Award-Winning Volunteers

Houston Audubon has a staff of less than 25 people and over 500 active volunteers, so to say that volunteers are important to our mission is an understatement. Houston Audubon relies on volunteers every day of the year to help us with education, restoration, administration and everything and anything you can imagine.

Each year we celebrate the contributions of these valued volunteers at a picnic at the Edith L. Moore log cabin. On top of recognizing the work of all volunteers collectively, each year we select one (and sometimes two) distinguished volunteers who went above and beyond to support our work in a way that stood out to staff and board members, who we honor with the Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer Award*.

Ridley Smith - Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer for 2025

Ridley Smith and Jed Aplaca

Houston Audubon is proud to recognize Ridley Smith as the recipient of the 2025 Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer Award.

Ridley is a dedicated and familiar presence at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, where he volunteers multiple times each week. Whether assisting in the Natives Nursery, supporting the Trail Crew, supervising Eagle Scout projects, helping with sanctuary workdays, or addressing unexpected repairs, Ridley consistently brings both skill and enthusiasm to every task.

Shortly after he began volunteering, the sanctuary faced significant storm damage from a derecho followed by Hurricane Beryl. During this challenging period, Ridley became a steady and dependable presence, helping restore trails, repair infrastructure, and support ongoing recovery efforts. His willingness to step in wherever needed quickly made him an invaluable member of Houston Audubon’s volunteer community.

Now a Texas Master Naturalist with hundreds of volunteer hours supporting Houston Audubon, Ridley continues to advance the organization’s mission through both hands-on work and mentorship. He frequently welcomes volunteers and visitors into the Natives Nursery, sharing his knowledge about native plants, habitat restoration, and the importance of cultivating species that support birds and wildlife along the Upper Texas Coast!

The Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer Award honors individuals who exemplify the spirit of volunteerism through extraordinary dedication, effectiveness, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm for Houston Audubon’s mission. Ridley embodies each of these qualities. His commitment of time and energy, his thoughtful approach to solving problems, and his generosity in encouraging others to get involved reflect the very values this award was created to celebrate.

Houston Audubon is deeply grateful for Ridley’s contributions and proud to honor him as the 2025 Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer Award recipient.

*Laura Singleton

The Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteer Award is an annual tribute and memorial to Laura Singleton, a long-time Houston Audubon volunteer who passed away in 2002. The criteria for the award mirrors what Laura herself represented - the best of volunteerism. Laura was collaborative, inclusive and flexible in getting people to work together. She never hesitated to ask others to help, and because she approached everyone with enthusiasm and good humor, people responded in kind. Although she could see the obstacles, she typically proceeded without hesitation to think up seven or eight ways to overcome them. She is still greatly missed by all of us at Houston Audubon, and we take great pleasure in honoring her and other exceptional volunteers each year.

Laura Singleton Exceptional Volunteers