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Join TAS

You can use our secure server to join or donate to Tropical Audubon

TAS Calendar
Click for the Calendar

Mar 6
Everglades Birding
Mar 10
Monthly Meeting at DTH: Roger Hamme, The Human and Natural History of the Everglades
Mar 13
Lake Kissimmee Birding
Mar 20
Wakodahatchee / Green Cay / Okeeheelee Birding
Mar 20
Workday at DTH
Mar 21
Roger Hammer Wildflower Walk
Mar 24
Conservation Meeting at DTH
Mar 27
South Broward Birding
Mar 27-Apr 4
South Texas Birding
Apr 3
A.D. Barnes Bird Walk
Apr 8-28
Six Dry Tortugas Trips
Apr 10
Bill Baggs Cape Florida Bird Walk
Apr 11
Fairchild / Matheson Bird Walk
Apr 14
Monthly Meeting at DTH: Jackie Feinberg, Wild Utah: America's Redrock Wilderness
Apr 16-18
Ft. DeSoto Birding
Apr 17
Greynolds Bird Walk
Apr 17
Workday at DTH
Apr 18
A.D. Barnes Bird Walk
Apr 24
Bill Baggs Cape Florida Bird Walk
Apr 25
Matheson Bird Walk
Apr 25
TAS Wingding at DTH
Apr 28
Conservation Meeting at DTH

Birds & Birding

Support TAS!

Use the links below to buy books and optical equipment or check out the TAS BOOKSTORE.

amazon.com link Eagle Optics link

Injured Bird?

Here's contact information for local bird rehabilitators

Mailing List Problem?

Not getting your TAS bulletin? Moved? Please contact the "mailing list guru"

Report Illegal Trapping

Illegal trapping of buntings and other birds is a big problem in South Florida. If you see trapping going on, do not attempt to confront the trappers yourself. Report it to Fish and Wildlife. Our illegal trapping page has information on what to look for and how to report it.

Help Protect Wildlife!
Keep Your Cat Indoors

See the American Bird Conservancy's video on trap and release programs, part of which was filmed here in South Florida.

 

TAS Docent Program

TAS is starting a docent program, if you are interested in being part of our group please email Claudia Laurindo. Please tell us what you are interested in working on for Tropical and when you are available in the body of the e-mail.

Conservation Committee

TAS members and guests are invited to attend the Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm, usually on the 4th Wednesday of the month (the date can vary). Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.

Check the calendar for upcoming meetings.

TAS holds essay contest for students

Deadline: April 5, Prize: $500

This year's essay contest topic is, How does the health of Biscayne Bay affect the population of South Florida? All essays should be well researched, with sources cited in APA style on a "References Cited" page. Essays should be no longer than 1000 words.

Roger Hammer, The Human and Natural History of the Everglades

7:30pm on Wed., Mar. 10 at the Doc Thomas House

Naturalist Roger Hammer discusses the history of the Everglades, beginning when South Florida was underwater, to the arrival of saber-tooth cats, mastodons, dire wolves, and the first humans. The human history is then followed from the Tequesta Indians to the arrival of Flagler's railroad, the draining of the Everglades, to today's Everglades Restoration Project.

Membership meetings are open to the public and held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Drive, near Red Road. The doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins at 8pm. Call (305) 667-7337 for more information.

Tell the SFWMD Governing Board: Stay the Course on 'Glades Purchase

On March 11, the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will vote on whether to extend its current contract with U.S. Sugar Corp. to purchase 73,000 acres of land that are critical to Everglades restoration. The contract will expire at the end of this month, and The District will not be able to close the deal before then, so they must extend the contract if they are to purchase this land. Email or call the Board members now, and urge them to move forward with this acquisition. Read our sample letter. A powerful way to send your message is to attend the meeting, 9am on March 11 at the Florida Seminole Veterans Building Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation, 800 E. Harney Pond Road, Okeechobee, FL 34974.

Art Walk at TAS features Everglades photos

6-9pm on Fri., March 12 at the Doc Thomas House

5530 Sunset Drive

During this month's Art Walk in South Miami, local artist Patrice Tobolowski will exhibit her photographs of the Everglades at TAS's Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Drive. Patrice has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida International University, and has lived in Miami since 1969. “We are all responsible for preserving the balance in the Everglades,” Patrice says.

Provide input on future of Virginia Key

9am on March 27 at the Rusty Pelican

Since the City of Miami Commission rejected the Virginia Key Master Plan in October, TAS and other groups have been working to develop a sustainable design for the environmentally and historically significant island. Bring your critical eye to the next charette March 27 at the Rusty Pelican, 3201 Rickenbacker Cswy., where we will unveil the new design. Our partners in this endeavor include Urban Environment League (hosting the charette), Sierra Club, Urban Paradise Guild, Dade Heritage Trust, Izaak Walton League and University of Miami School of Architecture.

View from Virginia Key

For regular commentary on happenings around the island, visit the View From Virginia Key.

Native Plant Day has Free Fun for Nature Lovers

9am - 4pm on Sat., March 27 at Bill Sadowski Park

The Dade Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation present Native Plant Day, a jam-packed program of plant sales, nature walks, speakers and other activities. The event will take place at the Bill Sadowski Park and Nature Center, 17555 SW 79 Ave.

Moonlight concert benefits education at TAS

7pm on Sat., Mar. 27 at the Doc Thomas House

The Members If you were not at TAS's January or February Conservation Concerts, you only have a couple more chances to experience starlit performances at our historic home 5530 Sunset Drive in South Miami. Our next concert will feature The Members, a popular Miami band specializing in classic and contemporary rock & roll. Your donation of $10 (children are free) will benefit the fund to repair our chickee hut, which was formerly used for educational programming. Limited parking is available on our property (entrance on 55 Ave., off Sunset Dr.)

Areas to address:

Essays must include a cover page listing your name, your home address, your telephone number, your e-mail address, your current grade in school, your school's name, what you plan to study in college and the type of work that you hope to do after graduation.

Please email your cover page, essay and reference citations in one Microsoft Word document to TAS. Enter “Conservation Essay” in the subject line. Good luck!

New for 2011! Ecuador: The Northern Andes

Sat., July 9 to Sun., July 17, 2011

Brian Rapoza and a local leader, arranged through Tropical Birding Tours, lead this nine-day, eight-night trip to the northern Andes of Ecuador, beginning and ending in Quito. This trip involves seven full days of birding, and is designed for intermediate to advanced birders. Group size will be no more than eight (8) participants. Costs: $2,295.00 per person double occupancy, $140.00 single supplement. Cost includes transportation, meals, lodging and guides. Not included is round-trip air fare to Quito, tips, laundry costs and other incidental expenses. Click here for a trip itinerary. For a detailed itinerary and trip application, with reservation requirements, email Brian Rapoza.

Come out and volunteer!

Saturday, Mar 20 and Saturday, Apr 17

[Workday volunteers] Join us on March 20, April 17, and every third Saturday from 8:30-12:00 to restore the Historic Doc Thomas House grounds.  Twilight Thursdays We will also be restoring the grounds on Thursdays from 4:00-sundown. We will be removing exotics, planting trees and mulching new plantings.  Bring sunscreen, water, a hat and work gloves.  For more information please e-mail our restoration volunteer coordinator Lewis Milledge.

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Support Conservation! Give a Gift to TAS

You can always make a tax-deductible contribution to TAS! You can either download a form to mail in, or use our secure server.