In October 2014, Audubon New York received a first of its kind $100,000 donation from Dr. Brewster C. Doust, Jr. to establish the George and Judy Weems Fund, an endowment to benefit the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) in perpetuity. This endowment helps support center activities focused on engaging children and families through the MAC’s conservation work which focuses on improving habitat for birds and other wildlife.
“Audubon New York is inspiring future stewards of our planet. I was personally moved by the MAC’s water, fields and forests and how the center uses these habitats to “light the spark” in children.” Dr. Doust said when asked about his gift. “The George and Judy Weems Fund will support Montezuma Audubon Center programs that engage children and families in conservation activities for the benefit of birds and other wildlife.”
Dr. Doust is a regular visitor to the MAC located in Savannah, NY at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. The MAC serves thousands of Central New York residents and visitors annually with environmental education programming and outdoor activities for individuals of all ages. Passionate about the MAC’s habitat restoration work, Dr. Doust was inspired to give to help the center expand its role as a valuable community resource and environmental education center through school field trips, family activities and Scout programs, all of which help Audubon New York foster the next generation of environmental stewards while achieving statewide conservation results.
“Dr. Doust’s endowment will support Audubon New York’s Central New York conservation efforts in perpetuity,” said Erin Crotty, Executive Director of Audubon New York. “This gift will allow the Montezuma Audubon Center to expand programming, introduce new audiences to environmental conservation and increase habitat protection and restoration efforts for the benefit of the entire region. I want to thank Dr. Doust’s for his generosity and confidence in Audubon. We hope that his generosity will inspire others to get involved in our work and mission.”
For information on how you can support the Montezuma Audubon Center, click here.
