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Melinda Averhart is responsible for all aspects of stewardship and outreach, as well as conducting surveys and monitoring the coastal birds of Mississippi. Melinda has worked with breeding Least Terns, Black Skimmers and Wilson’s Plovers for ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ in Florida, Louisiana, and currently Mississippi. She graduated cum laude from Florida Gulf Coast University, with a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her senior research was focused on the effects of Fish Crow abatement techniques on a Florida seabird breeding colony. Melinda held varying positions on the Board within her local ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ chapter, Vice President being the last, while also filling the roll of Program Chair for 5 years. She fell in love with shorebirds during her time spent working as a Naturalist and Stewardship Coordinator on the beautiful beaches and barrier islands of Southwest Florida. Melinda joined the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Mississippi team in September 2017 and moved to Ocean Springs to further her experience along the Gulf Coast. She is currently working on beach-nesting bird outreach and education in varying capacities.