California-based REC Solar is donating materials and installation costs for a new 10-kilowatt solar electric system to the National Audubon Society’s Corkscrew Sanctuary in Naples, in recognition of its response to the BP Gulf oil disaster. The organization played a central role in the successful recovery of imperiled Brown Pelicans within a broad volunteer bird rescue effort, and continues to monitor citizen/science activities to restore and preserve threatened Gulf ecosystems. It also champions greater renewable energy use as key to avoiding future disasters and reducing climate-changing emissions.

Corkscrew Center Director Ed Carlson says, “It’s gratifying to get this new opportunity to use renewable energy in recognition of Audubon’s efforts to renew the Gulf.”

Corkscrew hosts 100,000 visitors annually and is home to the largest stand of old-growth bald cypress trees in North America, the nation’s largest nesting colonies of endangered wood storks and 200 other bird species.

For more info, visit Audubon.org and RECSolar.com.