‍Thank you for supporting our chapter. Please enjoy the latest news and updates from Duval Audubon Society.

‍Bringing Bird Conservation to the Global Cruise Industry

by Elizabeth Filippelli, VP/Conservation Director & LONF Co-Lead

‍In early April I had the amazing opportunity to speak at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 in Miami.As Co-Lead of our Lights Out Northeast Florida partnership initiative, I was honored to represent the Bird Collision Prevention Alliance, a coalition of conservation partners, federal departments, vendors, nonprofits, and lighting and glass experts all focused on helping birds thrive in the built environment. I want to first start out by thanking the SeaTrade Cruise leadership for their sponsorship. This event is one of the largest gatherings of cruise industry professionals in the world. With more than 13,000 attendees focused on creating seamless, “frictionless” guest experiences, it was inspiring to introduce myself as a “Bird Conservation Advocate,” here to build a relationship of trust and to share alternative lighting strategies to benefit humans and wildlife.

‍Migratory songbirds and seabirds travel thousands of miles each year, often navigating at night using natural light cues. Artificial lighting, especially on large vessels like cruise ships, can disrupt these patterns, leading to disorientation, exhaustion, and fatal collisions. As the cruise industry continues to innovate, we have a powerful opportunity to partner with them and integrate additional wildlife-friendly solutions.

Our presentation focused on practical, alternative lighting strategies that can reduce harm to birds and that are kind to humans while maintaining safety for everyone. I arrived three days before the presentation slot and dedicated that time to meeting as many cruise professionals as possible, attending HR sessions, learning about their culture and speaking to people one on one, from executives to engineers and ship designers. I shared our purpose and mission, and the response was overwhelmingly positive! Stakeholders were open to exploring how thoughtful lighting design can support both people and wildlife.

‍One of the most productive aspects of the conference was meeting Steve Jones, the Executive Director of ORCA (Ocean Research and Conservation Organization). ORCA focuses on protecting whales and dolphins and is very successful at partnering with the cruise industry. I am so grateful that Steve shared freely his approach, what works, and lessons learned with me. What a spirit of collaboration. We will be following up with Steve on our Cruise Bird Friendly journey. Connecting with partners who are advancing conservation in complementary ways across the world was both humbling and inspiring.

A highlight of the week was our first relationship building meeting with Disney Cruise Line leadership! USFWS Wildlife Biologist Jo Anna Lutmerding and I are excited to begin next steps with DCL.

What became clear to me in Miami is that conservation advocates can share their voice with all types of industries. I learned they are hardworking and kind people, just like us.  What I heard and learned this week: a “Frictionless Guest Experience” is the goal, to grow their passenger list from 38M to 40M, and that a “Cruise Vacation is an excellent value for the money.”  We believe we have pathways to help; it will be collaborative and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to share more results of this new connection!

Downtown Ambassadors Step Up to Save Birds

by Carol Bailey-White, Editor

‍Our dedicated Lights Out Northeast Florida volunteers have been surveying the downtown Jacksonville area since March 15th to find birds that have been injured or killed by building/window collisions, but it isn't possible for them to monitor the entire area every single day.

We're thrilled to share that Jacksonville's wonderful Downtown Ambassadors from Downtown Vision, Inc. have stepped in to help with the effort!

‍One recent early morning (6:45 am!) two of our longtime LONF volunteers, Emily Bridges and Danielle Buck, conducted a "train the trainer" session for lead Downtown Ambassador Michael Ryan as well as Eduardo Santos, Director of Stakeholder Support at Downtown Vision. Our VP/Conservation Director (and LONF Co-Lead) Elizabeth Filippelli and COJ Sustainability Manager Ashantae Green (whose office suggested the partnership - thank you!) also joined in the early morning fun.

We're so grateful that Downtown Vision and Jacksonville's Downtown Ambassadors will be joining our efforts to create a Bird Safe Jax!

Birds and Nature through a Poetic Lens

a book review by Nora Bertacchi, Secretary

‍I know, poetry isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. I believe this is largely due to a misunderstanding of the genre. Although poems today are written down, poetry has its deepest roots in ancient oral tradition when poems were recited and transmitted aloud. And that’s the key even today: poetry needs to be heard and not just seen. Robert Frost famously coined the phrase “the sound of sense,” referring to the idea that there are language sounds that carry meaning illuminating or even surpassing the actual meaning of words. So when I read poems, I make it a point to read them slowly aloud. It makes all the difference.

‍That being said, Sepala Wiliwitigoda’s book of nature-themed poetry, Listen to the Songbirds: Meditation on Beauty and Survival does not disappoint.

Peppered with epigraphs from prominent naturalists, its poems are charmingly illustrated and accompanied by informative descriptions of the birds that form the backbone of this anthology. But what makes the collection quite distinct is the inclusion of author commentary for many of the poems, allowing the reader to glimpse how and why the author came to write a particular poem.

‍As I read/heard each poem, I had the distinct sense of participating in what we call today “mindful birding.” Wiliwitigoda states in his preface, “While these pages are grounded in observation, they are also shaped by reflection. Birds have always been teachers in our lives. They mark the seasons. They measure the health of the land. They appear at the edges of our daily routines to remind us that life continues in ways we rarely pause to notice.” Thus, the observing and meditating poet is able to draw precious life lessons from the birds he so cherishes.

In “The Cardinal’s Call,” for example, the poet describes a call-and-answer exchange between northern cardinals, concluding:

I could not name the meaning, yet felt its weight— / the song now changed / because it had been heard. 

And I understood: / speech is born / only in the ear that listens…

In “A Blue Heron” the poet marvels at the heron’s stillness and patience, which encourages him as he receives news that makes life feel more fragile and uncertain. “Reaching for the City” cultivates admiration for the humble house sparrow’s resilience in living closely among humans in urban areas. My personal favorite, “House of Cactus,” delights in the cactus wren’s unique bond to its desert home:

He could have joined his kin / in the prairie grasslands, / where life is easier. 

But he stays where he was born— / true to the place, / to the lineage, / of the desert itself.

He belongs to the House of Cactus. 

For his endurance and loyalty, / the desert itself crowned him— / its chosen bird, / keeper of its silence.

Ultimately, this anthology participates in what the poem “To Keep Them Alive in Words” celebrates through the saga of the brown pelican:

Bless the poets and photojournalists / who take these records / and shape them into story— / so the brown pelican / diving, resting, enduring / will not be forgotten / as it rises over the water.

If you love birds and their habitats, by all means read this book slowly and mindfully. It will give you a newfound appreciation for the beauty and wonder that birds continue to embody in our world.

‍Birding Backpacks at Nassau County Libraries

by Johnna Bellen, President

‍We have made an exciting step forward in connecting our communities with nature. Andrew Schumann, DAS Conservation Director for Nassau County, delivered five brand-new birding backpacks to Sherri Sapp, Branch Librarian with the Nassau County Library System. Each branch in the system will now have one backpack available for checkout, making bird watching more accessible to families, students, and nature enthusiasts throughout Nassau county.

Each birding backpack is thoughtfully equipped to support both beginners and experienced birders. Inside, patrons will find an adult and children’s set of binoculars, a field guide to help identify local species, a list of potential birds that can be found in the area, and a curated guide to local birding hotspots. These resources make it easy for community members to step outside, explore nearby green spaces, and discover the joy of birdwatching together.

‍This initiative helps remove barriers to outdoor exploration and encourages residents of all ages to engage with wildlife right in their own neighborhoods. We are grateful to the Nassau County Library System for partnering with us to inspire curiosity, learning, and conservation—one backpack at a time.

‍Spiffy New Benches at Crosby Sanctuary

by Pete Johnson, Crosby Sanctuary Director

‍Eagle Scout candidate Ty Froehlich, along with his crew from Scout Troop 277, did an excellent job installing some beautiful new benches at Crosby Sanctuary last month. Below are some photos from the installation for your enjoyment!

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