URGENT: Your RSVP needed to make a Turtle Walk happen in June/July

Spring and Summer are Sea Turtle egg laying time. We are in a very good location here in Brevard County to observe Sea Turtles following their million years old rituals of egg laying. I would like to set up an evening observation of sea turtles laying eggs working with the Barrier Island Center near Melbourne Beach. Their staff would take us out at night to observe sea turtles laying eggs. It will be a joint event with Audubon/Sierra Club members, friends and members of the Space Coast Audubon list-serve. There are only 20 slots. It is $10 per person. It will take place on a Tuesday or Wednesday in June or July, and will start at 9pm, continuing to midnight or afterwards depending on turtle activity.

The Barrier Island Center tells me it may not be appropriate for young children, since they would have to stay up so late. The parents should be the judge, because once on the beach observing the turtles, people probably can't leave, because using flashlights disturbs the turtles.

If people are interested in doing this please let me know you are interested by April 30, and I will go in May 1, the opening date and reserve a date at night in June or July. To let me know your interest please call me, Deborah Longman-Marien at 321-305-4344 or e-mail me on the list-serve. If I get enough response, I will set up a Turtle Observation evening. Reminder-Walks are held Tuesday and Wednesday nights in June or July. I need to reserve the spots on the morning of May 1, so I need to be notified by April 30.

Join SCAS For Our Biggest Auction Ever!

Join Space Coast Audubon for what is destined to be our greatest annual auction ever! We will be auctioning off plants, gift certificates to local restaurants, books, artwork, and much, MUCH more! Please join us at the Rockledge Presbyterian Church on the evening of May 20 at 6:30 for our potluck, which will be followed at 7:30 by our auction! If you have items that you would like to donate to our auction, please contact any board member.

Update From April General Meeting by Rosemary Webb

All the officers from this year (with the exception of Ken Collins, who is at his term limit) agreed to serve again next year. The members present voted to accept the slate with no dissenting votes.

A special thanks to Dee Fairbanks Simpson, who stepped in at the last minute to provide last night's presentation. Dee gave a fascinating slideshow and talk about Non-Scientific Birding. If you missed last night's meeting, try to catch her talk when she gives it in Sebastian on Monday, April 25. (7 PM, North Indian River County Library, 1001 Sebastian Blvd, Pelican Island Preservation Society monthly meeting). I promise, it will be well worth the drive!

Ken Collins gave an update on a rescued Osprey chick, which he is going to take to the Audubon Birds of Prey Center today. He also brought home-baked cookies.

We hope to see you at next month's pot luck and auction. The pot luck starts an hour earlier, at 6:30 PM. The auction will start at 7:30. We invite everyone to join us.

Local Boys Make Good!

Local heroes David Simpson (2nd from left) and Andy Bankert (4th from left) made us all proud by being on the winning team of this year's Texas Birding Classic. With 312 species in 5 days, they handily defeated the team that has won the previous 5 years!

Maple Street Natives Spring News

Spring weather is here. Time to plant and transform your home to a native habitat. Reduce or eliminate lawn areas. Reduce watering, no chemicals, healthy gardening for the future.

Conradina Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society Garden tour April 9th from 10-4 Tickets NOW on sale. Tickets are 5.00 per person and quantity is limited. Available at the nursery from 9-5 Mon - Sat. 2 homes in Indialantic, 2 homes in Melbourne Beach and 2 homes in Melbourne will share their experience transforming there yards to Native Habitat. No more over watering, no use of chemicals, a sanctuary for birds, and a healthy environment for our planet. Learn
about it and take action to transform your Florida yard. No HOA can tell you that you have to be a slave to lawn. Experience the change, the look is gratifying and will increase your love of nature. Maple Street Natives will have refreshments the morning of the tour

Sat. April 9th beginning at 8:30 am. A short talk about the tour and the important changes we need to make in our landscapes at home. Please email that you will be attending the talk. Seating is limited. Refreshments all day of tour. Compliments of tour sponsor Maple Street Natives.

Saturday April 23rd. EARTH DAY Celebration at Maple Street Natives. Morning speaker Viola Pace Knubsen / Pine Basket Weaving from 10-11, book sale by the Native Plant Society, and Live Music with Derek and Friends. Plants for sale and refreshments all day. Come join the event.

Maple Street Natives is located at 7619 Henry Ave. W. Melbourne, Fl. 32904, 321-729-6857 or visit them online at www.maplestreetnatives.com.

Need Help Finding Binoculars?

Hi Space Coast Audubon Society,

Hope spring time has been treating you well! The weather's great here and it's a perfect time for watching eagles in Colorado.

My name is Erica and I started www.allbestbinoculars.com as a passion project to help would-be consumers navigate the challenging maze of marketing bologna and find the perfect binocular to meet their needs.

I strongly believe that members of the Space Coast Audubon Society and visitors to the Space Coast Audubon Society's website would find my site to be a valuable resource. I hope you do, too, and would consider adding it as a resource on your site.

Thanks for your time and have a great day!

~ Erica

Join SCAS for April Meeting

On Friday evening, April 15, please join SCAS for our general meeting when our very special guest will be Dean Richard Pettit. Dean has lived in Central Florida in Brevard County since 1967. He developed an interest in Photography as a teen while living in Satellite Beach. After moving to Titusville in 1982, he realized that the area is a wildlife photographer's and outdoor lover's paradise due to the close proximity of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, properties owned and managed by the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department. Plus our Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically Diverse Estuary in North America.

Doors open at 7:00, the meeting starts at 7:30 and refreshments will be served following the presentation.  All meetings are free and open to the public.