The majestic Bald Eagle, emblem bird of the United States, lives in Florida year-round. In serious decline during much of the 20th century, this raptor has made a comeback in many areas since the 1970s. A powerful predator at times, it is not always so majestic in its habits: it often feeds on carrion, including dead fish washed up on shore, and it steals food from Ospreys and other smaller birds. It is typically found close to water where prey is abundant
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Photo: Bonnie Block
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SAVE THE DATE
Bird CUBA w/TAS!
February 1-8, 2020
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Bee Hummingbird. Photo: Ekaterina Chernetsova
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TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza will lead this captivating 8-day Birding trip to Cuba! The country's protected natural areas, geographic isolation and limited development make it an ideal Birding destination. Participants will have the opportunity to spot some of Cuba’s signature species, such as the Zapata Wren, Cuban Blackbird, Bee Hummingbird and many more, while also experiencing the islands' natural beauty, its rich history and its colorful culture.
Fee: $3,070 per person, double occupancy; $420 single supplement. Fee includes all ground transportation, lodging, meals, entrance fees, excursions and the services of your skilled leaders. Not included are round-trip international airfare from your city of departure to Havana, tips, laundry costs and other incidental expenses.
At-A-Glance:
• Discover La Güira National Park, 54,000 acres of mountain wilderness, picturesque valleys and hidden caves, and home to species such as Cuban Solitaire, Cuban Tody and Cuban Pewee.
• Watch for target species such as the Cuban Grassquit and Olive-capped Warbler.
• Meet the residents of Las Terrazas, a community and reserve that is a model of sustainability and eco-tourism.
• Bird several sites in Zapata Swamp, a Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar wetland, and meet with area conservationists.
• Spot Cuban Solitaire and Scaly-naped Pigeon in the limestone cave that served as Che Guevara’s headquarters during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Explore Havana on foot to take in its architecture, history, culture, cuisine and landmarks.
Click
HERE to share with your peeps on Facebook!
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Good News for the Birds!
Audubon State of the Everglades Report
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Tricolored Heron in the Everglades. Photo by Luis Garcia
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Audubon Florida has released its State of the Everglades report and there is much to celebrate at mid-year! Recently elected Governor Ron DeSantis has endorsed a bold agenda of ecosystem restoration, including expediting establishment of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir (recently approved by Congress) and prioritizing nutrient pollution reduction. He also called for the complete revamp of the South Florida Water Management District (the state agency that oversees water resources for 8.1 million people), increasing public transparency and accountability.
Other notable victories include the Florida Legislature’s appropriation of upwards of $360 million for Everglades restoration, together with the now very real possibility of $200 million for Everglades projects on its way from Congress.
Following Audubon Florida’s recommendations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is using its authority to manage Lake Okeechobee in such a way as to promote the recovery of critical marsh habitat for birds and wildlife.
Audubon Florida Director of Everglades Policy Celeste DePalma notes, “Today, we are seeing the fruits of our labors. Both emergent and submerged vegetation is sprouting back and breathing new life into the liquid heart of the Everglades. A healthy Lake [Okeechobee] is key to the entire Greater Everglades Ecosystem.”
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Dine Out @Whisk Gourmet
Tuesday, July 9, 6-10pm
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Make a dinner date at
Whisk Gourmet
(eat-in or take-out) and, in turn,
Whisk
will feather the proverbial TAS nest with 10 percent of its dinner revenues.
Enjoy Chef Carlos Montenegro's bright, boldly flavored seasonal cuisine, and
delectable house favorites such as Roasted Cauliflower with Walnut Pesto, Filet Mignon Salad and Buttermilk Fried Chicken.
Whisk helps TAS protect all the places South Floridians cherish:
Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay and
The Everglades. The Birds profusely thank Whisk's new ownership team for so generously continuing the annual Dine Out Summer Series initiated by founders Kristin and Brendan Connor.
Save the Date: August 13 for one more opportunity to Dine Out for the Birds!
onsite free parking & valet service available
@whiskgour
me
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Save the Date for Smart Growth, AUG 24
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Attend the Audubon Ambassador Program @TAS
Become a more powerful advocate for the environment!
Smart Growth: Green Urban Planning & Bird-Friendly Buildings
Saturday, August 24, 9:30am-1pm
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Florida Scrub Jay. Photo by Ann Foster
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Earn your Wings — the Audubon Ambassador Program is open to anyone 18 years and older who is curious to learn more about the environment.
Our August session spotlights Smart Growth, Green Urban Planning and Bird-Friendly Buildings.
Learn about South Florida's history of development and ways you can ensure a better future for our region. Hear from members of Dover, Kohl & Partners about sustainable urban planning and Smart Growth.
FEE:
$10 (a modest handling fee will be added by Eventbrite).
Click HERE
for a flyer for the 2019 Audubon Ambassador Series
Click HERE
to apply for a student scholarship for the program
You may pay at the door day of by cash or check only.
Ride: Bike to TAS or take the Metrorail. TAS is just a 10-minute walk east from the South Miami Metrorail Station.
Park: Limited on-site parking via our 55th Avenue auto gate. Nearby metered, valet and garage options.
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The Audubon Ambassador Program
is a series of workshops and field trips designed to make you a more engaged, educated and effective advocate conservationist. Learn from leaders in their fields and become a strong advocate for the water we drink, the air we breathe and the habitat that nurtures, shelters and sustains our region’s birds and other wildlife. You’ll come away knowing more about South Florida ecosystems, environmental challenges, sea level rise and hurricane resilience issues — and, most important, practice making a difference. Talks on issues will be followed by advocacy exercises. Field trips bring each month’s classroom discussions to life.
RSVP
for these additional Session Dates:
September 28, 2019, 9:30 AM - 4 PM; Session 6 - Birding 101
Audubon Network | History of Birding | Basic Bird Identification | Bird Walk
October 26, 2019, 9:30 AM - 4 PM; Session 7 - Native Plants for Birds
Greening for Birds | Invasive Species | Eco-Restoration
November 23, 2019, 11:30 AM - 4 PM; Pinning Ceremony Picnic (Free)
Networking Lunch for Current & Past Audubon Ambassadors | Highlights of the Year
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Eco-Restoration Day @TAS's Steinberg Nature Center
Saturday, July 20, 8:30-11:30am
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Learn about indigenous plants and help TAS maintain the near-native landscape at our Steinberg Nature Center 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.
Please bring sunscreen and your refillable water bottle; wear closed-toe shoes. We will provide water.
Eco-restoration days take place on the third Saturday of every month. Groups welcome!
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Create & Restore Crucial Habitat in your Yard!
Join Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's Connect to Protect Network
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Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's
Connect to Protect Network
enlists South Florida residents (Miami & The Keys) interested in restoring native plants to their yards, thereby helping connect our region's few remaining isolated fragments of Pine Rockland
—
a globally critically imperiled plant community. Installing native Pine Rockland plants increases the probability that bees, butterflies and birds can find and transport seeds and pollen across developed areas that separate Pine Rockland fragments, improving gene flow and genetic health of native plant species.
Joining the Connect to Protect Network of citizen scientists is easy! You need only live in Miami-Dade or Monroe County, have an e-mail address and be willing to maintain Pine Rockland plants on your property for at least two years.
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Go Solar!
Join a Solar Co-op Information Session Near You
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Miami-Dade residents have come together to form a neighborhood-centric Miami-Dade Solar Co-op with the help of Solar United Neighbors of Florida. 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 in your neighborhood to learn more about how the Southern Miami-Dade Solar Co-op is streamlining the going solar process and is earning a discount through bulk purchase power.
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... De Lottus Flower Shop, our S.W. 56
th
Avenue next-door neighbor, for presenting June’s Native Plant Sale, an annual event that helps reintroduce unique Pine Rockland plants to yards across the county, in turn re-establishing crucial habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. The 2019 edition drew more than 200 buyers who purchased a record number of native plants, attended free gardening workshops, enjoyed LNB Grovestand Rainbow Smoothies and Muni Farms Coconut Water.
Founded more than 25 years ago by Mrs. Ruby Bacardi, the matriarch of the Bacardi Rum family and an ardent preservationist, De Lottus is known as the best flower shop in South Miami. Its elegant, unique floral designs, boutique cottage charm and sterling level of client services distinguish it from others.
Supporting those vendors who support TAS is an easy way to contribute to our Mission. The Birds will thank you!
De Lottus Flower Shop
7236 S.W. 56 Avenue
South Miami, FL 33143
305.666.4200
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