Montreal welcomes Audubon

It's hard to believe two years have passed since the last Audubon Leadership Conference in Estes Park, Colorado. This year, the conference took place in Montreal, Canada — a conscious effort by the National Audubon Society to expand its hemispheric approach to conservation. After all, birds don't recognize political borders; to them, the world is one interconnected home. This was Audubon's first international conference in its 120-year history, themed "Soar, Together!" I've often said that birding — and, by extension, a birding conference — is as much about connecting with new cultures as it is about spotting new and exciting birds. Montreal, with its rich history and its proud bilingual heritage, exemplifies that beautifully. Montréal is one of North America's oldest and most distinctive cities, blending European charm with a modern, multicultural vibe. Founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie by French settlers, it quickly became a center of the (cruel) fur trade and Catholic missionary work. It is located on an island in the St. Lawrence River, at the convergence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. The island itself is called Île de Montréal, and it sits in the middle of one of North America's most important waterways. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the city grew into an important hub for commerce and immigration. Today, Montréal reflects its layered history in its bilingual character. French is the predominant language and English is widely spoken. For us, it was a relatively pleasant drive of nearly 10 hours along the Great Lakes and then following the St. Lawrence River. Upon arriving in Montreal, we encountered a busy downtown, which was a bit tricky to navigate with its maze of one-way streets, frequent stoplights, cyclists and crowds of pedestrians. Adding to the challenge, all the street signs were in French. The conference was held at the beautiful Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel and drew more than 450 conservation leaders — from local chapters to college campuses — united to work collaboratively "to protect birds and the places they need." The week was full of meaningful conversations, collaborative sessions and opportunities to share ideas with chapter leaders, national staff and inspiring young conservationists from across the hemisphere. Some of the best conversations took place over dinner, in the hallway and on the buses. The conference schedule was packed, leaving little opportunity to sightsee outside of the planned, nature-focused field trips. My wife, Gina, accompanied me on the trip and was able to explore more of the city while I attended sessions. My conference sessions covered thought-provoking topics, including "Using Social Science to Improve Attendee Experience," "Building a High Impact Board" and "The Power of a Diplomatic Approach in Conservation." Field trips took us to historic Mount Royal Cemetery, and a welcome picnic at Boucherville National Park. From the start, the conference brought people together from around the hemisphere. At my very first session, those at my table hailed from Florida, California, Panama and Brazil. The conference featured a diverse lineup of keynote speakers. They included Michele Audette, a Quebec Senator, who emphasized the country's commitment to preserving biodiversity and meeting its climate goals, as well as a moving address from a local First Nations leader, who shared stories and perspectives on the deep cultural connections. National Audubon Society leadership also spoke about the challenges facing birds across the hemisphere and the importance of grassroots chapters in driving change. One of the most inspiring keynote speakers was Dr. Cristián Samper, the executive director and leader of the Bezos Earth Fund and former president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Samper, a Colombian-born ecologist, has been a tireless advocate for global conservation efforts. Before the trip, we'd heard about Montreal's famous bagels and poutine, so of course, we had to slip away one afternoon to try them. We enjoyed a freshly baked bagel at a charming little café, and the poutine from the iconic Schwartz's Deli lived up to the hype. We also made a quick visit to Old Montreal, where cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings represent the city's ongoing efforts to preserve its rich history in the face of modern development. Saturday evening featured the conference's awards dinner, held at a stunning, first-class venue at the Port of Montreal, within its modern Grand Quay event center. Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the views from the Port of Montreal were especially interesting, offering a glimpse into the area's rich history and dynamic growth. Along the waterfront, you could see remnants of the city's industrial past — rail cars, an old factory and small cruise boats on the St. Lawrence — as well as modern touches like a sleek restaurant and a progressive apartment complex. Awards presented included the Hemispheric Champion Award, Raven Award, Dare to Soar Award, Outstanding Chapter Leader Award and the Hemispheric Conservation Award. Award recipients shared their stories of dedication and impact to standing ovations. In the end, the conference was a powerful reminder of what's possible when passionate people come together on behalf of birds, nature and the places we all call home. LorainCounty.com Insights Podcast Recently, I was invited to talk about Black River Audubon on the LorainCounty.com Insights Podcast. During the interview, I was asked to share about our organization, both our activities and challenges. You can listen to it here.