Executive Board
Lyn Aal-Magee
Co- President
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.
Niki Desjardin
Co-President
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.
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Sarah Gosney
Co- President
Secretary
Sarah has been a member of Audubon of Martin County for 5 years, more recently as a docent, Planning Committee Chair for the 2024-2026 Flight Plan, a Tai Chi Instructor for Audubon members, Chair/Co-Chair of Audubon’s Birds & Butterflies event for 3 years. She also helps to coordinate the monthly Saturday Spruce-Up.
Sarah and her husband moved to Stuart, Florida in 1992. She became the first Executive Director of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition and served as such for 13 years. Sarah also served as the Director of Program Development & Operations for the Children’s Services Council of Martin County.
Sarah was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she earned a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University and MS from Utah State University in Human Development.
Phyllis Wehner
Office Administrator
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
John Nelson
Board Member
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
Board Member
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.
Eula Clarke
Board Member
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.
Jim Howe
Board Member
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.
Abigail Satchell
Board Member
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
Board Member
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.
Patrick Faehnle
Board Member
Pat Faehnle has been a Treasure Coast resident for over 40 years, first arriving in Jensen Beach to study environmental science and aquaculture at Florida Institute of Technology. Living along the Indian River Lagoon sparked a lifelong passion for nature, the outdoors, and the region he now calls home.
After earning a degree in Environmental Technology/Aquaculture, Pat managed aquaculture facilities and worked as a water quality consultant across the U.S., Caribbean, and South America, specializing in finfish, shrimp, and shellfish. He later returned to the Treasure Coast to build a business and raise a family in a community known for its strong commitment to environmental stewardship.
Pat is a business owner, Florida Master Naturalist, Audubon Certified Birding Naturalist, and award-winning photographer. He lives in Palm City with his wife of 44 years and is the proud father of two daughters.
John Trahan
Board Member
John is a retired Marine Engineer with a deep appreciation for nature and travel.
He has devoted much of his time to volunteering within his local community as well as in national and state parks, supporting public safety initiatives, community events, and the development and improvement of trail systems across diverse regions.
Currently, he serves as a docent at Possum Long, where he also contributes to the care and maintenance of the building and its surrounding grounds.
Rick Haan
Board Member
Rick has been a dedicated docent wirth AoMC at Possum Long for the last five years.
He has a BA in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University and an MBA in Operations Research from the University of Michigan.
Rick's professional background is in computer software consulting. He has designed accounting systems and ran small companies that developed and installed back office accounting related systems for ad agencies and cable network companies.
He was often responsible for internal accounting systems as COO, VP Finance or CFO and spent the last 10 years consulting to the industry on the implementation of these kinds of systems before his retirement 7 years ago.
Rick brings a wealth of knowledge in accounting and finance.
Lorraine Sulick-Morecraft
Board Member
Lorraine Morecraft combines her passion for conservation, photography, and community engagement through volunteer leadership, wildlife habitat advocacy, and environmental education.
She built a successful career in the biotechnology industry before retiring to Florida in 2007.
Lorraine is a volunteer for Audubon EagleWatch monitoring nests in Port St. Lucie and Palm City. Lorraine has produced several bird photobooks, including a book of Bahamas birds, and photo journals of her Florida big years.
She and her husband, Bob, are active members of the Audubon Society and local chapters in Martin, St. Lucie counties and Key West, supporting FL Keys Hawkwatch.
After a positive experience with “Mission Backyard,” at Audubon Martin County, Lorraine has transformed her backyard to a FL native plant and wildlife habitat and is both a member of FNPS and serves on the board of the Martin County chapter. Her backyard bird count now numbers over 90 species thanks to the new trees and plants!
Tony Thompson
Board Member