Join SCAS for: Florida Wildflowers for Seaside Communities

Join SCAS on October 19 when we welcome Vince Lamb, recently elected Vice-Chair of the Florida Wildflower Foundation, who will present "Florida Wildflowers for Seaside Communities"

The destruction of native plants that provide flowers and fruits to support insect populations is a major factor in the decline of many bird species, especially the migratory ones.  We can help to reverse this decline by planting flowering native plants in our yards.  Scientific research supports this concept, and many of us have seen evidence in our yards. Vince will talk about the direct relationships between wildflowers and birds, and most importantly, how we can support insects using native wildflowers.

Treasure Coast Birding Festival to Feature Keynote Speech by Bob Montanaro

Lecture on Osprey by Bob Montanaro

Time: Cocktails/Dinner at 6 p.m., lecture at 8 p.m.
Date: Saturday, October 27
Place: Vero Beach Elks Lodge 1350 26th Street Vero Beach

The First Annual Treasure Coast Birding Festival features a keynote speech by Bob Montanaro, Bob is a native Floridian and grew up in Vero Beach.  He holds a B.A. in history from the University of Central Florida and an M.A. in U.S. History from Florida State University.  More importantly from our point of view, he is a long-time volunteer at both Pelican Island & Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuges and is the current office manager for the Pelican Island Audubon Society.  He has been interested in photography and wildlife, especially the Osprey, all his life.  He maintains a website http://www.ospreywatch.org/ which displays many of his photographs and lists his presentation schedule. He is also leading a tour the next day (Sunday) to Treasure Hammock Ranch, tours are still available.

Bob's lecture is at 8 p.m. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. and there will be a silent auction which benefits the Cultural Council of Indian River County and the Pelican Island Preservation Society. The auction closes and awards for the juried art show will be at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner/lecture are $30 and can be purchased from the Cultural Council at 772-770-4857 or info@cultural-council.org. Visit the Treasure Coast Birding Festival website for complete details about the festival.

Turkey Creek Update By Phyllis Mansfield

As we arrived at the parking area at Turkey Creek this morning, Judith and I caught a flock of about 30 Pine Warblers circling in the pines and oaks. A TENNESSEE WARBLER was in the flock. At the back fence on the jogging trail was a BLUE GROSBEAK and a calling YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, which did not want to be seen. Another birder joined us for a short time and had a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and PAINTED BUNTINGS. Near the pump house was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

It was fun to see Sarah and Bella, who spotted one of the Ovenbirds. We didn't find their Worm-eating Warbler, but with that bird, 14 species were seen today. A BLACK-THROATED GREEN and PRAIRIE WARBLER were spotted near end of the wide boardwalk.

Of the two PEREGRINE FALCONS, one was very close overhead, a wonderful view. We've been seeing 2 Tufted Titmouse, but had another two on the way out, a long way from the first two by the creek. In the past , this has been an unusual bird for Turkey Creek. No thrushes today...maybe tomorrow! One can't expect too many adventures in one day!

CNAH Announcement: Amphibian Academy

Developing Amphibian Conservation Expertise

Amphibian Ark (AArk) announces a new capacity building program with a novel and holistic approach to amphibian conservation training for both in-situ and ex-situ program development. This new program is called Amphibian Academy: a broad perspective training opportunity that will benefit people from diverse backgrounds who desire to help save amphibians. A key difference between this effort and earlier endeavors is that the emphasis is on the individual student so that graduates will be poised to address the needs of threatened amphibians. Our mission is simple: train amphibian conservation biologists so that they can best Serve Amphibians.

The Amphibian Academy has been developed under the umbrella of the IUCN Amphibian Ark and the Toledo Zoological Society. It will be a week-long course with robust conservation emphases. The school is scheduled for 20–28 April 2013 at the Toledo Zoo, Toledo, Ohio USA. The amphibian conservation and breeding programs at the Toledo Zoo are internationally known and the collection is extremely diverse—an ideal environment for training amphibian conservationists. Local field opportunities will be utilized for teaching purposes. Centrally located, Toledo is a friendly city with reasonably priced accommodations and food. Costs to attend will not be excessive.

The course includes lectures, hands-on practical exercises, and fieldwork. Most of all there will be ample opportunities for students to be personally mentored by globally recognized and successful amphibian conservationists to help them address their specific program’s focus and needs. The students can rely on the faculty members to remain as their mentors and professional contacts throughout their careers. The hands-on activities are designed for students to “learn by doing” in small groups with an instructor, thus providing an optimal learning opportunity. The faculty for the course includes leaders in the fields of amphibian husbandry, medicine, research, reintroduction, and conservation. As amphibian decline knows no borders and is a significant global concern, we invite a diverse group of students from all countries. The vision for this training course is to Serve Amphibians. If this motto is in alignment with your conservation interests, this course will provide you with a unique opportunity to develop the appropriate skills for making a difference. Some scholarship opportunities will be available for deserving individuals with limited resources. There will also be a few short-term internships available to qualified students after the course. Registration will be open in October 2012. Tuition costs 750USD and the process for obtaining financial support and internship opportunities will be announced shortly. For registration information and process, contact AArk Education Officer, Rachel Rommel (Rachel@AmphibianArk.org ), or Ron Gagliardo (Ron@AmphibianArk.org) and Andy Odum (RAOdum@aol.com).

Amphibian Academy Trainers:

• Kent Bekker

• John Chastain

• Ron Gagliardo

• Timothy Herman

• Robert Hill

• Robert Johnson

• Mike Lannoo

• Joe Mendelson

• R. Andrew Odum

• Allan Pessier

• Jennifer Pramuk

• Rachel Rommel

• Kevin Zippel

Peacock versus Frog By Jim Meyer

I learned something on my bike ride to Jetty Park yesterday: Peacocks eat frogs!  His technique

was very similar to a Great Blue Heron, that is spearing it over and over!  Another Peacock was

chasing him too but he held his own and finally gulped the frog down, as evidenced by the leg

hanging out of his mouth on the last picture.

That's all for nature 101 today!

Learn about the Thousand Islands and More By Jim Durocher

The next Brevard Naturalist Program event,Learn about the Thousand Islands and More, will be held on Saturday, October 27. This educational event will start with presentations at the Cocoa Beach Public Library from 8 AM until noon. After a lunch break, activiites resume with a paddling trip to visit the some of the Thousand Islands with guidance provided by biologist Tim Kozusko and kayak guide Jim Durocher. A flyer is available to download at http://ulumay.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?

Contact Jim Durocher for more information 321-243-0279

Get Paid to Herp the Southeast US! By CNAH

Field technician positions are available in the lab of Emily Moriarty Lemmon at Florida State University beginning early January through mid-­‐March 2013 to help in the study of female choice and population variation in chorus frogs (Pseudacris). The technician will travel with a team throughout the southeastern USA (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia) to assist in collecting specimens and performing female choice experiments. Working conditions will often times be rainy and cold, and the technician will be expected to camp for significant periods of time. An additional position is available to conduct sampling of chorus frogs for population genetic work. This researcher will travel throughout the Southeast using his/her own vehicle conducting fieldwork (travel costs will be reimbursed).

Preference will be giving to those applicants with extensive field experience. Compensation will be $480 per week (corresponding to $10.00/hr; for approximately 8 hours/day; 6 days/week) for a total of 10 weeks and will also include food and lodging during fieldwork. 

To apply for this position, please contact Dr. John Malone at jmalone@bio.fsu.edu and include a CV along with contact information for three references.

Announcement: Friends of the Enchanted Forest Meeting

Friends of the Enchanted Forest invite you to our Thursday, October 18^th meeting, 6:30pm, at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary. We are excited and honored to present:

Dianne Marcum

Mother, Grandmother, Author, and Community Volunteer

Dianne’s books include Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach & Florida’s Space Coast and Pebble in a Pond:  A Memoir From A Distance. This evening Dianne will explore Walking in Brevard

Fun, trekking, every age, every fitness.

Fall is the perfect time to step outdoors and enjoy the Space Coast at ground level, in the wilderness, along the ocean, through picturesque neighborhoods. Think in terms of Dianne’s paths and endeavors-- 

author, historian, enjoying flora and fauna, history and highlights of Brevard County.

A few days ago, she told Martha about walking the beach, watching the cruise ships head out to sea and enjoying the breeze -  which, she said, led her to the topic to presentation to us:  Walking in Brevard.

Light refreshments.

Please call Barbara Hoelscher (321-268-5888) if you have questions or wish to RSVP.  We look forward to seeing you! Yes, Dianne will have books for sale and signings too!

Protect Our Native Ecosystems – Report Invasive Animals

From pythons to tegus to lionfish, many of the invasive animals spreading throughout our state post significant threats to native wildlife and ecosystems.  As a network of citizens across the state with keen eyes and an appreciation of our most precious ecosystems, our chapter members are perfectly-suited to assist Audubon’s efforts as “eyes and ears” on the ground.  Visit the website (http://fl.audubon.org/invasive-species-task-force) to learn how to easily identify and report non-native animals that you see while out birding, visiting your favorite park or even along highways or in your own community.  Reporting only takes minutes online or using a simple smartphone app and can make a big difference to land managers who are trying to get a handle on these growing populations.  You can also stay on top of invasive species news through the monthly ‘Invader Updater’ series on the Audubon Florida News Blog (http://audubonoffloridanews.org/).  New invasive animals are literally showing up every day here in Florida, and it is up to us to help detect and report them before populations establish or grow out of control!

Our National Parks By Robert Wicker

Do you have 30 seconds to spare for our national parks? Our president and Congress have many issues to embrace, and many dreams of their own for our country. One dream I have is that our national parks are healthy and restored to their glory in time for the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. What's your dream? Join me in telling the president and Congress that you want to see a brighter future for our national parks. Take action!

To take action on this issue, click on the link below:

http://my.npca.org/site/Advocacy?s_oo=D8VYGPekdOYbzpaO-Dxzmg&id=260 

Treasure Coast Birding Festival Coming Soon!

Be sure to check out the Treasure Coast Birding Festival web site, the festival is coming up soon, starting October 26. They recently reduced the registration fees, it's well worth checking out. Lots of cool field trips, events for kids, and much more. Go here to get more information:

http://www.cultural-council.org/-b-Treasure-Coast-Birding-Festival-b-.html

Fall Migratory Bird Count Results By Matt Heyden

Some interesting results from the migratory bird count.

• Number of species: 121
• Number of individuals: 9,231
• Number of parties: 9
• Number of observers: 18

Here is a sample of the least seen: least bittern, black crowned night heron, roseate spoonbill, cooper's hawk, red tailed hawk, cara cara, peregrine falcon, clapper rail, black necked stilt, solitary sandpiper, spotted sandpiper, both dowitchers, Wilson's phalarope, black tern, white winged dove, common night hawk, great horned owl, barred owl, flicker, great crested flycatcher, kingbird, bank swallow, ruby crowned kinglet, veery, bluebird, catbird, thrasher, yellow warbler, magnolia, black throated blue, yellow throated, pine, prairie, palm, black and white, oven bird, painted bunting.

This was a great showing by some of the very best birders in the county.

Many, many thanks for taking this count seriously, and documenting that we really do have the birds!

Field Trip Update: Turkey Creek by Phyllis Mansfield

Today was the Space Coast Audubon field trip to Turkey Creek. We were not expecting much since migrating birds have been avoiding the area this fall. However it was an entirely satisfactory morning for our 6 birders and joined late in the morning by # 7. Early in the morning an Eastern Spotted Skunk gave us a brief glimpse as 'black and white' ran off in the woods~ lovely animal. Warblers seen included: Magnolia, Black-throated Green(first fall male), Yellow-throated, Pine(about 10), Prairie, Black and White, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat. There were two male Painted Buntings, many Red-eyed Vireos, Brown Thrasher, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, Sandhill Crane(H), and Tufted Titmouse(2), flying in front of the group for great looks. On the way out was a beautiful young male Summer Tanager acquiring red color.

Those at Turkey Creek will remember all the names on the boardwalk; it was hard to pass over Ken LaBorde(died August 11) and Bill Hills(died August 18) whom we have such fond memories. Both were excellent birders and were often at Turkey Creek. Bill had many years of data, collected each time there. He could easily tell which bird appeared when in migration. They are truly missed.

Exciting Events Planned for 2012-2013

By Dee Fairbanks Simpson, SCAS Vice President and Program Director

Welcome back to Space Coast Audubon, and thanks so much for joining us for what is sure to be an exciting year. We have some exciting meetings, field trips and other events coming up this year, and we hope you will join us for all of them!

We will start off our year in September with our annual potluck and member slide show. Be sure to show up with a dish to share and your own slides.

Among our many exciting speakers this year, we are very pleased to be welcoming Dr. Rachel K. Wentz, RPA. Dr. Wentz will be talking to us about her latest book, “Life and Death at Windover: Excavations of a 7,000-year-old Pond Cemetery” which examines the discovery, excavations, and analyses of one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, Windover. This fascinating site produced the well-preserved remains of 168 individuals along with hand-woven textiles, a beautiful assemblage of artifacts, and ancient soft tissue. Dr. Wentz graduated from Florida State University with a PhD in Anthropology and specializes in the analysis of human remains with foci on ancient disease and population health. She has taught courses in physical anthropology, human osteology and forensic anthropology at Florida State University and serves on the Brevard County Historical Commission.

As usual, we will also have lots of field trips this year, but one that I am very excited about and honored that we were able to schedule it, will be led by wildlife biologist Maria Zondervan with the St. Johns River Water Management District. On this rare weekday field trip, on Friday, March 8th, Maria will lead a trip to Lake Apopka Restoration Area Field Trip. I’m sure you all remember Lake Apopka as the home our our beloved barn owls.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, Maria explains,

Lake Apopka Restoration Area encompasses 19,825 acres on the northwestern shore of Lake Apopka, in Lake and Orange counties, northwest of Orlando. Lake Apopka is in the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River and was targeted for cleanup under the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act of 1987. Major activities include marsh and floodplain restoration and the creation of a marsh flow-way system that filters Lake Apopka’s waters by circulating lake water through restored wetlands. In 1996, the Florida Legislature passed Chapter 96-207, Florida Statutes, furthering its previous mandate to clean up the lake by providing funds to buy additional agricultural lands north of the lake. Restoration of these farmlands to functioning wetlands is expediting cleanup efforts and provides excellent wildlife habitat. 

A 1998 Christmas bird count (CBC) identified 174 species of birds, the highest species total for an inland count in the 100-year history of the annual CBC. Bird diversity is extraordinary in this area, and the bird list, which continues to grow, now includes more than 270 species. Some of the birds we expect to see include a multitude of sparrows, including vesper and savannah sparrows; nearly all Florida wading birds, including herons, egrets, ibis and roseate spoonbills; lots of raptors such as bald eagles, cooper’s hawks, great-horned owls, and Northern harriers; a multitude of shorebirds such as greater and lesser yellowlegs, black-necked stilts, avocets, sandpipers, Wilson’s phalarope and dunlin; waterfowl such as gadwall, black-bellied whistling-ducks, American widgeon, and northern shovelers.  Other commons sights include sandhill cranes, white pelicans, warblers, grosbeaks, and occasional buntings. With some luck, we may  also see Florida scrub-jays and whooping cranes.  Some other rarities that appeared last year include the Say’s Phoebe, horned grebe, white-faced ibis, and many more.

There are 20 barn owl boxes on the property that were built by the Space Coast Audubon Society.  These boxes will likely have nesting barn owls in March, so there should be an opportunity to see them up close. Other wildlife includes alligators, turtles, otters, and coyotes.”

This will be a guided vehicle trip with very little walking required, so it should be suitable for most people. We will meet at the Lake Apopka Field Station. Contact Dee Fairbanks Simpson to arrange carpooling from Brevard county.

We hope you will join us for what is sure to be a very exciting year in Audubon!  Please see the calendar of events in this issue of the Limpkin and check our web site online frequently for up to the minute information about  meetings, field trips and added events.

Florida Keys Hawkwatch

By Jim Eager


Come join us for the 13th fall migration season of the Florida Keys Hawkwatch (FKH) September 15 -November 13, 2012.  The site is at Curry Hammock State Pk on Little Crawl Key at mile marker 56.5 on the Overseas Hwy.  This location is about 6 miles north of Marathon in the Middle Keys.  This is the only full-scale hawkwatch in the southeast and the southernmost site in the U.S.  You will have the opportunity to observe 14 species of raptors.  In addition, this is the #1 site in North America and the #2 site in the world to observe migrating Peregrine Falcons.  The FKH also holds the single day world record with 638 on October 11, 2008.

There are campsites at Curry Hammock as well as local motels.  The White Sands Inn (WSI), 305-743-5285 (www.whitesandsinn.com), the official inn of the FKH, is located 1½ miles north of the hawkwatch on Grassy Key.  Located on the Atlantic Ocean with a pool and free wi-fi the WSI is offering to volunteers and visitors rooms at $70.00 per night based on availability.  When making reservations mention you are there for the FKH and you will receive the $70.00 rate

We look forward to folks visiting and hanging out with us and our volunteers and hopefully learn what it’s like to spend the day counting migrating raptors.  Counting is 7 days a week from 9:00am – 4:00pm and 8:00am – 3:00pm when we come off of daylight savings time.

SCAS Urgently Needs Volunteers!

For a very long time now, Space Coast Audubon has had well over 1,000 members, but has been kept running by  just a handful of volunteers who have worked tirelessly not only to bring you programs, newsletters, and field trips, but also to fight for conservation, perform bird rescues, and many other tasks that require dedication and time. We urgently need reliable volunteers to fill board and other positions that will keep the club going into the coming years. Our immediate needs are:

• Bird Seminars: Go out into the community (including schools) and act as an educator and advocate for birding.
• Greeter: Attend our monthly general meetings and  welcome newcomers, tell them about SCAS. 
• Membership: Address any membership issues as they arise and act as a liaison with National Audubon when required.
• Publicity: Help spread the word about our meetings, events, field trips, what we do, and who we are. Act as liaison with local media to encourage attendance at our meetings. 
• Refreshments Host/Hostess: Organize the refreshments for our monthly meetings and bi-annual potlucks.
• Field trip leaders: Work with our field trip coordinator to lead regularly scheduled bird walks.

Note that this is the last year for many important board positions; next year we will need a new president, vice president, and Limpkin/web editor. We need to start thinking about filling these important positions now if we want the club to continue doing the important work that we do into the future. Please contact any board member to volunteer.

12 Questions: Phyllis Mansfield by Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Over the summer, I had the pleasure of catching up with a group of SCAS members from way back when we were IRAS. I realized that I had known these people since I first moved to Florida back in 2001, but despite being the newsletter editor most of those years, I never really have recorded, or in many cases, gotten to know, their thoughts on birding. So after I got home from the luncheon, I sent out a questionnaire to all of them, asking their thoughts on birding. I will be printing these in the Limpkin in the coming months. First up is Phyllis Mansfield!

1. Name: Phyllis Mansfield
2. Favorite Birding Spot in Brevard County and Why:  Has to be Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach, since I live within a mile and have been birding, walking, removing exotics and litter there for over 30 years; it's not as good now for birds, but still a great place to walk, and my place to access the beach. Of course I go to Viera and MINWR regularly--always something good to see.
   
3. Favorite Non-Brevard Birding Spot in Florida and Why: Ft. DeSoto in migration has wonderful birds plus  I love going to South Florida including the Everglades for species that don't come this far north.
   
4. Favorite Non-Florida Birding Spot in the US and Why:  Alaska and Hawaii--incredibly beautiful country and unusual birds.
   
5. Favorite Non-US Birding Spot and Why:  South Africa; we were on a birding/Elderhostel trip many years ago--fantastic birds and mammals. Plus I met a couple of friends who still share birding trips with me. 
   
6. Best Tip on Birding You Ever Received, and From Whom: Keep looking and reading about birds; find their specific/suitable habitat. Howard birded before me and I learned from him to be alert to what was out there and what birds were doing--how they interacted. 
7. Best Tip You Would Offer a New Birder Based on Your Own Experience:  Purchase an identification book, buy best binoculars one could afford and if possible go with an experienced birder. It's easier to learn the waders in the beginning.
   
8. Favorite Memory From a Birding Field Trip:  For me, the most fun were the North Florida trips over a long week-end plus the Audubon Camping trips of many years ago--staying in wonderful state parks sharing the activities, birds, food and companionship.
9. Favorite Non-Birding Memory From a Birding Trip:  Many years ago on a field trip to Kempfer Ranch led by Ken Bennett, Mary Helen Mayo heard an undetermined bird and knew it was not a frog (as I suggested). She said,"I'm from Georgia, I've heard a lot of frogs and that's no frog"!  (We never saw a bird there).
10. Favorite Bird and Why: Carolina Chickadee came to our feeder in St. Louis, right next to my bedroom window and was so friendly: when I heard chick-a-dee-dee-dee, I knew he had arrived!
11. In 100 Years, what do you want Audubon members to remember about you?  I always considered "Every Day a New Adventure"; I usually always signed my email posts to birding web sites this way.
12. Is there anything else you would like to add to the chapter history? Anything you want to record for all time? When I moved back to Florida in 1984,  I became a member of the "Golden Girls", avid birders from then--Indian River Audubon (In addition to Mary Helen, there was Eleanor Shihadeh and Rosemary Lancaster). Still it's a treasured memory for me, lasting a lifetime. Even though only three of us are living from the original 4, we remain in contact. The regular Thursday birding days became even more with a sharing of laughter, smiles, innermost feelings, thoughts, and tears plus lunches and dinners!! The best part of birding is the fun and joy of meeting friends doing what we love!

Note: If you would like to contribute, please copy the 12 questions here, write your own answers, and email them to Dee Fairbanks Simpson.

SCAS Nature Connection Contest Winners (Part 1) by Lora Losi

It is a great pleasure to report the results of Space Coast Audubon's Nature Connection Contest! We had about 100 wonderful entries. The most important thing is that we got the students outside to experience and appreciate nature.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Kindergarten through 4th Grade

1st place
Origami Turtle Collage
Ashley Wilson
Sabal Elementary School, Lee Taylor teacher

2nd Place
Manatee drawing 
Trent F.
Tropical Elementary School, Theresa Jones, teacher

3rd Place
Leaf Bug
Odette P.
Tropical Elementary School, Theresa Jones, teacher

Honorable Mention
"Box" Turtle
Mia Hughes
Sabal Elementary School, Lee Taylor,  teacher

Honorable Mention
Nest Collage
Aubrey Sullivan
Enterprise Elementary school, Tina Ganze,  teacher











Writing

1st Place
Plant
Ananya M.
Tropical Elementary School, Theresa Jones, teacher

2nd Place (Tie)
Ulumay
Alexis Phillips and Travis Phillips
Audubon Elementary School, Beth Beil, teacher















Photography

1st Place
Crane and Chick
Gabe Cenker
Home-schooled by Jen Cenker

2nd Place
Passion Flower
Kaitlyn Sollberger
Quest Elementary School's Photography Club
Andrea Kubliun, teacher










Grades 5-7

1st Place
Ants
Abbygail Bowling
Aturn Elementary School, Tammy Dickson, teacher 

2nd Place
Crane outline drawing
Giao Huynh
West Melbourne Elementary school, Roger Cohen, teacher

3rd Place
Bird Fanny Pack
Brandon Follonier
Lewis Carroll Elementary School, Brenda Russell, teacher









Writing

1st Place
Loggerhead Encounter
Conner Bolick
West Melbourne Elementary School, Roger Cohen, teacher

2nd Place
Nature Photography
Olga Intriago-Godwin
Sculptor Charter School Mrs Akemenko, art teacher

3rd Place
Henry
Nathan Cox
West Melbourne Elementary, Roger Cohen teacher

Honorable Mention
A Special Friend
Elizabeth Dittmer
Hoover Middle School, Paula Ramos, teacher

Honorable Mention
Owl Encounter 
Conner Bolick 
West Merlbourne Elementary School, Roger Cohen, teacher















Photography

1st Place
Three Owls
Matt Corcoran
Bayside High School, Nadia LeBohec, teacher

2nd Place
Forest with Cone in Foreground 
Elizabeth Dittmer
Hoover Middle School, Paula Ramos, teacher

3rd Place
Box Turtle
Olga Intriago-Godwin
Sculptor Charter School, Mrs Akimenko, teacher

Honorable Mention
Collage
Kevin Santos
Sabal Elementary School, Michelle Patterson, teacher









Photo not available: 
Honorable Mention 
Red Hawk photo/essay
Natalie Aragona
Andrew Jackson Middle School, Deborah Drye, teacher

SCAS Nature Connection Contest Winners (Part 2) by Lora Losi

Grades 8-10

1st Place
Grey Fox
Jarell Halbing
Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School, Kimberly Larson, teacher

2nd Place
Soft-shell Turtle 
Alvaro Camborda
Delaura Middle School, Cynthia Mitchell teacher

3rd Place
Wave
Hannah Everrett
Delaura Middle School, Cynthia Mitchell teacher






Writing

1st Place
Nature
Toni Wallace
Delaura MS, Cynthia Mitchell teacher

2nd Place
Nature 
Lindsay Trent
Hoover MS, Paula Raomso, Teacher

3rd Place
Zoo 
Taylor Stevens
Kennedy MS, Dawn Krell, teacher

Honorable Mention
Poem with Photos and Enchanted Forest 
Ashley Arogona
Titusville HS, Jennifer Deese, teacher

Honorable Mention
Nature
Sonia Rekab
Kennedy MS Dawn Krell teacher















Photography

1st Place
Milkweed & Wasp 
Lindsay Trent
Hoover MS, Paula Ramos, teacher

2nd Place
Woodpecker
Carlos Gonzalez
Titusville HS, Almee Benson, teacher

3rd Place
Dolphin
Caleb Gantz
Kennedy MS, Dawn Krell, teacher

Honorable Mention
Tortoise
Daniel Turbe
Kennedy MSA, Dawn Krell, teacher










Grades 11-12

1st Place
Space Coast Scene
Danielle Dunham
Titusville HS, Aimee Benson, Teacher

2nd Place
Manatee Watercolor 
Sierra Williams Astronaut HS, Leigh Andritz, Teacher

3rd place (tie)
Hawk Painting
Alex Higgins
Astronaut HS Leigh Andritz

3rd place (tie)
Egret in Grass Painting 
Megan Caldwell, Astronaut HS, Leigh Andritz, teacher






Photography

1st Place
Trees 
Aubrey Warren
Titusville HS, Aimee Benson, teacher

2nd Place
Squirrel
Blake Hough
Titusville HS, Aimee Benson, teacher

3rd Place
Gaillardia Flowers
Kendra Mc Manus
Titusville HS, Aimee Benson, teacher

 Honorable Mention

  Honorable Mention

  Honorable Mention

  Honorable Mention

 Honorable Mention