Published January 07, 2023
This article is from Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Florida
. Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ has 31 conservation action centers and more than 500 community and campus chapters across the U.S. serving local communities. Find your local center or chapter here.
Every year Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Florida recognizes the state's leading conservationists with a suite of annual awards. This year awards were presented both virtually and as part of a small, local ceremony in Southwest Florida held at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary on December 2.
Volunteers have been at the heart of Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ since its founding when volunteers banded together to end the slaughter of the Everglades’ wading birds and advocate for sweeping protections for birds that continue today. Each year, Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Florida recognizes a Volunteer of the Year for their contributions to Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ and conservation.
Phyllis Hall earned the Volunteer of the Year Award both for her dedication to birds and the places they need as well as for consistently going above and beyond in her service to conservation. She works with Seminole Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Society, and she has also been an active and inspiring mentor for the Conservation Leadership Initiative, shaping the next generation of environmental movers and shakers. In addition to her role as a CLI mentor, Hall recently joined our volunteers at the Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Center for Birds of Prey. From day one, Hall was eager to help, courteous, and extremely flexible. Hall is always willing to cover the shifts of other volunteers and assist with events and education programs. She currently helps with guest relations, education, and now as an afternoon feeder.