Help Hummingbirds on their Journey
Autumn is a great time to get ready for Ruby-throated hummingbirds who either winter in South Florida or stop over here as they migrate further south. Wherever these little snowbirds ultimately winter, let’s roll out the red carpet for them while they’re here! While these flittering jewels weigh little more than a penny, they require abundant flower nectar to fuel their furiously beating wings (more than 50 times per second) and hyper metabolisms.
First, PUT DOWN ROOTS by creating a hospitable habitat chock full of native flowering plants, shrubs, trees and vines. A garden with plenty of flowers, water sources and insects is a haven for hummingbirds.
You can also help nurture these tiny pollinators by providing —
and properly maintaining —
hummingbird feeders in your yard.
Please note, it is imperative to keep the feeder CLEAN and free of bacteria. Indeed, it is a matter of life or death.
Why do they require so much fuel? In addition to sustaining their full-throttle metabolisms in overdrive, it is believed that some Ruby-throats can travel from Canada to Costa Rica. To support their migration, mate and reproduce, hummingbirds need to eat once every 10 to 15 minutes. To this end, they may visit more than 1,000 flowers per day, giving a new meaning to Flower Power! Plant now before the rains subside and your hospitality will be rewarded when these enchanting creatures take notice.
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DIY Hummingbird Nectar Feeder
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Join us on our Matheson Hammock Park Bird Walk for a chance to see a Pileated Woodpecker.
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#TASBirding
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Bird Walk
Saturday, Sept. 8, 7:30-11am
TAS President Jose Barros (bilingual) will lead birders through Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Meet at 7:30am in the Matheson Hammock parking area adjacent to Fairchild’s north entrance. Entrance fee to Fairchild will be waived for TAS and Fairchild members. No pre-registration required.
A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk
Saturday, Sept. 15, 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.
Matheson Hammock Park Bird Walk
Saturday, Sept. 22, 7:30-11am
John Boyd will lead birders through Matheson Hammock County Park on Old Cutler Road. Meet at 7:30am in the parking area at the south end of the park, adjacent to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. No fee. No pre-registration required.
Islamorada Birding Trip
Saturday, Sept. 29, 7am-5pm
Join Brian Rapoza for this full-day carpool trip to birding locations in the Islamorada area of the Florida Keys. Possible stops include Windley Key, Long Key and Curry Hammock State Parks. Meet at 7am at the Cracker Barrel restaurant at US-1 and Palm Drive in Florida City. Bring lunch, water and insect repellant. There is an entrance fee to the state parks. No pre-registration required.
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Save the Date
Colombia: Birding the Central Andes
February 8-16, 2019
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TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza (together with a local guide) will lead this 9-day tour to Colombia, a birder’s paradise with 1,900+ avian species – more than any other country in the world. The tour is being arranged through Holbrook Travel, and will focus on the Central Andes region, famed for its high level of species diversity, and will include the Rio Claro Natural Reserve, Nevado del Ruiz, Rio Blanco Reserve and Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary. High-elevation mountains, humid tropical forest, páramo, wetlands and highland savanna habitats will be explored in search of an array of tropical avifauna, including flycatchers, hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans and more. Participants will meet members of the local community along the way and learn about conservation efforts tied to Birding as a sustainable development resource.
Fee: $3,295 per person double occupancy; $450 single supplement. Fee includes all ground transportation, lodging, meals, entrance fees, excursions and the services of your skilled leaders. Not included are international airfare from your city of departure to Medellin, return international airfare from Bogota, tips, laundry costs and other incidental expenses.
Limited spaces remain available.
Reservations are required; application and fee are due by November 4, 2018.
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It's NOW or NEVER
Say
NO
to expanding 836 beyond the UDB
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Reddish Egret, Photo by Keith Kennedy
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The Miami-Dade County (MDC) Commission is scheduled to vote
Thursday, September 27, on a proposal
to amend the Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) to allow for a southwestern extension of State Road 836, aka Dolphin Expressway, past the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) with no clear proposed, vetted alternative, mapping or timeline. At this point, all that lies between the safeguarding of our water supply and the potential of Everglades Restoration projects are two lines on a map.
Only YOU can prevent a final "Yes" vote from occurring.
Let the Miami-Dade County commissioners know they are responsible for working together toward county-wide resilience.
Thank you for your efforts thus far, but we are not done yet.
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Year of the Bird
September Action: Help south-bound Birds along their Journey
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Decals. Photo: Mike Fernandez/Audubon
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Fall Migration is a time when many bird species make long, arduous, sometimes 1,000+mile journeys seeking warmer climes and more plentiful food. These travelers rely on a patchwork of habitats along wide geographic areas, including our Atlantic Flyway, in an effort to survive and mate. Many face man-made obstacles along the way, including roads, buildings, bright lights and windows (window collisions are, in fact, a major cause of bird deaths).
You can help birds on their journey by taking the following steps:
Prevent window strikes by using bird decals to make your windows visible and bird-friendly.
Keep cats indoors.
Keep feeders and bird baths clean.
Plant native trees, flowering plants and trees.
Turn off the lights at night.
Don’t use chemicals on your garden or lawn.
Click Here
to learn ways you can help migrating birds this Fall.
What is Year of the Bird? Audubon, National Geographic, Cornell, BirdLife International and, most important, bird lovers everywhere are teaming up for 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 backyard. 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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Get Outside with us this Fall!
Wellness Classes & Workshops inspired by Nature
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TAS is excited to announce our partnership with Hridayam Yoga, a wellness company specializing in self-care and natural wellness therapies.
Together, TAS and Hridayam have designed a series of cooking classes, outdoor yoga, full-moon nights, bird walks and pop-up apothecaries at our little urban oasis.
Join us outside for natural wellness, stress management and the latest conservation news.
Check out the Fall schedule, starting with Outdoor Yoga Nidra. We know that you’ll love it as much as we have enjoyed creating this symbiotic programming.
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Relax with Yoga Nidra under our Chickee
Thursdays, Sept. 6 to Dec. 31, 7:30-8:30pm
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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 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 or $180 for a 10-class pass.
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Florida Keys Hawkwatch
September 7 to October 31
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The Florida Keys 2018 migration project is looking for full-time, part-time and volunteer counters for the 2018 monitoring season, September 7 through October 31.
The Florida Keys Hawkwatch 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).
Contact taspublisher@gmail.com if you are interested.
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Eco Restoration Day @ TAS's Porter Russell Pine Rockland
Saturday, September 8, 8:30-11:30am
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Help TAS steward our Porter Russell Pine Rockland, an 8-acre property in South Miami-Dade County, and one of the few remaining tracts of globally imperiled Pine Rockland habitat remaining outside of Everglades National Park.
We will provide water. Please bring sunscreen and your refillable water bottle; wear closed-toe shoes.
Eco-restoration days take place on the second Saturday of every month. Groups welcome!
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Florida Trail Association Meeting @ TAS
Tuesday, Sept. 11, 6:30-9pm
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Join the FTA for an evening with Wildlife Biologist Joe Wasilewski.
Pot-luck 6:30-7pm — bring something delicious to share! Please utilize utensils and a container that can be reused or recycled.
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International Coastal Cleanup
Saturday, September 15
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Help make an impact at the Ocean Conservancy’s 33rd annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), the world's largest, one-day volunteer effort benefitting our oceans and waterways.
Scientists estimate that more than 17 billion pounds of plastic enter our ocean every year threatening marine life from coral polyps to sharks, the health of people and local economies. By the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
You can make a difference! VolunteerCleanup.org organizes Miami-Dade’s local participation in this global event with 45+ simultaneous shoreline cleanups around the county.
Learn about marine debris.
Earn Community Service Hours.
Give back while enjoying a great day with like-minded people.
Click Here
to find a site near you and register today.
Click Here
to register for Tropical Audubon’s Eco-Restoration #WorldCleanUpDay at the Steinberg Nature Center
(see below for details).
More about the ICC: Worldwide, thousands of volunteers from more than 100 countries will spend their morning collecting millions of pounds of litter and debris on inland roadsides, coastal areas, inland lakes and rivers. Volunteers will assist in this effort to clean and protect the environment by eliminating debris that injures wildlife, contaminates our beaches and waterways, and threatens boater safety.
Last year, more than 20-million pounds of trash was collected by more than 700,000 ICC volunteers worldwide.
The ICC, however, is about much more than just removing trash. Volunteers at ICC actively participate in a unique global citizen science project. In addition to removing marine debris, they also catalog and tally what they find using the Ocean Conservancy’s data collection cards or Clean Swell App.
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Eco-Restoration Day @ TAS's Steinberg Nature Center
Saturday, September 15, 8:30-11:30am
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Photo Credit Tom E. Smith
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Learn about indigenous plants and help TAS maintain our 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!
Click Here to Send Us an Email!
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Hyridayam Pop-up Apothecary @ TAS
Sunday, Sept. 16, 10am-2pm
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Join Hyridayam at TAS every first Sunday of the month from 10am to 2pm for a pop-up apothecary. Discover the best quality spices, herbs, oils, incenses, skin-care products, rejuvenating jams and more. An event for the whole family, the pop-up sessions offer an opportunity to learn about the healing powers of food, the importance of plant-based organic diets and alternatives to reduce harmful chemicals in your food, cosmetics and home.
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Eco-Art Day Camp @ TAS
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 8:30am-3pm
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No school, no problem! Children ages 5-12 enjoy nature and art adventures at TAS. The Steinberg Nature Center is teeming with plant and animal life. Participate in fun games, environmental science activities and arts & crafts in an inspiring subtropical setting. Presented by Create Miami.
This camp theme is Animal Paintings. Explore the wild woods, discover furred and feathered friends, and paint animal characters to frame and decorate your room.
$55/day, $45/day for TAS members. Register for a minimum of four days throughout the balance of the 2018 school year and get a fifth day free! Email
info@createmiami.org
after you register for the extra day of your choice. Includes all materials, pizza lunch, drinks and snacks. Bring a water bottle for water refills!
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Rise Up Florida Environmental Committee Meeting @ TAS
Thursday, Sept. 20, 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.
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Cooking for Health @ TAS
Thursdays, Sept. 20 - Oct. 4, 10am-12pm
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Learn the principles of Ayurveda and how to apply them to make delicious, healing meals. Explore simple techniques that will help you shift to a healthier diet for improved energy, prevention of chronic diseases, faster healing of minor ailments such as colds and flu and rejuvenation. Price: $180 for the Fall Session (3 classes).
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The John Marshall Everglades Symposium
Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach
Saturday, Sept. 22, 9am-4pm
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Help set environmental priorities for incoming elected officials at
The John Marshall Everglades Symposium — The Everglades: A Citizen Action Agenda
. Topics will include the Everglades, water quality, climate change, sea level rise and human health & the environment. The symposium is supported by the John Marshall Legacy Fund and JP Morgan.
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Go Solar!
Join a Solar Co-op Information Session Near You
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Live in Miami-Dade and want to go solar? Residents have come together to form a neighborhood-centric Miami-Dade Solar Co-op, with the help of Solar United Neighbors of Florida, to make 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 process of going solar and earning a discount through bulk purchase power.
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Audubon Photography Exhibit @ TAS
September 24 through October 10
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National Audubon's traveling road show of 2018's “Best Bird Photography" will alight at TAS this Autumn with the stunning images gracing the historic Doc Thomas House walls. The winning bird photos are the standouts among the 8,000+ images submitted to the annual Audubon Photography Awards contest.
To select the finalists, judges sifted through the thousands of captivating entries, ranking the images based on technical quality, originality and artistic merit. The winners were published in the Summer 2018 issue of Audubon magazine, and the physical exhibit is now on a national tour of Audubon chapters and centers.
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Urban Oasis Full Moon Nights
Monday, Sept. 24, 6:45-8:45pm
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Experience the full moon with Hyridayam and TAS at our new monthly full moon evening events.
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Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Meeting @ TAS
Thursday, Sept. 27, 7-9pm
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Federally Endangered Pine Rockland Resident: Bartram's Hairstreak Butterfly
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Photo Credit: Al Sunshine
Get the latest developments surrounding Walmart/Coral Reef Commons Development plans to bulldoze and pave over imperiled habitat at the former University of Miami South Campus.
Learn about plans to Save the Pine Rocklands, and how you can participate by helping ramp-up "Save it, Don't Pave it" efforts all the way to Washington D.C.
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High Pines Happy Hour & Annual Open House @ TAS
Friday, September 28, 6-8pm, Bird Walk @ 6pm
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Toast farewell to Summer and herald Fall Migration at our annual High Pines Happy Hour & Open House. Belly up to the Bird Bar for a welcome-back-from-the-Four-Winds cold beverage donated by RNDC and Miami Brewing Co. Enjoy an Acoustic Salon by Phil Allen & Friends. Delight in National Audubon's annual traveling exhibit of award-winning bird photography.
Take a sunset bird walk with TAS Field Guide Brian Rapoza on our 2.2-acre Steinberg Nature Center campus and glimpse birds that stop by for refueling as they travel south on the "Atlantic Flyway." Explore our native pine rockland and hardwood hammock habitats. Perch in our shady picnic grove or hang out with friends and neighbors in our historic Doc Thomas House.
Y'all come -- High Pines Happy Hour is a "Rain or Shine" community event!
Parking options: Limited on-site parking via the 55th Avenue entry gate; nearby metered, garage and valet parking options within 1-3 blocks; Metro-rail service to South Miami Station.
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Save the Date - First Edition Audubon Octavo Print Exhibit & Sale
Opening Reception
Friday, Oct. 12, 6-9pm
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TAS members, invited guests, collectors and art lovers will have the opportunity to view a rare and comprehensive collection of framed and unframed John James Audubon Octavo Prints being offered for purchase.
The opening night exhibit and sale will take place in our historic Doc Thomas House headquarters just east of downtown South Miami. Enjoy libations from the donation Bird Bar. Thirty percent of the proceeds from the sale of all art will benefit TAS. Based on availability, the exhibit will hang (with the opportunity for purchase by appointment) through December 15.
Buyers/collectors only may make a private appointment for the pre-sale preview on Thursday, October 11, by calling 305.632.5611
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Save the Date - Audubon Florida Assembly
(early bird rates!)
Rising Tides – Building Common Ground for Climate Change Solutions
October 19-20, in West Palm Beach
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Reddish Egret. Photo: Bob Howdeshell / Great Backyard Bird Count
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Join Audubon chapters from across the state for expert-led birding field trips, engaging sessions, conservation celebrations and more for the annual Audubon Assembly in West Palm Beach.
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… Buttercream Cupcakes, our
muy delicioso
Sunset Drive neighbor, located just east of TAS in Coral Gables. The sweet shop is the brainchild of husband-wife duo Jose Cuellar and Kristine Graulich, who launched the bake and brew together in 2008 to offer an intimate setting for coffee and a sweet for neighbors and connoisseurs who appreciate exquisite, high-quality baking.
Their charming boutique bakery offers fresh gourmet cupcakes and fetching cakes for eat-in, take-out or delivery, and a full coffee bar. The couple recently partnered with TAS to help the proverbial Birds host a 90th milestone birthday fundraiser for Ruth Jacobs that included guests from Dade Heritage Trust, The Villagers and University of Miami Woman’s Cancer Association.
Treat yourself to a Buttercream cupcake soon. Supporting those vendors who support TAS is an easy way to contribute to our Mission. The Birds will thank you!
Phone: 305.669.8181
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