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The Limpkin Times
Apalachee Audubon Society Mission Statement:
Protection of the environment through education,
appreciation and conservation.
February 2019
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President's Message
Lake Elberta Birthday Clean-Up
Apalachee Audubon member Charles Robshaw is turning 50! For his birthday, he asked for a selfless gift: a cleaner Lake Elberta. He and his wife, Ann, are organizing a clean-up for the park from 2-4 PM on Sunday, February 17. Gloves, garbage bags, and snacks will be provided, although you may want to bring shoes that can get wet if you plan to be near the shoreline. With upcoming bird walks, volunteer events, and a huge event on April 27, it is important that we maintain the park in good shape for both people and birds. Please indicate you are going by clicking "going" on our Facebook event, or by emailing Ann a
t
robshawabc@gmail.com
.
Wildlife-friendly Yard Tour
If you haven't done so already, purchase your tickets for the annual Wildlife-friendly Yard Tour that will take place this Saturday, February 16 from 10-4. Tickets are only $10, and are for sale at both Native Nurseries and Wild Birds Unlimited. The event allows you to view five of the most incredible yards in town for wildlife, and hopefully gain some inspiration on how to make your yard into better wildlife habitat. The event is a major fundraiser for Apalachee Audubon, helping to support our conservation, education, and outreach initiatives. We hope to see you there!
If you'd like to volunteer for a two hour shift during the tour, please contact Tammy Brown at
TCBrown798@aol.com
-Peter Kleinhenz
President, Apalachee Audubon
In This Issue:
Lake Elberta Arbor Day a Success
Wildlife-Friendly Yard Tour - Volunteers needed
Wanted: Purple Martin and Eastern Bluebird Volunteers
Backyard Discovery at the Grove
Conservation Action
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Living with Wildlife
with Sandy Beck, Education Director, St. Francis Wildlife Association
Thursday, February 21, 2019
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
King Life Science Building
319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee (see map below)
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Live, non-releasable, native raptors, reptiles and mammals will help Sandy Beck, share their stories, the unique adaptations that enable their species to survive, challenges they face, and specific actions we can take to help them. Also, learn about opportunities to get involved with St. Francis Wildlife.
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Bird Friendly Yards: A Panel Discussion featuring Ann Morrow, Donna Legare, Rob Williams and Vanessa Crisler
Thursday, March 21, 2019
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
King Life Science Building
319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee (see map below)
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Come prepared to learn what individuals can do to make their own backyards friendly for birds and wildlife. Our panelists will share from personal experiences how they were able to transform their yards.
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Lake Elberta Arbor Day a Success
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The City of Tallahassee selected Lake Elberta as the recipient site for a variety of trees for the Arbor Day celebration of January 26. Native trees, as well as species that bear fruit or nuts, were planted around much of the lake and down the bike path that leads to Gaines Street. A generous donation by board member Peter Goren even gave us the ability to put in some native Virginia Sweetspire right by the water. The event had a great turnout, including people of all ages and several students from FAMU. Apalachee Audubon would like to give a sincere thank you to the city for helping to organize this event and enhance the habitat at Lake Elberta Park even more!
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The 11th Annual Wildlife-Friendly Yard Tour - Volunteers Needed
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It's that time of year again for the 11th Annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour sponsored by Apalachee Audubon. If you haven't done this tour before, those who have will tell you it's the best $10 you can spend for an activity here in Tallahassee. Each year we have chosen five hosts for their environmentally friendly yards and the great ideas they have come up with to attract local and migrant birds and wildlife. With this tour happening in the middle of winter, it is not the ordinary style garden tour. It's a chance to see the 'bones' of the yard and catch a glimpse of some fabulous winter birds. Winter is planting time so you can take notes then go home and start that yard project you've always wanted to do and to welcome the birds of spring to nest in your yard.
This year our event takes place on Saturday, February 16
th
from 10am - 4pm. Tickets will be available, starting January 19
th
at Native Nurseries (Centerville Rd.) and Wild Birds Unlimited (Thomasville Rd.) and will be available through the day of the tour. The tour takes place rain or shine. Birds are very active when it's stormy, so don't let that stop you. This is a fundraiser for the local Audubon Chapter.
Once you purchase your ticket, you will be given all the information you need for the tour. It's shaping up to be another spectacular year not to be missed!
Spread the word and bring your friends. Help us make this tour the most successful yet. We thank the hosts, both past and present, who have volunteered their yards and time, and the long list of volunteers who have helped make this event so special.
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Would you like to earn a free ticket for this year’s yard tour? All you have to do is to devote two hours at a host yard greeting visitors as an ambassador for Apalachee Audubon. No special knowledge is needed. You’ll be acquainted with the yard and our handouts at the event.
This is just to give the hosts a hand during the tour. After your shift, you can do the tour for free.
This year’s yard tour will take place on February 16 and shifts are available from 10 AM to Noon, Noon to 2 PM, and 2 to 4 PM.
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Wanted: Purple Martin and Eastern Bluebird Volunteers
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As anyone who has constructed bluebird boxes and purple martin structures knows, you can not just construct these houses and let them go. They require maintenance. Recently, we installed two bluebird boxes and a purple martin structure at Lake Elberta Park. These need checked periodically to make sure the baffles are working, that fire ants aren't moving in, and that non-target species aren't taking ownership of these constructed shelters.
In addition, Betsy Sullivan and a team of volunteers is caring for, and collecting data from, purple martin colonies at the Alford Greenway, and at the Thornton and Edenfield Rd areas of the Miccosukee Greenway. They need one or two additional volunteers to help with bluebird boxes at the Alford Greenway, and could use additional help with monitoring the purple martins as well. They plan to install bluebird boxes at the St. Marks Headwaters Greenway and could use volunteers to start there too. Please contact Betsy Sullivan at
basullivan@comcast.net
if you're interested in helping!
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Conservation Action
Apalachee Audubon would like to see the Canopy Road Protection Program reinvigorated, to keep Tallahassee beautiful for people while providing habitat for birds. Please contact our city and county commissioners to let them know that you would like to see canopy road protection become a priority. City Commissioner contact info can be found
here
while county commissioner contact info can be found
here
.
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