Join SCAS for: The Unique Florida Scrub-jay Presented by Wildlife Biologist Maria Zondervan

Join SCAS on April 19th, when we will welcome wildlife biologist Maria Zondervan, who will talk about the Florida Scrub Jay.

Come learn about this unique family-oriented bird.  Florida scrub-jays can only be found on dry scrubby areas of Florida, nowhere else on earth. They live in close family groups, never migrate and are very reluctant to leave the area where they grow-up, even if the habitat deteriorates (even if it is bulldozed!). These jays are naturally very friendly and curious, but are in serious trouble. Come learn why their numbers are dropping at alarming rates, what is being done statewide, and what you can do to help stop this decline. The presentation will be given by wildlife biologist Maria Zondervan with the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Please join us at the Rockledge Presbyterian Church on the evening of April 19th at 7:30 for a unique and fascinating presentation.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all general meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. in Calvin Hall at the Rockledge Presbyterian Church, 921 Rockledge Drive (on the corner of Orange Ave) Rockledge, FL.

4th Annual Viera Wetlands Nature Festival

By Rosemary Webb

The Friends of Viera Wetlands will be helping put on the 4th Annual Viera Wetlands Nature Festival April 12, 13, 14. In addition to our traditional outdoor events on Saturday, 4/13, we will also have a keynote speaker Friday night (Tim Gallagher, editor of _Living Bird_ and author of several books); various speakers on Sunday; and one or more tours each day. We are also hosting a traditional photo contest, as well as soliciting photographs for a photo loop to showcase the diversity of species that live in or migrate through the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera. The photo loop will be shown before the speakers on Friday and Sunday.

For tickets to the events, or details on how to submit photographs, visit our website: fovw.org.

Rockledge Fertizer Ordinance Passes

By Deborah Longman-Marien

On March 20, the Rockledge City Council, by a vote of 5-2 passed the Fertilizer Ordinance they had been considering, making them the first in Brevard to pass an Ordinance, and a stricter ordinance than the County! This is the first community to pass stricter rules than the county did.

Rockledge city council orders restriction of fertilizer use
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130321/NEWS01/303210048/Rockledge-city-council-orders-restriction-fertilizer-use

Great news for the lagoon, for water quality, and quality of life in Rockledge. These reasonable requirements will begin to help staunch the long term decline of the lagoon. More is needed to be done county wide to address the lessening of the water quality in the county through various pollutants. Algae in the lagoon and other bodies of water, exacerbated by fertilizer and other nutrients becomes smelly, is actually a health hazard. It is unattractive, lessens the appeal of waterfront properties and parks and discourages recreational activities in these areas. Wildlife that make the area appealing to residents and tourists alike are at risk of dying off from problems associated with too much nutrient in the water. This includes loss of seagrass which feeds manatees and harbors baby sports fish, sea turtles, mollusks and other lagoon creatures which feed wintering ducks and some of our beautiful wading birds.

Hummingbirds at Home to Launch April 10

Reprinted from the Audubon Chapter Leader Update


Audubon’s newest Citizen Science program, Hummingbirds at Home, will be launching April 10! This accessible and family-friendly new program seeks to gather data documenting hummingbird migration and feeding habits nationwide.

A toolkit to help Chapter leaders explain and publicize the new program is available at http://bit.ly/WNN151. Photo resources are available online at http://bit.ly/WVM8Z5, and we will be creating an online press kit that we will share closer to launch.

And as part of the promotion, all Centers and Chapters are welcome to host screenings of the NATURE film “Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air” at no charge. We will be making copies of the film that includes a welcome from David Yarnold available beginning April 10th – copies can be requested from Lynne Hoppe, lhoppe@audubon.org.

FNPS: A Friendly reminder to register for our 33rd Annual Conference in Jacksonville

Cathi Rodgers, FNPS Administrative Services


FNPS Ixia Chapter presents the Florida Native Plant Society's 2013 conference. The theme, "Celebrating La Florida; the Land of Flowers," is to commemorate Ponce deLeon's naming of this region when he landed in NE Florida 500 years ago.

The conference will be held May 16th through May 19th at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Field trips will be held on Thursday May 16th and on Sunday May 19th. Field trips are filling up fast! Two of them only have one spot left! Our evening social are fantastic this year. We have added a St. Johns River Boat Dining experience with the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Lisa Rinaman. In addition to the spectacular ambiance on the water, the river cruise offers a cash bar and a DJ.

There is a special 2-hour Home Landscape Design Workshop which will be presented by two landscape architects on Saturday afternoon from 12:50pm until 2:45pm. To register for this workshop, please visit https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1010289. The cost is just $25!

Please visit our conferences website http://fnps.org/conference for all the details.

Space is limited on the field trips, workshops, and the socials, so don't delay. Register today online at https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1010214. EARLY BIRDS: Save $25 each for Friday and Saturday programs when you register by April 15.

Brevard Wildlife Corridor Expedition - Registration is Open

Registration has opened at ExpeditionBrevard.com for the Brevard Wildlife Corridor Expedition.  Join the 74 mile, six day kayaking trip in the Indian River Lagoon that passes Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary en route to Sebastian Inlet.  Participate in almost 100 events that will help you FIND YOURSELF IN NATURE.  Attend the keynote presentations by members of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition that trekked 1000 miles in 100 days.  Eat well as a Spring Seafood Jubilee at Fox Lake Park hosted by Laurilee Thompson of Dixie Crossroads.