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Chris Castro, Director for the Office of Sustainability & Resilience (right), received the award on behalf of the City of Orlando from Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell (left) and Director of Policy Beth Alvi (right). Photo: Luke Franke/Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ

TALLAHASSEE, FL – More than 300 participants from across the state met at the 2019 Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Assembly in Gainesville Florida to discuss conservation, water, and birds. Field trips, learning sessions, a plenary panel, and keynote presentation by Dr. Tom Frazer, Chief Science Officer for Florida, focused on science-based strategies for clean water and healthy watersheds, while awards recognized individuals and organizations that went above and beyond to create a more resilient Florida.

Much like the plume trade represented a threat to birds at the turn of the century, climate change is a threat to birds in this century.  In the face of sea-level rise, the City of Orlando has been taking gigantic steps toward mitigation and adaptation by addressing the challenge of climate change with urgency and innovation. The City of Orlando was the recipient of the Guy Bradley Award. The award is named for the Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ game warden whose much-publicized death in 1905 galvanized conservationists and served as inspiration for future legislation to protect Florida's bird populations.

Chris Castro, Director for the Office of Sustainability & Resilience, received the award on behalf of the City of Orlando.

Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell and Director of Everglades Policy Celeste De Palma presented the award.