President
Dr. Steven Whitfield
Audubon Nature Institute
WHO WE ARE
Science brings us together.
A shared commitment to the conservation and recovery of American flamingos in Florida and throughout their range.
The Florida Flamingo Working Group is a science-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and recovery of American flamingos in Florida and throughout their range.
We bring together researchers, wildlife managers, conservation organizations, educators, and community partners to improve our understanding of flamingos, protect the habitats they depend on, and turn reliable scientific evidence into meaningful conservation action.
Our Mission
Our mission is to conserve American flamingos through research, habitat protection, population recovery, education, and collaboration in Florida and across the wider Caribbean.
Our Story
American flamingos are native to Florida and an important part of the state’s natural and cultural heritage. Once reported in substantial numbers, they largely disappeared from Florida by the early twentieth century following plume hunting and other human pressures.
Recent sightings, tracking studies, historical research, and genetic evidence have renewed interest in the species’ recovery. The Florida Flamingo Working Group was established to connect the people and organizations working to understand this recovery and help create a future in which wild flamingos can once again thrive in Florida.
Our Approach
Our work is guided by science, cooperation, and public stewardship. We:
- Document flamingo sightings, movements, and population trends
- Support field research, tracking, and genetic studies
- Promote the protection and restoration of wetlands and coastal habitats
- Share reliable information with wildlife agencies, researchers, and the public
- Encourage responsible flamingo viewing and reporting
- Build partnerships with organizations throughout the Caribbean and the species’ broader range
- Advocate for recognition of the American flamingo as Florida’s official state bird
PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
Our leadership
Vice President
Dr. Jerry Lorenz
Florida International University
Secretary
Dr. Mark Cook
South Florida Water Management District
Treasurer
Tony Pernas
National Park Service, Retired
Working group members
Our members bring experience in wildlife research, wetland ecology, natural-resource management, conservation, and education.
Affiliations identify members’ professional connections. Participation does not imply an institution’s formal endorsement.
Felicity Arengo
American Museum of Natural History
Sabeena Beg
Audubon Everglades
Alex Blotchel
Audubon Florida
William Booth
The Washington Post, London
Billy Brooks
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chris Brown
Waco Zoo
Renee Bumpus
Palm Beach Zoo
Falyn Cartwright
Bahamas National Trust
Alice Daria
Florida International University
Michelle Davis
Cape Florida Banding Station
Giselle Deane
Bahamas National Trust
Jim Dunster
Zoo Miami
Hilary Flowers
Eckerd College
Jessica Folsom
University of Central Florida
Rachel Michelle Groves
Communications Chair | Webmaster & Database Administrator | Wildlife Artist
Eric Hoffmann
University of Central Florida
Ben Jones
Houston Zoo
Catherine King
Zoo de Lagos
Gregory Luna Golya
National Park Service
Anne Mauro
Independent Researcher
Jennifer McKay
USGS Bird Banding Laboratory
Margo McKnight
Palm Beach Zoo
Samantha Montes de Orca
Zoo Miami
Steffanie Munguia
Zoo Miami
Lori Oberhofer
Everglades National Park
Judd Patterson
National Park Service
Frank Ridgley
Zoo Miami
Shauna Sayers
Audubon Florida
Ruscena Weiderholdt
Independent Researcher
Working Beyond Borders
American flamingos do not recognize political boundaries. Birds observed in Florida may be connected to populations in The Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico, and other parts of the Caribbean.
Effective conservation therefore requires international cooperation. We seek to strengthen relationships among scientists, government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities so that research findings, sighting records, and management experience can be shared across the species’ range.
Our Nonprofit Status
The Florida Flamingo Working Group, Inc. is a Florida not-for-profit corporation recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3).
Join Us
Everyone can contribute to flamingo conservation. You can help by reporting sightings, observing birds responsibly, sharing accurate information, supporting wetland conservation, joining our email list, or contributing to our research and education programs.