Flamingo Magazine is known for its quirky covers and meaty stories that cover all things Florida, from the Keys to the Panhandle. Published on March 9, the article entitled Florida’s Culture Keepers profiled a broad selection of Florida’s past and present-day icons, including Julie Wraithmell, Audubon Florida’s executive director.
The piece by Helen Bradshaw covers Wraithmell’s dedication to protecting birds and the places they need, recounting one of her first observations of birds: spotting American Tree Swallows from the Little League outfield.
“But it’s the everyday work to connect the government, scientists, and passionate citizens that most defines her legacy,” says Bradshaw in her article, after detailing Wraithmell’s experiences with oil spill impacts, the joy of seeing a Mississippi Kite, and, of course, the triumphant return of American Flamingos to the Sunshine State.
Since joining the National Audubon Society staff in 2015, Wraithmell has grown Audubon’s coastal conservation and policy programs in Florida, was recognized with the Charles H. Callison Award (National Audubon Society’s highest staff honor), and has led the charge as Florida’s executive director since 2018.
While Wraithmell’s career entails speaking for the birds, we found out in this article that everyone has a role to play in the conservation of Florida’s natural resources and cultural identity. Even if they are a fishing guide, an author, an artist, a musician, a chef, an activist/daughter of an NFL hall of famer, a dancer, or an astronaut—the labels applied to the other icons recognized by Flamingo’s editors in this article.
Audubon Florida works across the Sunshine State to protect and advocate for birds, special places, water quality, and more. We have successfully united the sanctuary management, ecosystem science, and environmental education programs of the National Audubon Society with Audubon Florida’s role as the state’s leading voice for conservation. Together with a statewide network of grassroots chapters, Audubon Florida offers a compelling record of accomplishments and an even brighter promise for the protection of our state’s great natural resources.
