Critical Habitat Designated for Endangered Florida Bonneted Bat | Over 1.1 Million Acres Designated in 13 Florida Counties

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Following a court-ordered agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated more than 1.1 million acres of ­­critical habitat for the endangered Florida bonneted bat. The indigenous bat faces devastating habitat loss from sea-level rise and destructive development.

March 2024

Flock to BIRD DAY @ Tropical Audubon

Saturday, February 17, Noon-4pm

The community is invited to Tropical Audubon Society’s 10th Annual BIRD DAY, February 17, for a free, engaging, educational afternoon chock-full of enriching outdoor experiences on the non-profit’s wooded Steinberg Nature Center grounds.

January 30, 2024

Miami-Dade Mayor’s Office Recommends Canceling Miami Wilds Deal | Water Park Development Threatens Endangered Species Habitat

Miami, Fla. — The Miami-Dade County Mayor’s office issued a memorandum today recommending that the county commissioners rescind the development lease agreement with Miami Wilds LLC for a proposed water park development in an environmentally sensitive area at Zoo Miami.

November 15, 2023

Soar with Tropical Audubon — Rehabilitated Raptors Release slated to launch Miami’s annual week of Giving!

Miami, Fla. — Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava will help inaugurate Give Miami Day at Tropical Audubon Society’s “Let’s Soar Together” media event November 13, 11 a.m. on our Steinberg Nature Center grounds. Cava will be joined by Vicky Checo, Director of Community Engagement at The Miami Foundation, which hosts South Florida's biggest 24-hour annual giving event.

November 10, 2023

Nearly 2,000 Acres of Critical Habitat Protected for Endangered Miami Tiger Beetle

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Following a legal victory for the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated1,869 acres of lifesaving critical habitat for the endangered Miami tiger beetle in Miami-Dade County.

Marius Robinson Bird Festival celebrates Spring Migration on Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne (Miami, Fla.) — One-hundred-plus peeps turned out to experience the wonders of birds, nature and science at the April 23, 2023, Marius Robinson Bird Festival at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Participants enjoyed expert talks, field sketching, games, prizes, book readings, binocular demonstrations and learning about the Cape Florida Banding Station (CFBS), a community science project under the TAS wing since 2020.

Birdstock concert finale & Members Migration celebration crown Earth Month

Miami, Fla. — Four-hundred+ Tropical Audubon members and friends perched with the Birds on the final weekend of April to celebrate Mother Earth at the 2.2-acre Steinberg Nature Center that serves as the environmental organization’s green campus.

GO-NATIVE PLANT SALE

Miami, Fla. — Tropical Audubon Society’s Master Gardeners will host the organization’s much- anticipated, annual “Go-Native Plant Sale” on Saturday, June 3, just in time for rainy season. They’ll share cultivation tips and guidance about the best plant types for your landscape. You can also pick up a FREE “Bird-friendly Gardening Guide” tailored to our region. June is the ideal month to expand your native plantings because Mother Nature can do most of the watering for you.

300+ peeps flock to 9th Annual BIRD DAY 2023
Interactive educational venue featured fun family festivities, Broad-winged Hawk release & more

MIAMI, Fla. — (March 1, 2023) Hundreds of children, parents, and naturalists of all ages turned out for an engaging afternoon featuring games, crafting, prizes, an author’s reading and wild bird encounters at Tropical Audubon’s 9th Annual BIRD DAY held on Saturday, February 18. By 4 p.m., 275+ visitors and 40+ volunteers had alighted at the non-profit’s 2.2-acre near-native grounds that comprise the Steinberg Nature Center (SNC) and Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) headquarters. The enriching activities enabled participants of every age to learn about bird protection programs, native habitat gardening and bird identification. Presenting Sponsor: Leica Store Miami & Hummingbird Sponsor: National Parks Conservation Association

Read the Media Advisory.

13th Annual ConCon Season takes Flight!

Miami, FL (Jan 12, 2023) — The good times will roll once again when Tropical Audubon Society’s 13th annual Conservation Concert series takes flight Saturday, January 28. Fittingly, the event’s founding band, Take Sixx, will again inaugurate the wildly popular string of winter concerts. Their volunteerism has set the tempo for other local bands to follow them onto the storied Doc Thomas House Keystone Stage, and their extraordinary run to date deserves a Standing O!

Legal Victory Compels Habitat Protection for Endangered Florida Bonneted Bat—Bat Extremely Vulnerable to Habitat Destruction, Sea-Level Rise

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (Oct 7, 2022) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to propose critical habitat for the endangered Florida bonneted bat by Nov. 15, 2022, marking a legal victory for the Center for Biological Diversity, Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association and Tropical Audubon Society. The indigenous bat faces devastating habitat loss from sea-level rise and urban sprawl. Read the Media Advisory Here.

Conservationists sue Miami-Dade County for Approving Water Park, Hotel & Retail Development that will devastate Environmentally Sensitive Land Against Voters’ Wishes

 MIAMI, FL (Oct. 4, 2022) — Bat Conservation International, Tropical Audubon Society, and a citizen of Miami-Dade County filed a lawsuit today against Miami-Dade County for leasing environmentally sensitive county-owned land to a water park, hotel and retail developer in direct violation of a voter-approved referendum that prohibits commercial use and development on such land. Read the full Media Advisory HERE.

Read the Complaint HERE.

Warning Issued to National Park Service & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Failing to Protect Endangered Species at South Florida Water Park Development

Miami, Fla. — Miami Wilds Project threatens Endangered & extremely rare Florida Bonneted Bat & Miami Tiger Beetle, as well as Endangered Butterflies.Photo: Florida Bonneted Bat by Melquisedec Gamba-Rios

August 17, 2022

Adopt-A-Net & Help Birds Thrive!

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — South Floridians can support crucial migratory bird research and help educate the next generation of local conservationists by participating in the “Adopt-A-Net” Fall Migration fundraising campaign to benefit the Cape Florida Banding Station (CFBS), a community science program under the Tropical Audubon Society wing since 2020.

Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program ramps up for Fall 2022 - “Solutions For South Florida’s Future”

MIAMI, Fla. — South Floridians who are passionate about the natural world and interested in fostering “conservation through community” can become more engaged, educated and effective environmental advocates by attending the free 2022 Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program September 6 through November 15. The award-winning education series is designed to activate environmental ambassadors who want to beat the drum for South Florida’s unique and endangered ecosystems. This fall’s program will feature a new interactive online format and the return of field trips!

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Critical Habitat for Endangered Florida Bonneted Bats

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to push the agency to protect endangered Florida bonneted bats by designating lifesaving critical habitat. The bats face devastating habitat loss from sea-level rise and urban sprawl.

Three days brimming with food, fun, music & meaning mark Tropical Audubon 75th Anniversary

Miami, Fla.— 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.

“The Birds Are Back! “Plan B” Conservation Concert

Miami, Fla.— Rock ‘n’ Roll lives! Ever-popular Plan B returns to the Doc Thomas House Keystone Stage this month, performing a repertoire of classic and contemporary Rock ‘n’ Roll with a dash of the unexpected.

”Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future” Tropical Audubon Society Exhibit

Miami, Fla.— Attend the free opening night reception celebrating the February Wirtz Gallery exhibit titled “Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future” — an intimate look at Tropical Audubon Society’s 75-year trajectory, our deep local roots and crucial conservation mission. 

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Critical Habitat for Florida Bonneted Bat, Again - Bats’ Homes Vulnerable to Sea-Level Rise, Habitat Destruction

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Tropical Audubon Society and the Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate lifesaving critical habitat for Florida’s largest bat.

“Everglades Hall of Fame” Award bestowed upon Tropical Audubon Society Board Member Richard Pettigrew

Tropical Audubon Society Board Member, environmental attorney and former Florida lawmaker Richard “Dick” Pettigrew has received the Everglades Coalition “Everglades Hall of Fame” award for his lifetime commitment to Everglades restoration.

The Birds are Back! Conservation Concert Season reboot

Finally! After a 22-month pandemic hiatus Tropical Audubon Society’s Conservation Concert series will reboot on Saturday, January 29, with Take Sixx inaugurating the Birding organization’s signature concert series for the twelfth year.

Lights Out Miami — it’s for the Birds! Tropical Audubon Society urges Miamians: TURN OFF or limit light usage during peak Fall Migration 

Tropical Audubon Society’s Lights Out Miami initiative urges homeowners and building managers to turn off or block non-essential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. through November 15 to protect migratory birds traveling through our region. 

Tropical Audubon will Challenge Governor & Cabinet’s SR-836 Extension Order

Tropical Audubon Society intends to challenge today’s disappointing decision by the Florida Cabinet and Governor Ron DeSantis to threaten Everglades Restoration and risk Miami-Dade County water security.

DINE OUT @Whisk Gourmet — it’s for the Birds!

Make a “Second Summer Tuesday” dinner date at Whisk Gourmet and, in turn, Whisk will feather the proverbial Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) nest with 10 percent of its dinner revenues.

Our annual NATIVE PLANT SALE is back!

Just in time for rainy season, Tropical Audubon Society’s Master Gardeners are delighted to announce the return of our organization’s annual Native Plant Sale!

Tropical Audubon Society & Cape Florida Banding Station poised to grow Community Science program together

Tropical Audubon Society and the Cape Florida Banding Station are coming together to nurture and grow one of South Florida’s longest-running Community Science programs.

8th Annual Bird Day!

Miamians flock to 8th Annual BIRD DAY Despite raindrops, 200+ turn out FEB 15 for interactive family festivities, Red-shouldered Hawk release & more

Our Bird-Friendly Demo Garden!

Breaking Ground on Bird-Friendly Demo Garden @ Steinberg Nature Center — planting a better county for birds, other pollinators & people, too.

Hold The Line Win

Hold the Line Coalition cofounders prevail in SR-836 Extension legal challenge — Judge Rules Against Miami-Dade County plans to extend SR-836 beyond the Urban Development Boundary, into the Everglades.

1.5-million acres of lifesaving habitat proposed for endangered Florida Bonneted Bat by U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed designation of 1.5 million acres as critical habitat for the Florida bonneted bat in response to an agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, TAS and the Miami Blue Chapter of the NABA.

International environmental expert Paola Ferreira appointed Executive Director

Tropical Audubon Society’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the engagement of a new Executive Director, Paola Ferreira, a former Climate & Conservation Director for World Wildlife Fund.

Hold the Line Coalition cofounders prevail in SR-836 Extension legal challenge

An administrative law judge has ruled against Miami-Dade County’s proposed SR-836 extension outside of Miami-Dade County’s Urban Development Boundary (UDB) intruding into the Everglades.

Audubon Climate Report clarion call: 389 Bird Species on the Brink

National Audubon Society released a groundbreaking climate report today titled Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink. As a result of climate change, two-thirds of America’s bird species are threatened with extinction. The report concludes, that there is still time to save up to 75 percent of these at-risk species if action is taken.

Ask U.S. Army Corps to DENY A Federal Permit to DEGRADE and FILL WETLANDS

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has extended the public comment period for a Federal Permit to degrade and fill wetlands to accommodate the proposed SR-836 extension outside of Miami-Dade County’s Urban Development Boundary (UDB) and into the Everglades Footprint. The deadline for comments is now until July 26.

Banner Photo: Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Wildlife Rescue of Miami-Dade County’s Lloyd Brown release a rehabilitated Red-shouldered Hawk on Bird Day at the Doc Thomas House. Photographer: Eliana Ardila Kramer