From Audubon Florida
In Summary:
Audubon Florida and the Orange County Regional History Center have teamed up to present a new exhibit celebrating 125 years of bird conservation in Florida, now open in the History Center’s newest pocket gallery space through February 2026. The exhibit tells the story of Audubon’s work since 1900, when the Florida Audubon Society first formed to bring wading birds back from the brink of extinction, using vivid bird imagery, historic photographs, contemporary photography, and rare artifacts. An opening program this Saturday, November 8, will feature Audubon Center for Birds of Prey director Katie Warner and ambassador Barred Owl Maple, who will guide visitors through milestones such as the first Florida Audubon meeting at the Dommerich estate in Maitland, Everglades restoration, Bald Eagle recovery, and the expansion of public lands. The exhibit underscores Audubon’s core belief that what’s good for birds—healthy habitats, clean air, fresh water, and resilient coastlines—is also essential for people and the planet.
Audubon Florida and the Orange County Regional History Center have partnered on a new exhibit to celebrate 125 years of Audubon in Florida. Formed in 1900 to bring wading birds back from the brink of extinction, Audubon has been working for more than a century to protect birds because the things birds rely on—healthy habitats, clean air, abundant fresh water, resilient coastlines—are the same things that people and other wildlife need to thrive.
Related: Flamingos are making a home in Florida again after 100 years – an ecologist explains why they may be returning for good.
Photo from Audubon Florida
The exhibit includes colorful birds, historic imagery, contemporary photography, and unique artifacts. An exhibition opening is scheduled for this Saturday, November 8, with Audubon Center for Birds of Prey director Katie Warner giving a presentation focused on the organization’s local history in the Orange County region: The very first Florida Audubon Society meeting took place at the Dommerich estate in Maitland in March 1900. Warner and Ambassador Barred Owl Maple will invite visitors to explore 125 years of conservation history, highlighting efforts such as Everglades restoration, Bald Eagle recovery, and the expansion of public lands.
“Birds are symbols and sentinels to measure a healthy landscape, and they inspire us to work collaboratively and expansively throughout the hemisphere,” says Audubon Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell. “In simplest terms, ‘what’s good for birds is good for the Earth.'"
Audubon Florida protects birds and the places they need, today and in the future. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled reach that spans millions of people each year, informing, inspiring, and uniting diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1900, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. For more information, visit audubon.org/florida
Key points
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Exhibit celebrates 125 years of Audubon’s work in Florida, from rescuing wading birds to leading efforts in Everglades restoration, Bald Eagle recovery, and public lands protection.
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Hosted in the Orange County Regional History Center’s newest pocket gallery, the exhibit features colorful bird displays, historic imagery, modern photography, and unique conservation artifacts, and runs through February 2026.
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The opening program on Saturday, November 8, featured a presentation by Audubon Center for Birds of Prey Director Katie Warner and Ambassador Barred Owl Maple, highlighting the region’s deep Audubon roots, which date back to the first Florida Audubon meeting in Maitland in 1900.
