In January 2021, the Friends of Audubon launched a new campaign – Unmatched Art, Unmatched Nature – to raise funds for two projects to improve John James Audubon State Park:
1. Adding an extension to the boardwalk at the Audubon Wetlands. Our plan includes a viewing platform overlooking the Cypress Slough, where Bald Eagles and Great Blue Heron raise their young. This boardwalk will be ADA-compliant to offer access to all visitors, including people with disabilities. Once completed, the expanded boardwalk will offer more opportunities for hikers, families, birdwatchers, and others to enjoy the outdoors.
Photographer: Heidi Taylor-Caudill.
2. Helping the State of Kentucky build a new addition to the Audubon Museum. We need a new archives space to better protect and preserve our collection of John James Audubon art and artifacts. The Audubon Museum holds one of the world’s largest collections of Audubon materials. This collection is a significant part of Henderson’s heritage and serves as a valuable resource to Audubon scholars and researchers. With a better storage space, museum staff could rotate objects on display more often. It would also improve the collection’s long-term preservation.
Henderson County Historical Society Collection, JJA.1938.141.
A Challenge
Walt Dear, former publisher of The Gleaner newspaper and good friend to the community of Henderson, has committed to match $100,000 to the Friends of Audubon for the campaign. This means that he will give $100,000 towards the fundraiser only if we can raise a matching amount. Potentially, we could double our funding towards these important projects for the park.
We are now asking for donations to help us match Walt Dear’s challenge and receive the full matching gift of $100,000. Your donation will be matched 100% and you will receive a one-year membership in the Friends of Audubon as our way of saying thank you. Donations of $500 or more will be recognized on a permanent plaque. This is a great opportunity to contribute to park improvements that will benefit the community and save our Audubon collection for future generations.
As always, we thank you for your continued generosity in helping us meet our mission of supporting, promoting, and enhancing John James Audubon State Park.
How to Donate
You can make donations via pledge cards; online at https://friendsofaudubon.org/donate/; or by calling Audubon State Park at (270) 826-2247.
Download Our Fundraising Letter
Read More
Chuck Stinnett, “With $100K challenge grant, Friends of Audubon launch drive; boardwalk extension eyed,” The Gleaner (January 8, 2021): https://www.thegleaner.com/story/news/2021/01/08/friends-audubon-aim-extend-boardwalk-add-archives-space/6597696002/