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Editor: Maria Quasius | "comes the ides of March" March 2011 |
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Message from the President
Comes the ides of March, and the season of summer will seem to begin. However, the rains usually don't come until June. For our birds and habitat, the season of stress will begin. Shrinking and disappearing ponds, withering grasses, and the response of plant life to water shortages will provide challenges for species propogation and survival. For Southwest Florida then, the protection of remaining lesser altered watersheds, and restoration of damaged but recoverable watersheds, becomes an imperative for conservationists. ASWF has been a strong supporter of these efforts, and often it seems that we are confronting "progress" and "jobs." When a longer term view is taken, what is often described as progress is just a form of strip mining the rural areas of value, and the jobs created are ephemeral. ASWF distinguishes between sustainable community development ("smart growth") and that which degrades the overall community, and supports the former. This is why ASWF supports more compact urban development, redevelopment of the suburbs that can be sustained, and the removal of antiquated plats that serve only as justifications to dewater our watersheds. We urge that members keep abreast of the City and County comprehensive planning programs, and the planning of water management districts, to ensure that it isnt our public money that creates the rationale for the degradation of what is left of our natural heritage.
Wayne Daltry
President |
ASWF will hold elections at the annual meeting on April 9th. If interested in becoming a chapter officer, member of the board of directors, or serving on a committee, please contact the nominating committee. Only current members of ASWF (chapter-only member or chapter-affliated member of National Aububon) are entitled to run or vote.
Current 2010-2011 Board of Directors
President: Wayne Daltry
1st Vice President: Mary Lee Mann
2nd VP/Treasurer: Jim Rodenfels
Secretary: Vacant -
Webmaster: Pete Quasius
Conservation Committee: Brad Cornell (chair), Pete Quasius, Sarah Larsen
Membership: Maria Quasius (acting chair), Elspeth McCulloch
Birdathon: Toby Clark
Education Chair : Carl Veaux (chair), Sarah Larsen
Program Chair: Mari Hanley
Newsletter Editor : Maria Quasius
Festivals and Special events Chair: Vacant
Field Trips: Vacant
Past Presidents of Audubon of Southwest Florida, who are chapter members in good standing, are entitled to request membership to board. Past presidents include - Bill Hammond, MaryLee Mann, Roger Clark, Connie Jarvis, John Cassani, Don Doggett, Vince McGrath, Pete Quasius, Maria Quasius, Carol Newcomb-Jones, Gerri Reeves
Candidates to date for 2011/12: in alphabetical order with position sought:
Lindsay Castret - Program chair
Brad Cornell - remain as Conservation chair
Wayne Daltry - Field Trips chair
Sarah Larsen - President
Jennifer McWhinnie - Vice President
Maria Quasius - Membership committee
Pete Quasius - Secretary/webmaster
Jim Rodenfels- remain as Treasuer -
Teddy Rodenfels - Membership Chair
Carl Veaux - member Conservation and Education Committees
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Audubon of Southwest Florida now 2000 strong!
Audubon of Southwest Florida is one of the largest Audubon chapters in the country. Please help us to continue to grow. We need your support for conservation advocacy, environmental education, scholarship programs and fun birding events here in southwest Florida.
Join/Renew/Donate now!
All funds from chapter-only memberships and donations to Audubon of Southwest Florida, Inc. are invested in South Florida. The chapter receives less than $2 of your annual National Audubon Society membership dues and no direct share of donations to the National Audubon Society, who's good works the chapter supports.
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A fun fundraiser Birdathon 2011
Saturday April 2- 9th, 2011 -
Awards April 9th at annual meeting at Iona House
Audubon of Southwest Florida is holding its annual 2011 Birdathon fundraising campaign April 2-9th. Individuals solicit sponsors to pledge either an amount per species sited donation. Birdathon will be any 24 hour period the birder chooses from April 2- 9th with the conclusion and awards being after the dinner on April 9th, 2011. Birders search for as many different species of wild birds as they can find. Pledged money is then collected and sent to the Audubon of Southwest Florida, where the contributions go to the Charles Foster Conservation Fund and are used to further local environmental conservation, education programs and Scholarships.
For forms and more details contact Toby Clark, ASWF Birdathon Chair at TGClark@eagle.fgcu.edu
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Audubon of Southwest Florida is on Facebook!
Visit our page, 'Like It' and then write something on the wall. This is a great way to connect with others and keep up with current events. Help us reach our April goal of 50 Facebook members. And remember, a picture is worth a thousand words so post your favorite bird photos on our Facebook page.
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Check out the Visit Florida section of
the latest issue of Audubon Magazine
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The 2011 Audubon Academy, March 18-20
Paramount Plaza Conference Center
2900 SW 13th St. (U.S. 441)
Gainesville, FL
About Audubon Academy
Chapters are Audubon's crucial link to the community and government in taking actions that will protect Florida's birds, wildlife, and habitats. Our communities need the voice of strong Audubon chapters throughout the state to define and shape a better Florida.
Now in it's 7th year, Audubon Academy is designed to strengthen chapters by providing encouragement, knowledge, and tools for action. Audubon Academy is a financially sustainable enterprise led by volunteers with support from AOF Chapter Coordinator, Jacqui Sulek, and funded by chapters, Academy participants, and Florida Audubon Society.
The 7th Annual Audubon Academy will provide opportunities to learn more about citizen science, collaborative grants, advocacy skills, creating partnerships, Important Bird Areas, birding classes, field trips - all geared to respond to chapter conservation goals. Please click here for a full schedule. The process will result in a customized toolbox your chapter can use in conservation planning for 2011. We'll provide the framework so you can easily share it with your chapter's board of directors. Find this event on Facebook.
It's About Fun, Too!
- Walk a trail with friends old and new
- Meet Audubon staff and leaders
- Share ideas, best practices and strategies
- Welcome new chapter leaders
Why Audubon Academy?
Florida chapters provide the crucial constituency and feet on the ground for support of conservation of Florida's Special Places, Florida's Coast, and Everglades campaigns.
Our 6 Regional Conservation Committees help organize chapter responses to the conservation challenges we face in protecting our wildlife, water resources, and quality of life.
Let's work together to integrate our conservation/education goals into our 2011-2012 chapter programs!
About Paramount Plaza
Special Room rate: $82/night/double
Easy access to I-75
Near Paynes Prairie State Preserve
and many other excellent birding sites
(352)377-4000
www.paramountplaza.com
For more information, please contact
Joyce King, Academy Coordinator
Jacqui Sulek, Chapters Coordinator, Audubon of Florida
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Attend the Hog Island Leadership Camp!
The August 2011 leadership camp will focus on the Atlantic Flyway Initiative and is therefore perfect for Chapters in the Eastern states! This is a valuable opportunity for Chapter leaders all along the Atlantic Flyway to recharge the energy in your Chapter. Please consider attending yourself, or ensuring strong future leadership by sending an up and coming Chapter leader who might lead your organization in years to come. Audubon staff members from the region are helping to coordinate and will serve as instructors at this year's camp on Hog Island, making this a great opportunity to get to know Audubon education, policy and science staff leaders focused on your area. As an active Chapter leader, we really hope you will be able to join us at this special session.
National Audubon is offering a $225 scholarship for all campers that secure matching funds from their local Audubon Chapter. All you need is a letter from your Chapter to receive the scholarship. This is big savings for the attendee given that the entire program costs $750 (shared occupancy rooms). It means someone could attend for only $300 for the entire week! ($750 -$225 from a local Chapter - $225 from National = $300). Housing, meals, programs and field trips for the session are included.
Please consider attending yourself, or encouraging another board member to come and get refreshed and inspired by great people and the beauty of Maine. Also: Puffins! (And the Perseids meteor shower! And fall migrants peeping overhead!)
Go to http://hogisland.audubon.org to learn more and to register.
http://www.projectpuffin.org/OrnithCampsDescriptionACLP.html#Programs
We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Lynn Tennefoss, VP of State Programs and Chapter Services
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2011 Audubon Conservation Action Agenda
Coastal Conservation
Florida's Special Places
Greater Everglades Ecosystem
Energy and Climate Change
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Please send your tax deducible contribution to support this program to:
Audubon of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Post Office Box 61041
Fort Myers, Florida 33906-1041
''A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE
OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES By CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-
7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR
RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.'' REGISTRATION# CH30193 |
Please send your tax deducible contribution to support this program to:
Audubon of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Post Office Box 61041
Fort Myers, Florida 33906-1041
''A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE
OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES By CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-
7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR
RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.'' REGISTRATION# CH30193 |
The North American Migration Count in Florida
is sponsored by Florida Ornithological Society, and is supported by local Audubon Societies, local bird clubs, and other interested organizations.
PURPOSE: The mission of the North American Migration Count (NAMC) is to:
v Obtain a "snapshot" of the progress and "shape" of spring and fall Migration. Spring 2011 count is May 14th.
v Obtain information on the abundance & distribution of each species.
v Initiate more participation among birders within a state and between states.
v Create challenges and goals among birders while collecting useful information.
v Aid in organization and centralization of date.
v HAVE FUN.
North America Migratory Count
 | | Bunche Beach by Sarah Larsen |
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Please "Register" for program and field trips. Why? We need to have some idea of how many people are planning to attend so the organizers can set up the venue, the presenter can tailor the program, prepare handouts etc, and the chapter can justify the costs. In the event of cancelation we can also contact you so you don't make a nonproductive trip.
If you decide to use Constant Contact annoucement for some other organization you are associated with, tell them Audubon of Southwest Florida sent you. We'll get a rebate on our costs, as good as a donation. Please "subscribe" to Flyways so we can send you the next edition when it is produced. We promise not to share your email address with any other organization. You can unsubscribe with just a "click" on any incoming message. |
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Audubon of Southwest Florida is a sponsor of Eco-Voice
Eco-Voice, Inc. is provided as a public service to facilitate the flow of information about environmental issues and events in South Florida. The "Voice" also produces a daily digest of eco-news and happenings in South Florida. Give it a try.
Registration for the Eco-Voice Daily Digest
Enter your email address below to join the Eco-Voice Daily Digest mailing list.
Eco-Voice, Inc. uses  which guarantees the permanent removal of your email address from its mailing lists.
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Contributions to Audubon of Southwest Florida, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
''A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE
OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES By CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-
7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR
RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.'' REGISTRATION# CH30193
Audubon of Southwest Florida, Inc,
P.O. Box 61041
Fort Myers, Florida 33906-1041
www.AudubonSWFL.org
info@AububonSWFL.org |
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