Three days brimming with food, fun, music & meaning mark
Tropical Audubon 75th Anniversary
E A R T H D A Y W E E K E N D — A P R I L 2 2 - 2 4
South Florida’s “Voice of Conservation” marked 75 years of environmental advocacy and education with an Earth Day weekend celebration at its historic Doc Thomas House headquarters. As the official local chapter of National Audubon, Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) has been leading area bird walks, defending wildlife, protecting natural resources, Biscayne Bay and the Everglades since its 1947 founding, and is among the oldest environmental non-profit organizations in the county.
Miamians flocked to the society’s 2.2-acre near-native Steinberg Nature Center campus in record numbers to toast the three-quarter-century milestone, selling out the enchanting April 22 “Bubbly & Bites Birthday Bash,” packing the picnic grove for the acoustic April 23 “Birdstock” concert playbill, and filling every available bench and chair on April 24 to honor South Florida conservation heroes at “Members Migration.”
Weekend walks sponsored by Leica Store Miami (a Saturday morning outing at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and a Sunday afternoon stroll through the society’s native hardwood hammock and pine rockland demonstration forests) drew more than 100 birders!
Among Sunday’s other “Member Migration” highlights, folk artist Grant Livingston performed a memorable musical tribute to The River of Grass, Everglades Foundation board member and author James Kushlan led a book talk showcasing 75 years of Everglades history, and Zoo Miami Ambassador Ron Magill was among the presenters who lauded this year’s richly deserving awardees.
Bubbly & Bites Birthday Bash
Presented by Republic National Distributing Company
Earth Day, Friday, April 22, 6:30-8pm
On Friday April 22, 75 guests gathered on the Keystone patio under the Audubon oaks for an alfresco evening of bubbly and bites. This 75th Anniversary bash also highlighted the Doc Thomas House’s 90th milestone. Patrons enjoyed a little night music by University of Miami Frost musicians, and special Earth Day toasts by Dade Heritage Trust’s Christine Rupp and The Villagers’ Susan Medina. (Both nonprofit groups take an active interest in Doc Thomas House, and believe historic preservation goes hand-in-hand with habitat conservation.) Community partner Whisk Gourmet created the delectable menu of seasonal hors d’oeuvres paired with exquisite wines courtesy of the Republic National Distributing Company (Domaine Carneros Brut, Imagery Sauvignon Blanc, Imagery Pinot Noir and Sequoia Grove Cabernet), with wine stems and tableware by A Joy Wallace Catering.
Net BBBB proceeds will support historic preservation and habitat conservation efforts, both on our home campus and further afield.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Bird Walk
Presented by Leica Store Miami
Saturday, April 23, 8:15-11am
Miriam Avello (bilingual), Luis Gonzalez and Brian Rapoza led birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, April 23 in search of migrating cuckoos, hawks, falcons, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, buntings and warblers, including the stunning Cape May Warbler. Walk sponsor LEICA STORE MIAMI loaned Leica binoculars and scopes to enthusiastic birders.
Birdstock
Presented by Phoebes Birding
Saturday, April 23, 7-10pm
A playbill of top-flight acoustic acts headlined the much-ballyhooed Birdstock on April 23, featuring Acoustic Therapy (whose music — originals and classics from the Folk Rock Song Book — is made by members Phil Allen, Burt Bruton and Tony Sinatra, with Bruce Turkel sitting in), Andy Waks, solo songbird DeBlois Milledge and Lyin’ Fish duo John Holcombe & Eric Wagner. More than 250 guests gathered to hear these generous-spirited singer-songwriters jam for the Birds. Hermanos Lurton Verdejo and Domaine Bousquet Malbec Reserve flowed at the RNDC Bird Bar. Net proceeds will help fund completion of the Tropical Audubon chickee.
Members Migration
Presented by Leica Store Miami
Sunday, April 24, 3-6pm
Tropical Audubon Society members and friends celebrated local conservation heroes, enjoyed an engaging Everglades National Park book talk, took a bird walk, savored Sports Grill sliders, Codorníu Cava and “Doc Tonic” Bird Bar libations, and a concert by Everglades storyteller and Folk artist Grant Livingston on April 24.
James A. Kushlan and Kirsten Hines presented a photographic journey through the history of the Everglades as depicted in their new book, Everglades National Park. The two distinguished South Florida history and nature authors were introduced by Alan Scott, Everglades National Park’s Chief for Interpretation, Eduation and Outreach. Like Tropical Audubon Society’s genesis, Everglades National Park was dedicated in 1947. Kushlan, a world-renowned ornithologist and former Everglades biologist, recounted the park’s sweeping, 75-year history in his talk, including the role Audubon played in the park’s establishment. Purchase a book here: https://kirstenhines.com/product/everglades-national-park/.
The Awards Ceremony hosted by TAS President José Francisco Barros recognized outstanding environmental role models in their respective fields of endeavor. These deserving citizen volunteers and public servants have dedicated themselves to protecting and preserving area wildlife, critical habitat and/or our region’s natural resources. Award recipients and their presenters:
• Lloyd Brown, Polly Redford Citizen Conservation Award
— Presented by Zoo Miami Ambassador Ron Magill
• Luis Gonzalez, TAS Board Appreciation Award
— Presented by TAS Executive Board Member Brian Rapoza
• Craig Grossenbacher, Dan Beard Government Conservation Award
— Presented by former Miami-Dade County Assistant Attorney Randy Duvall
LEICA STORE MIAMI generously loaned binoculars for a bird walk on the Steinberg Nature Center Campus led by TAS Board Member Brian Rapoza, and staged a Binocular Raffle Drawing.
Members Migration Program
Celebrity Award Presenter
Zoo Miami Ambassador Ron Magill
3-4pm
Folk Concert, Sports Grill Slider Buffet & Bird Bar Libations
Enjoy our Bird Bar Libations & Sports Grill Slider Buffet & Grant Livingston Folk Artist/Storyteller Concert
4-4:45pm
Book Talk & Signing with authors James A. Kushlan & Kirsten Hines
Join James A. Kushlan and Kirsten Hines for a photographic journey through the history of the Everglades as depicted in their new book, Everglades National Park. The two distinguished South Florida history and nature authors will be introduced by Pedro Ramos, Superintendent of Everglades National Park. Like Tropical Audubon Society’s genesis, Everglades National Park was dedicated in 1947. Attendees will learn about the park’s sweeping, 75-year history in Kushlan’s talk, and the role Audubon played in its establishment. Books will be available for sale, and a book-signing session will cap the indoor program. (Click HERE to purchase an advance copy).
Event seating is limited to 60 guests on a first-come basis.
4-4:45pm
Bird Walk with Brian Rapoza
Explore our near-native Steinberg Nature Center campus with TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza, who also sits on the TAS Board of Directors. Spot Spring migrants among the Tropical Hardwood and Pine Rockland demonstration forests that comprise most of the 2.2-acre sanctuary. A limited number of LEICA binoculars will be loaned.
5-6pm
Conservation Awards Presentation & Annual Meeting
An Awards Ceremony hosted by Tropical Audubon Society President José Franciso Barros will recognize outstanding environmental role models in their respective fields of endeavor. These deserving citizen volunteers and public servants have dedicated themselves to protecting and preserving area wildlife, critical habitat and/or our region’s natural resources. Award recipients and their presenters will include: Lloyd Brown, Polly Redford Citizen Conservation Award, presented by Zoo Miami Ambassador Ron Magill; Craig Grossenbacher, Dan Beard Government Conservation Award, presented by Randy Duvall; Luis Gonzalez, TAS Board Appreciation Award, presented by TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza and TAS President José Francisco Barros.
The Birds THANK our
75th Anniversary Sponsors & Partners
Presenting Sponsors
LEICA STORE MIAMI | PHOEBES BIRDING
REPUBLIC NATIONAL DISTRIBUTING COMPANY
Preservation Partners
Dade Heritage Trust | The Villagers
Community Ambassador
First National Bank of South Miami
Hospitality Sponsors
A Joy Wallace Catering & Events
Codorníu, Domaine Bousquet, Domaine Carneros, Hermanos Lurton, Imagery, Sequoia Grove
Sports Grill
Whisk Gourmet
Music Partners
Acoustic Therapy, DeBlois Milledge, Grant Livingston, Lyin’ Fish, Andy Waks
Environmental Partners
Audubon Florida, Everglades Foundation, Friends of the Everglades
Media Partners
Community Newspapers, Coral Gables Magazine, edible South Florida, INYBN, SoMi Magazine
As the official local chapter of National Audubon, Tropical Audubon Society has been leading area bird walks, defending wildlife, protecting natural resources, Biscayne Bay and the Everglades since our 1947 founding. Join our grassroots conservation organization for Earth Day Weekend as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary at our 1932 historic Doc Thomas House headquarters.
Banner photo: Roseate Spoonbill by Scott Suriano