We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who attended last night’s 2023 Environmental Leadership Awards Benefit. Together, we offered Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Gary Palmer the honor he deserves, as a friend and mentor to so many in our Greenwich community.

Gary compiled the Greenwich-Stamford Christmas Bird Count for nearly 50 years, and co-founded the Greenwich Audubon Center's Summer Bird Count in 1976 -- one of the first in our country and first for Connecticut. Since the early 1960s, he has served either on the Advisory Board for the Greenwich Center or his local Audubon chapter.

Perhaps best known as a co-founder of our community's beloved Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch in 1972, Gary spearheaded the hiring of the first official hawk counter in 1985, a position which has become a career entry point for many young conservationists.

We did our best to sum up Gary’s impact in this short video, and feel lucky to have captured this moment in time.

Many thanks especially to our Featured Speaker Melissa Groo, whose photographs showcase the beauty of birds, and their deep struggle to survive. As we work to reverse bird declines here in Connecticut and across the Americas, it is more important then ever to bring their stories to life.

Melissa was the Grand Prize Winner in the 2015 Audubon Photography Awards for her stunning image of a Great Egret fluffing out its feathers. and more of her work is currently on display in Kiernan Hall at the Greenwich Audubon Center.

We are deeply grateful to each and every one of you who helps make Audubon the most effective conservation network in Connecticut and beyond. We look forward to seeing you at future events.