William Laurie

Will joined our esteemed Board of Directors in the Spring of 2024. His background includes being a member of SPAS (St. Petersburg Audubon) before embracing his role at TAS. His passion for birding was ignited by the remarkable American Alligator , prompting him to invest in a camera to capture their essence. In the absence of a cooperative subject, Will often redirected his lens towards the avian residents of Lettuce Lake Park instead, sparking a deep curiosity about them that evolved into an all-consuming passion for birding. Hailing from the vibrant city of New Orleans and raised along the east coast of Florida near the iconic space station, Will moved to Tampa in 2016 to pursue his studies at USF in Biological Health Sciences. Beyond his ornithological pursuits, Will indulges his love for metal concerts and playing guitar, figuring out problems at the bouldering gym, delves into concert and wildlife photography, and explores the city on his trusty bike, navigating from park to park with unwavering enthusiasm. The majestic osprey holds a special place in his heart, serving as a steadfast companion during a time of significant change in his life. Will found solace and security in the osprey's ubiquitous presence, offering him a sense of constancy wherever he ventured. Will leads the Colony Watch volunteer program for Tampa Audubon along with the heading up our Burrowing Owl efforts, Project Burr-O.