SCAS Annual Elections at April 15th General Meeting

Space Coast Audubon Elections are scheduled to take place at our April 15th general meeting.  I am pleased to announce that our current officers have agreed to serve another term.
Slate of Nominees include:

• President - Deborah Longman-Marien
• Vice President – Dee Fairbanks Simpson
• Treasurer – Judith Thurman
• Secretary – Rosemary Webb

If you are interested in running as an officer or in volunteering on one of our committees, you may contact Vicky Hamilton at vlh@bluegrass.net or 321-720-2993;  or contact Matt Heyden or Lora Losi at mheyden716@aol.com.  We are always receptive to new helpers on committees such as membership, conservation, education, field trips, programs, publicity and other areas.  No experience is necessary.  It is a good way  to get involved and meet other members.  Please contact us if you can contribute a talent, skill, knowledge or time.

The Florida Forever Coalition Presents: Take A Hike, Florida!

On March 26, the Florida Forever Coalition and Floridians across the state will take a hike!

In a show of support for the state’s Florida Forever conservation land-buying program, the Coalition will partner with local supporters to take part in a day of hiking designed to celebrate Florida’s natural treasures and raise awareness of Florida’s public lands.  The hikes will take place across the state and will be open to the public. “Take A Hike, Florida!” has planned hikes in Pasco, Seminole, Martin, Escambia, Leon, Duval, and Miami-Dade counties, among others.

Most hikes are free (some parks have a small entrance fee), and the public is welcome.  Participants should wear appropriate clothing/shoes; bring insect repellant, drinking water and snacks or a light lunch. Hikes will have naturalists and local experts on hand to identify flora and fauna. Visit www.supportfloridaforever.org or call 850-567-3393 for hike details.    

Florida Forever and its predecessor, Preservation 2000, have protected more than 2.4 million acres of land. The land has many uses, from recreation to water quality preservation to protecting our military.  Florida Forever has touched nearly every county in Florida and greatly improved our state’s quality of life. The Florida Forever Coalition is urging the Legislature to provide continued funding and protect the program’s integrity and continuity.

Successful Florida Forever projects include Pinhook Swamp, Annutteliga Hammock, Kissimmee River/Chain of Lakes, Pumpkin Hill, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Green Swamp, Fisheating Creek Ecosystem, the Archie Carr Sea Turtle Refuge, Yellow River Ravines, Seven Runs Creek, and Pier Park, to name a few.

Contact Holly Davenport at 850-567-3393.

Space Coast Audubon Elections by Vicky Hamilton

It is almost spring.  Which means it is not only time for the spring migration, but also time for Space Coast Audubon to elect new officers for the coming year.  If you are interesting in running for an officer’s position or joining a committee on our board please contact one of the following people on the nominating committee:  Vicky Hamilton at vlh@bluegrass.net or 321-720-2993; Matt Heyden or Lora Losi at mheyden716@aol.com.  The officer positions consist of a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.  In addition to officer positions, we are always receptive to new helpers on committees such as membership, conservation, education, field trips, programs, publicity and other areas.  Please contact us if you can contribute a talent, skill, knowledge or time.  The annual elections are held at the April general meeting which will be on April 15th this year.

Join SCAS for our March Meeting: Andy Bankert's Life in the Arctic

Every summer millions of birds migrate to the arctic tundra of the far north to breed. Many shorebirds which are familiar to birders along their migration routes perform bizarre courtship displays, changing our impressions of these incredible creatures. Semipalmated Sandpipers make noises like a UFO and Buff-breasted Sandpipers throw their wings in the air to impress females. All four of the world’s species of eiders breed along with many other ducks in the tundra’s marshes. The Arctic Ocean also provides an important staging area for seabirds, some of which will follow the perpetual daylight to the Antarctic during our winter. Lifelong Floridian Andy Bankert will share some of the sights and impressions from his travels to the cold western Alaskan arctic. This talk will range from the small lemmings that drive life on the tundra to the Snowy Owls that hunt lemmings through the summer, from the shorebirds that travel the globe to the Eskimos who find everything required for life within a few miles of town.