She explained that the whale sharks would begin in Honduras, then make their way to the North Pole. They would then swim into the oil spillage. “Seeing the effects (the oil spillage) on migratory birds was really fascinating, and really devastating,” she explained. Pacyna, her six-person crew, and about 100 volunteers, traverse the Gulf coast, from Waveland to Pascagoula. They mark colonies with signage and ropes to protect them from other species. She said that eggs are difficult to see. They camouflage very well, both the eggs as well as the chicks. It’s easy to slip on one of them if you aren’t paying attention. Pacyna said that by putting up the ropes, we are trying to prevent people from doing this. However, some people don’t like birds being there. “We have made significant progress. “I’m proud of our efforts to date, but it’s still an uphill struggle.” Pacyna stated that she hopes some of the dollars remaining from BP will continue her support. Audubon Mississippi’s Coastal Bird Stewardship Program was one of many ways it has helped to lead a conservation movement that started in 1998. Margaret Finley Shackelford’s quote hangs near Strawberry Plains, the huge Holly Springs property that she left behind in 1998. “We didn’t want this former cotton plantation covered up with asphalt or cement — I think eventually Memphis can spread this far,” she said. Shackelford, her family, and others feared that Memphis (45 minutes north) and its suburbs, would spread into North Mississippi, destroying the picturesque canopy that makes Strawberry Plains unique. “It’s still an actual concern,” stated Tim Bisenius who is now the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center’s facility manager. You can see a whole industrial area rising up if you go up Highway 72. It’s good for the region because of the jobs, but it’s also bad for the environment because it’s all farmland being converted into factories and warehouses.” Shackelford, John, her husband, and Ruth deeded the land. This ensured that the National Audubon Society would have both educational and cosmetic value for many years. Margaret and Ruth also gave all their financial assets, including stock in Coca-Cola stock, to Audubon. This is the largest gift the organization has received and still funds its operations. Mississippi’s Audubon Society will provide many opportunities for the public, including the opportunity to learn more about conservation and nature. This is the 20th anniversary of the society. Bisenius said, “Our Hummingbird Festival is a perfect example.” We started it in the fall 2000. The first one was a one-day event with 100 participants. It’s now a three-day event. We get between 5,000 to 8,000 people over the three days. They go out to see new things and take pictures.” Strawberry Plains will host its 19th annual Hummingbird Festival in September. This is the largest festival of its kind in the nation and the largest fundraiser for Audubon Mississippi. The organization’s authority on native plants is another example of its influence. Strawberry Plains holds a native plant sale twice a year (the next is May 18-19). This is an opportunity to educate about the importance native species. Mitchell Robinson, conservation education manager, stated that when we started to plant landscapes without native plants, it was essentially planting plastic trees and plastic flowers. Mississippi Audubon offers consultations to private land owners and companies about how to be more environmentally-conscious when building on their property. “I was able convert 71 acres Bermuda grass and Fescue to approximately 40 species of native grasses and wildflowers,” stated Tom Heineke, Hudsonville taxonomic botanist who used Audubon’s assistance to makeover his property. He said, “I think they’re doing a great job spreading the word about wildlife conservation because it’s an amazing basis for wildlife conservation to have habitat mostly, it should all be mostly, based on native plants, since that’s how their evolved, that’s what’s the whole thing.” Audubon Mississippi’s footprint has grown significantly since its inception. Strawberry Plains has expanded its operations to 3,000 acres thanks to mitigation and gifts. The center’s sister site in Moss Point, located on the Pascagoula River, opened a facility in 2015. The Pascagoula river Audubon Center is the most abundant in biodiversity in the United States. It flows next to the largest continental free-flowing river. Mark LaSalle, the center’s director, said, “It’s not uncommon for visitors to see an otter, or a dolphin, out there in the Bay.” “We know that 327 species are suspected or known to use (the Pascagoula River), out of an estimated 415 species in the state.” The Pascagoula Center offers classes throughout the year, as well as tours of the native wildlife and plants. Sheryl Bowen is the Audubon Mississippi board chair and praised the organization’s growth and influence since 1998 when the Shackelfords donated their gift. Bowen stated that the Shackelfords wanted Audubon to be a place where people could learn about conservation, birds, and wildlife. This was exactly what they left to Mississippi.