Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Bird Walk
Saturday, February 3, 7:30-11am
To inaugurate Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's 2018 Early-Bird Walk program, TAS President Joe Barros (bilingual) will lead birders through the world-famous garden. Meet at 7:30am in the Matheson Hammock parking lot adjacent to Fairchild’s north entrance. Entrance fee to Fairchild will be waived for TAS members. Participants will enter the gardens via the south gate. Continental breakfast and a bird migration presentation by TAS Board member and Field Trip Coordinator
Brian Rapoza
will follow the walk at 9:30am.
Birding 101 Bird Walk @ East Everglades
Saturday, February 10, 7:30-11am
(scroll down for Birding 101 lecture)
Join TAS Board member and Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza and Leica Store Miami for a walk into areas of the East Everglades that are now closed to vehicular traffic. Meet at 7:30am at the new turnaround at the west end of SW 168 Street, 4 miles west of Krome Avenue (SW 177 Avenue). Return is at approximately 11am. No fee.
A limited number of Leica binoculars and scopes will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Shark Valley/Loop Road Birding
Saturday, February 24, 8am-3pm
John Hutchison
will lead this all-day trip. Meet at 8am at the airboat concession on the north side of Tamiami Trail (US 41), 1 mile west of the Shark Valley entrance. There is an entrance fee to Shark Valley. Bring lunch.
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Audubon, National Geographic, Cornell, BirdLife International and, most importantly, bird lovers everywhere are teaming up for a year of action for birds!
Twenty-eighteen marks the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Centennial. To honor our country's most important bird-protection law it's important to remain vigilant in protecting birds in our own backyard. Year of the Bird is about celebrating the wonder of our feathered friends, examining how our changing environment is driving dramatic losses among bird species and learning what we can all do to reverse this trend.
Sign the pledge
to build a better world for birds and each month, Audubon will send you one simple action you can take to make a difference for birds and for the planet.
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For Hire: Birder & Botanist
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Prestigious Duke University is seeking to fill two positions this spring: a Birder and a Botanist. Each will work on an urban ecology research project in Miami funded by the National Science Foundation. Click
Click Here
for more information.
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Honor Everglades Restoration
Tell Governor Rick Scott: Reservoir Footprint is Too Small!
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To meet the requirements of Senate Bill 10, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD or “the District”) spent months evaluating and modeling available water storage and treatment options for a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. The alternatives that the District has presented to the State Legislature will not do the job, nor are all the tools provided by SB10 being leveraged.
The proposed reservoir footprint is too small, and does not have enough filter marsh (Storage Treatment Area) to clean the water to federally mandated water quality levels. If water quality standards are not met, then the water cannot be sent south. If the District continues on its current path, taxpayers will have funded a $1.6 billion reservoir that does not send enough clean water south.
Fortunately, the state owns other lands that can be used for the reservoir project, but these parcels are currently leased to sugar producers. If the leases are canceled, these lands can be swapped for lands contiguous to the proposed reservoir footprint. Please
contact Governor Rick Scott’s office today
,
and urge him to cancel leases on 18,000 acres of taxpayer land — your land — currently leased to the same sugar companies that have refused to sell any land for this project.
Governor Scott cannot declare an Everglades environmental victory until a
viable
reservoir is established with sufficient filtration that reduces discharges to estuaries and sends clean water south to Florida Bay.
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Marine Stadium Public Workshop:
Mooring Field Use
Thursday, February 1, 5:30pm
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A Public Workshop regarding the Marine Stadium's Mooring Field will be hosted by the Virginia Key Advisory Board at the Manuel Artime Theater. Under discussion: the use of the Mooring Field area, i.e. dragonboat, rowing and race practices, as well as race corridors. Please contribute your voice to the conservation conversation!
Manuel Artime Theater
Park in the back of the theater. Entrance to the parking lot is on SW 2nd ST
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Defend the Migratory Bird Species Act
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As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) this year, our most important bird protection law is under attack. Legislation in Congress (HR 4239), and a new interpretation of the law by the current administration, would end the ability to hold industries accountable for bird deaths.
These proposals would prevent enforcement of “incidental” bird deaths, remove incentives for companies to adopt practices that protect birds from threats such as oil waste pits, and eliminate penalties for companies that kill substantial numbers of birds, including from large oil spills.
The MBTA has helped many species rebound from the brink of extinction and also protects our favorite backyard birds.
Urge your members of Congress and the Department of the Interior to uphold the Migratory Bird Treaty Act!
Contact your Elected Officials
here
.
Read more about the current legislation
here.
Read the Audubon MBTA Fact Sheet
here
.
Sign up for Action Alerts
here
.
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Tell Lawmakers to Fund Parks, not Paper Clips!
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Funding to protect Florida's most critical land and water resources is a top priority. With the passage of Florida's Land and Water Legacy Amendment in 2014, Floridians signaled that conservation, habitat and watershed protection programs are a top priority.
Unfortunately, in recent years, funds made available from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund have been redirected to fund state government agency operations, leaving less for essential conservation programs.
Thankfully, Senator Rob Bradley has proposed to safeguard the Land Acquisition Trust Fund piggybank from use that diverges from its purpose. If his measure is approved, more funding will be available for the core priority conservation programs.
If you support conservation funding being used for conservation, call or write to your lawmakers today!
Fill out Audubon’s petition
here
.
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Doc Thomas House Docent-guided Tours @ TAS
Y'all Come! Saturday, February 3, 1 & 3pm
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Photo: Arden Hayes "Doc" Thomas and his mother, Margaret, perched on the house's then-unscreened front porch.
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Visit the historic Doc Thomas House for a captivating, 45-minute guided tour led by a TAS docent. Learn about the Birds' benefactor Arden Hayes Thomas, the renowned architect he commissioned and the home's distinctive architectural features. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, named a Florida Heritage Site and designated a Dade County landmark, the charming 1932 cottage has much to say for itself! Gain insights into local and national Audubon history, too. Tours include a stroll through our Steinberg Nature Center grounds weather-permitting.
Admission FREE: Donations Welcomed
CLICK HERE
to invite Friends on Facebook & spread the word
REMEMBER: follow us on
Twitter
, to tag us on Historic Facts and on
Instagram
, to share your photos in a post or story!
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Every year the Audubon Photography Awards showcase the best in Bird Photography (check out last year’s winning photos
here
. Winning photos are published in Audubon magazine and Nature’s Best Photography magazine, and displayed within the 2017 Nature’s Best Photography Exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in D.C.
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Birding 101 @ Leica Store Miami
Friday, February 9, 7-9pm
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I
f you are a budding Birder, or simply just love birds, then join TAS Board Member and Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza for Birding 101. Brian will share everything you need to know to get started in Birding, including bird identification, how to use binoculars and field guides, and tips and tricks on locating birds in varying habitats.
The program will be capped the following morning with a Birding 101 Walk led by Brian in the East Everglades (Saturday, February 10, 7:30am — scroll back to the top for details).
A limited number of Leica binoculars and scopes will be available on a first come, first served basis.*
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SoMi ArtWalk Reception @ TAS
“Fragile Gifts” Exhibit Opening Night
Featuring Works by Sophie & Jedda Wong
Friday, February 9, 6-8pm
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Serving as SoMi ArtWalk's eastern outpost, our historic Doc Thomas House period parlor is transformed into a vibrant art gallery as Sophie and Jedda Wong present their exhibition titled "Fragile Gifts." Together they convey their appreciation of the beauty and fragility of our Natural World, whether flora, fauna or indigenous peoples — all of which are deeply impacted by our modern way of life. The exhibit will showcase works in acrylic, watercolor and graphite
The opening night reception will also feature complimentary light fare and our Donation Bird Bar.
“Fragile Gifts” will hang through February in our “Florida Heritage Site” 1932 cottage headquarters. Hours vary so please contact Events Director Amy Creekmur at events@tropicalaudubon.org to make an appointment.
Bonus
: Park for free on our Steinberg Nature Center grounds via the 55th Avenue entry gate and use TAS as your ArtWalk home base for a gallery-hopping stroll into town.
*Thirty percent of the proceeds from the sale of all art benefit Tropical Audubon Society.
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Eco Restoration Day @ TAS's Porter Russell Pine Rockland
Saturday, January 13, 8:30-11:30am
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Help TAS steward our Porter Russell Pine Rockland, an 8-acre property in South Miami-Dade County, and one of the few remaining tracts of globally imperiled Pine Rockland habitat remaining outside of Everglades National Park.
Please bring sunscreen, your refillable water bottle, and wear closed-toe shoes. We will provide water.
Eco-restoration days take place on the second Saturday of every month. Groups welcome!
Click Here to RSVP
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Florida Trail Association Meeting @ TAS
Tuesday, February 13, 7-9pm
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Get involved with the Florida Trail Association!
In addition to its February 13 meeting at TAS, the following hikes are scheduled:
February 3 & March 3:
Two-Part Miami River Historical Hike with Debbie Levi
February 3 meet
at the Miami Circle downtown at 7am. This hike takes about six hours.
March 3 meet at the jury parking lot used for the Dade County criminal court,
1250 NW 12th Street, Miami
at 7am. This hike takes about five hours.
Feb. 17:
Day Hike in Big Cypress Section 2 Red Trail w/Happy Hoofers
Meet at MM63 on I75 North Parking Lot at 9:30am. Hike approx 7.5 miles into Big Cypress Preserve at moderate 2-2.5 mph pace. Bring extra shoes/socks, lunch, several bottles of water, something to sit on at Carpenter Camp, sunscreen, hat, bug spray, optional camera/binoculars. This hike takes about 4 hours.
Leaders:
Steve Galla, 914-953-2222 and Mike Thompson, 561-290-9984
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Show the Birds Some Love on Valentine's Day
Wednesday, February 14
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Be TAS's Valentine.
Gift/Join/Renew
your dedication to keep South Florida beautiful and wild. Give your Valentine the Gift of Nature with a TAS membership & support South Florida's Voice of Conservation.
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Rise Up Florida Environmental Committee Meeting @ TAS
Thursday, February 15, 6:30pm
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Rise Up Florida! is a grassroots group of engaged citizens whose goals are to mobilize people, activate them to protect our community from unfair and unjust policies, and work toward electing representatives who reflect our core values of equal rights and opportunity for all.
Pot-luck — bring something delicious! Please be mindful and refrain from using disposable items to make, carry or serve your dish. No plastic bags, single-use plastic or styrofoam, please.
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Ready, Set, Count!
2018 Great Backyard Bird Count
Friday, February 16 - Monday, February 19
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Between February 16-19 Bird Watchers of all ages count birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are located. Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was the first on-line citizen science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real time.
It’s easy and a lot of fun for the entire family! Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC and enter your checklists at
birdcount.org
. You can count for longer if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like — one day or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each new day, for each new location, or for the same location if you counted at a different time of day.
In addition to counting birds, participants can submit photos of birds as part of the Great Backyard Bird Photo Contest! Photos must be taken during the count period. Submissions from around the Birding world can also be viewed.
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Bird Day @ TAS's Steinberg Nature Center
Saturday, February 17, Noon-4pm
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Nurture budding birders and junior naturalists at our free annual Bird Day festival featuring an engaging afternoon of games, prizes, exploration and educational activities on our near-native Steinberg Nature Center grounds. Bird Day is the perfect venue for school ecology clubs, scout troops and young children seeking an outdoor adventure. Meet wild birds visiting with us from the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. Join our bird experts and learn how to identify birds by their silhouettes. Take part in Owl Pellet dissection, craft Piping Plover “chicks” and experience a microscopic view of the colorful world of feathers. Bring the entire family!
The mid-winter event also celebrates the annual migration of nearly 350 species of birds stopping to refuel and recharge in South Florida on their return from non-breeding grounds in the Caribbean, South America and Mexico to their nesting habitats in North America.
Participants can also join TAS Board member and Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza for a presentation on the 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count! Learn how your family can participate in February 16-19 event when bird watchers of all ages count birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are located.
Additionally:
Nature lovers can explore the trails that thread the restored Tropical Hardwood Hammock and Pine Rockland habitats. History buffs can tour the 1932 Doc Thomas House, which serves as TAS headquarters and is designated a “Florida Heritage Site."
onsite free parking via SW 55th Avenue entry gate
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Eco-Restoration Day @ TAS's Steinberg Nature Center
Saturday, January 17, 8:30-11:30am
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Photo Credit Tom E. Smith
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Help TAS steward our Porter Russell Pine Rockland, an 8-acre property in South Miami-Dade County, and one of the few remaining tracts of globally imperiled Pine Rockland habitat remaining outside of Everglades National Park.
Please bring sunscreen, your refillable water bottle, and wear closed-toe shoes. We will provide water.
Eco-restoration days take place on the second Saturday of every month. Groups welcome!
Click Here to Send Us an Email!
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Go Solar!
Join a Solar Co-op Information Session Near You
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Live in Miami-Dade and want to go solar? Residents have come together to form a neighborhood-centric Miami-Dade Solar Co-op, with the help of Solar United Neighbors of Florida, to make it easier to save money on the purchase of solar panels, while building a community of local solar supporters. Attend an information session in your neighborhood to learn more about how the Southern Miami-Dade Solar Co-op is streamlining the process of going solar and earning a discount through bulk purchase power.
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Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Meeting @ TAS
Thursday, February 22, 7-9pm
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Get the latest developments surrounding Walmart/Coral Reef Commons Development plans to bulldoze and pave over imperiled habitat at the former University of Miami South Campus.
Learn about plans to Save the Pine Rocklands, and how you can participate by helping ramp-up "Save it, Don't Pave it" efforts all the way to Washington D.C.
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Conservation Concert
Solar Dogs
Saturday, February 24, 7pm
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Solar Dogs, the seriously talented, critically acclaimed four-piece acoustic band, returns to TAS this month to light up the Keystone Stage for the eighth year running.
The all-strings group performs a rich repertoire of "Americana" music that includes traditional, contemporary and original material. Michael Stock, host of WLRN's Folk and Acoustic Music program, describes SOLAR DOGS as “the definitive South Florida sound." Band members and their instruments: Eric Wagner, vocals, guitar, mandolin; Zip Robertson, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Bill Kunz, fiddle, mandolin, banjo; and Anthony Dick, upright bass.Solar Dogs's classic “Bone to Pick” CD will be available for purchase.
Also on the menu:
Il Fiorentino Food Truck will dish its exceptional Italian fare; wines from Republic National Distributing Co. and local craft beer courtesy of Miami Brewing Company will flow at our signature donation Bird Bar.
Picnic tables available on a first-come basis.
Gates open at 7pm; music begins at 7:30pm
CASH door: $10 p/p, children 12 and under FREE
Parking: Limited free parking via our 55th Avenue auto gate and along 56th Avenue; metered parking on Sunset Drive; various garage and valet parking options within 1-3 blocks; Metro-rail service to South Miami Station.
Proceeds benefit capital improvements to the grounds and historic buildings.
onsite free parking via SW 55th Avenue entry gate
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... for so generously supporting "South Florida's Voice of Conservation." The publishers of Community Newspapers assure Tropical Audubon's environmental and event messaging is regularly broadcast across its family of publications, both print and electronic.
From Aventura to Cutler Bay, Miami's Community Newspapers endeavor to educate readers about the birds and the bees, the butterflies and the manatees. "Once our readers understand how interconnected all systems in a community are, they are more willing to contribute," says Amy Livergood Donner, the publication's director of advertising. "That's our role — connect and then contribute. For that reason, we are delighted to support Tropical Audubon Society with editorial and donated advertising space."
Pick up a free copy of your neighborhood's Community Newspaper at your bank, coffee shop or post office. Or advertise your goods or services on its pages. More than any other local medium, Miami's Community Newspapers help TAS cultivate community through conservation!
Supporting those vendors who support TAS is an easy way to contribute to our Mission. The birds will thank you!
onsite free parking via SW 55th Avenue entry gate
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