For a chance to see a Snowy Plover, join us on the Corkscrew Swamp/Ft. Myers Beach Birding Trip (scroll down for details). Photo: Vivek Khanzode
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Corkscrew Swamp / Ft. Myers Beach Birding
Saturday, October 5, 7am-6pm
Brian Rapoza will lead this all-day carpool trip to Collier and Lee counties. Meet at 7am at the Government Road/Snake Road service station (Exit 49 on I-75) in Broward County. There is an admission fee for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (discount for Audubon members). Bring lunch and beach footwear. Walkie-talkies are recommended. No pre-registration required.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Bird Walk
Saturday, October 12, 8:15-11am
Liz Golden will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The park opens at 8am and walk will begin at 8:15am. Meet at No Name Harbor (from the entrance station, take your first right and drive west to the parking area). Costs include the Rickenbacker Causeway toll and park entrance fee. No pre-registration required.
Highland Oaks Bird Walk
Sunday, October 13, 8-10am
Smith Juan will lead birders through Highland Oaks Park in Aventura. From I-95, exit at Ives Dairy Road (NE 203 Street, Exit 16) and drive east 0.5 miles to the park entrance (on the north side of Ives Dairy Road and the east side of Highland Oaks Middle School). Meet in the parking area at 8am. No fee. No pre-registration required.
Kendall Indian Hammock Park Bird Walk
Saturday, October 19, 7:30-11am
Stephen Paez (bilingual) will lead birders through Kendall Indian Hammock Park. Meet at 7:30am at the parking area at the east end of the ballfields. No fee. No pre-registration required.
A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk
Sunday, October 20, 7:30-11am
Bill Boeringer will lead birders through A.D. Barnes Park. Enter on SW 72nd Avenue. just north of Bird Road. (SW 40th Street), turn left at the T intersection and park in spaces on either side of the road. Meet at 7:30am. No fee. No pre-registration required.
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Shorebird & Migratory Bird Photography Field & Classroom Workshop
Led by Wildlife Photographer Kirsten Hines
Saturday, November 9, 7:30am-2:30pm
Morning session @Crandon Park
Afternoon session @TAS
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Join wildlife photographer, author and Tropical Audubon Society board member Kirsten Hines for a full-day bird photography workshop focused on enhancing the design elements and visual impact of the images you capture. This fall workshop will begin at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne to photograph shorebirds and migratory species, followed by a classroom session at TAS’s Steinberg Nature Center campus in South Miami to cover the basics of photo editing using Adobe’s Lightroom software. The curriculum is designed for beginning to intermediate photographers with a minimum 70mm lens. Workshop size will be no less than 4 and no more than 8 participants. Pre-registration and a $75 fee (includes a donation to TAS) should be received no later than November 1 to ensure participation.
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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 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 island’s 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. All deposits are due by October 4, 2019. Balance of payment is due by October 29, 2019.
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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TAS welcomes international environmental expert
Paola Ferreira as Executive Director!
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Doc Thomas House Guided Tours @TAS
Saturday, October 5, 1 & 3pm
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Visit the historic Doc Thomas House for a captivating, 45-minute guided tour led by a Tropical Audubon Society docent. Learn about the Birds' benefactor Arden Hayes “Doc” Thomas and Robert Fitch Smith, the architect Thomas commissioned to design the house. Tour the distinctive, wood-and-limestone structure with its many ornamental and built-in features. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, named a Florida Heritage Site and designated a Miami-Dade County Historic Site, the charming 1932 cottage is an architectural gem. Gain insights into local South Miami and Audubon history, too. Tours include a stroll through our Steinberg Nature Center pollinator gardens and nature trails, weather-permitting.
Save the dates: First Saturdays of the month through June 2020.
Times: 1pm & 3pm Tours / House and Grounds Open 12:30-4pm.
Admission FREE: Donations Welcomed
Tropical Audubon Society: 5530
Sunset
Dr., Miami, FL, 33143
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Members Migration & Potluck Picnic
Sunday, October 20, 4-7pm
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Celebrate our Birding Community and Conservation Heroes. TAS members, High Pines neighbors and the conservation-minded are invited to gather under the Audubon oaks to enjoy Live Music, Potluck Picnic Fare and Bird Bar libations featuring Island Coastal Lager and additional RNDC brands.
Citizens, volunteers and public officials will be recognized for their notable conservation efforts over the past year.
Kindly present your Potluck offering in re-usable platters or bowls; no disposable ware please. TAS will provide eating utensils and plates.
The festivities are free to TAS members, High Pines residents, Audubon Ambassadors and anyone who joins TAS on the 20th. Nonmember p/p suggested donation, $10.
Parking options:
Limited on-site parking via the 55th Avenue entry gate; nearby metered, garage and valet parking options within 1-3 blocks; Metrorail service to South Miami Station.
Community Partners:
Community Newspapers, I'm Not Your Boring Newspaper, Miami Brewing Co., Republic National Distributing Co.
Tropical Audubon Society: 5530 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33143
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Register Today to Earn Your Wings
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Attend the Audubon Ambassador Program @TAS
Become a more powerful advocate for the environment!
Native Plants for Birds
Saturday, October 26, 9:30am-4pm
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Florida's state bird, the Northern Mockingbird. Photo: Lillian Beasley
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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.
W
ildlife photographer, writer and conservationist Kirsten Hines, co-author of
Attracting Birds to South Florida Gardens, will share tips for wildlife-friendly gardening in subtropical South Florida. Learn why native plants are so important to your landscape and to our region's ecology, and what you can do to make your own yard or patio more attractive to our peninsula's unique community of birds and other wildlife. TAS Master Gardener Amy Creekmur will help you navigate online resources, including Audubon's Plants for Birds website. After the lunch break, join Amy outdoors in our Steinberg Nature Center to remove invasive species from pine rockland and hardwood hammock habitats.
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 the Audubon Ambassador Pinning Ceremony Picnic:
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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Help reverse the staggering Bird Population declines
Learn how #bringbirdsback
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The study, published by a joint team of conservation biologists, marks the first time experts have estimated the sheer number of avian losses in the Western Hemisphere. By zooming out rather than focusing on one particular habitat, we now see that even the common birds we love, like Baltimore Orioles and Barn Swallows, are disappearing in staggering numbers.
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Urge Florida Water Officials to Protect Ginnie Springs!
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Nestlé is reportedly about to tap a fragile
spring
in Florida to churn out millions of plastic bottles of water.
Ginnie Springs is more than a fairytale-beautiful swimming hole and vital source of drinking water.
Its waters are the lifeblood of the Santa Fe River ecosystem
, a haven for birds and other wildlife, some of which are considered endangered.
Nestlé allegedly seeks to plunder Ginnie
Springs
’ publicly owned water and sell it for private profit in
single-use plastic bottles.
Florida has spent huge sums of taxpayer dollars to restore Ginnie Springs and the river it feeds. To permit
Nestlé to pump 1.1 million gallons per day is unacceptable, whether they get it for free or agree to pay for it.
Local water officials are presently weighing whether to let Nestlé drain the
springs
.
Urge them to protect their community’s drinking water source from corporate profiteers.
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Support Bahamas Recovery Efforts
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The northern islands of The Bahamas were devastated by Hurricane Dorian on Labor Day Weekend. Dorian made landfall as a Category 5 storm on Abaco Island, then stalled for more than 24 hours over Grand Bahama Island with sustained winds up to 185 MPH and a 23-foot storm surge. Our hearts go out to the Bahamian people in this time of unprecedented tragedy.
In addition to making an impact of historic scope on the residents of this island-chain nation, crucial bird habitat has been devastated in many areas. Salt water intrusion, for example, has adversely impacted the native pine forests that provide habitat for migrant and resident species alike. High winds stripped trees on which the Bahama Parrot relies for sustenance, so while it likely survived the storm, its foraging habitat has been denuded. The Piping Plover (threatened and/or endangered all areas of its range) has reportedly been sighted in the Bahamas since July, but only time will tell how it fared during the storm. It is possible, too, that Dorian delivered a fatal blow to the Bahamas Nuthatch, an endemic species whose population was already dangerously low.
Your donation will help Audubon support Bahamas National Trust as its staff endeavors to recover, lend community relief and fuel recovery efforts. Donations will also support impact assessments for birds such as the Bahama Parrot and Piping Plover. Additionally, in the immediate aftermath of the storm Audubon is also supporting partners on the ground in their efforts to supplement food resources for the vulnerable Bahama Parrot.
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Eagle-eyed spotters needed!
Participate in Florida Keys Hawkwatch
September-October
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Become a proactive Birdwatcher! The Florida Keys 2019 migration project is looking for full-time, part-time and volunteer counters for the 2019 monitoring season, running through October 31.
Florida Keys Hawkwatch (FKH) is dedicated to promoting the appreciation and conservation of birds by committing to the long-term study of their migration through the Florida Keys. The project currently monitors the migration of all avian species, with a focus on diurnal birds of prey from Curry Hammock State Park (56.2, Overseas Highway), and the morning flights of migratory land birds from Long Key State Park (67.5 of the Overseas Highway).
This season, FKH is honored to have South Florida birdwatcher extraordinaire Luis Gles, the talented Karl Bardon from Duluth, Minnesota, and Colombian conservationist Felipe Anaya Osorio as official 2019 counters.
TAS remains one of the primary sponsors of this crucial annual count (together with Florida Keys Audubon and Leica Sport Optics).
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Get Outside with TAS this Fall!
Wellness Classes & Workshops inspired by Nature
Relax with Yoga Nidra under our Chickee
Tuesdays, October 1 to December 31, 9:15-10:15am
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Join Hridayam Yoga instructor Carol Jamault for outdoor Yoga Nidra, a guided practice that leads to a state of deep relaxation and increased awareness. Yoga Nidra is considered a great tool to manage stress, improve sleep quality and regenerate the nervous system. Classes include gentle asanas, pranayama and exercises for the joints. Prices: $20 per class. Packages available.
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Florida Trail Association Meeting @TAS
Tuesday, October 8, 6:30-9pm
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Join the FTA for an evening with South Florida National Parks Trust Director of Development Jessica Pierce.
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Get Outside with TAS this Fall!
Wellness Classes & Workshops inspired by Nature
Cooking for Health @TAS
October 10, 17 & 24, 10am-12pm
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Learn the principles of Ayurveda and how to apply them to make delicious, plant-based healing meals in these 3 Thursday sessions. Explore simple techniques that will help you shift to a healthier diet believed to help improve energy and rejuvenation, prevent chronic disease and aid healing of minor ailments (such as colds and flu). Price: $180 for the Fall Session (3 classes).
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Rise Up Florida Environmental Committee Meeting @TAS
Thursday, October 17, 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.
Potluck — 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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Eco-Restoration Day @TAS's Steinberg Nature Center
Saturday, October 19, 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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Audubon Florida Assembly
Water & Land for Florida’s Future
October 25-26, in Gainesville
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Sandhill Cranes at sunrise on Kanapaha Prairie. Photo: Mac Stone
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Join Audubon chapters from across the state at the annual Audubon Assembly in Gainesville. Partake in expert-led Birding field trips, engaging sessions, conservation celebrations and more.
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South Florida Young Birders Club
Monday, October 28, 5:30-6:30pm
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Great White Heron. Photo: Mia Trent
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Are you a young birder or do you know a young person interested in birds? Join us for our monthly South Florida Young Birders Club! Birders from 12-18 and their parents are invited to attend.
For more information, email TAS Education Director Alison Enchelmaier at
[email protected]
.
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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.
Click
HERE
to share with your peeps on Facebook.
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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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Save the Date:
Walk in the Woods with Wine & Whisk @TAS
Wednesday, November 13, 7pm
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Experience this enchanting, biannual alfresco dinner party staged under the Audubon chickee. The fall edition features Old World wines courtesy of Republic National Distributing Company paired with dinner by Chef Carlos of Whisk Gourmet. A Joy Wallace Catering will again help set the convivial table! Seating is limited. Suggested minimum donation $125 per person. Net proceeds benefit capital improvements to our historic Doc Thomas House and near-native Steinberg Nature Center grounds.
Tropical Audubon Society: 5530 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33143
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… Isabella Ballestas and John David, the founders of KeezBeez, purveyors of a unique line of raw, local honey. Their expansive portfolio — including Avocado Blossom, Black Mangrove, Brazilian Pepper, Citrus, Eucalyptus, Jamaican Dogwood, Lychee, Mango Blossom, Gumbo Limbo, Mamey, Palm Tree, Red Mangrove, Seagrape, Spanish Needle, Spring Flower, Wildflower and Wild Tamarind — owes its breadth in part to the fact that the Florida Keys are home to more flowering native trees and shrubs than anywhere else in the country!
Isabella and John, America's southernmost professional beekeepers, generously donate honey samplers for our “Walk in the Woods with Wine & Whisk” goody bags every Spring & Fall, and they also present Beekeeping and Honey Tasting workshops every March at our signature BEE-cause Flea event (buzz by on March 20, 2020).
The dynamic and irrepressibly enthusiastic beekeeping couple steward about 250
hives
that produce unmatched 100% pure natural raw honey from sites dotting the archipelago, as far south as Marathon. Isolated from the mainland and benefitting from prevailing southeasterly ocean breezes, the hives enjoy a pristine environment. And because of our region’s subtropical climate, bees make honey here year-round.
Look for freshly harvested KeezBeez honey at Whole Foods Market (another TAS Community Partner) or at the Sunday Pinecrest Farmer’s Market, where Isabella or John will be delighted to offer you a taste of each seasonal honey.
Supporting those vendors who support TAS is an easy way to contribute to our Mission. The Birds will thank you!
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