The Limpkin Times

Apalachee Audubon Society Mission Statement:
Protection of the environment through education,
appreciation and conservation.


January 2018

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Snow...in Tallahassee? Cold temperatures make it hard to get outside; that is, unless you're a bird. Heaps of rarities in town, gobs of ducks down at St. Marks NWR, and non-oppressive temperatures actually help to make mid-winter a fantastic time to go birding. Celebrate the Year of the Bird with us by grabbing your binoculars and searching for some birds.
February Program
Shorebirds of the Apalachicola System with Jennifer Manis and Paula Muellner

Thursday, February 15, 2018
Social 7:00 PM, Program 7:30 PM
The King Life Sciences Building
319 Stadium Drive, Room 1024

Summary:

Learn about the shorebirds of the Apalachicola System with Jennifer Manis and Paula Muellner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Other Upcoming Field Trips
Friday, January 19
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Lafayette Heritage Trail Park

Meet at 8 a.m. at the main parking lot in Piney Z subdivision. There will be a fair amount of walking involved. We will be finished by noon.
Friday, February 9, 2018
8:00 AM  12:00 PM
Lake Talquin Boat Landings

Meet at 8 a.m. at the Lake Elberta parking lot. We will be carpooling, so please indicate if you are a willing driver.

Saturday, February 24, 2018
8:00 AM  3:00 PM
Lake Seminole

Meet at 8 a.m. at the Pilot Gas Station at the intersection of US90 West and I-10. We will be carpooling, so please indicate if you are a willing driver. We will visit 3 Rivers State Park and Apalachee WMA if time permits.

Contact Helen Jelks King at  thekingsom@gmail.com  if you plan to attend.

Visit the  Field Trips web page  for information about upcoming trips through November.
Register for the Apalachicola River Symposium

This conference will bring renewed attention to the ecological, cultural and economic importance of the Apalachicola River, Floodplain and Bay and strengthen efforts to ensure the sustainability of this resource for current and future generations.

The political, regulatory, and physical contexts for managing long standing issues of flow are changing within the Tri-State region of the Apalachicola Chattahoochee Flint (ACF) Basin. Of particular importance are the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin Water Control Manual recently proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the anticipated decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Florida v Georgia. Drought management is taking on increased importance, while long standing questions of science and management remain important both in Florida and within the larger ACF Basin.

The conference will offer opportunities to learn about the challenges and opportunities ahead from knowledgeable scientists, elected leaders and local, state and federal water managers in the Tri-State region, as well as from other stakeholders.

First Day Conference Only - (Science Sessions) $25.00
Day 2-3 Conference Registration (Policy and Regulatory Issues) - $125 (includes 1 banquet ticket)
All 3 Days -  $135 (includes 1 banquet ticket)

Post Conference Bus Trip and Boat Ride on Apalachicola River (Friday from noon - 5 pm) (limited seats) - $35

Social and Banquet with Guest Speaker Senator Bob Graham (purchased separately)  - $50  


Backyard Photography - When Your Yard Is Also A Nature Preserve

Oftentimes, we imagine ideal birding destinations as wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, or other exotic locales far afield. As this article suggests, though, birding can be excellent right out of the backyard if natural habitat and species needs are considered. Check out the article , published by Audubon, to learn more.

To see wildlife friendly yards for yourself, join us on our wildlife-friendly yard tour mentioned below!
Join Us On A Tour of Wildlife-friendly Yards
Saturday, February 17
10:00-4:00


Interested in making your yard more attractive to birds and other wildlife? The Apalachee Audubon Society invites you to take a self-guided tour of five local yards that are wildlife havens. Tickets are $10 per person and will be available for purchase in mid-January at Native Nurseries and Wild Birds Unlimited. Check the  Wildlife-friendly Yard Tour webpage  for an announcement of ticket availability and contact information for the stores. Ticket holders will receive addresses and directions to each location at the time of purchase.

Each yard has unique features to attract a variety of birds and other wildlife such as wintering hummingbirds, orioles, tanagers, finches, and pine siskins as well as our year-round residents. You will be inspired to maintain your own yard or green space for wildlife, whether it is one bird feeder, one nest box, one wildflower bed, one garden path, or one natural area.

Make a difference for wildlife, one yard at a time! Join us in our 11th annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour and fundraiser to benefit Apalachee Audubon Society.

For more information, please contact Tammy Brown,  tcbrown798@aol.com (850) 933-8154
Over 70? You Can Help The Birds of St. Vincent NWR With Little Effort!

Marylyn Fever has kindly provided advice about a strategy those over 70 can use to donate funds to worthy causes. Many of you joined us for our recent program about St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge. If you feel inclined to help preserve it for future generations, read about a creative strategy to help .


“What’s the Point!”
A plan to protect the breeding and migrating birds of St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, Spring 2018

Our goal is to protect the snowy plovers, least terns, American oystercatchers, brown pelicans, and many other wild birds that rely on the western Point of St. Vincent NWR. We will educate Indian Pass residents and visitors—all recreational users--how to access the Refuge in ways that are compatible with the needs of these precious birds. 

The Friends of St. Vincent NWR are seeking donations to help us implement this campaign. You can help!
Cost estimate for interns and supplies: $2500

Our trained interns will:
v   collect data on human users of Refuge
v   collect data on bird use of Point
v   inform Refuge staff of trespassers on Point
v   make positive, informative connections with IP Sea Turtle Patrol, concessionaire and clients, campers and campground staff, boat ramp users, Indian Pass renters and residents, rental agencies and kayak rental orgs
v   assist Refuge staff with posting of Point as requested

Your donation will fund intern stipend; shade tent, literature, signage and other educational materials; local housing.

Questions? contact Susan Cerulean at susan.cerulean1@gmail.com .

Donations for “What’s the Point” may be sent directly to Friends of St. Vincent NWR, P.O. Box 69, Apalachicola, FL 32329. Be sure to label your donation for this campaign.
Friends of St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.
We Need You!

One of the highlights of being in any organization, but particularly one related to conservation, involves that warm feeling of knowing that something you did made a difference. Apalachee Audubon does a lot that makes very big differences, both with people and with wildlife. Whether we are teaching kids about birds, exposing people to local natural areas for the first time, talking about birds at events, or fundraising for our conservation initiatives, we are pretty much always working on something to make a positive impact.

Our board works very, very hard on various initiatives in addition to juggling careers, family, etc. In essence, we are about at capacity. We do have members who step up to help any chance they get, helping us at events, helping to lead field trips, or working with our educational programs. But we would really like to see more members take an active role in our organization. Without that assistance, it is harder for us to accomplish our missions that make such positive impacts. And isn't that the reason you joined in the first place?

Ask yourself if you can spare an hour a month to volunteer with us in some capacity. The following projects could use your help:

  • Apalachicola Symposium
  • Pineview Elementary Teaching
  • Manning booths at Upcoming Events
  • Participating in the Birdathon
  • Helping At Our Annual Banquet
  • Assisting The Conservation Committee With Their Many Projects
  • And So Much More!

So please, consider what you can do to make this organization all it can be.
Bird Biology and Stewardship Shorebird Walk

Florida’s coastal areas are home to a wide variety of migratory, wintering and nesting shorebirds and seabirds. Join us for a leisurely walk along the beach searching for both rare and common birds. Learn behaviors, identification tips, stewardship, and the threats facing these amazing birds.

A comfortably paced 1.5 hour walk along the beach is being offered in the Eastern Panhandle: Bald Point State Park

Audubon Florida Field Techs Laura Garey and Brandon Boehm and Park Service Specialist Emory Maxwell

When: Saturday, February 17, 2018 10-11:30 am

Where: North Park Entrance at 810 Bald Point Rd, Alligator Point, FL 32346 Fees: There is an entrance fee to state park ($4 per car).

Shorebird Walk is FREE!

Contact: Emory Maxwell, Bald Point State Park at 850-349-9146 or emory.maxwell@floridadep.gov No registration required.

Please bring binoculars if you have them!
Have you been birding lately? Feel free to send us your reports from the field and/or photos so that we can share them with others!
Apalachee Audubon Society A North Florida Chapter of the National Audubon Society