Audubon CT hosted its annual fundraiser at the The Belle Haven Club in Greenwich, CT. Proceeds benefit Audubon Connecticut’s conservation and environmental work across all communities in Connecticut—inner city to suburban to rural. At Audubon, supporters believe people and nature can co-exist, and while it begins with birds, their mission connects people to a much wider range of environmental and human health concerns.
This year, Audubon Connecticut honored B. Holt Thrasher, the recipient of the Audubon Connecticut Environmental Leadership Award. Holt has been an active conservationist and nature enthusiast for more than 25 years. He is Chairman Emeritus of the National Audubon Society. In 2001, he was a founding member and Chair of the Board of Audubon Connecticut. He joined Audubon’s National Board five years later and was named Chair in 2008. His leadership played a critical role in advancing Audubon’s legislative, educational, and conservation operations; guiding it to re-establish its science-based mission to conserve birds and their habitats; and strengthening Audubon’s place as one of the nation’s foremost environmental organizations. He currently serves as Trustee and Treasurer of the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation and is a Director of Mongabay, an environmental media organization.
Ted Gilman was the recipient of the Katie O’Brien Lifetime Achievement Award. Ted is Senior Naturalist and Education Specialist at the Audubon Center in Greenwich, where he has inspired, educated, and mentored thousands of people over four decades. He first worked for Audubon at the Audubon Camp in Maine in 1974 and has returned nearly every summer since to share his expertise with teachers from across the country. Ted’s work at Audubon Greenwich has enabled him to share his vast knowledge of the natural world with people of all ages. He has received numerous awards for his outstanding work in the field of Environmental Education, including the 2014 Tamar Chotzen Educator of the Year Award from National Audubon Society.
This year’s décor focus was the American Oystercatcher. Decoys were donated to Audubon CT, then hand painted by volunteers, and placed in a bed of gorgeous greens and florals donated by McArdles Florist and Garden Center of Greenwich. Guests were treated to a comedic performance by special guest producer, director, and writer Rob Burnett, and bid on one-of-a-kind experiences, auctioned off by auctioneer extraordinaire, Lydia Fenet of Christie’s Auction House.
Photographs by Cheryl Moss
