ĢAv Florida recently honored chapter leaders during our annual Assembly, held October 15–17, 2026. For decades, ĢAv Florida has brought together staff, members, partners, and other stakeholders to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and look ahead to upcoming priorities. The three-day event was hosted at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach and focused on a theme of Protecting What Connects Us —Water, Wildlife, and Community.
Assembly is our chance to shine a light on standout projects, recognize remarkable leadership, and celebrate what’s possible when chapters put their passion for birds and natural spaces into action.
Each year, chapter leaders are invited to nominate their own chapters, or others, for awards recognizing excellence in education programs, conservation projects, and overall chapter achievement through the Chapter of the Year award. Awards are presented in two categories: one for smaller chapters (under 500 members) and one for larger chapters (over 500 members).
Our awards recognize outstanding work in education, conservation, advocacy, and overall chapter achievement. We also recognize chapters of different sizes, because we know that membership, funding, and volunteer capacity can shape what a chapter is able to accomplish.
Southeast Volusia ĢAv Society: Outstanding Education Program, Small Chapter
Building on their Plants for Birds education success and seeking to engage the community with their new Motus tower, Southeast Volusia ĢAv created a Bird Migration program to teach children about birds and the challenges they face.
A four-person team developed hands-on activities combining birding, science, technology, games, and outdoor exploration.
Through programming at a local elementary school, the Marine Discovery Center, and in the community, they reached nearly 180 children through this new program alone.
St. Pete ĢAv Society – Outstanding Education Program, Large Chapter
For 18 years, St. Pete ĢAv’s Dr. Harold Albers Teacher Ecology Camp has brought educators together with local scientists and environmental experts to deepen their understanding of Florida’s ecology and equip them to bring conservation into their classrooms and communities. This year’s theme, “Nature’s Secrets in Your Yard, at School, and at Home,” engaged 39 educators in hands-on learning about native plants, wildlife, and habitat conservation, with the potential to reach more than 1,500 students.
Hernando ĢAv Society – Small Chapter Outstanding Conservation Project
The Weeki Wachee River has faced increasing challenges from nutrient pollution, shoreline erosion, and growing recreational use. Hernando ĢAv took the lead in bringing together county and state agencies, environmental organizations, businesses, landowners, recreational users, and other stakeholders for their 2nd Weeki Wachee River Summit.
The event provided an opportunity to share updates on restoration efforts, hear directly from stakeholders, and discuss what is needed to improve compliance with the river’s Springs Protection Zone and fertilizer restrictions.
Orange ĢAv Society – Outstanding Conservation Project, Large Chapter
Located next to Lake Apopka North Shore and the entrance to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Orange ĢAv’s new 70-acre property adds an important piece to a landscape shaped by one of Florida’s most renowned restoration efforts. The chapter has long connected visitors with the area’s remarkable birdlife and conservation story through its work on the Wildlife Drive.
Now, through its new birding park, Orange ĢAv is expanding that work beyond the Wildlife Drive, partnering with volunteers and community members to restore upland habitat and create another place for people to experience the Lake Apopka landscape.
Highlands County ĢAv – Outstanding Advocacy, Small Chapter
As Highlands County Commission explored whether to create a new local land conservation program, Highlands County ĢAv stepped up as a visible and consistent voice for conservation. Through community events, public outreach, meetings with elected officials, and partnerships with other local conservation organizations, the chapter helped bring residents into the conversation about what lands and natural resources they value protecting. More than 400 county residents ultimately shared their conservation priorities with county leaders, with protecting threatened and endangered species and wildlife corridors emerging among the top priorities.
St. Pete ĢAv Society – Outstanding Advocacy, Large Chapt
Over the past year, St. Pete ĢAv mobilized community support to protect coastal habitats, helping move a music festival away from St. Pete Beach during Black Skimmer nesting season, relocate a major film production away from Fort De Soto, and restore county funding for Shell Key and Weedon Island.
Through public outreach, coalition building, letter-writing, media engagement, and direct advocacy, the chapter demonstrated the power of community action to protect critical natural spaces.
Citrus County ĢAv Society – Small Chapter of the Year Award
Citrus County ĢAv shows how a strong, collaborative leadership team can make a chapter more effective and ambitious. With a more strategic approach, the chapter significantly increased its membership, expanded outreach, and launched conservation and advocacy efforts close to home.
From engaging thousands at community events to creating a native plant landscape at a county park and helping launch the Welcome Back Songbirds Festival, the chapter is turning a stronger foundation into meaningful action.
West Volusia ĢAv Society – Large Chapter of the Year Award
Much of West Volusia ĢAv’s work is rooted in its longstanding partnership with Volusia County’s Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC). By combining the chapter’s conservation expertise and volunteer support with the county’s educational resources and community connections, the partnership advances shared goals while helping West Volusia ĢAv extend its reach throughout the region. From supporting scrub-jay research at Lyonia Preserve to engaging residents in native plant gardening, environmental education, and local conservation, West Volusia ĢAv demonstrates how strong partnerships can turn shared priorities into action both at LEC and across the wider community.
With a theme of Protecting What Connects Us —Water, Wildlife, and Community, ĢAv Florida’s 2026 Assembly demonstrated innovative ways to protect birds and the places they need, today and in the future, through learning sessions, field trips, and presentations. The 2026 event was generously sponsored by Florida Power & Light Company, Ferber Company, Live Wildly Foundation, Lykes Brothers, Inc., RiverGlades Family Offices, Kitson & Partners, and Vortex Optics.
