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Audubon Canyon Ranch Docent Education Program Honored By Sonoma County Conservation Council

GLEN ELLEN, CA - Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR), a long-time guardian of the natural environment dedicated to preservation, education and research, today announced that the docent education and training program offered at its Bouverie Preserve has been named "Outstandiing Environmental Program of the Year" by the Sonoma County Conservation Council at the 30th Annual Environmental Awards Dinner in March.

The Sonoma County Conservation Council is a federation of about 20 local groups who pool their resources to protect and enhance the county's environment.

As part of the award, Audubon Canyon Ranch's Bouverie Preserve was recognized by California State Assemblymembers Lynn Woolsey, Wes Chesbro and Joe Nation.

Ernie Smith, Diane Hichwa and Phillis Schmidt accepted the award on behalf of ACR's Bouverie Preserve.

The Bouverie Preserve

Bouverie Preserve was donated to Audubon Canyon Ranch by David Bouverie in 1979 to educate and inspire a deep appreciation of nature among future generations of children. The preserve offers visitors a rare look at unspoiled and diverse ecosystems including oak woodland, mixed evergreen forest, chaparral, and an amazing array of spring wildflowers, all surrounding the Stuart Creek Canyon.

Today, the Bouverie Preserve's renowned environmental education programs serve thousands of visitors each year. Volunteer docents, ready to share knowledge gained through ACR's education and training programs, play an integral role in bringing the rich detail of nature to life and encouraging the protection of our natural environment. The public is welcome to visit Bouverie Preserve through Guided Nature Walks scheduled on selected Saturdays throughout the year. Prior reservations are required.

About Audubon Canyon Ranch

Audubon Canyon Ranch was founded in 1962 to save one of the largest Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Snowy Egret heronries on the West Coast. To prevent intensive commercial development in the pristine West Marin area surrounding the colony, early pioneers of Marin's environmental and conservation movement began a grassroots crusade to protect and preserve the open space of Marin and Sonoma counties and subsequently change the areas' land-use ethic. To date, Audubon Canyon Ranch has acquired thousands of acres in Marin and Sonoma to serve as wildlife sanctuaries and centers for environmental education and conservation-based research. Each year, thousands of visiting children and adults develop a love and appreciation of ACR's preserves and better understand the need to protect our natural heritage.

With dedicated staff, highly trained scientific professionals and hundreds of volunteers, Audubon Canyon Ranch is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of its donors and volunteers for its continued success. For more information, visit www.egret.org or call 415-868-9244

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