PRAC Kicks off New Fiscal Year With Advisory Committee
Pascagoula River Audubon Center
Moss Point, MS
New members join the flock
With the start of a new fiscal year comes some new faces to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center Advisory Committee and a heartfelt thanks to those committee members who have given their time so selflessly.

The role of the advisory committee is to promote and raise funds for the Center, assist with future strategic planning and provide advice on financial matters.  With these goals in mind, the committee has been created to showcase a variety of talents from the business and corporate communities along with private resident supporters.

A huge thanks to Amy Brandenstein of Chevron who has served as the committee chairperson for a number of years.  She has been part of the committee from the development of the current facility and has been a huge advocate through business and personal relationships.  While she is stepping down as chairperson, she has agreed to remain active through the transition of officers.

Taking over as committee chairperson is Robert Mills who works for the Chemours Company.  Robert served as committee secretary and has been very visible over the past year.  He volunteered on site for multiple events and attended the Legislative reception in Jackson to provide support.

Assistant committee chairperson for this year will be Anita Brooks who owns Geiger Products.  She and her late husband, Jim, have always been supporters of Audubon, and her work continues.  Her strong marketing skills will definitely be an asset as we begin reopening with new and exciting programs and activities.

New to the committee and ready to tackle a leadership role is Claire Faccini who will serve in the position of committee secretary.  Claire lives across the street from the Center and is our in-house yoga instructor.  Her close proximity and relationship to the staff will be a huge benefit to the local community and the Center.

We also welcome Anthony McCorvey to the committee.  Anthony works for Mississippi Power and is replacing Cedric Hurd on the committee.  Anthony is from Pensacola and is excited about being part of this committee.  We thank Cedric for his work and wish him well in his new position within the company.

Mark Walsh is also joining the committee.  His sense for development and collaboration will be a huge asset to the committee along with his location as an Arthur Street neighbor and supporter.

Rolling off the board but not away from the committee are Joe Martin and Di Faccini.  Joe will serve in an exofficio position and continue to promote PRAC as he works with a variety of organizations along the Gulf Coast.  Di Faccini has relinquished her seat on the committee but will continue to assist with floral designs and setting up the art gallery with new artists.

Throughout the next several months, each member of the committee will be spotlighted in the newsletter.  Without this committee, PRAC would not continue to thrive.
2019-2020 Memberships Good Through June 2021
Due to COVID-19 and PRAC’s closure, all memberships purchased during the 2019-2020 year will be valid through June 30, 2021.  We will not send out membership renewals, but you are welcome to make an annual contribution at any time.  

If you were not already a member, you may join at any time, and your membership is good for one calendar year of that date.  Membership provides discounts to programs and events and invitations to events for members only. There are three different levels of membership from which to choose:  Student/Teacher/Individual Memberships are $30; Senior Couple/Grandparent Memberships are $40; Family Memberships are $50.

Supporters are also welcome to make other donations and are recognized by donation amounts beginning at $150 as a PRAC Friend Donor or a Lucy and John James Audubon Giving Society donor starting at $1,000.

Donations can be made by visiting our website at http://pascagoula.audubon.org and are accepted by cash, check or on a monthly recurring basis.

As always, your support is appreciated!
Like a good neighbor...
Guests to PRAC travel from all points around the globe, but there are no people more affected by the daily activity at the Center than the neighbors around Downtown Moss Point.

As a resident of Arthur Street and adjacent downtown areas, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center would like to provide family memberships for all neighbors who are affected by additional traffic during special programs and events.  

Residents along Arthur Street, Robinson Street, Audubon Way and Dantzler Street from the Rhodes Bayou Bridge to Main Street are eligible for this free membership.  As we continue to grow and expand, PRAC appreciates the patience and support of the neighbors.
 
Fine Art Gallery to Open Soon
The Fine Art Gallery at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center has a goal of promoting local artists throughout the year. Due to COVID 19, the schedule for 2020 and 2021 must be redeveloped, but a fabulous group of artists await guests.

As the Center prepares for reopening, the gallery has been repainted and the driftwood art of Pete Floyd is being displayed.  Mr. Floyd creates wall hangings, bird houses and bird hangings out of pieces of driftwood he finds along the Pascagoula River and its shorelines.  He calls his business Pascagoula Perches and sells items from Fairhope to Bay St. Louis.

The date and time of the gallery opening and artist reception will be announced at a later date.  These receptions are free for members, and light snacks and drinks will be served.
 
Fall is a great time to plan for spring blooms
You talked...we listened!

In September, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center will host its third native plant sale, and the staff has been hard at work purchasing the plants and shrubs that have been most popular or that were requested.  

The weekend of September 25 and 26 the Center hopes to host an on-site plant sale and will also include an online element with curbside pickup to accommodate social distancing.  Some plant species on the PRAC Wish List include Lady Fern, Prairie Blazing Star, Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Dwarf Palmetto, Oakleaf Hydrangea and Mayhaw trees. Not all will be available in September, but we are continuing to grow our Wish List for YOU!

As plants begin to arrive, staff will be potting and preparing for purchase.  Stay tuned for more information regarding the plant sale and events. 
Update on Center Operations
The National Audubon Society continues to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 in areas where Audubon Centers are located.  As you know, there was a spike in cases in the Jackson County area, so that has delayed the opening of the center.

NAS is concerned about not only the health of visitors and volunteers but also its employees.  Please continue to monitor the Pascagoula River Audubon Center website at pascagoula.audubon.org and its social media presence for updates about opening and events.  

Your continued support is appreciated through this difficult time.
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Pascagoula River Audubon Center
5107 Arthur St., Moss Point, MS 39563
(228) 475-0825 | pascagoula.audubon.org

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