRichard EnglishEric & Patricia FastJennifer & Frank FeenstraDesmond & Helen FitzgeraldThe Ford Family FoundationGerald M. Freedman & Kristin King

Gager, Emerson, Rickart, Bower & Scalzo, LLP

The Garrett and Mary MoranFamily Foundation

GE Volunteers FoundationJeanine & Robert GetzGiuliano & Richardson, LLCGloria M. & BenjaminOlewine, III, Charitable Lead Annuity Trust

David B. Gropper M.D.Anne E. Habberton & Jonathan Shaw

Anne & Bill Harrison

Eastern Kingbird & chick

Marian S. HeiskellWendy & Edward HendersonSabrina ForsytheL. Scott & Icy FrantzThe Greenwich Riding andTrails Association, Inc.

The Hallingby Family Foundation

Scott E. Heth & Laurie M. Fortin

Diana & James HigginsAlex & Grace HillmanHobbs, Inc.IBM Matching Grants ProgramSarah JeffordsJim Vaughan ArchitecturalDrafting and Design, LLC

Laura E. Kaehler & John Motay

Robert & Jane KeiterMeg KilgoreJames & Amy KingRobert B. KirkpatrickMaureen Sherry KlinskyMichael A. Kovner & JeanDoyen de Montaillou

Steven W. Lefkowitz & Jacqueline F. Bausch

D. Roger & Florence LiddellAudrey & Henry LevinCynthia & Dan W. LufkinAnnesley & David MacFarlaneRichard & Linda MackoolJoseph & Gail MahoneyMalcolm Hewitt Wiener Foundation

Marine Study ProgramSamuel & Anita MediciMerrill Lynch

Microsoft Employee GivingCampaign

Laura & Kyle MillerJane-Kerin MoffatWilliam & Mary Sue MorrillKeith MuellerThomas S. Murphy, Jr.Nautilus Foundation, Inc.Walter & Monica NoelNorthern Catskills AudubonSociety

H. Gilman & Ellen NicholsLaura & Kevin O’DonohueMairead E. O’Sullivan &Arthur E. Landi

Gary & Jane PalmerThomas PeterffyLydia B. PettyCarol & Chris Piccaro, DDSKirsten & Andrew PittsMatthew & Maria PoppJustina PrayLolly H. PrinceEllen & John ReidThe Rita and Alex HillmanFoundation

Rockefeller & Co., Inc.David & Susan RockefellerLarry & Wendy RockefellerPeter & Allison RockefellerDeborah & Charles RoyceRichard S. ScaloJan Schaefer & Roy AbramowitzScience Education CenterDiana G. SerrellSusan & Eugene ShanksRhonda & David SherwoodSandy Elson Slemmer & Dave Slemmer

George & Keiko SorensonSouthbury Printing Centre, Inc.Deborah & Jeffrey StevensonThe Stewart & ConstanceGreenfield Foundation

John & Eleanor SullivanSwordspoint FoundationJere & Anne ThomsonTimex Group USA Inc.Tools for Life, Inc.Marion & Jay TwymanUnilever United States Foundation, Inc.

Union Savings BankRoxanne & Hugh B. Vanderbilt, Jr.

Jackie & Ken WalshJoan M. WarburgWebster Bank, N.A.Claire Werner & Justus O’BrienClaire & Thomas WhelanCynthia & Christopher WillisCatherine & Tracy WolstencroftMerle & Nina YoderKathy Younkins & Robert Weiner

Your Gardening Angel, LLCJoyce M. Zee

$500-$999Hermine F. AbornBenedict AitkenheadAlexander Host Foundation, Inc.AnonymousLarry Appel & Ellen DunnNorma M. BartolBecton Dickinson and Company

Bennett Sullivan Associates, Inc.

Elizabeth S. BoylanElizabeth Champlin GeskeChurchill Brothers, LLCHoward L. Clark, Jr.Robert N. EcsedyJoel & Arline EpsteinMargot Paul ErnstEstate Care Landscaping Services

Elizabeth H. EstyFirst Light Power ResourcesBrian & Helen FitzgeraldSheila FrantzBruce P. Fogwell , Jr.Amy & Sidney GoodfriendGranata Sign Co., LLCGrand Entrance Gates, Ltd.Stuart GrantGreenwich Woman’s Club Gardeners

Christopher & Olga HartwellThe Helen & Sidney Witty Foundation Inc.

Don & Diane HewatMartha F. HoarInterlaken Inn Associates, Ltd.Laurie JeffreyThe John L. and Sue Ann Weinberg Foundation

Sharon KinneyKurt F. LeopoldLitchfield BancorpLitchfield Hills Audubon Society

Susan LockwoodNeil Lubarsky & Stephanie Ohl Lubarsky

John D. LynchRani Newman Mathura

McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center

Millbrook Garden Club Inc.Susan S. MirzaMurphy Brothers Contracting,Inc.

Dorothy ObreBenjamin Olewine, IVChristy PennoyerTracy PennoyerEda & Jeffrey PetersonClare M. Pierson & Peter J.Humphrey

Wes & Lexie PooleR.S. Granoff Architects, P.C.Christopher RobertsRobinson Leech Real EstateAmy & Matthew RogellJohn RussoWilliam SawchScenic Hudson, Inc.

Georgene M. SchmidtSharon HospitalJeffrey & Cathy SiegalAlexander SpyrouMaria & Bryan StepanianSusan & Warren SternVirginia K. StoweLuke TillerGloria B. Van NordenWilliam N. VaughanVenture GreenwichTaylor B. WagenseilDoris & Jeffrey WalkerMatthew & Melissa WatsonJohn WinthropTiffany WitmerRay & Diane Zelazny

Audubon Connecticut alsothanks the 1,479 other generousdonors who gave up to $500.

Engaging and mobilizing our network of partners andvolunteers, the Audubon Connecticut team is achievingconservation victory at a broad scale, spearheading efforts that encompass our New England forests and keyportions of the Atlantic Flyway. We are successfullyidentifying and protecting critical coastal habitats andspecies, improving our understanding and stewardshipof large forest blocks and enhancing foraging and migratory stopover habitat for bird species across the state. Working from backyards to the halls of Capitol Hill, we are effectively delivering the message that when birds thrive, people prosper.

Audubon Connecticut Board of Directors

Robert Askins, Ledyard

John T. Avellino, Greenwich

David Bingham, Salem

Russell L. Brenneman, Westport

Eunice Burnett, Greenwich

Marty Cannon, Greenwich, Vice Chair

Michael Chambers, Stamford, Treasurer

Carole Clarkson, New Canaan

Kathy Edwards, New Canaan

Gerald Freedman, Sharon

David Gropper, Danbury

Matthew Kolk, Fairfield

David K. Leff, Collinsville

Frank Loverro, Greenwich

Jane-Kerin Moffat, Greenwich

Emily A. B. Nissley, New Canaan

Katie O’Brien, New Canaan, Chair

Ben Olewine, Redding

Dennis Riordan, New Haven

Richard Scalo, Easton, Vice Chair

Martha Sud, Greenwich

Amber Turner, Greenwich

Milford Point/Wheeler Marsh WMA/Mouth of the Housatonic River

Audubon Center Board of Directors

Greenwich

Steve Beal, Rye Brook, NY

Allison Bourke, Greenwich

Nanny Cannon, Greenwich

John Conte, Greenwich

Denice Crettol, Greenwich

Debby Ethridge, Old Greenwich

Ann Flinn, Greenwich

Lauren Hampton, Greenwich

Carl Hewitt, Greenwich, Chair

Suzanne Hogan, Greenwich

Jane-Kerin Moffat, Greenwich*

Kristen Oddi, Greenwich

Gary Palmer, Cos Cob*

Eda Peterson, Greenwich

Lolly Prince, Greenwich, Vice Chair

Jill Raker, Greenwich, Vice Chair

William Ross, Shelburne, VT*

Jeff Siegal, Riverside

George Sorenson, Old Greenwich

Maria Stepanian, Greenwich

Bent of the River

Alicia Bennett, Southbury

Jerry Bonvisuto, Oxford

Kathy S. Bower, Southbury

Bert Boyson, Southbury

David Gropper, Danbury, Chair

Hilda Henriques, Southbury

James J. King, Southbury

John J. Pittari, Jr., Bethlehem

Fred Plescia, Southbury

Jeff Shamas, Monroe

Sharon

Gerald Freedman, Sharon, Chair

Margaret DeMarrais, Sharon, Treasurer

James Levy, West Cornwall

Donald Mayland, Lakeville, Vice Chair

William McKelvy, Lakeville

Lynn Meehan, Salisbury

Sandy Slemmer, Winsted, Secretary

* Honorary Board Members

Audubon Sharon’s rehabilitation center cared for and released this immature golden eagle and young bobcat. Satellite tracking of the eagle indicates it flew north to central Canada.

Audubon Connecticut Staff Members

State OfficeThomas R. Baptist, Executive Director

Alexandra Breslin, Director of Governmental Affairs

Patrick Comins, Director of Bird Conservation

Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe, IBA Program Coordinator

Michelle Frankel, Deputy Director of Development

John Hannan, Director of Development

Liz Newman, Finance Manager

Taralynn Reynolds, Audubon At Home Coordinator

Tiffany Witmer, Development Officer

Audubon GreenwichKaren Dixon, Center Director

Andy Chapin, Land Steward

Jeff Cordulack, Events & Communications Manager

Lindsey DeVito, Education Specialist

John Fairty, Facilities Manager

James Flynn, Education Specialist

Edward (Ted) Gilman, Education Specialist

Gigi Lombardi, Office Manager

Marcario Nicholas, Assistant Caretaker

Brian O’Toole, Nature Store Manager & Naturalist

Audubon SharonScott Heth, Center Director

Mike Dudek, Land Manager

Wendy Miller, Education Program Manager

Erin O’Connell, Wildlife Rehabilitation & Outreach Coordinator

Dawn Osborne, Nature Store & Office Manager

Mel Paskell, Building Manager

David Paton, Caretaker

Audubon at the Bent of the RiverLeslie Kane, Center Director

Jim Drennan, Land Manager

Ken Elkins, Education Program Manager

Jennifer Norden, Office Manager

Phillip Robbins, Part Time Educator

Guilford Salt Meadows SanctuaryFrederick Hill III, Sanctuary Manager

This Annual Report is proudly printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

Audubon Connecticut is grateful to these photographers for donating their beautiful images for the report:

Front Cover: Melissa Groo (AMOY)Page 2: A. J. Hand (ROST)Page 3: Patrick Comins Page 4: Patrick CominsPage 5: Mark S. Szantyr (SALS)Page 6: Corrie Folsom-O'Keefe Page 7: Paul Fusco (PIPL)Page 8: Patrick CominsPage 9: Patrick CominsPage 10: Patrick CominsPage 11: Alan Wells (LOWA)Page 12: Patrick CominsPage 14: Elaine UbiñaPage 15: Taralynn ReynoldsPage 16: Alan Well (EAME)Page 17: Ted Gilman; Erin O’Connell; Patrick CominsPage 18: A. J. Hand (EAKI) Page 20: Corrie Folsom-O'Keefe Page 21: Paul Fusco; Erin O’ConnellPage 22: Patrick CominsPage 23: Al Erickson (EATO)Back Cover: Mark S. Szantyr (GLIB)

Editor: Jeff CordulackDesign: Seaside Design LLC

Eastern Towhees have declined by 6% annually inConnecticut, among the fastest rates of any bird,according to the Breeding Bird Survey

AUDUBONCT.ORG | 203-869-5272

Audubon Center at Bent of the River185 East Flat Hill RoadSouthbury, CT 06488bentoftheriver.audubon.org203-264-5098

Audubon Greenwich613 Riversville RoadGreenwich, CT 06831greenwich.audubon.org203-869-5272

Audubon Sharon325 Cornwall Bridge RoadSharon, CT 06069 sharon.audubon.org860-364-0520

Glossy Ibis