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The Limpkin Times
Apalachee Audubon Society Mission Statement:
Protection of the environment through education,
appreciation and conservation.
March 2021
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President's Message
Dear Friends,
In the last week of February, I was fortunate to be sitting in a boat tied up to a Water Tupelo tree on Saul’s Creek of the Apalachicola River. It is our favorite spot to sit and watch the goings on in the river swamp at different seasons of the year. Turtles basked in the sun on a nearby log, an anole explored our tupelo, a four-foot gator patrolled the creek, back and forth for most of the day, and there was a lot of bird activity, most notably chickadees singing a clear, flutelike whistle song. It seemed that the bees and other pollinators never stopped buzzing high in the red maples which were still somewhat in bloom and in the water tupelos, which were in full bloom. Ogeechee Tupelo, of tupelo honey fame, was not yet blooming.
I had time to think about Apalachee Audubon’s conservation work that focuses on this river system and how important it is to continue our support of this incredible gem of biodiversity. Our conservation committee, led by Rob Williams, has been advocating for this river and its adjoining lands for the last 6 years.
At our last board meeting, I found out that, traditionally, the president is tasked with finding new board members. I ask you to please read my article below on how you can become more involved with our chapter, either as a board member, a committee chair or, what I call, a plain old volunteer. We need you!
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Sincerely,
Donna Legare
President, Apalachee Audubon
In this issue:
Chapter Programs
Chapter Field Trips
Cornell Grant
Deep Roots Field Trip
Call for Board Members and Volunteers
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Chapter Programs
Zoom Program Series: Explore Leon County's Natural Communities
Mark Tancig, Extension Agent UF/IFAS Extension Leon County
Thursday, March 18, 2021
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST VIA Zoom
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As you may or may not know, Leon County and the surrounding areas are some of the most biologically diverse in the country. These biodiverse ecosystems include several indicator species, those plants or animals that reflect the biotic or abiotic conditions of a given environment. These indicator species also help us identify specific ecosystems/natural communities. In addition, they can provide us with information on the impacts of pollutants and/or physical damage to an ecosystem and give us insight concerning how well an ecosystem is being managed or restored. One example of an animal indicator species is the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Dryobates borealis, typically found in mature pine forests with open understory maintained by frequent burning. One of the local areas where Red-cockaded Woodpeckers can be found is being managed by the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy in northern Leon County. The pine forests have specific plant indicator species, such as Longleaf Pine ( Pinus palustris ), and Wiregrass ( Aristida stricta ). If Turkey Oak ( Quercus laevis ) is mixed in with the Longleaf Pine and Wiregrass, this is an indication that the soils are much drier, and you are likely in a sandhill ecosystem.
Mark will be reviewing many of the natural communities of Leon County with photos of their indicator species and discuss the public areas where these natural communities can be observed.
Mark Tancig Biography
Mark has been the Commercial & Residential Horticulture Extension Agent at the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office since 2016. In this role, Mark shares research-based best practices for sustainable landscape management with green-industry professionals and residential homeowners. Mark also coordinates the Leon County Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
Mark has lived in Tallahassee since 2003 and is originally from West Palm Beach. He enjoys living in Tallahassee with his wife, two kids, dogs, flock of chickens, and herd of worms.
Prior to joining UF/IFAS, Mark worked for Leon County’s Public Works Department for six years and Growth and Environmental Management Department for three years. His first job in Tallahassee was a Field Biologist with Florida Natural Areas Inventory.
Mark graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Botany in 2002 and is currently working on a master’s degree in Soil and Water Science at UF.
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Chapter Field Trips
Beginner Birding Field Trip at J.R. Alford Greenway
Sunday, March 7, 8:00 am EST
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Are you interested in birding but don't know where to start? Come join board member Natasza Fontaine on March 7th at 8:00 am at J.R. Alford Greenway. This relaxed, two-hour walk will focus on learning how to listen to birds and how to find them. We'll start our walk in the open fields at J.R. Alford Greenway, then cross over the canopy bridge into Lafayette Heritage Trail Park. Although this walk will be focused on birding basics, experienced birders are welcome. Binoculars can be provided. Masks will be required and the field trip is limited to 10 participants. Email Natasza Fontaine at [email protected] to reserve a spot.
Address of meeting spot:
2500 Pedrick Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32317
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Grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Apalachee Audubon has teamed up with Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy to implement a grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They have conducted four visits to private, conservation easement lands so far to work with landowners and search for birds. Click here to learn more!
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Deep Roots Meat Farm Tour for Apalachee Audubon Society, Greenville, Florida
Protecting Upland and Wetland Forests While Producing Beef for People
Saturday, May 15, 10:00 am EST
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Please register before March 31 so that Troy can have an idea of how many people plan to attend and whether he will need to hook up a hay wagon to his tractor or plan for a walking tour. Register by contacting AAS board member Peter Kelly at [email protected] . The tour is free, but you may want to bring your wallet to purchase some of their delicious, grass fed beef. You may contact [email protected] if you want to order in advance or call Troy at (321) 480-9077.
Troy Platt and his family are 6 th generation cattle ranchers originally from the St. John’s River area. Their farm is several thousand acres and the gateway to the 23,000-acre Hicks Bottom Swamp on the Florida Forever list. Troy has developed a multitude of strategies to protect the watershed, sequester carbon dioxide, promote healthy cattle with a minimum of medical interventions, and create nutrient dense, tasty beef. Some of their management practices include rotational grazing, planting nutritious forbs to minimize parasite load, and using organic methods like diatomaceous earth for their cattle.
The farm is located a few miles east of Greenville just off Highway 90 on the right side of the road. Directions can be located at their website. Bring your binoculars!
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Call for Board Members and Volunteers
We Cannot Accomplish Much Without You! (How you can get involved with your chapter)
Number one: you do not need to be a birder.
Number two: You do need to identify with our mission: Protecting the environment through education, appreciation, and conservation. We serve Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Gadsden, Liberty and Franklin Counties. We identify with National Audubon’s mission: Protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, using science, advocacy, education and on the ground conservation.
Our chapter is doing a good job on the conservation front, from pushing for full funding of Florida Forever to advocating for springs and river systems in our area. We also cooperate with and support other Panhandle chapters on conservation issues through our Regional Conservation Committee (RCC). We work on local issues, like advising Blueprint projects and city parks on the importance of using more native plants, invasive plant removal, and managing wildflowers and native grasses around holding ponds rather than mowing right to the water’s edge. There is an opportunity to learn and gain skills while working with those who are more experienced.
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We also have an emphasis on environmental education . Pre-COVID-19, we sponsored an after-school Bird Club at Pineview Elementary School, a Title-I school. This has been run and will continue to run in the future by a board member and plain old volunteers – Betsy Sullivan, Judy Goldman, and David Arnold to name a few, along with FAMU interns. This is just one example of our work in environmental education.
Number three: You do not need to be a board member to volunteer . For example, this wonderful newsletter that you are reading is created by Chris Grossman once per month (except December and summer months) using Constant Contact. Our website was built and is maintained by another plain old volunteer, Elizabeth Georges. Our yearly Wildlife Friendly Yard Tour is run by another plain old volunteer, Tammy Brown. I think you get the picture.
Number four: We really do need someone to organize birding field trips next year. You do not need to lead them all and you do not need to be a board member. We also need some of you more experienced birders to lead a field trip now and then. We need a field trip leader bank.
Please contact Donna Legare by phone 850 386-1148 or by email [email protected] if you want to discuss becoming more involved, either as a part of our board (2-year service commitment) or as a committee chair or a plain old but important volunteer.
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