June 2017
June in the Field
TAKE ACTION NOW

Cyclists need "Complete Streets"
Take the Survey; attend the Workshops
Give the County an EARful by June 17!

Let Miami-Dade County know Transportation/Mobility is important! Every seven years, the Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) is reviewed and updated as required per Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes, a process known as an Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). EAR includes an evaluation of the progress the county has made in implementing the goals, objectives, policies, maps and text of the CDMP, and also recommends changes.

Help shape the future of Miami-Dade County! Your vision can make a difference. Attend a workshop, take the EAR2018 Survey or email your comments.

Opportunities for participation:

Take the  EAR2018 survey .

Attend a Town Hall Workshop:

Thursday, June 8,  6-8:30pm
African Heritage Cultural Arts Center 6161 NW 22 Ave, Miami, FL 33142

Saturday, June 10, 10am-noon
Norman and Jean Reach Park 7895 NW 176 St, Miami, FL 33015

TuesdayJune 136:30-9pm
Highland Oaks Park 20300 NE 24 Ave, Miami, FL 33180

SaturdayJune 1710am-noon
South Dade Regional Library 10750 SW 211 St, Cutler Bay, FL 33189

These meetings are free and open to the public. For information about the Town Hall Workshops or the EAR process, please contact Miami-Dade County’s Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER), Planning Division, at  (305) 375-2835 or  [email protected]

HOLD THE LINE — Again!
Help Halt expansion of 836 beyond the UDB
Tuesday, June 13, 1:30pm

Click on the image to open the map in a new window. Alternative Routes Shown on Map are No Longer Under Consideration

Prevent Urban Sprawl, protect against Sea-Level Rise and promote Smart Growth.

Please  TAKE ACTION NOW ! 

Speak up against the Extension of 836 (Dolphin Expressway) beyond the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) at the Miami-Dade County Governmental Operations Meeting:  Tuesday, June 13 at 1:30pm.

Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 220, Miami

Talking Points

     •     This expansion undermines the UDB and exposes sensitive lands to potential development,
            further exposing Miami-Dade County to the risk of Sea Level Rise
     •     There are multi-modal alternatives within the UDB  (See Alternatives on Above Map)
     •     Expanding 836 outside the UDB undermines the County Smart Plan
     •     Widening existing roads and adding new ones does not solve congestion


Can't attend?  Please contact the committee members:

Chairman Dennis Moss
District Office
305-234-4938
Downtown Office
305-375-4832

Vice Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa
District Office
305-267-6377
Downtown Office
305-375-5696

Commissioner Jean Monestime
District Office
305-694-2779
Downtown Office
305-375-4833

Commissioner Xavier Suarez
South Miami District Office
305-669-4003 
Coconut Grove Office
305-694-3550 

Commissioner Martinez
Downtown Office
305-375-5511
District Office
305-552-1155

Happy Trails from Tally:
Ludlam Trail & The Underline score $10M

On June 2, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the state budget with line item vetoes totaling $409.2M. On the flip side, several Miami-Dade County projects were signed into law, including the  Ludlam Trail ($5 million approved) and  The Underline ($5 million approved). The Birds thank Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa for her valiant efforts in securing significant Open Space funding that will enhance quality of life in perpetuity — for both humans and wildlife.  

To review the Governor's transmittal letter and an explanation of individual vetoes click here

http://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DOCPDF.pdf

Featured Event

Dine Out @ Whisk

Tuesday, June 13,  6-10pm

Make a dinner date at Whisk Gourmet (eat-in or take-out) and, in turn, Whisk will feather the proverbial TAS nest with 10 percent of its dinner revenues. 

Enjoy signature dishes such as Chef Brendan's famous Fried Chicken, cool Kale Caesar or his
 sensational  Shrimp & Grits.www.whiskgourmet.com 

Whisk helps TAS protect all the places South Floridians cherish: Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay and The Everglades.Thanks to Chef Brendan Connor, recipient of this year's Tropical Audubon Society Board of Directors Appreciation Award, and his sister Kristin Connor,  for so generously hosting the 2017 Dine Out Summer Series ... and for launching a straw-free initiative at their restaurant.

Save the Dates: July 11 and August 8 for more opportunities to sup for the Birds!
onsite free parking & valet service available  
Green Things to Do

TONIGHT: North Beach "Yard" Proposal
What do YOU think?
Thursday, June 8,  6:30-8:30pm

The Wynwood Yard is pondering a North Beach outpost! The North Beach Mayor and City Commission invite the community to gather and get acquainted with the project's scope and potential benefits, take a peek at the site plans, talk with city reps, listen to tunes by local musician Keith Johns and experience a "taste" of the possibilities. As in: enjoy sips and bites by Charcoal Garden Bar + Grill and della test kitchen, and get to know the Wynwood Yard team behind the proposed North Beach expansion.

Learn More from this Miami New Times article

Any such project approved within the vibrant North Beach community ideally needs to be of, by and for the people, so area citizens are encouraged to dive into the conversation at this truly unique town hall. 

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is not mandatory, but highly encouraged.
   

Volunteer: Eco-Restoration Day
@ TAS's Porter Russell Pine Rockland
Saturday, June 10, 8:30-11am
Help TAS steward our  Porter  Russell  Pine  Rockland, an 8-acre property in South Miami-Dade County, one of the few remaining tracts of globally imperiled  Pine  Rockland habitat remaining outside of Everglades National Park. 

Please bring sunscreen, your water bottle, and wear closed toed-shoes. We will provide water.

Groups welcome! RSVP:  email Amy Creekmur

Eco-Restoration Day @ TAS's Steinberg Nature Center                   Saturday, June, 17 8:30-11:30am

Learn about indigenous plants and help us maintain our near-native landscape at the  Steinberg  Nature Center on the TAS 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.

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

Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Meeting @ TAS
Thursday, June 22, 7-9pm

Get an update on 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. 

Learn More on Facebook

Concerned about seagrass die-off, algal blooms and trash in the bay?Attend the Inaugural Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summit                   Wednesday, June 28, 2017 - 8am-6pm

Biscayne Bay is arguably Miami's most outstanding natural resource. Shallow, clear water, seagrass meadows and coastal wetlands provide habitat and nurseries for key fish species and wildlife, buffer our coast against storm erosion, support boating and water-related recreational activities and provide more than $6 billion in annual revenue to our local economy. 

Due to the region's tremendous population growth over the last few decades, however, the bay is being adversely impacted by a staggering amount of marine and estuarine debris, as well as sewer, storm water pollutants, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.Seagrass is dying at an alarming rate; algal blooms threaten. In essence, Biscayne Bay(most of which is designated as a State Aquatic Preserve or is part of Biscayne National Park) is in a state of crisis. Attend this 1-day conference to identify causes and explore solutions.

Your input can help preserve Biscayne Bay for future generations as a precious public natural resource. 

Click Here to Register 

FIU Biscayne Bay Campus - Biscayne Bay CampusSchool of Hospitality, Room HM - 3000 N.E. 151st Street, North Miami, Fl 33181

Birds of Paradise Exhibit @ MODS
Through September 5

Ft. Lauderdale's Museum of Discovery & Science has teamed with National Geographic and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to showcase what are arguably the sexiest birds on the planet. The stunning collection of imagery, audio and artifacts engagingly profiles the 39 known species of birds-of-paradise. Embodying science, art and natural history, the compelling exhibit is a distillation of 18 research expeditions that spanned 8 years.

For hours and admission information visit mods.org or call (954) 467-6637.

Museum of Discovery & Science
401 SW 2nd Street, Ft Lauderdale

The Birds Thank 
John Lawson of Silent Native Nursery

… for his donation of at-cost native plant materials and delivery services associated with staging our annual Native Plant Sale. John is wholly dedicated to the restoration of South Florida habitats.

If you miss our  June 3 Native Plant Sale, Silent Native Nursery is open to the public on the first  Saturday of each month from  10 a.m. until 3 p.m. For questions about the monthly event, call Steve Woodmansee of Pro Native Consulting at  786.488.3101.

Silent Native Nursery features landscaping plants — from diminutive wildflowers to large hardwoods — indigenous to South Florida and the Florida Keys, along with specimens from the Bahamas, Caribbean and West Indies. The diverse inventory includes Pineland, Hammock and Coastal plants; specialty plants for areas such as Salt Marshes, Swamps and Coastal Rock Barrens are also available. 

Monday- Friday wholesale hours to the trade (limited to nurseries, commercial landscapers, landscape architects and local, state and federal municipalities) are from  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Supporting those vendors who support TAS is an easy way to contribute to our Mission. The birds will thank you!

Silent Native Nursery
16265 SW 210 Terrace, Miami, FL 33187