If the Audubon Society can do what it promised on April 26, the world will be changed for the better. John Flicker, president of the National Audubon Society, headquartered in New York City attended the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary gala with an announcement to make. "We are building on this model to create more Audubon Centers across the country. Two days ago, (on April 23,) after two years of working on this, the NAS signed a contract to partner with Mill Grove Farm in the suburbs of Philadelphia where John James Audubon lived. It was his first home in America, and where he met and married his wife Lucy. He came to America 200 years ago in 1803, and he landed in the United States in Mill Grove. That is where he began creating the most valuable wildlife art in the world. The contract allows the NAS to occupy and manage the property as of Jan. 1, 2004, because people like you have chosen to take care of the environment," he said.

He said the concept of Sanctuary Centers began 80 years ago with the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary. Mr. Flicker said, "Now there are over 40 centers operating nationwide. The model created here is of a community center where everyone gets involved: kids and families, outdoors in the community. Each Audubon center protects a habitat and gets kids and neighbors connecting in their community," said Mr. Flicker. They hope to have 1,000 centers established by year 2020: it is called the 20/20 vision. By that time they expect one in four children across the country to be reached with Audubon's natural science education programs.

TRS Director Trish Pelkowski offered another element to explain the success of the center: they eagerly work with other groups in the community. "We stepped right in as the WaterFront Center was forming and held educational programs with them along the waterfront," she said. "For all of us to best serve our community, working together helps us meet the needs of the community. We are sharing our commonalities. Oyster Bay is really stepping out. With its many organizations: the Main Street Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of the Bay: everybody has the same goal. It is that Oyster Bay steps out into its own and we are all very excited about it.