Note to Audubon members in Mississippi and beyond:

The devastation from Hurricane Katrina is like nothing we’ve seen before. Mississippi and all affected Gulf Coast communities will be recovering for a long time.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this powerful storm. To the many Audubon members across the state and the nation, there will be many lessons learned from this storm. For now, we want to report to you that our coastal project director, Dr. Mark LaSalle, and his family are safe and staying in Vicksburg with friends. Mark does not yet know the condition of his home in Ocean Springs; we also don’t know the condition of our Moss Point office.

Our flagship operation, Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs, suffered no damage. The center is operating normally. The staff in Vicksburg is safe. The office there suffered no significant damage.

The Hummingbird Migration Celebration is still scheduled for Sept. 9-11 at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center. It will be an opportunity for all of us to come together and support each other. Nature is powerful; but it can also be a healing force.

We’ve heard from our two state board members on the coast, Steve Renfroe and Don McKee. They are okay and checking on their houses.

Audubon’s oldest and largest sanctuary, Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary in Perry, on Vermillion Bay in coastal Louisiana, appears to have survived fine. Staff members Timmy Vincent and Burton Lege' at Rainey are okay.

Please contact us to let us know you are okay. Our hearts are with you.

We will update this message as more information becomes available.