Theodora Hayes Long 

Theodora Hayes Long has dedicated over three decades to conservation, education, and community engagement, leaving a profound impact on Miami-Dade County. As the Executive Director of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center since 1992, Theodora has raised over $16 million to support the Center's construction, operations, and educational programming. She has been instrumental in providing underserved children with free access to environmental education and summer camp programs, fostering a lifelong respect for the natural world among Miami-Dade's youth.

Theodora's journey was shaped by her involvement with the Junior League of Miami, which she joined in 1985. It was through the League that she first encountered the vision of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who sought support for building a nature center by the sea. Inspired, Theodora took on the Biscayne Nature Center as her League placement, serving as a committee member, project chair, and eventually the Center's Executive Director. The Biscayne Nature Center, under her direction, established important partnerships with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Parks & Recreation to provide educational programs and interactive exhibits for the community. Her efforts have ensured the Center's sustainability, making it a cornerstone of environmental education in South Florida.

Beyond her work at the Nature Center, Theodora has contributed significantly to Miami's broader community. She revitalized the Community Service Organization at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, serving as President from 2014 to 2021, where she introduced the annual Full Moon Gala fundraiser and helped bring families back to the park through free community events. Her initiative during the pandemic to produce a short film, Who Was Bill Baggs?, earned a 2022 Suncoast Emmy Award and ensured that the park's history remains accessible to all.

Her commitment to conservation extends into her personal life, from planting 100 trees in her Miami neighborhood in 1984 to serving as a board member of local environmental organizations. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2007 Miami-Dade County In the Company of Women Award, the 2022 Defender of the Everglades Award, and the 2023 Citizen for a Better South Florida Award.

Throughout her career, Theodora credits her foundation in leadership to the Junior League of Miami. She reflects, "The League gave me the confidence, skills, and empowerment to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact." Theodora Hayes Long continues to inspire her community through her unwavering dedication to conservation, education, and public service.