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Dr. Steven Whitfield is the Director of Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, and is the founder and chair of the Florida Flamingo Working Group - a network focused on population recovery of flamingos in south Florida. American Flamingos are one of Florida's most iconic bird species, and were historically present in large flocks in south Florida, though they disappeared in the late 1800s.
Through the 1900s, when rare flamingos did appear in south Florida, both birdwatchers and biologists considered them to be escapes from captive populations.
Over the past few decades, flamingo numbers in Florida have increased - but the origins of the flamingos remained shrouded in mystery.
In 2015, Dr. Whitfield was among a group of biologists who captured a flamingo (named Conchy) who appeared in Key West, in an effort to understand the origins of flamingos in Florida.
Dr. Whitfield's conservation research has led efforts to clarify the conservation status of flamingos in Florida, track recent population trends, and to promote advocacy and policy for a return of Flamingos to Florida.
In September 2023, Hurricane Idalia flung flamingos into many parts of Florida and farther North, including to the shallow preserved Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons off Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Numbers seem to be increasing.
Dr. Whitfield will share the current state of flamingos in Florida, and what may happen in the future.
This program is part of the NORTH SHORE BIRDING FESTIVAL but you can register for it separately. The keynote includes dinner, menu TBA.
We appreciate use of the large conference room at the St. Johns River Water Management District's Apopka Service Center, support of the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans of Dr. Whitfield's trip to Florida and sponsorship by long-time festival participant Bud Younts.
Registration details to be posted, but mark you calendar!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St. Johns River Water Management District Apopka service center. 2501 S. Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703, United States
