TAS 2012-13 Event Calendar
Tropical Audubon Society is proud to once again offer an outstanding lineup of outings and monthly programs. You will see bird, plant and butterfly trips; morning trips, all day trips, overnight trips; outings nearby and outings afar; the very important seasonal bird counts; special events (Birdathon!!); workdays; plant sales; and lots of ways to have a good time while supporting a great cause and learning more about our native environment. All events with a confirmed date are included. Please mark your calendars and join us!
All trips are led by volunteer leaders from the Tropical Audubon Society. Unless otherwise indicated, they are free and open to the public, and reservations are not necessary. For more information concerning any field trip, email the field trip coordinator, or call him at (305) 388-1544. For more information concerning workdays and plant sales, email TAS or call TAS at (305) 667-7337.
All trips take place rain or shine (remember that rainy days are often birdy days, especially during migration). Please remember that some parks charge entrance fees, participants usually share gasoline costs for carpool trips, and overnight and boat trips will mean additional costs. Also, on some of the nature walks a fee may be required. To allow communication with trip leaders, walkie-talkies are recommended for carpool trips. The specifics for each trip are indicated below. In some cases, the trip leader has included his/her email address and phone number for direct contact.
indicates
a trip with a bilingual leader.
The schedule will be updated as more information becomes available.
JULY 2012
Sat. July 21 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Wed. July 25 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
Wed. July 25-Thur. Aug. 2 Birding the Sky Islands of Southeastern Arizona
Sold Out! Brian Rapoza leads this 9-day, 8-night trip to birding hotspots in the Santa Catalina, Santa Rita, Huachuca and Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. This trip, which begins and ends in Tucson, involves eight full days of birding in both mountain and desert habitats and is designed for intermediate to advanced birders. Group size will be no more than ten (10) participants.
Costs: $1,100.00 per person double occupancy, $400.00 single supplement. Cost includes van transportation, hotel accommodations and park entrance fees. Not included is air fare to Tucson, tips, laundry costs and other incidental expenses. Meals will be eaten in local restaurants and are paid for by each participant. For a detailed itinerary and trip application, with reservation requirements, email Brian Rapoza.
AUGUST 2012
Sat. Aug. 18 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Wed. Aug. 22 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
SEPTEMBER 2012
Sat. Sept. 1 Everglades Agricultural Area Birding
Paul Bithorn will lead an all day carpool trip to sod farms and flooded fields in the Belle Glade area of Palm Beach County. Meet at 7:00am at the intersection of US 27 and Holeyland Road at the Broward/Palm Beach County line. No fee. There will be a lunch stop at a restaurant.
Sat. Sept. 8 Corkscrew Swamp / Bunche Beach Birding
Brian Rapoza will lead an all day carpool trip to Collier and Lee Counties. Meet at 6:00am at the east gate (on SW 55th Ave.) of the Doc Thomas property (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami) or at 7:00am at the Government Road/Snake Road service station (Exit 49 at I-75). There is an admission fee for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (discount for Audubon members) and a fee for beach parking. Bring lunch and beach footwear. Walkie-talkies are recommended.
Sun. Sept. 9 Fairchild Gardens / Matheson Hammock Bird Walk
Joe Barros
will lead birders through Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, followed by
a walk through Matheson Hammock Park. Meet at 7:30am in the Matheson
parking area adjacent to Fairchild's north entrance. Entrance fee to
Fairchild will be waived for TAS members. Return is at approximately
11:00am.
Sat. Sept. 15 Greynolds Park Bird Walk
Jim King, will lead birders through Greynold's Park, 17530 West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach. Meet at the park boathouse at 7:30am. Parking is available near the playground and the elevated mound opposite the boathouse. Return is at approximately 11:00am. No fee.
Sat. Sept. 15 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Sun. Sept. 16 A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk
Bill Boeringer will lead birders through A.D. Barnes Park. Enter on SW 72nd Ave. just north of Bird Rd. (SW 40th St.), turn left at the T intersection and park in spaces on either side of the road. Meet at 7:30am, returning at approximately 11:00am. No fee.
Sat. Sept. 22 MDC Environmental Center / Kendall Indian Hammock Bird Walk
Stephen Paez and Jake Tucker
will lead birders through the Environmental Center on the Miami-Dade
College Kendall Campus, followed by a visit to Kendall Indian Hammock Park.
Meet at 7:30 AM at the Environmental Center entrance on SW 113 Place, on
the west side of the campus. Return is at approximately 11:00am. No fee.
Sun. Sept. 23 Matheson Hammock Bird Walk
John Boyd will lead birders through Matheson Hammock on Old Cutler Rd. immediately north of Fairchild Gardens. The group meets in the parking area on the left inside the park entrance at 7:30 AM. Return is at approximately 11:00 AM. No fee.
Wed. Sept. 26 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
Sat. Sept. 29 Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Bird Walk
Angel and Mariel Abreu will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The park opens at 8:00 AM. Participants should meet at No Name Harbor (from the entrance station, take your first right and drive west to the parking area). The walk will begin by 8:15 AM. Costs include an entrance fee to the park and the Rickenbacker Causeway toll.
Sun. Sept. 30 Cutler Bay Birding
Roberto Torres
will lead this tour of Cutler Bay birding locations. Meet at Bill Sadowski
Park, 17555 SW 79 Ave., at 7:30am. Other stops may include Black Point,
Dump Marsh and Cutler Wetlands. No fee.
OCTOBER 2012
Thurs. Oct. 4-Sun. Oct. 7 South Florida Birding Festival
Join TAS for an exciting four-day event at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Keynote speaker will be Pete Dunne, author of The Feather Quest and many other books on birds and birding. There will be workshops, presentations and, of course, birding adventures. Field trips to several Miami-area birding hotspots are scheduled on Thursday and Friday. Saturday and Sunday will begin with a bird walk at Fairchild at 7am. Gates open to the public at 9:30am. There will also be arts and crafts, activities for children and vendor's booths. Bird-attracting plants will be available for sale. The South Florida Birding Festival is co-sponsored by Tropical Audubon Society and is made possible by support from the James A. Kushlan Bird Conservation Program. For more information and a complete schedule, visit the Fairchild Tropical Garden website.
Sat. Oct. 13 South Dade Birding
Raul Urgelles
will lead this all day carpool trip, which may include stops at Lucky
Hammock, Castellow Hammock and Dump Marsh. Meet in the parking lot of the
Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National Park at 7:30am. No fee. Bring
lunch.
Sun. Oct. 14 A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk
Bill Boeringer will lead birders through A.D. Barnes Park. Enter on SW 72nd Ave. just north of Bird Rd. (SW 40th St.), turn left at the T intersection and park in spaces on either side of the road. Meet at 7:30am, returning at approximately 11:00am. No fee.
Sat. Oct. 20 Shark Valley / Loop Road Birding
Paul Bithorn will lead this carpool trip. Meet at 8:00 AM at the airboat concession on the north side of Tamiami Trail (US 41), one mile west of the Shark Valley entrance. There is an entrance fee to Shark Valley. Bring lunch.
Sat. Oct. 20 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Sun. Oct. 21 Crandon Park Birding
Rangel Diaz will lead birders through Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. Meet at 7:30 AM at the Crandon Visitor and Nature Center at Parking Lot #1, accessed via the North Beach entrance to the park (no fee before 8:00 AM). The tour will start at the Coastal Dune Trail, followed by a walk along the beach to the mud flats for shorebirds and a visit to Crandon Gardens.
Wed. Oct. 24 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
Sat. Oct. 27 Everglades National Park Beginning Birding
Jeff Weber will lead this trip. Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National Park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch.
NOVEMBER 2012
Sat. Nov. 3 STA-1E Birding
Audubon Society of the Everglades invites TAS to join them for a tour of Stormwater Treatment Area-1E in Palm Beach County. For those planning to carpool, this trip is limited to 20 participants and reservations are required. No fee. Contact Brian Rapoza for details, including meeting place and time.
Sat.-Sun., Nov. 3-4 Native Plant Sale at Doc Thomas House
Our native plant sales are famous and fun. We have a great selection of South Florida plants with knowledgeable sales people to help you choose the best ones for your yard. Come early for the best selection, stay late to enjoy the company.
Wed., Nov. 7 A Walk in the Woods with Wine & Whisk
Sonoma County's esteemed Jordan Vineyard & Winery and South Miami's celebrated Whisk Gourmet will stage an intimate winemaker dinner under the TAS Chickee Hut. Seating is extremely limited. 7 p.m. reception; $125 per person. RSVP to 305-740-7170.
Sat. Nov. 10 Southern Palm Beach Birding
John Hutchison will lead this carpool trip. Meet at 7:30am at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (13026 Jog Road, about 1.5 miles north of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County.) No fee. Bring lunch.
Sat. Nov. 17Everglades National Park Birding
John Boyd will lead this all day carpool trip. Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National Park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch.
Sat. Nov. 17 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Sat. Nov. 24Snake Bight Kayaking/Canoeing
David Schaffter leads this kayak/canoe trip to Snake Bight in Everglades National Park, a 7-9 mile round-trip paddle, designed for intermediate to advanced paddlers. Meet at Flamingo Marina for a 9:00am departure. Return by 4:00pm. Bring lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant and PFDs. There is an entrance fee to the park, plus a kayak/canoe entrance fee. Rentals, including paddles/PFDs, are available at the marina: kayaks-$45.00 per day, canoes-$32.00 for 8 hours. Call 239-695-3101 for rental details.
Wed. Nov. 28 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
DECEMBER 2012
Sat. Dec. 1 South Florida Exotics Trip
Paul Bithorn will lead birders in search of parrots, bulbuls, mynas, and other introduced species in this carpool trip, which begins at Matheson Hammock Park. Meet at 6:30am in the parking area on the left inside the park entrance. No fee.
Sun. Dec. 2 8th Annual Holiday Potluck Picnic at Bill Sadowski Park
Join Tropical Audubon Society, along with the Native Plant Society, Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association, and TreeMendous Miami, for the Eighth Annual Holiday picnic at Bill Sadowski Park. The picnic is 12:30-3:30 pm on Sunday, Dec. 2. Rain or shine! Bring family, nature-loving friends and your favorite dish!
RSVPs by November 30 are greatly appreciated (but late/no-responders should come, too). Please tell us the number attending, your potluck item (main dish, side/salad, or dessert) and phone number. Cash donations are also possible. Tea/lemonade and paper goods are provided (you may bring beer in cans and wine). Respond to Patty Phares, 305-255-6404, pphares@mindspring.com.
Directions: Bill Sadowski Park is located at 17555 SW 79 Ave, Palmetto Bay. From Old Cutler Road, turn west on SW 176 Street, go 1/2 mile. If you need more information, please contact Patty.
After lunch in the picnic shelter, you can take an easy nature walk at 2:30 with plant, butterfly and bird experts. Bring your binoculars for bird and butterfly spotting. Or enjoy the park's trails and nature center on your own. You may also fish in the adjacent canal or use the park's canoes to take a paddle.
About the park: This Miami-Dade County park offers trails through a preserved Rockland Hammock full of solution holes, karst formations and ferns (unpaved but easy walking); a restored Everglades slough; and arboretum (recently refurbished by the Native Plant Society). There are also a children's playground and a nature center with wildlife exhibits. See http://www.miamidade.gov/parks/Parks/bill_sadowski.asp
Sat. Dec. 8 Plantation Preserve Birding
South Florida Audubon Society's Paddy Cunningham invites TAS to join her for a tour of Plantation Preserve in central Broward County. The preserve is on Broward Blvd., 0.6 miles east of University Drive. Meet Paddy at 8:00 AM at the trailhead past the playground. Lunch at a local restaurant will follow. No fee.
Sat. Dec. 15 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Christmas Bird Counts
Join the Bird Counts! Join the Bird Counts! Every year since 1900 teams of interested birders have joined together across the country to count the number of individual birds within each species occurring on the same date in the same place. This huge task is coordinated by the National Audubon Society. The consistency of the count creates a viable set of statistics that can be compared and used to measure the effects that changes in the environment have had on the bird population. These measurements act as important warnings of environmental deterioration that should be heeded. In addition to the serious consequences of the bird counts, they are a fun way to spend a day with fellow birding enthusiasts. This is an all day event. Volunteers are needed for all areas.
Fri. Dec. 14 Biscayne National Park CBC
Coordinated by Dr. Vanessa McDonough. For additional information, email Dr. McDonough.
Sat. Dec. 15 Miami-Dade County CBC
Coordinated by Brian Rapoza. For additional information, email Brian.
Mon. Dec. 17 Long Pine Key CBC
Coordinated by Robin Diaz. For additional information, email Robin.
Sat. Dec. 22 Kendall CBC
Coordinated by Bill Boeringer. For additional information, email Bill.
Sat. Dec. 29 Coot Bay / Everglades CBC
Coordinated by Brian Rapoza. For additional information, email Brian.
JANUARY 2013
Sat. Jan. 5 Southern Palm Beach Birding
Nancy Freedman will lead this carpool trip. Meet at 7:30am at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (13026 Jog Road, about 1.5 miles north of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.) No fee. Bring lunch.
Sat. Jan. 12 Everglades National Park Birding
John Boyd will lead this all day carpool trip. Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National Park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch.
Fri.-Mon., Jan. 18-21 North Florida Birding
Sold Out! Brian Rapoza and Paul Bithorn will lead this four day, three-night van trip to the Tallahassee area. Costs ($495.00 per person double occupancy: $150.00 single supplement) include hotel and van/gas. Email Brian for further information.
Sat. Jan 19 Crandon Park Birding
Jim King will lead birders through Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. Meet at 7:30 AM at the Crandon Visitor and Nature Center at Parking Lot #1, accessed via the North Beach entrance to the park (no fee before 8:00 AM). The tour will start at the Coastal Dune Trail, followed by a walk along the beach to the mud flats for shorebirds and a visit to Crandon Gardens.
Sat. Jan. 19 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Wed. Jan. 23 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
Sat. Jan 26 North Broward Birding
John Hutchison will lead this carpool trip to birding locations in northern Broward County. Meet at 8:00am at Tall Cypress Natural Area. From Florida's Turnpike, exit at Sample Road (Exit 69). Drive west 3 miles to Turtle Run Blvd. Turn right and drive north 0.2 miles to the park entrance. Bring lunch.
FEBRUARY 2013
Sat. Feb. 2 STA-5 Birding
Hendry Glades Audubon Society invites TAS to join them for a tour of Stormwater Treatment Area-5 in Hendry County. For those planning to carpool, this trip is limited to 20 participants and reservations are required. No fee. Contact Brian Rapoza for details, including meeting place and time.
Sat. Feb. 9 Everglades Nature Photography
Trey Mitchell will lead this all-day event in Everglades National Park, which will focus on the many opportunities the park offers for taking stunning wildlife images—from alligators to tiny damselflies. We'll use both telephoto and macro lenses to capture shots of whatever birds and beasts we encounter. The walk will start early and end at dusk to take advantage of the best light conditions. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Coe Visitor Center. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch.
Sat. Feb. 9 Workday at Porter-Russell Pine Rockland Preserve
Learn about native plants and help Tropical maintain an endangered habitat!
We will be working to remove non-native plants, maintaining some of the shrubs, and work on making trails on the property. The site is very important, as it is a pine rockland habitat, an endangered ecosystem of which roughly 2% of the original habitat still exists.
Please bring sunscreen, your water bottle, and wear closed toed-shoes. We will provide water, refreshments, and t-shirts for all participants. Groups welcome! Contact Celeste De Palma, TAS Outreach & Education Coordinator, to RSVP at 305-343-4468 or via email.
Sat. Feb. 16 South Dade Birding
Roberto Torres
will lead this all day carpool trip, which may include stops at Lucky
Hammock, Castellow Hammock and Dump Marsh. Meet in the parking lot of the
Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National Park at 7:30am. No fee. Bring
lunch.
Sat.-Sun., Feb. 16-17 Native Plant Sale at Doc Thomas House.
Our native plant sales are famous and fun. We have a great selection of South Florida plants with knowledgeable sales people to help you choose the best ones for your yard. Come early for the best selection, stay late to enjoy the company.
Sat. Feb. 16 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Sun. Feb. 17 Food Truck Migration
Tropical Audubon Society's native hardwood hammock at the Doc Thomas House provides the shady setting for the Food Truck Migration, part of the Tri-Annual series that hatched in June 2012.
Patrons can forage for their supper among a dozen vendors; dine alfresco at communal picnic tables or tuck in under the chickee; slake their thirst at the donation Bird Bar stocked by community partner Republic National Distributing Co.; and wander The Steinberg Nature Center trails. Guided tours of the historic Doc Thomas House are also on the menu. A choir of birds roosting in the canopy above will sing the sun to bed.
The “Migration” is organized by Steve Simon of Food Truck Invasion; admission is free to the public; each vendor tithes a portion of their proceeds to TAS.
Gates open at 4 pm; vendors serve until 8 pm, rain or shine. Contact us via email for more information.
Sat. Feb. 23 Shark Valley / Loop Road Birding
John Hutchison will lead this trip. Meet at 8:00am at the airboat concession on the north side of Tamiami Trail (US 41), one mile west of the Shark Valley entrance. There is an entrance fee to Shark Valley. Bring lunch.
Sat., Feb. 23 Native Plant Sale Encore at Doc Thomas House
One More Day! Our native plant sales are famous and fun. We have a great selection of South Florida plants with knowledgeable sales people to help you choose the best ones for your yard. Come early for the best selection, stay late to enjoy the company.
Wed. Feb. 27 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
MARCH 2013
Sat. Mar. 2 Martin County Birding
This is an all day carpool trip to birding locations in Martin County, including Dupuis Management Area and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Meet Brian Rapoza at 6:00am at the east gate of the Doc Thomas property on SW 55th Ave. just south of Sunset (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami). Costs include an entrance fee to the state park. Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.
Sat. Mar. 9 East Everglades / Chekika Birding
Carlos Sanchez
leads this carpool trip to the east Everglades, including Chekika Day Use
Area of Everglades National Park. Meet at 7:00am at the C-357 sparrow
fields. From Krome Avenue, drive west 3.0 miles on Richmond Drive (SW 168
Street). Park near the entrance, at a yellow gate just west of the C-357
Canal. No fee.
Sat. Mar. 9 Workday at Porter-Russell Pine Rockland Preserve
Learn about native plants and help Tropical maintain an endangered habitat!
We will be working to remove non-native plants, maintaining some of the shrubs, and work on making trails on the property. The site is very important, as it is a pine rockland habitat, an endangered ecosystem of which roughly 2% of the original habitat still exists.
Please bring sunscreen, your water bottle, and wear closed toed-shoes. We will provide water, refreshments, and t-shirts for all participants. Groups welcome! Contact Celeste De Palma, TAS Outreach & Education Coordinator, to RSVP at 305-343-4468 or via email.
Sat. Mar. 16 Everglades National Park Birding
Angel and Mariel Abreu will lead this all day carpool trip. Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National Park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch.
Sat. Mar. 16 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Sun. Mar. 17 Spring Wildflower Walk with Roger Hammer
Well known South Florida plant expert, Roger Hammer, will lead this walk down the Long Pine Key Nature Trail in Everglades National Park. See the wildflowers, butterflies and birds that share the varied habitat of pine rockland, Everglades prairie and upland hammock communities. This is an excellent chance to see the grass-pink orchid in bloom. Meet at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center in Everglades National Park at 8am, return approximately 11:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park.
Reservations and fee required: $40 members/$45 nonmembers includes an autographed copy of one of Roger's recent books: Everglades Wildflowers, Florida Keys Wildflowers or Everglades National Park and the Surrounding Area (your choice). A $25 discount ($15 members/$20 nonmembers) if you bring along your own copy of one of Roger's books! Call 305-247-1634, or email Roger to register or for more information.
Sat. Mar. 23 South Broward Birding
John Hutchison will lead this carpool trip to birding locations in southern Broward County. Meet at 8:00 AM at Plantation Preserve, on Broward Blvd., 0.6 miles east of University Drive. Meet at the trailhead past the playground. Bring lunch.
Sun. Mar. 24 Porter-Russell Pine Rockland Walk
Joe Barros
will lead this walk through Tropical Audubon's own pine rockland, a remnant
of Miami-Dade's most threatened habitat. See wildflowers, butterflies and
birds and witness the struggles involved in preservation of this fragmented
and globally imperiled habitat. This walk will provide an excellent
opportunity to see Mosier's False Boneset, a plant endemic to this habitat,
and other pine rockland specialties. Meet at 7:30am. From Florida's
Turnpike, exit at SW 216 Street. Turn right and drive west on SW 216
Street, across US-1, to SW 124 Avenue. Turn left and drive south to SW 220
Street. The pineland is on the right, just south of SW 220 Street. No fee.
Wed. Mar. 27 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
Sat. Mar. 30 Southern Palm Beach Birding
Nancy Freedman will lead this carpool trip. Meet at 7:30am at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (13026 Jog Road, about 1.5 miles north of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.) No fee. Bring lunch.
APRIL 2013
TAS 11th Annual Birdathon!!!
Saturday, April 6 – Sunday, April 21
New dates! Raise money for TAS! Tropical Audubon's Eleventh Annual Birdathon is coming in April. Bird for up to 24 consecutive hours anytime during April 6-21. Collect pledges per bird seen or for the whole day. Win prizes! Stay tuned for more information about our exciting Birdathon...fun teams, good prizes, all day birding and all for a good cause!
Sat. Apr. 6 MDC Environmental Center / Kendall Indian Hammock Bird Walk
Brian Rapoza and Jake Tucker will lead birders through the Environmental Center on the Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus, followed by a visit to Kendall Indian Hammock Park. Meet at 7:30 AM at the Environmental Center entrance on SW 113 Place, on the west side of the campus. Return is at approximately 11:00am. No fee.
Sun. Apr. 7 Fairchild Gardens / Matheson Hammock Bird Walk
Joe Barros
will lead birders through Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, followed by
a walk through Matheson Hammock Park. Meet at 7:30am in the Matheson
parking area adjacent to Fairchild's north entrance. Entrance fee to
Fairchild will be waived for TAS members. Return is at approximately
11:00am.
Sat. Apr. 13 Greynolds Park Bird Walk
John Boyd and Nancy Freedman will lead birders through Greynold's Park, 17530 West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach. Meet at the park boathouse at 7:30am. Parking is available near the playground and the elevated mound opposite the boathouse. Return is at approximately 11:00am. No fee.
Sat. Apr. 13 Workday at Porter-Russell Pine Rockland Preserve
Learn about native plants and help Tropical maintain an endangered habitat!
We will be working to remove non-native plants, maintaining some of the shrubs, and work on making trails on the property. The site is very important, as it is a pine rockland habitat, an endangered ecosystem of which roughly 2% of the original habitat still exists.
Please bring sunscreen, your water bottle, and wear closed toed-shoes. We will provide water, refreshments, and t-shirts for all participants. Groups welcome! Contact Celeste De Palma, TAS Outreach & Education Coordinator, to RSVP at 305-343-4468 or via email.
Sun. Apr. 14 Crandon Park Birding
Robin Diaz. will lead birders through Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. Meet at 7:30 AM at the South Beach parking area (no fee before 8:00 AM). The tour will start at Crandon Gardens, followed by a walk along the beach to the mud flats for shorebirds.
Sat. Apr. 20-Mon. Apr. 22 Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas Birding
Sold out! Brian Rapoza and Roberto Torres lead this three-day, two night van trip through the Florida Keys, including a one day boat trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. Costs ($795.00 per person double occupancy: $150.00 single supplement) includes two nights hotel in the Key West area, van/gas, park fees and ferry to the Dry Tortugas. Email Brian for further information.
Sat. Apr. 20 Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Bird Walk
Time Change: Due to other activities in Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, the park will open late today. Robin Diaz will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The park opens at 9:00 AM. Participants should meet at No Name Harbor (from the entrance station, take your first right and drive west to the parking area). The walk will begin by 9:15 AM. Costs include an entrance fee to the park and the Rickenbacker Causeway toll.
Sat. Apr. 20 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Sun. Apr. 21 A. D. Barnes Park Bird Walk
Bill Boeringer will lead birders through A.D. Barnes Park. Enter on SW 72nd Ave. just north of Bird Rd. (SW 40th St.), turn left at the T intersection and park in spaces on either side of the road. Meet at 7:30am, returning at approximately 11:00am. No fee.
Wed. Apr. 24 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
Sat. Apr. 27 Big Cypress Swamp Birding
Jeff Weber will lead this carpool trip to Big Cypress National Preserve. Meet at 7:30am at the Oasis Visitor Center on Tamiami Trail (US 41). Bring lunch and insect repellant. No fee.
Sun. Apr. 28 Matheson Hammock Bird Walk
John Boyd will lead birders through Matheson Hammock on Old Cutler Rd. immediately north of Fairchild Gardens. The group meets in the Matheson parking area on the left, inside the park entrance, at 7:30am. No fee.
MAY 2013
Sat. May 4 Hugh Taylor Birch State Park / Evergreen Cemetery Birding
South Florida Audubon Society's Paddy Cunningham invites TAS to join her a tour of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, followed by a visit to Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Lauderdale. The state park's entrance is on Sunrise Blvd., just west of A1A. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Hammock Trail parking area. Costs include an entrance fee to the park.
Sun. May 5 North Key Largo State Botanical Site: Birds, Butterflies and Native Plants
Brian Rapoza will lead this trip to the largest remaining tract of coastal tropical hardwood hammock in the Florida Keys. Meet at 6:30am at the Cracker Barrel restaurant at US 1 and Palm Drive in Florida City. Bring water and insect repellant. There is an entrance fee to the botanical site. Lunch at a Key Largo restaurant.
Sat. May 11 Workday at Porter-Russell Pine Rockland Preserve
Learn about native plants and help Tropical maintain an endangered habitat!
We will be working to remove non-native plants, maintaining some of the shrubs, and work on making trails on the property. The site is very important, as it is a pine rockland habitat, an endangered ecosystem of which roughly 2% of the original habitat still exists.
Please bring sunscreen, your water bottle, and wear closed toed-shoes. We will provide water, refreshments, and t-shirts for all participants. Groups welcome! Contact Celeste De Palma, TAS Outreach & Education Coordinator, to RSVP at 305-343-4468 or via email.
Sat. May 18 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Wed. May 22 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
JUNE 2013
Sat.-Sun., June 1-2 Native Plant Sale at the Doc Thomas House
Our native plant sales are famous and fun. We have a great selection of South Florida plants with knowledgeable sales people to help you choose the best ones for your yard. Come early for the best selection, stay late to enjoy the company.
Sat. June 8 Workday at Porter-Russell Pine Rockland Preserve
Learn about native plants and help Tropical maintain an endangered habitat!
We will be working to remove non-native plants, maintaining some of the shrubs, and work on making trails on the property. The site is very important, as it is a pine rockland habitat, an endangered ecosystem of which roughly 2% of the original habitat still exists.
Please bring sunscreen, your water bottle, and wear closed toed-shoes. We will provide water, refreshments, and t-shirts for all participants. Groups welcome! Contact Celeste De Palma, TAS Outreach & Education Coordinator, to RSVP at 305-343-4468 or via email.
Sat. June 15-Sun. June 23 Northern New England Birding
Sold Out! Brian Rapoza and Robin Diaz lead this nine-day, eight-night trip from the magnificent White Mountains of New Hampshire to the spectacular coast of down-east Maine. Included are visits to Mt. Washington, Baxter State Park, Machias Seal Island and Acadia National Park. This trip, which begins and ends in Portland, Maine, involves eight full days of birding, with hikes in both mountain and coastal habitats, and is designed for intermediate to advanced birders. Group size will be no more than ten (10) participants.
Costs: $1,325.00 per person double occupancy, $400.00 single supplement. Cost includes van transportation, hotel accommodations and park entrance fees. Not included is air fare to Portland, tips, laundry costs and other incidental expenses. Meals will be eaten in local restaurants and are paid for by each participant. For a detailed itinerary and trip application, with reservation requirements, email Brian Rapoza.
Sat. June 15 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Wed. June 26 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.
JULY 2013
Sat. July 13-Sun. July 27 Birding in Central Panama
Sold Out! Brian Rapoza and local guides lead this 15-day, 14-night birding tour of Panama, home to over 950 bird species, the highest in Central America! We'll spend a full week at world-famous Canopy Tower, in Soberania National Park along the Panama Canal. Among our many birding destinations will be legendary Pipeline Road as well as Achiote Road on the Caribbean coast. Our second week will be based at luxurious Canopy Lodge at El Valle de Anton, where we'll explore cloud forest habitat in the caldera of an extinct volcano.
Costs: $2,850.00 per person double occupancy (with private bath), $3,410.00 single in a double room (with a private bath). Cost includes transportation, meals, lodging and guides. Not included is round-trip airfare to Panama City, tips, laundry costs and other incidental expenses. For a detailed itinerary and trip application, with reservation requirements, email Brian Rapoza.
Sat. July 13 Workday at Porter-Russell Pine Rockland Preserve
Learn about native plants and help Tropical maintain an endangered habitat!
We will be working to remove non-native plants, maintaining some of the shrubs, and work on making trails on the property. The site is very important, as it is a pine rockland habitat, an endangered ecosystem of which roughly 2% of the original habitat still exists.
Please bring sunscreen, your water bottle, and wear closed toed-shoes. We will provide water, refreshments, and t-shirts for all participants. Groups welcome! Contact Celeste De Palma, TAS Outreach & Education Coordinator, to RSVP at 305-343-4468 or via email.
Sat. July 20 Workday at the Doc Thomas House
Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Steinberg Nature Center at Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer1@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.
Wed. July 24 Conservation Meeting
TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.