By Brian Dusseault
Bay County Audubon Society was honored at the December 13 regular meeting of the Bay County School Board for its contribution of $10,000 to the Bay Education Foundation, Inc. The funds reflect donations from supporters and participants in its “Nature Connection 2022” Program which featured Noah Strycker, author, eminent birding expert and Polar scientist. The Bay Education Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit corporation of Bay District Schools whose mission is to support the educational development of students by providing enhanced opportunities for a quality education and promoting greater community involvement therein.
Bay Education Foundation, Inc., Executive Director Kelly Langenberg announced the award, noting that these funds are available to classroom teachers as “classroom grants” for nature-based programs, including birds, the environment and conservation. Specific thanks were given to several major contributors to the Nature Connection 2022 Program, including the Fyfe Family Foundation, Inc., the Isaac W. Byrd Family Foundation, Inc., and the History Class Brewing Company. Many individuals donated time and money to support the work of Bay County Audubon Society in its mission of enhancing nature education to area youth.
Mr. Strycker is best known for his around-the-world journey during 2015 in which he identified a record 6,042 different species of birds in 41 countries on seven continents. He is the author of six books, including “Among Penguins” and “Birding Without Borders” and is a leading scientist in studies involving penguins in Antarctica and other locales.
