Friends of a Feather…reimagined was all that we had hoped for after a two-year delay! A glorious spring evening and gorgeous Mill Grove grounds set the stage for guests to gather on the front porch of the John James Audubon Center to mingle, enjoy exceptional food and drink, honor the McLean Family and Todd Pride, and raise funds to support Audubon Mid-Atlantic. Sincere thanks to all who made this a night to remember. 

Highlights of the gathering

Video Tribute to the McLean Family (password: Audubon)

Video Tribute to Todd Pride (password: Audubon)

Keith Russell, center, Program Manager for Urban Conservation with Audubon Pennsylvania, leads a bird walk during the cocktail hour of the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

People mingle during the cocktail hour of the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

People mingle during the cocktail hour of the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Cocktail hour of the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Jose Santiago, Center Coordinator, The Discovery Center, speaks during the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Cocktail hour of the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

A group photo of the McLean family, recipients of the Legacy Awards, during the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Cocktail hour of the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Todd Pride, recipient of the Conservation Achievement Award, speaks during the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Elizabeth McLean is presented with a birthday cake during the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

People mingle after the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Todd Pride, far left, recipient of the Conservation Achievement Award, during the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

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There is still time to support Audubon!

The live auction bidding for Audubon experiences was lively! For a limited time, you can purchase one or both of these tours for the amount of the winning bid!  Order your tour by June 30th and redeem through October 2022: Discovery Center Tour and Beer Tasting ($610) and Birding by Land and Water ($800) at the John James Audubon Center. Both tours are for 6 people. To order or for more information, please contact Wendy.Christie@audubon.org. 

We invite you to honor the McLean Family and Todd Pride with a gift to support the critical work of Audubon Mid-Atlantic on behalf of birds. Please give here no later than June 30th.

Alan Barstow, Chair of the Audubon Mid-Atlantic Advisory Board, presents the Legacy Award to the McLean family during the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Legacy Award - The McLean Family
Anchored by Elizabeth and William L. McLean III (1927-2011), the McLean family has had a tremendous impact on the landscape and people of the Philadelphia region through The McLean Contributionship, which includes initiatives that celebrate and preserve nature. Since 1994, The Contributionship has invested in Audubon Pennsylvania's work. The most recent joint project, which reflects the family's commitment to the environment and animals, has been a new home for the John James Audubon Center's live Bird Ambassadors.

Todd Pride, left, recipient of the Conservation Achievement Award, is presented with his award by Alan Barstow, Chair of the Audubon Mid-Atlantic Advisory Board, during the Friends of a Feather Gala at John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Pennsylvania, May 19, 2022. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Conservation Achievement Award - Todd Pride
Since 2008, Todd's passion has been to introduce traditional outdoor recreation such as fishing, hunting, agriculture, and hands-on conservation to communities of color and introduce diversity and diverse communities to conservation organizations and the environmental sector. In 2020, Todd created Legacy Land and Water Partners, which works to preserve open spaces and places - including culturally significant environments such as land associated with the Underground Railroad - to advance his mission of connecting new audiences to outdoor activities. Through Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers & Outdoor Partners, Todd has introduced more than 15,000 youth to fishing, hunting, and birding.