A Reason to Celebrate: 2023 Annual Meeting

On Thursday, November 2, Mass Audubon members gathered in person at GBH Boston and virtually to attend the 127th Annual Meeting. This year’s event not only was a time to celebrate the tremendous progress we have made but to honor several award recipients for their contributions to the nature of Massachusetts. 

The event also featured an in-depth conversation with Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, who was introduced by Youth Climate Leader Ollie Perrault, and an inspiring video that celebrates the power of nature to heal, restore, and protect.  

2023 Award Winners 

Every year, Mass Audubon recognizes people and organizations who epitomize our mission.  

The Nature of Massachusetts Award: MathWorks  

This award recognizes and celebrates an individual, group, organization, or company that has furthered the cause of conservation and environmental protection or that has broadened the public awareness of the nature of Massachusetts. 

MathWorks has been a long-time supporter of land protection and just recently made a transformative $25 million commitment to protect and restore the most biodiverse and carbon-rich land in Massachusetts. We are honored they are entrusting us to carry out this important work. 

Allen H. Morgan Award: Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust 

The Allen H. Morgan Award was created in 1990 to honor a person or organization that has distinguished achievement in protecting the environment of Massachusetts with the same dedication, passion, and daring that Allen Morgan had as a former President of Mass Audubon. 

Mass Audubon has been proud to partner with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust on many projects over the years. Mount Grace has conserved over 37,000 acres in just 36 years. A recent example of their sheer dedication and daring is the Greater Gales project, which brought together 12 landowners to protect 700 acres. Today, Mount Grace and Mass Audubon are currently working on another project that will result in the protection of nearly 1,000 acres in Barre.    

Conservation Teachers of the Year 

Educators are selected by Mass Audubon every year for their commitment to nature-based education and for helping their students forge meaningful and lasting connections with the natural world.   

The 2023 awardees include Anna Cynar, a biology teacher at Innovation Academy Charter School in Tyngsboro; Kelly Ziemba, an environmental science teacher at Pittsfield High School in Pittsfield; Jacqueline Fuller and Lisa Kuerzel, a fourth-grade teaching team at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School in Shelburne Falls; and Katie Roberts, Program Operations Director and a nature education specialist at Youth Opportunities Unlimited in New Bedford.  

Watch The Entire Meeting