When Mother Nature wins, don’t we all win?
So it is very good news that “Mother Nature” has been designated Orlando’s Cox Conserves Hero for 2017.
Audrey Swindal, 89, received the honor Wednesday. She is known as “Mother Nature” at the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs — Wekiva Youth Camp.
Because of her honor, the camp — her nonprofit beneficiary — receives $10,000.
She is revered for her knowledge of flora, her storytelling skill and her more than four decades of service to the camp.
Local judging panels selected the three finalists from nominations by the public, and the winner was chosen in an online vote.
But no one loses in this contest. Each finalist secured a $5,000 donation for their environmental nonprofits of choice. The winner’s nonprofit received an additional $5,000.
The other finalists were:
Mick Karolick, who volunteers for the Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary, the Florida Trail Association and Habitat for Humanity. His nonprofit of choice was the Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary.
Jennifer Ferrell, who created the LESA Garden at Lawton Elementary School in Oviedo. LESA stands for Lawton Environmental Study Area, and it was Ferrell’s nonprofit of choice.
Congratulations to them all.
WFTV-Channel 9 and the Trust for Public Land recognized the three volunteers.
The ABC affiliate is part of Cox Media Group. The Cox Conserves Heroes program has donated nearly $800,000 to environmental nonprofits around the country.
and 407-420-5756.
