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The Limpkin Times
Apalachee Audubon Society Mission Statement:
Protection of the environment through education,
appreciation and conservation.
February 2018
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Hopefully you didn't forget that Valentine's Day is approaching soon. But you may have forgotten that shorebird nesting season, and the nesting seasons of so many other bird species, will be here before you know it. Come along on one of our events or volunteer some of your time to get some direct experience with our feathered and(ok, some...) human friends!
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY for Apalachee Audubon non-members!
We need volunteers on Saturday, February 17, noon-2 PM or 2-4 PM. Here's the offer, spend 2 hours volunteering for our Wildlife-friendly Yards Tour and you will receive a one-year membership in the National Audubon Society/Audubon Florida/Apalachee Audubon.
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February Program
Shorebirds of the Apalachicola System with Jennifer Manis and Paula Muellner
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Social 7:00 PM, Program 7:30 PM
The King Life Sciences Building
319 Stadium Drive, Room 1024
Summary:
In keeping with this year’s theme, restoring the Apalachicola, this month’s program will focus on the shorebirds that are part of this ecosystem. Our speakers are Paula Grendel, a shorebird biologist, and Jennifer Manis, a conservation biologist. Both are based in Panama City and work for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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Saturday, February 24, 2018
8:00 AM 3:00 PM
Lake Seminole
Meet at 8 a.m. at the Pilot Gas Station at the intersection of US90 West and I-10. We will be carpooling, so please indicate if you are a willing driver. We will visit 3 Rivers State Park and Apalachee WMA if time permits.
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Indian and Nepal...We Somehow Did It
Last December, I visited India and Nepal to search for birds and other wildlife. Although the trip wasn't easy, it proved that you can, indeed, see the animals you want to see on a budget if you get creative.
Read more
to hear about the highs and lows of the trip.
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Register for the Apalachicola River Symposium March 14-16
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)
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$50
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Join Us On A Tour of Wildlife-friendly Yards
Saturday, February 17
10:00-4:00
Interested in making your yard more attractive to birds and other wildlife? The Apalachee Audubon Society invites you to take a self-guided tour of five local yards that are wildlife havens.
Tickets are $10 per person and are available now at Native Nurseries and Wild Birds Unlimited. Check the
Wildlife-friendly Yard Tour webpage
for an announcement of ticket availability and contact information for the stores.
Ticket holders will receive addresses and directions to each location at the time of purchase.
Each yard has unique features to attract a variety of birds and other wildlife such as wintering hummingbirds, orioles, tanagers, finches, and pine siskins as well as our year-round residents. You will be inspired to maintain your own yard or green space for wildlife, whether it is one bird feeder, one nest box, one wildflower bed, one garden path, or one natural area.
Make a difference for wildlife, one yard at a time! Join us in our 11th annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour and fundraiser to benefit Apalachee Audubon Society.
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A Few Good Volunteers Needed
Join Audubon Florida’s
Citizen Science Program
Become a Bird Steward
Beach-Nesting Bird season has started and volunteers are needed to help with these statewide efforts. Contact Bonnie at [email protected] to learn of opportunities on how you can help!
Audubon Florida will be offering free training to citizens who:
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Care about Florida’s wildlife
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Have good people skills
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Want to be part of their community
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Want to be part of a solution
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Are looking for an interesting outdoor experience
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Can educate the public on Florida’s beach-nesting birds
We will give you the training you need!
Volunteer Chaperones (Bird Stewards) are needed. The summer weekend and holidays bring a lot more people to our beaches and needed protections for our cute chicks! We have opportunities where you can help in the eastern Panhandle if you have 3-4 hour of time to help.
Learn about the issues facing these important bird species: beach impacts, habitat decline and predation and hear about statewide efforts to reverse the declining population trends.
If you like the beach, water and birds and want to be a part of these community conservation efforts, come train for Audubon’s Bird Steward Program.
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We Need You!
One of the highlights of being in any organization, but particularly one related to conservation, involves that warm feeling of knowing that something you did made a difference. Apalachee Audubon does a lot that makes very big differences, both with people and with wildlife. Whether we are teaching kids about birds, exposing people to local natural areas for the first time, talking about birds at events, or fundraising for our conservation initiatives, we are pretty much always working on something to make a positive impact.
Our board works very, very hard on various initiatives in addition to juggling careers, family, etc. In essence, we are about at capacity. We do have members who step up to help any chance they get, helping us at events, helping to lead field trips, or working with our educational programs. But we would really like to see more members take an active role in our organization. Without that assistance, it is harder for us to accomplish our missions that make such positive impacts. And isn't that the reason you joined in the first place?
Ask yourself if you can spare an hour a month to volunteer with us in some capacity. The following projects could use your help:
- Apalachicola Symposium
- Pineview Elementary Teaching
- Manning booths at Upcoming Events
- Participating in the Birdathon
- Helping At Our Annual Banquet
- Assisting The Conservation Committee With Their Many Projects
- And So Much More!
So please, consider what you can do to make this organization all it can be.
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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.
A comfortably paced 1.5 hour walk along the beach is being offered in the Eastern Panhandle: Bald Point State Park
Audubon Florida Field Techs Laura Garey and Brandon Boehm and Park Service Specialist Emory Maxwell
When: Saturday, February 17, 2018 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!
Contact: Emory Maxwell, Bald Point State Park at 850-349-9146 or [email protected] No registration required.
Please bring binoculars if you have them!
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Have you been birding lately? Feel free to send us your reports from the field and/or photos so that we can share them with others!
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