Northern Parula. Photo: Melanie Palik
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We're finally getting into our Summer weather pattern with rain clouds forming over the Everglades and thundering east, but July in South Florida also marks the arrival of our first Fall migrants.
You can likely see Black-necked Stilt, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral, Stilt and Least Sandpipers and other shorebirds in flooded Homestead agricultural fields and in the Everglades Agricultural Area south of Lake Okeechobee. These flooded fields also often attract impressive assemblages of wading birds, including the Wood Stork and Roseate Spoonbill. By month-end, southbound songbirds begin to alight in welcoming backyards and area parks. Expected species include Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, American Redstart, Northern Parula and Black-and-white, Yellow-throated and Prairie Warblers. To attract more Fall visitors in search of "Bed & Breakfast" accommodations, consider expanding your yard's native habitat now because rainy season is the best time to plant.
Finally, it gives me great pleasure to confirm that regularly scheduled birding field trips will resume next month. Please check our website for August dates and times. And don't forget to visit our Tropical Audubon Facebook Bird Board and discover what other birders are posting! Our Doc Thomas House headquarters remains closed to the public.
See you on the Bird Board,
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Brian Rapoza
TAS Field Trip Coordinator
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Alan Wolfe Steinberg
October 26, 1927 — June 14, 2021
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Tropical Audubon Society’s longtime board member and Steinberg Nature Center patron Alan Wolfe Steinberg died June 14, 2021, of natural causes at age 93. He was interred on Friday, June 18 in Miami at Mount Nebo Cemetery. Alan will be remembered fondly and deeply missed by his Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) colleagues.
The Coral Gables resident joined the TAS board in 1980 and is its longest-serving member. Among his countless contributions, the founder of The Alan W. Steinberg Limited Partnership helped grow the TAS endowment and also made a significant contribution toward conservation education and grounds upkeep in 2012, at which time the campus was renamed Steinberg Nature Center.
Read our full tribute to Alan HERE.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Tropical Audubon Society in Alan's name. Click HERE to make a contribution in Alan's name.
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Join our Staff — we're Hiring! |
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Great Egret. Photo: Denise Dewire
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Tropical Audubon Society is looking to grow our team. If you have a passion for conservation and would like to help support our mission to “Conserve and restore South Florida's ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats,” then Tropical Audubon is the place for you.
We presently have two open positions: Senior Conservation Director and Stewardship Manager. Click the links below to view job descriptions for details. If you believe you are a good fit for either role, please send your résumé and cover letter to careers@tropicalaudubon.org. The subject line should include the job title.
Stewardship Manager position queries should be submitted by July 30, 2021.
The Senior Conservation Director position will remain open until a suitable candidate is engaged.
We will acknowledge your application upon receipt, and those candidates whose applications move forward will hear back from us again.
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Tropical Audubon poised to Challenge
Governor & Cabinet’s SR-836 Extension Order
Tallahassee Order paves way for proposed MDC Tollway to bisect Everglades Wetlands, threaten Wildlife & endanger our Water Security
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Wood Storks and other Everglades wading birds rely upon existing wetlands habitat for their survival.
Photo: Larry Temple
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Tropical Audubon Society will challenge Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet's disappointing June 15 decision that paves the way for Miami-Dade County’s (MDC) proposed SR-836 extension. If built, the tollway extension would breach the county’s Urban Development Boundary (UDB) and intrude into Everglades Wetlands. Your support is crucial.
With your help, we will appeal the Governor and Cabinet's misguided decision, and also continue our work to ensure the proposed tollway extension does not get permitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The Governor and Cabinet's decision, if upheld, would be a huge loss for Miami-Dade County residents, our drinking water supply, Everglades Restoration and crucial habitat for birds and other wildlife. Despite these adverse impacts, the Governor and Cabinet rejected Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Suzanne Van Wyk’s March 2020 reasoned decision that the proposed 14-mile, 6-lane tollway violates state planning law. MDC’s sole justification for the tollway extension — that it would improve congestion — was flatly rejected by the judge based on the evidence, which showed only “meager” positive traffic impacts in some locations, and worse traffic on the existing highway if the tollway is built.
On behalf of our region's birds and other wildlife, our board and staff thank you — our members and friends — for the ongoing support you have given to our opposition of the proposed SR-836 extension. Whether through membership, donations or advocacy, your engagement was crucial to helping us get this far. To protect Wetlands, Wildlife & Water Security, we again need your support to strengthen our efforts in the coming months. Please consider contributing at any level.
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Dine-in or Take-out @Whisk Gourmet
Tuesday, July 13, 5-9pm
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Make a dinner date at Whisk Gourmet and, in turn, Whisk will feather the proverbial TAS nest with 10 percent of its dinner revenues. The local bastion of Southern-accented American Comfort Food offers Take-out, Curbside-pick-up or two Dining options: indoor seating at 50% capacity or outdoor socially distanced covered seating.
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No matter how you choose to dine, you'll want to experience a few recent additions to the Whisk menu authored by sensational new Executive Chef Michelle Minotti (pictured). She brings generous helpings of New Orleans and Caribbean influences to a beloved menu still studded with time-tested house favorites, too. Born in Venezuela to Italian and American parents, Chef Michelle's colorful heritage and kitchen repertoire are simpatico with Whisk's always bright, boldly flavored seasonal cuisine.
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Before taking over the helm here, the self-taught chef made magic at now-closed Zest. Joining the Whisk family also marks a return to the South Miami dining scene, where she played a starring role from 2005-2015 as chef/owner of GEMS Café. For a delicious introduction to her eclectic fare, try her Caribbean rendition of the Whole-fried Yellowtail Snapper or her Bourbon & Brown Sugar-glazed Faroe Island Salmon.
Despite hurricanes, restaurant ownership changes and even a global pandemic, our near-neighbor has been a generous conservation ally, hosting the Dine Out series every summer since 2011, and helping TAS protect the places South Floridians cherish — Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay and The Everglades.
Masks are required to enter the Whisk Gourmet dining room, but are not required for outdoor seating. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED for all on-site dining.
Save the Date: Circle August 10 for the final Summer 2021 opportunity to Dine Out for the Birds!
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Bird-friendly Gardening Day
New Summer Hours!
Saturday, July 17, 8:30-11:30am
RSVP Required
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A troop of garden volunteers helped unload and stage 683 plants in preparation for our Annual Native Plant sale. |
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Do you enjoy digging in the garden, learning about native plants that attract birds and other pollinators, or weeding invasives? Please join us on the third Saturday morning of every month to take an active role in maintaining our Bird-Friendly Demonstration Garden at our Steinberg Nature Center campus! You'll get hands-on experience creating wildlife habitat under the guidance of our resident Master Gardeners. The knowledge and skills you gain will enable you to establish a bird-friendly garden in your own yard, patio or balcony.
Interested volunteers MUST RSVP to Amy at volunteer@tropicalaudubon. org because group size is limited! Please note that volunteers will be required to adhere to our gathering guidelines.
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Go Solar!
Join a Solar Co-op Information Session Near You
Wednesday, July 14, 6pm
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We’re teaming up with nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to bring you the Miami-Dade County Solar Co-op — a free group to help you go solar. The co-op makes it easier to save money on the purchase of solar panels, while building a community of local solar supporters. Attend an information session on Wednesday, July 14, 6pm, to learn more about how the Miami-Dade Solar Co-op is streamlining the going solar process, and is earning a discount through bulk purchase power. Join the Miami-Dade County Solar Co-op for free.
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Bird the Ruins of Mexico's Yucatán
January 20-30, 2022
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The Mexican Sheartail is one of the many colorful species you may spot on this trip. Photo: Alexander Dzib
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Pack your binoculars and embark on an intense, 11-day, 10-night birding adventure to the environmentally diverse Yucatán Peninsula. Led by TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza, and a local guide, you’ll witness native birds soar above the breathtaking Hochob, Becán, Chacchoben and Uxmal ruins, as well as other archaeological sites of interest on this extraordinary journey through the Mayan world. Note: The new date is January 20-30, 2022. To view a detailed itinerary, click here. Email Brian Rapoza, TAS Field Trip Coordinator for additional information.
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Florida Tickseed, the Sunshine State's official wildflower. Photo by Federico Acevedo
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The Birds Thank ... John Lawson of Silent Native Nursery for supplying native plant materials associated with staging our June Native Plant Sale. John is a passionate environmentalist, and is deeply dedicated to the preservation and restoration of South Florida's natural habitats.
Silent Native Nursery specializes in wholesaling plants to nurseries, landscapers, landscape architects and municipalities, but if you missed our June Native Plant Sale, Silent Native Nursery is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. under the stewardship of Steve Woodmansee of Pro Native Consulting, who can be reached at 786.488.3101. For additional information about this special arrangement visit pronativeconsulting.com.
Silent Native Nursery features landscaping plants — from diminutive wildflowers to large hardwoods — indigenous to South Florida and the Florida Keys, along with specimens from the Bahamas, Caribbean and West Indies. The diverse inventory includes Pineland, Hammock and Coastal plants; specialty plants for areas such as Salt Marshes, Swamps and Coastal Rock Barrens are also available.
Monday-Friday wholesale hours to the TRADE ONLY are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Supporting those vendors who support TAS is an easy way to contribute to our Mission. The birds will thank you!
Silent Native Nursery
16265 SW 210 Terrace, Miami, FL 33187
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