Audubon Western Everglades

AWE’s core beliefs drive our strategic focus and actions:We believe that protection of shallow, seasonal wetlands is imperative for recovering wading birds that used to darken the skies with their numbers and to clean fresh water supplies for human use. The return of other wildlife dependent on these ecosystems are irrefutable indicators of successful restoration of the Western Everglades habitat.

We believe that focusing on coastal habitat protection and restoration, including estuaries, beaches, mangrove and barrier islands, rising sea levels, climate warming and the consequences of unwise development are mandates that will have immediate impact.

We believe that sustainable land use planning requires smart growth principles and collaboration between stakeholders that will incentivize large rural landowners to protect and restore broad expanses of wildlife habitat and actively support stewardship programs modeled after our burrowing owl program on Marco Island and surrounding areas in Collier County.