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 DriveDuring 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.
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
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:
- Water quality
- Fish and bird populations
- Food web
- Balancing stakeholder interests
- Biscayne Bay Costal Wetlands Project
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]](WorkDay3.jpg)
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.