Florida Ornithological Society Archives

The Florida Ornithological Society (FOS) began with a meeting of ornithologists and birders in St. Petersburg, Florida from May 12-14, 1972. These founding members established FOS as an organization “to enable serious birders to better enjoy themselves in the field while rendering assistance to professional ornithologists.” The fledgling FOS soon held its first meeting on October 14, 1972 in Lakeland, Florida. Initially sponsored as a part of the Florida Audubon Society, the FOS’s mission to connect amateurs and professionals has produced substantial research and advances in the field of ornithology. FOS has published its journal The Florida Field Naturalist since 1973 as well as several special publications like Status and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay. FOS continues to hold biannual meetings at locations throughout Florida and provides the Helen G. and Allan D. Cruickshank Research Award to support research related to Florida birds.