Indiana Audubon is awarding over $13,000 to nine organizations and individuals, supporting statewide conservation and education initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, education and community engagement.
The organization’s Mumford and Keller program funds natural resource studies and projects, focusing on Indiana birdlife conservation, through annual allocations from Indiana Audubon’s budget, proceeds from the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival’s silent auction and raffle, and other event proceeds. For more information, visit indianaaudubon.org/mumfordandkeller.
2024 Grant Recipients
This year’s grant recipients and projects include:
- Cope Environmental Center ($4,000): Installing a Motus Wildlife Tracking System tower to monitor migratory bird species.
- Eagle Creek Park Foundation ($1,000): Supporting the 2024 Owl Fest event.
- Fayette County Community Voices ($1,600): Conducting the Outdoor Education program at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary.
- Humane Indiana Wildlife ($1,705): Enhancing the rehabilitation center’s wildlife conservation and education efforts.
- Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District ($999.80): Purchasing binoculars for youth educational programs.
- Latino Outdoors Great Lakes ($1,000): Engaging diverse communities, including those from underserved backgrounds, in Indiana Dunes National Park visits.
- Nora Glenn for Marquette Park ($610): Enhancing the Story Hour program with educational materials and binoculars.
- Shari McCollough for Lye Creek Prairie Burn ($1,000): Funding parking infrastructure.
- Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve ($1,200): Facilitating live raptor encounters during educational programs.
Conservation Leadership Awards
Indiana Audubon also recognizes two conservation leaders this year:
- Paul Labovitz, former Superintendent of the Indiana Dunes National Park: James H. Mason Service awardee for outstanding contributions to the National Park and the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival.
- Steve Sass, Charter Member and Past President of the North Chapter of Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society: Earl Brooks awardee for extensive volunteer work, ecological restoration projects and education efforts, advancing Indiana’s natural heritage.
The application deadline for Indiana Audubon’s Mumford and Keller grants and scholarships, as well as Brooks and Mason Awards nominations, is August 15 annually.
