Founded in 1965, the Venice Area Audubon Society serves the area including Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, North Port and Englewood Florida. Our mission is to promote interest in wildlife and foster the cause of conservation with an emphasis on birds and their habitat. Some of the activities that we offer include: Field Trips, Birding Walks, Bird Identification Classes & Field Instruction, Bird Censuses, Christmas Bird Counts, Colony Watch, Eagle Watch, Bird Classes and Field Trips for school children in South Sarasota County public schools, "Audubon Adventures" learning materials for area schools, Wildlife Rehabilitation, Environmental Advocacy, Environmental Support Funds, Community Speakers, the Wings & Things newsletter, Free Evening Programs featuring prominent birders, nature photographers and environmental activists, and our VAAS Audubon Welcome Center with educational displays and a general store offering VAAS merchandise. We also have a Bird Sanctuary/Rookery located near our Welcome Center.