Executive Board
John Nelson
President
John is a wildlife videographer who contributed to National Geographic channel’s “World’s Deadliest” series and is currently the voice of The Audubon Moment heard on the Florida Public Radio Network. Mr. Nelson is a certified Florida Master Naturalist through the University of Florida and holds a degree in anthropology from Seattle Pacific University.
Al Williams
Vice President
Al served in the US Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. Following his military service, he joined police service in Union County, New Jersey. Al holds a degree in criminal justice and constitutional law. Al retired to Big Pine Key, Florida where he again served in police service for the City of Key West as a Division Supervisor. During his residency in the Keys, he served for six years as a director on the Lower Keys and Key West Board of the American Red Cross. Al became a volunteer member of the Key Deer Alliance to assist with rescue efforts and protection of habitat. Following his second retirement, Al moved to Hobe Sound, where he resides with his wife, Kathleen.
Lyn Aal-Magee
Treasurer
Lyn is semi-retired from managing employee’s benefits with several hospital systems in Alaska, Arizona and Florida. While living in and traveling to many different states and countries Lyn has had the opportunity to observe & learn birds and animals and their unique habitats.
Over the course of many years it has become apparent to Lyn the need for education, conservation and the importance of protecting these wonderful ecosystems. With more free time now, Lyn wants to continue exploring the outdoors, learning more about the birds and share this passion and knowledge with others.
Phyllis Wehner
Secretary
Phyllis brings a wealth of experience to our chapter. Her expertise with native plants has helped our restoration program at Possum Long Nature Center tremendously and reflect her dedication to the stewardship of wild Florida.
As the Community Engagement & Recreation Specialist for the City of Stuart, Phyllis is a gifted collaborator, program facilitator, and leader.
In addition to her professional roles, Phyllis has volunteered with Florida State Parks, where she helped advance conservation efforts and native plant restoration projects.
Phyllis is the office administrator for AoMC.
Directors
Eula Clarke
Eula is an urban planner, attorney, elected official, and the daughter of a Jamaican sugar cane cutter in Belle Glade, Florida. As a youth in Jamaica, Eula would scour the countryside near her home for the sights and sounds of many birds which are endemic only to Jamaica such as the Doctor Bird, which is one of over 232 species of Hummingbirds. As a teenager, Eula was involved in her community and pursued her education at Palm Beach Junior College and later at Florida State University. Eula is an avid gardener and creates many opportunities in her yard for birds to gather year round.
Niki Desjardin
Niki specializes in helping protected species through comprehensive monitoring programs and hands-on fieldwork across Florida.
Her expertise includes sea turtle nesting beach management, shorebird and seabird conservation, and habitat conservation planning.
As the Monitoring Coordinator for the Florida Shorebird Alliance’s Treasure Coast region, Niki works closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and public volunteers to advance wildlife protection efforts.
She holds a Master’s degree in biology from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Richmond.
In her role as Director of Operations at Ecological Associates, Inc. in Jensen Beach, Niki oversees a large team, providing leadership and mentorship to those starting out in environmental careers.
Richard K. Forster, MD
Dr. Forster is Professor of Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.With a 48 year tenure, he practices academic ophthalmology at the BPEI campus in Palm Beach Gardens. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Forster produces, directs, films and narrates videos on "The Feeding Behavior of Wading and Shorebirds of Florida".
Jim Howe
Conservation Chair
Jim is a retired mechanical design engineer and Florida Master Naturalist, who now concentrates on citizen science, endangered species, birds, and other eco-related volunteer efforts. He has logged over a thousand hours in the state parks, working with both Florida Scrub Jays and Sea Turtles.
Ray Klahne
Past President
Ray is designated as a Wealth Advisor and Senior Portfolio Manager at UBS Financial Services Inc in Stuart. Ray is an avid long-distance backpacker having hiked over 1,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail and numerous others. Ray is trained in Wilderness First Aid and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. He is a member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.
Mike Murphy
VolunTEEN Lead
Bio coming soon!
Abigail Satchell
Abigail is a dedicated 3D artist with a lifelong passion for nature. She earned her B.A. from Florida Atlantic University in 2018 and her M.F.A. from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2023.
Her educational experiences not only sharpened her artistic abilities but also deepened her commitment to environmental work, inspiring her to use her art as a platform to advocate for the natural world.
Abigail believes in the fundamental connection between people and the environment, recognizing that the health of one is inseparable from the other. She is excited to bring her talents and passion to our chapter and looks forward to contributing to the community’s growth.
Sonia Sousa
Photography Contest Lead
Sonia has spent a good portion of her working years in the sales, marketing, digital design
and product photography arena. This led her to start photographing flora and fauna as a hobby, and cultivating her knowledge of different species of birds, and their habitats, calls and behavior. Spending time outdoors and studying the complexities of different
ecosystems opened her eyes to the importance of the education and conservation efforts needed to preserve this for generations to come.
Sonia comes from a multi-cultural background and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and information with others to create the needed awareness.