Audubon of Florida Opens Northwest Florida Office at Marineland

By Monique Borboen 

St. Augustine, FL - Thursday night, some of Northeast Florida’s most influential conservationists and elected officials will celebrate the inauguration of Audubon of Florida’s Northeast office at an event that will also thank Jim Jacoby, of the Jacoby Group, and Rayonier for their generous support that made opening this regional office possible. 

The inauguration will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, at the new Coastal Policy Center at Marineland, the new home of Audubon of Florida’s program. It is located at 9601 Oceanshore Blvd, in Marineland.

Based from our regional office at the Coastal Policy Center, Audubon’s Northeast Florida Policy Associate Monique Borboen is already bringing Audubon’s scientific expertise and grassroots influence to bear on the region’s conservation challenges.

“We have established remarkable collaborations between land managers, advocates, Audubon chapters and decision makers in our first year in Northeast Florida,” said Borboen. “The commitment of this region’s advocates and its remarkable natural resources present a tremendous opportunity. This is an exciting time to be a conservationist in Northeast Florida.” 

Special awards will be presented to Jim Jacoby, a businessman with a keen passion for the ocean and coastal conservation, and Rayonier, a Northeast Florida timber company, which is committed to stewardship and conservation. Jacoby’s donation of office space in his state-of-the-art Coastal Policy Center, and Rayonier’s pledge of long-term support have made it possible for Audubon to bring its signature style of science-based environmental advocacy to the region. 

“As an avid outdoorsman, I am a long-time friend of Audubon,” said Jacoby. “I am pleased to support the creation of its Northeast Florida program by offering office space and facilities. Audubon will be a welcome addition to the Marineland community.” 

“Rayonier is a forestry company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida and a large landowner in the region. We understand that with this large ownership comes a responsibility to be a good steward of the land entrusted to us,” said Mike Bell, Rayonier Director of External Affairs. “We know the value Audubon has brought to conservation issues elsewhere in the state and wanted Northeast Florida to have the benefit of a staffed Audubon presence too. We’re happy to support Audubon and its Northeast Florida program.” 

“We thank our partners for recognizing the need for Audubon and stepping forward with support to welcome our staff to the region,” said David Anderson, Executive Director of Audubon of Florida. “We also thank the Jessie Ball duPont Fund for its early and essential investment in our vision for this program. These partnerships are keys to our success.” 

To learn more about Audubon’s work or get involved as a volunteer, contact Monique Borboen at (904) 813-5115 or mborboen@audubon.org. 

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation. www.audubonofflorida.org

Photo: From left to right, John Hankinson, Monique Borboen and Jim Jacoby

Bird sculpture by Paul Baliker

To view Marineland's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-1030-Marineland's_Dolphin_Conservation_Center