Good and Green News & Updates |
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All the bird photos in this issue were taken by Lexi Smith, Sunrise Sustainability Intern, environmental science student at Nova Southeastern University! |
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Learn About Florida Wetlands Birds in Honor of World Wetlands Day! |
Beautiful and interesting wetlands birds can often be found right in your backyard in Sunrise! Big, small, we definitely have them all!
Pictured left is a Double-crested Cormorant - they have teal eyes and can be seen diving under water to catch small fish.
Find out more about these feathered friends and their benefits below!
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Go Green This Valentine's Day |
Spread love without spreading waste - let's make this Valentine’s Day eco-friendly, gentle on the planet and the environment. Skip the heart-shaped balloons (why you should ditch balloons), synthetic teddy bears, and plastic-packaged candy. Look for gifts like fair-trade or rainforest-friendly chocolates, and organic flower bouquets - or even better buy a potted plant. Select ethical jewelry, order treats from a local bakery, or get crafty with your valentines cards. There are cards that are made from 100% recycled paper and embedded with wildflower seeds ready for planting. Now you can give a beautiful card, and at the same time give flowers! There are a lot of alternatives out there if you start thinking sustainably.
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Prevent Pet Poollution (Pun Intended) |
In 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency listed pet waste as a nonpoint source pollutant, a category that also includes herbicides and insecticides, toxic chemicals from motor vehicles, and even acid drainage from abandoned mines. As the name suggests, nonpoint pollution does not come from a single identifiable source and instead comes from many dispersed sources —piles of waste left on lawns, streets, sidewalks, or within any vicinity of a waterway. During rainstorms, the abandoned piles of waste can wash with stormwater and directly enter our waterways before ultimately ending up in the ocean. Generally, storm drains do not connect to a treatment facility, so the waste heads straight into lakes, canals, and marine waters.
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Good and Green team educates the community on water quality and conservation at Sunrise Woof Stock on February 5th. |
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World Wetlands Day: Birds of the Wetlands |
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With wetland environments being some of the most important natural resources, it is important to think about the plant and animal species that help keep them intact. Over 25 different wetland bird species live in South Florida wetlands environments and play a huge role in keeping it intact, largely due to their role in the food chain.
Wetlands birds, among many other animals, rely on the environment for food and shelter, making it especially important to protect their home.
Benefits of Florida Wetland Birds
- Help maintain population levels of their prey and predator species
- Spread seeds of plants through their droppings, providing us with food, timber, and recreation
- Provide scientists with information about how an area is doing ecologically
- Attract tourists from all over the world to come and view them
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Common Gallinules (also known as Common Moorhens) have dark blue and black feathers, yellow legs, and a red and yellow “facial shield.” They feed on vegetation and small aquatic organisms. These birds can be found year-round in Florida wetlands environments and are often seen walking atop floating vegetation.
Look for them next to your local freshwater canal or lake!
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Found nearly everywhere in South Florida, White Ibis have mostly white feathers with pink legs and a long, pink bill. They enjoy sticking their bills into grass and shallow area of lakes and tend to travel in flocks.
Keep your eyes open for them next time you go to a local park, or wetlands area!
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Where to Watch for Wetland Birds in Sunrise |
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- Sawgrass Sanctuary Park (237 North New River Circle)
- Flamingo Park (12855 NW 8th Street)
- Oak Hammock Park (9220 NW 44th Street)
- Markham Park (16001 West State Road 84)
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How You Can Help Wetland Birds |
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- Minimize fertilizer and pesticide use in your yard – these chemicals “runoff” into local waterways that lead back to Florida wetlands. They can cause algal blooms and kill the native plants and fish that birds eat.
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Plant Florida-native plant species that birds feed on, such as Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) or Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans).
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Use water wisely by conserving it and Saving Water At Home.
- Refrain from feeding or interacting with wild birds as it may confuse them and possibly make them sick. If you find a sick or injured bird, please contact a local wildlife hospital.
- Properly dispose of all garbage and try to pick up any litter that you see. Birds can mistake trash for food (especially when it is in the water), possibly causing injury or harm.
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Learn more about wetlands from National Ocean Service, National Wildlife Federation, and UF IFAS and spread the word about their importance!
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