Since its inception, the Toyota TogetherGreen Program, working with Audubon, has trained more than 450 conservation leaders who have mobilized over 300,000 people to reduce energy, protect wildlife habitat, and improve water quality across the country.
In combat, Michael Allison (US Marine Corps, 1999-2007) took actions that violated his moral code. Back home, he completed treatment for PTSD, but he knew something still wasn’t right…
Ken Elkins, a competitive birder and an Audubon Toyota Togethergreen fellow, created “Bird Tales” to help patients with Alzheimers and Dementia find lost memories by having them recall the sights and sounds of the birds of their childhood.
With support from the Toyota TogetherGreen program, Audubon employee Ken Elkins developed “Bird Tales” a dynamic, unique, and low cost therapeutic program that brings the natural outdoor world of birds to people living with dementia. Working with dementia care expert Randy L. Griffin and facilities operated by Transcon Corporation, Ken launched Bird Tales to encourage participants to connect with birds on a multisensory level — sight, sound, smell, and touch. Ken works with facility staff to improve the quality of bird habitat at each facility, incorporating practices like organic lawn care, landscaping with native species and setting up bird feeding stations. Ken also developed a training video and workbook to make this program easy to replicate and implement at other dementia care and assisted living centers throughout Audubon’s national network. To learn more visit Bird Tales
Marlene Diaz (US Navy 1991-1995) felt that being Nuyorican — a Puerto Rican New Yorker — made her a target in the Navy. PTSD treatment helped her regain pride in who she is.
Iraq war veteran and restoration ecologist Benjamin Haberthur secured a $10,000 grant in from the National Audubon Society and Toyota to establish the Veterans Conservation Corps in Chicago, a volunteer corps of veterans working to restore natural areas. In 2013, Benjamin secured an additional $56,000 grant from Audubon’s Toyota TogetherGreen program. He hopes that a positive experience with nature can become a broader experience shared by fellow veterans who may be struggling with symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. To learn more visit the Veterans Conservation Corps Facebook page.