HALIFAX RIVER AUDUBON
A Florida Chapter of the National Audubon Society
Serving greater Daytona Beach area
Founded 1923

revised 8/18/08
 

Halifax River Audubon (HRA) is actively involved in our community in many different ways.  We encourage you to join us for all (or just a few) of our activities.  We have something to interest almost everyone.  Read a brief history of the chapter.

Louise Chapman, Volusia County Teacher on Assignment commended three HRA members, David Hartgrove, Ray Scory and Peggy Yokobonus, for volunteering four days a week with the Volusia County Schools Environmental Service Learning Legacy Project at Rose Bay, Bicentennial Youth Park and Lyonia Preserve.  They teach bird identification and educate students in all aspects of environmental conservation.  Louise thanks them "...for they are responsible for thousands of kids who think 'birding is cool' and that birds and preserving habitat for birds are important things for everyone to do."

Willie Burns, HRA Chapter member and operator of Golden Dog Sales hosts an Audubon booth at local environmental festivals.  All items can be ordered through this website. 

Halifax River Audubon partners with environmental, historical and civic organizations to preserve, protect and enhance our local area.  Our President and Conservation Chair, David Hartgrove, and Conservation member, Holly Zwart-Duryea, attend meetings with city commissioners and county council members.

Chapter volunteers blazed a walking & bird watching trail at Dunlawton Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens in Port Orange, maintain a bird feeder and water feature and tend to the gardens.  Other volunteers lead bird walks at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park just south of Marineland or help out at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet and the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach.

HRA recently discovered that we are stewards of the Port Orange Sanctuary.  Work continues on educational signage and maintenance of the islands.  In concert with West Volusia and Southeast Volusia Audubon Chapters, we sponsor awards for the Volusia County Science Fair.  Our members have been working with high school students from Spruce Creek in various projects. 

HRA is a partner with Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail CME, Inc. to preserve and protect the habitat along The Loop roads and A1A between the Flagler border and Granada Blvd.  In April 2007, the Board approved a grant to OSLT to create and install interpretive signs at two different trailheads in Tomoka State Park and to defray the cost of constructing an observation platform at Summer Pond which can be accessed by a new trail off Pine Tree Drive.

If birds are more to your liking, join us for the fall Beginner Bird Class.   Local wildlife refuges such as Merritt Island or Canaveral National Seashore welcome experienced birders who can donate their time and expertise for bird counts.  For the most fun of all, join our field trips to discover the best birding areas, hone your ID skills and provide that extra pair or eyes (and ears) to ensure our group spots every species in the area.