|
|
The Limpkin Times
Apalachee Audubon Society Mission Statement:
Protection of the environment through education,
appreciation and conservation.
December 2017
|
|
Holidays can, and should, distract us. But you didn't really think that we slowed down, did you? Several exciting field trips are coming up and we have volunteer opportunities out the wazoo! What better way to put those new optics or field guides you got from your loved ones to use than to use them at one of our events?
|
|
Winter Social - Audubon Society and Sierra Club
Wednesday, December 6
6:00 - 8:00 PM
You are invited to come out and socialize with fellow Tallahassee nature lovers! This winter social is co-hosted by the Big Bend Sierra Club and the Apalachee Audubon Society. There will be delicious GrassLands beer for purchase, free pizza, and a showing of beautiful images shot by local nature photographers. Pizza from Gaines Street Pies will be served at 7:00 p.m.
|
|
January Program
The Islands at Apalachicola with oceanographer Jeff Chanton & nature writer Susan Cerulean
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Social 7:00 PM, Program 7:30 PM
The King Life Sciences Building
319 Stadium Drive, Room 1024
Summary:
Oceanographer Jeff Chanton and nature writer Susan Cerulean will share what they've learned over two decades of studying and exploring St Vincent Island, a national wildlife refuge west of Apalachicola. They will talk about how the River's flow affects the configuration of the island, and some of the wild creatures who call it home.
|
|
Other Upcoming Field Trips
|
|
Saturday, December 9
12:45 PM - 4:00 PM
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot at 12:45 p.m. Don Morrow will be leading this ride behind the gates where one will see plenty of ducks. You must call the Refuge directly to book this tour and the phone number is
850-925-6121
. There is limited space, so if this fills up, ask about the other tram rides available. There is one at 9 a.m. that morning, for instance. The ride is from 1-4 p.m.
No registration required for this field trip.
|
Friday, December 15
7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Ochlockonee River State Park
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Publix parking lot at the intersection of Capital Circle SW and SR61 or Crawfordville Highway. We will be carpooling so please indicate if you are a willing driver.
Park fees apply. $4.00 per vehicle up to eight people.
|
|
|
Register for the Apalachicola River Symposium
This conference will bring renewed attention to the ecological, cultural and economic importance of the Apalachicola River, Floodplain and Bay and strengthen efforts to ensure the sustainability of this resource for current and future generations.
The political, regulatory, and physical contexts for managing long standing issues of flow are changing within the Tri-State region of the Apalachicola Chattahoochee Flint (ACF) Basin. Of particular importance are the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin Water Control Manual recently proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the anticipated decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Florida v Georgia. Drought management is taking on increased importance, while long standing questions of science and management remain important both in Florida and within the larger ACF Basin.
The conference will offer opportunities to learn about the challenges and opportunities ahead from knowledgeable scientists, elected leaders and local, state and federal water managers in the Tri-State region, as well as from other stakeholders.
First Day Conference Only -
(Science Sessions) $25.00
Day 2-3 Conference Registration (Policy and Regulatory Issues) -
$125 (includes 1 banquet ticket)
All 3 Days -
$135 (includes 1 banquet ticket)
Post Conference Bus Trip and Boat Ride on Apalachicola River (Friday from noon - 5 pm) (limited seats) -
$35
Social and Banquet with Guest Speaker Senator Bob Graham
(purchased separately)
-
$50
|
|
Join a Bird Biology and Stewardship Shorebird Walk
Florida’s coastal areas are home to a wide variety of migratory, wintering and nesting shorebirds and seabirds. Join us for a leisurely walk along the beach searching for both rare and common birds. Learn behaviors, identification tips, stewardship and the threats facing these amazing birds.
Two comfortably paced 1.5 -2 hour walks along the beach are being offered in the Eastern Panhandle:
Bald Point State Park
Audubon Florida Field Techs Laura Garey and Brandon Boehm and
Park Services Specialist Emory Maxwell
When:
Saturday, December 9, 2017 10-11:30 am
Where:
North Park Entrance at 810 Bald Point Rd, Alligator Point, FL 32346
Fees:
There is an entrance fee to state park ($4 per car). Shorebird Walk is FREE!
No registration required
Cape San Blas, Salinas Park
Audubon Florida Field Tech Chris Lipps
When:
Saturday, December 9, 2017 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Where:
Salinas Park beach side parking lot
Shorebird Walk is FREE, but registration required for this walk
|
|
North Florida Birding and Botany Field Trips and North American Wolf Encounter with Orange Audubon!
December 7-10
Tall Timbers Research Station and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
This one is coming up quickly but there are still spaces. Orange Audubon would love you to join us on a weekend trip to the Florida Panhandle’s Red Hills area, called one of America’s “last great places” by The Nature Conservancy, hosted by TTRS’ vertebrate ecology program director (and our weekend birding guide) Jim Cox. The weekend includes 4 birding/botany field trips, other natural history pursuits and a private, hands-on tour at
Seacrest Wolf Preserve
near Chipley.
Early Bird Registration for the entire weekend including guides, admission to Seacrest, 3 lunches and a cookout dinner at TTRS is just $80 for Audubon members/$95 non-members. You can also pay a partial fee for the Seacrest-only or the birding/botany-only portions. Participants are responsible for lodging, other meals, transportation and incidentals. A full description of the events can be found on
Meetup
, in the Orange Audubon Society
November newsletter
, or by contacting Teresa Williams for more information, including lodging options, and to reserve field trip spots:
(407) 718-1977
or
[email protected]
.
|
|
Audubon Members Take Kids To St. Marks NWR
On two separate trips, Audubon member Elizabeth Platt accompanied children to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, once with fellow Audubon member, Madhu Nepal.
Read more
to learn about what they found. Apparently, kids that don't bird often are good luck!
|
|
We want to hear from you! Send us your reports from the field, your photos, and birding/conservation related events in the community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
