[  Visit our New Website ]     [  ABOUT TAS ]     [  CONNECT W/ US ]  

July 7, 2015
July's Featured Event:
Dine Out w/ TAS
Tuesday July 7 6-10pm
whisk owl beer
Wet Your Beaks!

Experience our Summer Dine Out program and help feather Tropical Audubon Society's proverbial nest. Whisk Gourmet donates ten percent of dinner and take-out checks to TAS. You'll be eating very well and helping amplify "South Florida's Voice of Conservation!" 

 

Dig into Whisk's home-grown Florida fare -- and dive into beer & wine selections for their independent spirit.

 

786-268-8350
7382 SW 56th Avenue South Miami, FL 33143 

Click Here For Directions to Whisk Gourmet

Save the Date for Dine Out w/ Whisk: August 4!
Summer Road Trip!
Follow TAS to the Audubon National Convention July 10-13
roadtrip around the bend
Audubon's Biennial Leadership Convention will take place at the Lansdowne Resort on the banks of the Potomac River near historic Leesburg, Virginia, on July 10-13, 2015. 

Laura (TAS Director), Leticia (TAS Outreach) & Sandy (TAS Education) will road trip up the East Coast to historic Leesburg, Virginia, for 4 full days of exciting field trips, inspiring speakers and in-depth hands-on workshops to improve and innovate on how we work for you -- and the environment. 

Follow us on Social Media for insights, postcards and insider information!

 

You're welcome to join us! To register, visit www.audubonconvention.org  or call 800-542-2748

Join TAS in Conservation
Become a Member & Volunteer Today!

Volunteer Restoration Day 

Porter-Russell Pine Rocklands Preserve

Saturday, July 11, 8am-noon 

 

Get your daily dose of Vitamin D & a full body Work Out! (we provide gloves!)


pine rocklandLearn about native plants and help restore one of Florida's unique ecosystems. Only 2% of this precious habitat is left in Miami-Dade outside Everglades Nat'l Park. Let's help preserve it!

 

Restoring this property is possible with volunteers like you. 

 

Call: 305-667-7337  or email us!

For Directions:

22100 SW 124th Ave, Miami, Fl 33170


Biscayne Bay Coalition Meeting

Sunday, July 12, 4-6pm 

 

Join us at TAS to discuss Virginia Key / Boat Show / Marine Stadium-- including the un-permitted cutting of red mangrove last week. 



 

Tropical Audubon Society:

5530 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33143


Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Meeting

Wednesday, July 15, 7-9pm

 

pinerockland_darkLet's meet at TAS and mobilize for the endangered Miami Pine Rocklands!

 

Help Preserve and Protect the remaining Miami Pine Rocklands, a globally endangered habitat down to its last 2% and home to diverse plant and animal life. "Save it, Don't Pave it."

 

 

Tropical Audubon Society:

5530 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33143

 

[email protected]

Paddle Out w/TAS or Become A Guide!

 

 

Please contact Paddle Out organizer Michelle Metcalf if you are interested in becoming a Paddle Out Guide at [email protected]. As a guide, you will be educating participants on the natural environment and history of South Florida, and the do's and don'ts of kayaking. 

 

Saturday, July 11, 10am-2pm: 

Oleta River State Park 

 

Join a fun kayaking adventure on Oleta River, a natural river system once traveled by the indigenous Tequesta tribe. Explore the remarkable beauty of Miami-Dade's oldest and tallest Mangroves,  habitat for Brown Pelicans, Ospreys, Great Blue Herons, Stingrays, Blacktip Sharks and Mangrove Snapper. Make sure to bring your snorkel gear for exploration of Sandspur Island. 


 

Minimum age 9 years, accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe water shoes, long sleeves, recommend swimwear. Bring lunch and water. We appreciate a $50 donation per paddler ($25 for TAS members) which includes Paddle Out map, sticker, & annual membership to TAS. 

RSVP to  [email protected]. 

 

Saturday, July 25, 11am-3pm: 

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Jupiter 


Have a blast on the Loxahatchee River,  once traveled by the Seminole Indians. Loxahatchee which means River of Turtles, winds through Jonathan Dickinson State Park, passing old cypress trees of remarkable beauty. Herons, Ibis, anhingas, ospreys, American eagle and river otters are often spotted.

 

Minimum age 9 years, accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe water shoes, long sleeves, recommend swimwear. Bring lunch and water. We appreciate a $50 donation per paddler ($25 for TAS members) which includes Paddle Out map, sticker, & annual membership to TAS. RSVP to [email protected].  

 

Saturday, August 1, 6:30-10:30pm: 

Full Moon Paddle Out to Chappman Field

 

This leisurely paddle-out through Biscayne Bay will remind you of why we all live here in the first place. BYO food and drink to enjoy while we float away by the light of the moon.  There will be glow sticks!

 

Minimum age 9 years, accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe water shoes, long sleeves, recommend swimwear. Bring lunch and water. We appreciate a $50 donation per paddler ($25 for TAS members) which includes Paddle Out map, sticker, & annual membership to TAS. RSVP to [email protected].  

Deadline for FPL/Turkey Point Comments:
Friday, July 17, 2015

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has extended the public comment period on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for FPL's licensing application to build two costly, water-intensive new nuclear reactors at their existing Turkey Point plant in Miami-Dade County near Homestead, about 25 miles south of Miami.

 

Please submit comments to the NRC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by Friday, July 17, 2015.

 

Voice your concerns before a final EIS is issued for to build 2 additional reactors that, if built, will impact surrounding communities and sensitive ecological areas such as the Everglades & Biscayne National Park, threaten local water and land resources -- AND increase your utility bills.

 

In the face of global climate change, we need resilient solutions today. Clean, safe, and affordable renewable energy along with energy efficiency and conservation will preserve our health, environment and future.

 

Click Here  to print, sign and mail a statement of use.

Help TAS Keep Salt Water Out of the Everglades: 
Funding needed for Litigation, scientific expert advisors and outreach  to enforce the corporate responsibility of FPL.
donate_now_grey_btn.gif
US-1 Red Sunset Corridor Visioning Workshop w/ Coral Gables Planning
Friday & Saturday, July 17 & 18 

 

Bring your ideas to the upcoming Visioning Workshop for the US1, Red Road and Sunset Road corridor, scheduled for Friday, July 17 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, July 18 from 8am-noon. Meetings will be held at the Holiday Inn, 1350 S. Dixie Hwy.

 

Friday  Night, 
July 17 : Kick-off Presentation 
6-8pm : Quality Urbanisim for a complete and connected city.

Saturday  Morning, 
July 18 : Hands On Sessions


8-9am: Breakfast and Registration
9-11am: Walking Tour of USI, Red & Sunset Corridors including walk-ability audit.
11-noon: Group Discussion and Presentations

 

Click Here for More    

 


Volunteer Restoration Day 

Steinberg Nature Center @ TAS

Saturday July 18, 8am-noon (when you can get here)

Get your daily dose of Vitamin D & a full body Work Out! 
 

Work Days at TAS

Learn about indigenous plants and help us maintain our near-native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center TAS campus. We need you! 

 

Restoration Days are held on the 3rd Saturday of every month. We're flexible -- show up when you can, between 8:30 am and noon -- you will find a host of conservationists, birders, plant lovers, gardeners just like you lending a hand. 


Volunteer to Get Your Hands Dirty! (We provide gloves!)
 

This is a great way to earn community service hours and a fun team-building activity! 

 

Call: 305-667-7337  or Email Us to Volunteer! Tropical Audubon Society 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143

Conservation Meeting 
Wednesday, July 22, 7:30pm   
red bellied woodpecker conservation
We come together to do the little things that make a big difference, and to tackle the big things that take a village on the 4th Wednesday of every month, at  7:30 pm.

You don't need to be a scientist or TAS member to know that clean water, green space and solar energy are good things. Participate and make a difference. We welcome diverse viewpoints and skill sets.


Help us peck away at the challenging  conservation issues of our time.  With your assistance, we can build capacity, infrastructure and increase our reach!  

Please collaborate in and contribute to our Mission to conserve South Florida's natural resources.


  Tropical Audubon Society: 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143 


"Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved." 
-- Jane Goodall

Comments Due: Migratory Bird Permits
Monday, July 27
botswana bird
We have an unprecedented opportunity to bring the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) into the 21st century by supporting a bold new proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand the kinds of activities that this landmark law covers. 

Originally crafted to stop the exploitation of  birds , the bedrock law now will help prevent  bird " death traps" like uncovered oil waste pits, unshielded power lines, and many other hazards undreamed of when the law was written at the turn of the last century. 

The official Notice of Intent will be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, May 26, followed by a 60-day public comment period.

SOLAR TRAINING  @ TAS: 
 July 27 7pm-9pm

The Floridians for Solar Choice Petition is an   initiative to amend the FL Constitution to provide more choices for Floridians to power their homes and businesses with solar energy. 

Become a Solar Petition Volunteer - sign-up to get trained by George @ TAS! July 27 and September 10 from 7-9pm at TAS.

Get Trained!
For over a decade, George Cavros has worked on promoting clean energy policy in the Sunshine State. That work has included designing renewable energy policy, litigation in support of customer energy efficiency opportunities, advancing distributed solar programs and challenging monopoly utility early cost recovery on nuclear plants.   

Call: 305.667.7337 to RSVP. Please leave a message for Dylan, or, leave voice mail stating you are RSVPing for Solar Energy Workshop--  leave us your name and email address.

  
Audubon Assembly
Save the Date: October 23 & 24
Sheraton Orlando North in Maitland, Florida

The  Audubon  Assembly is Florida's premiere conservation event. Join friends -- old and new -- for two days of informative workshops, exciting guest speakers, and  unforgettable field trips. Staff and volunteers are hard at work preparing a one-of-a-kind experience for this year's gathering. Please stay tuned for more information.

We have some big announcements to make and will fill you in on all the juicy details as soon as we are able. You won't want to miss this year's  Assembly. Mark October 23-24 on your calendars right now. 

Visit Florida Audubon's Website:  fl.audubon.org
TAS Staff Positions:
Conservation Outreach Coordinator (FT)

Hawkwatch Kids
Conservation Outreach Coordinator:
Bilingual Communications specialist to work on Smart Growth issues such as Urban Development Boundaries, Sea Level Rise/Climate Change, Transportation & Green Space/Canopy. 

Please include a thoughtful cover letter.

Email resume & cover letter: [email protected]
subject line: (name & position)
Petitions

116 More Signatures Needed! 
During recent difficult budget times, Miami-Dade County has suffered dramatic cuts to parks budgets for operations and maintenance. If not reversed, this neglect will erode our parks from community assets to neighborhood blights.

With some additional funding for urgently needed repairs, we could start to restore our parks to the community gathering places for our kids, our elders, and our families that we expect from our County.


986 Signatures Needed to Reach 2,500

Though the agreement was approved to bring the Boat Show to Virginia Key, the environmental impact of this event is yet to be studied and determined. 

We urge you to send emails asking that the community be presented with more information on the Marine Stadium's future and that the Village of Key Biscayne and the City of Miami -- as well as the Event hosts work with the Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental organizations to mitigate impact and be prepared for reparations.

 

Please Contact TAS Biscayne Bay Fellow Michelle Metcalf: [email protected]  

 


What's Your Thing?
Join a Coalition Today!
Pine Rockland is one of two types of pineland that occurs in the Everglades, and is characterized by outcroppings of limestone on the Miami Rock Ridge. In his Everglades National Park and the Surrounding Area  guidebook, TAS Honorary Director Roger Hammer writes that fewer than 4,000 acres of Pine Rockland remain outside of Everglades National Park, and that due to the mixture of temperate and tropical plants, Pine Rockland communities have the greatest wealth of biodiversity to be found in Florida.

urban sprawl
Endorsing smart growth projects
 within our urban core.
Created in 1975, the UDB is an invisible line running along the south and western areas of the county hemmed by a buffer of agricultural lands. The agricultural corridor separates high-density zoning of urban Miami from the low-density zoning of the Everglades-- the main source of water for 8 million Floridians. 

The main objective of the  Hold-the-Line Coalition  is to ensure that South Florida becomes sustainable and resilient by protecting the rural and natural resource areas to the west and south of the Urban Development Boundary (UDB), and by endorsing smart growth projects within our urban core.


"What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"

BBC is on the Biscayne Bay frontlines to protect this vast body of water. Stretching 35 miles along South Florida's Atlantic Coast, the bay is home to fish nurseries that feed our herons, spoonbills and other wading birds; it provides drinking water for a large human population as well.

TAS is a founding member, and recruits civic groups and concerned citizens to join the BBC. The Coalition advocates for the integrity, preservation and restoration of a healthy, viable Biscayne Bay. 


Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir Project Coalition (EAA) #BuyTheLand & #SaveFLWater! 

 

Everglades National Park

Click here to join


 

 The current level of water flowing through the Everglades ecosystem is not enough. More clean, fresh water needs to flow south if we are to successfully restore our River of Grass and recharge our aquifer. 


Encourage Legislators and Governor Scott to identify land south of lake Ockechobee we can purchase to build a reservoir and send water to the Everglades.

 

"There are no other Everglades in the world. They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth; remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them."
-- Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Support TAS while you shop on Amazon! Amazon will donate 5% of the price of eligible purchases to TAS whenever you shop on AmazonSmileClick here for a direct link. Thank you for supporting South Florida's Voice of Conservation.