Zenaida Dove by Dough Weschler
Zenaida Doves nested in the Florida Keys when John James Audubon first explored there in the 1830s. Sightings are now generally rare in South Florida, however, Anguilla's national bird is being spotted here this month. Find this rare bird update on TAS's Bird Board today!
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Nathaniel Pryor Reed
1933-2018
"God has given." That is what the name Nathaniel means.
Whether one is religious or not, a consensus can be reached: Nathaniel Pryor Reed was a gift. A kind, loving, determined man with unshakable ethics died on Wednesday, July 11. Not surprisingly, on his own terms — not long after reeling in a hard-won salmon while vacationing with his family in Quebec.
Indeed, Nathaniel was the very embodiment of a gift. A gift to Nature and a voice for all her inhabitants. A gift to eternal optimists everywhere who wake up morning after morning renewed and determined to promote, preserve and protect precious resources, habitats and animals. He was the model. He touched countless South Florida environmentalists who looked to him for how to do what he seemed to do so effortlessly. He reminded us to move gracefully through difficulty and defeat with unwavering conviction, commitment, constancy and love.
Always love.
Love for the planet, yes, but also unafraid to express love to those with whom he worked and inspired. Out loud.
More. Like. Him.
He hasn't left his work or the Florida he loved so deeply. He gifted them to us.
And to whom much is given, much is expected. It is our turn to pay it forward. We do so now with love in Nathaniel’s name.
Leticia de Mello Bueno
on behalf of the Tropical Audubon Society board and staff
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Birds of Cuba with Arturo Kirkconnell
Birds n' Brews @ Leica Store Miami
Friday, July 20, 7pm
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Join Leica Store Miami and
TAS
for a Friday evening talk with Arturo Kirkconnell, the bird curator at the National Museum of Natural History in his native Cuba. He has published nearly 80 scientific papers and co-authored two books, A Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba and A Birdwatchers’ Guide to Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Caymans. Arturo has variously designed birding Cuba itineraries and strategies, and has led birding tours there since 1988. At present, Arturo is working on The Birds of Cuba for the BOU Checklist Series. He also frequently collaborates with his son, Arturo Kirkconnell, Jr.
Bonus: Sample craft beer courtesy of The Brooklyn Brewery.
Pre-registered guests will receive seating priority.
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No, it's not over yet!
Say
NO
to expanding 836 beyond the UDB
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Reddish Egret by Keith Kennedy
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To date, TAS has worked Pro Bono on preserving the Urban Development Boundary.
WE NOW NEED YOUR SUPPORT
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Please earmark your donation for Urban Development/Smart Growth issues.
Your contribution will go towards advocacy, materials and communications fees.
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On Wednesday, June 20, the Miami-Dade County (MDC) Commission voted to transmit MDX's plan to expand State Road 836, aka Dolphin Expressway to the State of Florida (map shows two potential corridors). Only commissioners Suarez and Cava definitively voted "No." Those commissioners who voted to transmit the plan made it clear that they had only voted "Yes" to the transmittal in order to gather more expert opinions from state agencies, not "Yes" on the project itself.
These commissioners sought to better understand what building the extension beyond the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) line would mean for state-funded infrastructure projects, including flood protection, Everglades Restoration, induced demand and more.
Most state agencies have 30 days (a few have 45) from Friday, July 13, to provide and submit comments and recommendations on the plan. Once this analysis, impact determinations and recommendations are submitted and reviewed, commissioners will then vote on the proposed plan again.
TAS is working vigorously and closely with other organizations, attorneys, transit experts and urban planners to prevent a final "Yes" vote from occurring.
Thanks for everything you've done so far.
Please continue to email MDC commissioners and urge them to Hold the Line:
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Year of the Bird July Action:
Take a Child to Nature
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Introduce a child to nature and build their love for wild animals and natural landscapes. A single encounter with a bird can spark a lifelong passion and help build the next generation of conservationists. With an increasing and troubling trend of children spending more time than ever before in front of screens, let’s make an extra effort to get kids outdoors. Explore a local park or beach, go on a fun bird count, or simply spend more time in your own backyard. Or bring the entire family to our 2.2-acre Steinberg Nature Center campus in the heart of South Miami, and explore our rare Pine Rockland and Hardwood Hammock habitats. Check out our nature trails and butterfly gardens, and picnic under our chickee. Our Sunset Drive and 56
th
Avenue pedestrian gates are open daily from dawn until dusk.
Why Do It?
While school is out, summer is a splendid time for outdoor learning experiences. Spending time with your children is a sure way to build a strong relationship. Outdoor adventures can be an easy and economic (often FREE) way for the family to have fun and face time. Plus, studies show that exposure to the natural world is good for our health and happiness, and has both physical and psychological benefits.
Here are a few fun resources to nurture a child’s interest in Nature:
Kids can go to
natgeokids.com/year-of-the-bird
for videos, photos, and weird-but-true facts about chatty parrots, brave ducklings, dancing cranes, and more.
Nature is all around us. Looking for inspiration? Go to National Geographic’s
Finding Urban Nature
for ideas.
What is Year of the Bird? Audubon, National Geographic, Cornell, BirdLife International and, most important, bird lovers everywhere have teamed up to take 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 about protecting birds in our own yards. 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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White House OMB approves EAA Reservoir
(just as Toxic Algae Blooms blanket bays & waterways)
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With unhealthy, toxic algae blooming in the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries this month, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) finally approved the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir on Wednesday, July 11. Approval allows the project to be added into the proposed 2018 Water Resources Development Act.
Just two days before the long-awaited OMB approval, Florida Governor Rick Scott had issued an emergency order for seven South Florida counties to combat algae blooms in the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries caused by discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
His order allowed Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to move water south into storage areas. The toxic bloom began last month in Lake O and quickly spread to waterways on both coasts, affecting the Caloosahatchee River and St. Lucie Rivers, killing a vast amount of fish, endangering marine life and threatening the livelihoods of millions of Floridians facing long-term adverse effects on Fishing, Travel and Tourism (the state’s Travel and Tourism industry alone generates an average estimated $67 billion yearly).
The River of Grass’s historic southward flow has long been impeded, and Everglades Restoration funding has been slow, but this recent decision by the OMB is notable. Thanks to pressure applied by YOU, Audubon Florida, Everglades Foundation,
TAS
and other partners a significant victory has been won!
Click
here to read Audubon Florida's press release.
Click
here to read the article in the
Sun Sentinel
Click
here to see the latest article in the
Miami Herald
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Is the American Flamingo native to Florida?
Scientists file petition to change status
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Flamingos and Florida just seem to go together, right? With its scarlet plumage and stately gait, this tall wading bird is a state icon, delighting John James Audubon when he saw a flock while sailing from Indian Key in 1832 to becoming the iconic symbol of historic Hialeah Race Track to inspiring an arguably tacky lawn ornament industry in the mid-20
th
century. Yet the American Flamingo is not officially considered native to the Sunshine State.
That may be about to change.
Tropical Audubon Society has partnered with Zoo Miami, the Cape Florida Banding Station, the Florida Keys Audubon Society, Brevard Zoo and other organizations and scientists in petitioning the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to change the American Flamingo’s classification from a non-native species to a native species.
The new designation by the FWC would make the American Flamingo a species of special concern or threatened, which could lead to better protection and management plans for the bird. The petition comes on the heels of a study published in February that concluded Flamingos are likely natives of Florida.
Click
here
to read the article in
The
Miami Herald
.
Click
here
to read the study published in
The Condor
.
Note: Audubon Florida does not support this measure as what we have been doing to restore habitat has attracted flamingoes back to South Florida where it seems they will do well again.
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Eco-Restoration Day @ TAS's Steinberg Nature Center
Saturday, July 21, 8:30-11:30am
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Photo Credit Tom E. Smith
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Learn about indigenous plants and help us maintain our near-native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center on the TAS campus. We need you! Restoration Days are held on the 3rd Saturday of every month. We're flexible -- show up between 8:30 and 11:30am — you will meet conservationists, birders, plant lovers and gardeners just like you lending a hand.
We will provide water. Please bring sunscreen and your refillable water bottle; wear closed-toe shoes.
Eco-restoration days take place on the third Saturday of every month. Groups welcome!
Click Here to Send us an Email!
Volunteer | @tropicalaudubon Tropical Audubon Society: 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, FL, 33143
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Rise Up Florida Environmental Committee Meeting @ TAS
Thursday, July 19, 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 the 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.
Volunteer | @tropicalaudubon Tropical Audubon Society: 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, FL, 33143
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… our munificent mango tree for an abundant season of giving. Much to the delight of TAS staff and visitors, the formidable legacy tree has been raining juicy, softball-sized Haden mangoes for weeks. The sweet, luxuriantly fleshed variety was introduced to South Florida by retired U.S. Army officer John J. Haden, who established it here in 1902 in Coconut Grove. Tropical Audubon’s specimen tree, likely planted in the 1940s, is thought to be an early introduction of noted botanist David Fairchild’s, who was a friend and colleague of TAS benefactor Arden Hayes “Doc” Thomas. Today, the tree’s sweet, sticky bounty is shared with neighbors, board members and our little Eco-Art summer campers, who busied themselves for weeks collecting the gorgeous, nutritious, sunset-red-gold-hued fruit, snacking on it al fresco-- even bobbing for mangoes this summer
before carrying bagfuls home to share with family. Bruised or overripe fruit, or those hidden from our little foragers, provide sustenance for our local, raccoon, possum, squirrel and bird populations well into July. We are all most grateful for this glorious feast compliments of Mother Nature!
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