The Connecticut Audubon Society works actively to protect at-risk bird species and their habitats, and the countless plants, insects and other animals that share those habitats. We believe that by conserving the State's birds and their habitats, we will be protecting human health and building a more sustainable world. Our goal is to use the beauty, diversity, and visibility of birds to connect more people to the natural world, creating a lifelong bond of stewardship. Our core value is to leave future generations a State that is in better shape than the one we inherited. We envision a State in which there are ample, diverse habitats to support a full complement of birds and wildlife, as well as numerous, high-quality opportunities for birding and other nature-related outdoor activities. We envision a State in which the residents recognize and appreciate the beauty and importance of nature, and have an understanding of its basic functions and of how their actions affect the natural world for better or worse.

CAS staff, educators and hundreds of volunteers around the state of Connecticut, work together to protect and conserve birds and their habitats in order to make these strategies happen. Our work includes science and environmental education, sanctuary management, advocacy, activities at our centers, scientific studies, collaboration with other state groups, and our citizen science Osprey Nation program. These successful strategies are supported by fundraising, funding through grant awards, and foundation funding in the three following areas: • CAS's award-winning Science in Nature Education Program, a field-based program aimed at improving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) achievements and critical thinking skills for over 40,000 students by exposing students, particularly those at-risk, to science and conservation concepts not easily taught in the classroom. • Once of CAS's largest undertakings is our land conservation initiative throughout Connecticut. CAS owns 19 wildlife sanctuaries covering 2,600 acres of protected land, including significant upland forest habitat, wetlands, and some of the state's largest tracts of managed grassland habitats. We work tirelessly and cooperatively with our local land trusts, elected officials, and regional communities to preserve more open space for future generations, and we actively engage with our members to advocate for political action to protect our open spaces. • Citizen Science/Osprey Nation uses a statewide network of concerned citizens to gather the immense amount of data needed to observe, study, protect, and advocate for dozens of wildlife species. Needs include computers, printing, software and coordinators.

Leveraging the captivating appeal of birds, we use our nature centers, education programs, weekend walks and workshops, and advocacy campaigns to connect and engage the state's children, families, and residents with the natural world around them. Our goal is to serve as a portal to nature and the outdoors for every child in the state through experiential learning, helping to build in this generation and the next an appreciation for the environment and awareness of the importance of conservation and sustainability. We operate five nature centers around the state of Connecticut, manage 19 sanctuaries throughout CT, preserve over 2,600 acres of open space and educate over 100,000 children and adults annually. And, we advocate for public policies and actions so that Connecticut will be a recognized leader in conservation and sustainability in the nation.

Connecticut Audubon Society's award-winning Science in Nature program success is monitored by teachers and school administrators to capture progress. An average of 12%-16% increase in knowledge for grade 5 students as measured on pre- and post-tests and improvements on science journals has been noted in the last three years. Land conservation success is monitored by our Conservation Officer, individual center directors and sanctuary managers, and is widely reported in the news, social media, our annual report to our members, our board of directors, and to our concerned citizen circles. Benchmarks of success are typically measured in terms of numbers of acres saved, specific bill passages, and sightings of returning wildlife within a year or two of mass planting events. Our network of citizen science Osprey Nation stewards collects and sends us data on the birds' arrival dates each spring, the location of nests, nesting success throughout the season, and Osprey departure dates. CAS staff enters the data on a map for everyone to view. The ultimate success of this program continues to be the rebounding numbers of Osprey nesting in Connecticut, owed in large part to conservation action through a concerned citizenry and advocacy.

A few of Connecticut Audubon Society's accomplishments are: • The launching of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme: Our newest center, RTPEC provides award-winning Science in Nature environmental educational programs for K-12 students, and adult educational programs. In its third year, the highly regarded fall and spring lecture series delivers informative environmental talks by renown scientists, artists and conservationists. • The habitat restoration project at H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve: On-going habitat restoration work has encouraged many bird species and wildlife to return to nest and live. In a 6 acre parcel, we have cleared invasive vines and weeds, and planted native shrubs and small trees. Our conservation staff and "Friends of Smith Richardson" will continue to monitor the site over several years. We are encouraged by the success of our restoration work there. • Grant approval for the restoration of the historic Edwin Way Teale property and Visitor's Center in Pomfret: Our Trail Wood Sanctuary, the former home of the Pulitzer Prize winning naturalist writer and photographer, Edwin Way Teale, was recently approved for designation on the Connecticut Historic Register. Thanks to a bequest and a technical assistance planning grant from the CT Trust for Historic Preservation, a strategic plan for the property was developed and conceptual designs for a modest visitor's center have been finalized. Connecticut Audubon Society's short-term goals are: • Increase our brand awareness in the NW and SE regions of Connecticut. • Complete the renovation project of the historic Birdcraft Museum in Fairfield • Become actively involved in researching how to adapt to sea level changes and rising tides along our shoreline.