FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Audubon conservation leader recognized for work protecting Connecticut’s coastal birds and habitats
STRATFORD, Conn. — The Stratford Democratic Town Committee will honor Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe with its 2026 Terry Backer Environmental Champion Award at the committee’s Annual Awards Banquet on Sunday, September 27, recognizing her longstanding commitment to protecting Connecticut’s birds, coastal habitats and natural resources.
Folsom-O’Keefe is the Director of Bird Conservation for Connecticut for the National Audubon Society, Inc. In this role, she oversees Audubon’s coastal stewardship and resilience efforts. She has been with Audubon for 15 years and has contributed to numerous conservation successes during that time.
A major focus of Folsom-O’Keefe’s work has been protecting Connecticut’s coastal birds and the habitats on which they depend. She leads the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, which assists the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Division with the management of the Piping Plover and other beach-nesting birds.
Her conservation work has also created opportunities for young people to become directly involved in protecting Connecticut’s environment. Folsom-O’Keefe created the WildLife Guards programs, which educate, mentor and employ high school students from Bridgeport, West Haven and Stratford as coastal bird stewards.
In Stratford, her work has included significant efforts to preserve and restore coastal habitat. In 2022, Folsom-O’Keefe oversaw a salt marsh restoration project at Great Meadows Marsh, a unit of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge located in Stratford. She is currently working with partners on a project at Hammonasset Beach State Park.
Folsom-O’Keefe will be honored alongside 2026 Co-Democrats of the Year Anthony Afriyie and Jill D’Angelo-Powers.
The Stratford Democratic Town Committee’s 2026 Annual Awards Banquet will be held Sunday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blackhawk Country Club, 385 Oronoque Lane in Stratford. The event will feature a Sunday brunch, and tickets are $80 per person.
Tickets and additional information are available through the Stratford Democratic Town Committee.
About the Stratford Democratic Town Committee
The Stratford Democratic Town Committee works to support Democratic candidates, encourage civic participation and promote Democratic values while helping elect leaders who serve the people of Stratford and Connecticut.
Media Contact: Kathleen Callahan, Chair, Democratic Town Committee | sdtc@stratforddemocrats.com