Volunteer Brings Birding Lessons to Oviedo Classrooms

Audubon Florida said on May 21 that Phyllis Hall, a longtime Seminole Audubon volunteer and chapter leader, has been bringing birding and conservation lessons into Oviedo-area classrooms as part of the group's youth outreach. The organization said Hall helped lead a seminar at a private school in Oviedo earlier this year and an Earth Week event at an Oviedo elementary school in April. Audubon Florida described the work as part of Hall's broader effort to mentor younger conservationists and connect students with birds through hands-on activities. Hall has served as president of Seminole Audubon since 2020, according to the profile published by Audubon Florida. ### Which Oviedo students took part in the outreach? Audubon Florida said the outreach reached students at two Oviedo schools in separate events this year. At a private school, Seminole Audubon volunteers gave students an overview of the chapter's history and current work, then took them on what the article called a "bio-bingo" walk. At an Oviedo elementary school, the group led an Earth Week event in April. (audubon.org) The May 21 Audubon Florida profile did not name the schools or give a student count. It said Hall's work has included direct mentoring of young people through both school outreach and Audubon's Conservation Leadership Initiative, a program that pairs students with conservation mentors. ### What role did Phyllis Hall play? Phyllis Hall organized and participated in the school outreach, according to Audubon Florida's account of the events. (audubon.org) The organization said Hall has also trained volunteers at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey and mentored students in the Conservation Leadership Initiative. Audubon Florida named Hall its Volunteer of the Year for 2022, citing her work with Seminole Audubon and her mentoring of younger conservation leaders. (audubon.org) A separate Audubon Florida recognition said Hall had been "an active and inspiring mentor" in the leadership initiative. ### What did the students actually do? The Oviedo private-school session included a presentation on Seminole Audubon's history and current initiatives, followed by a bird- and nature-focused walk built around "bio-bingo," according to the Audubon Florida profile. (audubon.org) The Earth Week event at the elementary school was also described as hands-on, though the article did not provide a detailed activity list. (audubon.org) Seminole County's environmental education page says Seminole Audubon works with the county's Natural Lands program to lead birding hikes and other programs. The county says the chapter gives presentations, hosts hikes for Eco Camp participants and provides scholarships for children to attend Eco Camp, offering a broader picture of the group's education work beyond the Oviedo school visits. (audubon.org) ### How does this fit into Seminole Audubon's wider work? Seminole Audubon's website says the chapter's mission is to promote awareness and protection of wildlife and the environment that supports it. The group also lists regular field trips and public birding activities on its site, indicating that the school events are part of a larger local program of bird-focused outreach. The May 21 Audubon Florida story linked Hall's classroom work to mentoring the "next generation" of conservationists. (seminolecountyfl.gov) That characterization came from Audubon Florida, which said Hall's work spans chapter leadership, youth mentoring and volunteer training at the Center for Birds of Prey. ### What comes next for families or students who want to keep participating? Seminole Audubon's website says the chapter continues to post field trips, membership information and other program updates online. (seminoleaudubon.org) Seminole County also says the chapter remains involved in birding hikes and youth programming through its Natural Lands partnership. Audubon Florida's Conservation Leadership Initiative, where Hall has served as a mentor, also remains an avenue for student involvement, according to recent Audubon Florida coverage published on May 19. (audubon.org)