Aug-Sep-Oct 2009 Shorelines Newsletter Choctawhatchee Audubon Society
Content
Aug/Sep/Oct 2009
VO LUME XXXVIII ,NUMBER 5
The Newsletter of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Calendar of Events
2
Your New Officers Are……
The following officers were elected at the May 7, 2009 chapter meeting: President: Vice President: Treasurer: Recording Secretary: Corresponding Secretary: Carole Goodyear Gary Parsons Karen Newhouse Pat Baker Linda Holloway
Greener Shorelines Conservation Migration Count Snack Alert New Bird in Walton NWF’s Campout
3 3 3
4 4 5
President’s Message
Carole Goodyear
Welcome to a new year of activities with the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society! I am honored to be your president and pleased to know you believe I can succeed our wise and wonderful Thelma Phillips. It’s a big job to fill her shoes, so I need help from all of you to make this a wonderful year for CAS.A big Thank You goes to the other four newly elected officers and to the committee chairs who have agreed to stay on to help direct the chapter. We welcome Linda Holloway to her first Board position as Corresponding Secretary. Retired Board members Sharon Weaver (Corresponding Secretary and Hospitality Chair) and Kathy Tidwell (Recording Secretary) deserve applause for their service. The talents of many people are needed for CAS to function. Some committees are open for new leadership, and we need other members to join Linda as new voices on the Board. Presently, we have no chairpersons for the Programs, Field Trips, or Hospitality committees. Also, our Membership Chair and Newsletter Editor have both expressed the desire for well-earned rests. The committee chairs are voting Board positions, so bring your ideas, opinions, and skills to the table and help direct CAS. Contact me to discuss these positions if you are interested. I want to emphasize, however, that it’s not just the Board of Directors who are important to the functioning of CAS. The valuable people are every one of you! Each one of you can contribute something. Join a CAS committee, help man our displays at one of the many outreach events we attend, or just give us your good ideas. Attend our monthly chapter meetings not only to learn interesting information from the program speakers but also to socialize with your fellow birders and hear the latest birding news. Don’t let lack (or perceived lack!) of birding skills stop you from joining our bird walks and other outings. Everyone is there to learn and enjoy nature. You can also contribute by engaging and staying informed on local, state, and national issues. Attend CAS chapter meetings to hear the latest about local and regional conservation issues. Write letters to our local newspapers. Sign up at http://audubonactional.org/florida/join.html to receive Audubon of Florida’s monthly e-mail newsletter the Advocate and learn about statewide environmental issues. Join the National Audubon Action Center at http:// audubonaction.org/audubon/join.html for similar information on a national scope. Whatever your comfort level of participation, we’re glad to have you as a member of CAS!
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 2
V O L U M E X X X V I II , N U M B E R 5
Calendar of Events:
CAS monthly meetings are held the First Thursday of each month August thru May at 6:30 PM at NWFSC Niceville Learning Resources Center (LRC), Room 128. Non members are welcome.
CAS Programs:
August 6: “Bottlenose Dolphin ecology, strandings, and rescue response in the Choctawhatchee Bay estuary.” Steve Shippee, PhD Candidate, University of Central Florida, will present his research into dolphin ecology and
habitat use in the Choctawhatchee Bay area and discuss the problem of dolphin interactions with recreational fishing.
September 3: “Hope Takes Wing.” Gerald Murphy will present a video on the migration of whooping cranes to Florida. Gerald is a volunteer with Operation Migration, the project to develop migratory flight behavior in support of the Whooping Crane Recovery Program.
October 1: “Gambia and Senegal: The Ladies Were Beautiful And The Birds Were Colorful. Or Was It The Other
Way Around?” Ecologist and world traveler John Winn will transport us to these West Africa countries via his photographs of their birds, wildlife, people, and flowers. He will also show his video “Zaire: In The Midst Of Gorillas -- Who Was Visiting Who?”
“The November 5: “The Beulah Laidlaw Nature Preserve, an Audubon asset in the Panhandle.” Neil Lamb of
Bay County Audubon Society will tell us about the fauna and flora of an Audubon of Florida preserve in Washington County and the process of working with AoF to help manage it. Learn about the Preserve tonight, and then join the field trip to the Preserve on Saturday, November 7.
Outings:
August 8. Bird walk at Fort Walton Beach spray fields. Meet at Coach-N- Four restaurant, 7:30 AM. Don Ware 862-6582. Coach862Eventures September 4. Eventures with Nonie’s Ark meet at 6:30 pm in Destin . RSVP to [email protected] for details. September 19. North American Fall Migration Count. Don Ware 862-6582. Eventures October 2. Eventures with Nonie’s Ark meet at 6pm in Mary Esther. RSVP to [email protected] for details. October 3. Bird walk in Fort Walton Beach area city parks. Meet at Uptown Station parking lot, 7:30 AM. Lenny Fenimore
863-2039.
October 15. Field trip to observe fall bird banding, Fort Morgan, AL. Check with Don Ware 862-6582 about time and AL
carpooling.
16Festival. October 16-18. South Walton Back to Nature Festival CAS will offer a bird walk. Date and place TBD. Check for future
details with Carole Goodyear 897-2666.
October 31. Nature photography walk. Place and time TBD. Linda Holloway 376-0327, Trish Reynolds 689-4359. Eventures November 6. Eventures with Nonie’s Ark meet at 5pm in Pine Log Forest; RSVP to [email protected] 6November 6-8. Camp Out at Pine Log Forest in Ebro area on the way to Laidlaw Preserve. Contact Nonie 862-9588. November 7. Field trip to Laidlaw Preserve, Washington County. Check with Carole Goodyear 897-2666 about time and
carpooling.
November 14. Field trip to Fort Pickens. Check with Lenny Fenimore 863-2039 about time and carpooling.
Other:
23October 23-24. Audubon Assembly. Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, St. Petersburg, FL.
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 3
V O L U M E X X X V I II , N U M B E R 5
NEW GREENER SHORELINES SCHEDULE
Take a close look at the dateline on this issue of Shorelines and notice that it covers the 3 months of August, September, and October. The costs of printing and mailing a monthly newsletter have consumed up to 50% of chapter operating funds each year, so your Board of Directors has decided to try a quarterly schedule. The 4 issues will be 1) August/September/October, 2) November/December/January, 3) February/March/April, and 4) May/June/July. Thank you to those CAS members who have already signed up to receive Shorelines by e-mail and have helped us reduce paper use and save funds. We ask the rest of our members to please submit your e-mail addresses to receive the newsletter electronically. Those on the e-mail distribution list will also receive the monthly announcements of meetings and outings.
Conservation Corner
Gary Parsons, Conservation Chair You should be aware of Audubon conservation activities going on at the regional level. The NW region consists of the Pensacola (F M Weston), Choctawhatchee, Bay and Apalachee Audubon chapters. I provide a quarterly report on our chapter conservation activities that is compiled and edited by our regional representative, Neil Lamb. Neil selects a few topics for presentation to the Audubon of Florida (AOF) Board. Last month regional representatives met in Defuniak Springs. Neil reported that our effort in support of the peregrine falcon delisting was selected by the Board and forwarded to Audubon National and that our Okaloosa County birding brochure was applauded by the Board as a great example of working with a local agency to get funding. The Okaloosa County TDC provided partial funding for the brochure. By the way, the birding brochure can be accessed at our website and you can print a copy. Neil reminded the attendees that a call for collaborative grants from Audubon will be announced in August so if you have an idea for a project in the $1000 range, let me know. Eric Draper, AOF deputy director, also attended the meeting and expressed his concerns that the state politicians are being heavily lobbied by the oil companies to open state waters for oil and gas leases. State waters extend 12 miles into the gulf and that is certainly close enough that a spill, especially one induced by a storm, could quickly contaminate the beaches before containment could be completed. This could well become an issue with the 2010 legislative session. The AOF focus in 2010 will be on Coastal Conservation, Climate Change and the Everglades. The Northwest Regional Conservation Committee voted on and approved a resolution to place high priority on our gulf beaches and advocate clean energy and opposition to oil well drilling in State waters. The resolution will be presented at the Audubon Assembly in October. The Committee congratulated Eric on his decision to run for Office of Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.
The Fall North American Migration Count
will be all day on Saturday, 19 September. CAS will need to recruit qualified leaders for the eight areas of Okaloosa County and seven areas of Walton County. To be most effective each leader should have a recorder and two spotters. Anyone interested in participating in the field, or just reporting the birds in your yard, especially migrants, please call 862-6582 or e-mail [email protected]/donware.
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 4
V O L U M E X X X V I II , N U M B E R 5
SNACK ALERT!
The refreshment stand at our chapter meetings will now be stocked by members who volunteer to bring goodies for a selected month. Please sign up at meetings to bring snacks of your choice to a meeting of your choice. You might want to volunteer with a partner, and one person can bring food, the other can bring beverages. The snacks should not be fancy or costly. Please note that all food and beverages must be commercially prepared and packaged. NWFSC rules prohibit us from serving homemade food at the college. Thanks to Sylvia Cowen, Tom and Alice Rhodes, and Gary and Kay Parsons, who have already volunteered for August, September, and November respectively. Who wants October? …….AND WE WANT TO GO GREENER. Many of us have been distressed by the amount of trash CAS has generated by using throwaway cups and plates at each meeting. So let’s reduce our discards! Put a cup hook next to your car keys or keep a cup in your car, because we want you to bring your own reusable mug or glass to meetings. If you must use a disposable cup, there will be a $1 “earth fee.” If you also bring your own reusable plate and utensils, better yet! The August meeting will be a trial with no fee, and also a time to voice your opinion on the idea.
New Bird for Walton County!
Photo by: Geri Bucheit On May 22, Geri Bucheit saw 5 black-bellied whistling ducks at a pond at Camp Creek Golf Club in southeast Walton County. This appears to be the first record of this species in Walton County. Way to go, Geri!
Coming to PBS September 27, 2009
“The National Parks: America's Best Idea” is a six-episode documentary directed by Ken Burns. Filmed over more than 6 years at some of nature's most spectacular locales, the series traces the birth of the U.S. national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years. It uses archival photographs, first-person accounts of historical characters, personal memories and analysis from more than 40 interviews, and stunning cinematography to chronicle the additions of new parks through the stories of the people who helped create them and save them from destruction. It is simultaneously a biography of compelling characters from every conceivable background and a biography of the American landscape. There will be an extensive educational component and an interactive website that provides information about the film, the parks, and related issues. Go to http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/.
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 5
V O L U M E X X X V I II , N U M B E R 5
National Wildlife Federation’s Great Backyard camp out fun!
By: michelle , 11 years old, from Destin.
It was my first time going camping. It was at Nonie's great backyard. First me and the other kids jumped on the trampoline. When the food was done cooking we came in and had hot dogs and hot dogs. After we went back to the trampoline. Then it got dark out! There's a creek in Nonie's backyard and we got to swim in it! But it was FREEZING! We came back to Nonie's house and rinsed off so we could jump into the hot tub. After that we all roasted marsh mellows and went to bed. What I learned was exotic animals like marsh mellows... A LOT !!! It was really fun and I made new friends too!
Our chapter activities for August, September, and October will cover a wide range of interesting wildlife topics.
Our new program season begins in August with Steve Shippee, who will discuss his research on dolphin ecology and habitat use in the Choctawhatchee Bay area, a component of his doctoral studies through the University of Central Florida. Steve will discuss the local Marine Mammal Stranding & Rescue Program, in which he serves as team coordinator with the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge and responds to dead and live strandings from Santa Rosa Beach to the Alabama state line. In addition, he will address dolphin interactions with recreational fishing, a subject that has received recent press coverage. In September, the video Hope Takes Wing will teach us about the work of Operation Migration to develop migratory flight behavior in whooping cranes and establish crane populations in Florida. This is especially relevant because a population is being established at NW Florida’s St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Leading the program will be Gerald Murphy, a volunteer with Operation Migration, who has done almost every kind of task, including bird handler (yes, in the crane costume!) and flying in the cover plane above the cranes and ultra lights guiding them. Learn more prior to the meeting by visiting http://operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html. In October, John Winn of Mobile, AL, will present a travelogue on the West African countries of Gambia and Senegal. Check the program’s subtitle in the calendar. How can anyone resist that? We will also be treated to a short-subject video on gorillas in Zaire. John is an ecologist, retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers. He and his wife Beverly (prior to her death earlier this year) visited 160 countries. Over a 30-year span they saw about 5500 species of birds and developed slide shows on 40 of their journeys.
Interim Southeast Regional Election
A special election was held this past spring to fill the vacated position of Southeast Regional Director on the National Audubon Society Board of Directors. Three candidates were nominated, two from Florida and one from Alabama. Because this election was on a tight timeframe so the chosen candidate could attend the May 2009 National Board meeting, chapter directors were allowed to vote on behalf of members. Your CAS Board voted for S. Joyce King of Melrose, FL, who won the election. She will serve on the NAS Board of Directors until the next annual member meeting when her name will be placed on the ballot for election by the full membership. Election results are posted at http://www.audubon.org/local/elections/index.html.
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Membership
Name:_____________________________________ Address:_________________________________________ City:____________________________________________________ State:______ Zip:____________________ Phone: ___________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________________
□Introductory New Member- $20.00 □Individual Member Renewal- $35.00 □Introductory Student/Senior- $15.00 □Renewal Student/Senior-$15.00
• • • • •
When you join you will be part of national, state, and local Audubon groups and will receive... Audubon magazine Florida Naturalist Magazine Our local Shorelines newsletter Inclusion in Audubon of Florida's advocacy network Discounts at Audubon Sanctuaries and Nature Centers Opportunities for Audubon Ecology Camps and specially priced travel adventures
Chapter Representatives
President: Carole Goodyear
•
[email protected]…. 897-2666
To join, mail this form and a check, payable to National Audubon Society, to;
NAS Membership Data Center, P.O. Box 51005, Boulder, CO 80323-1005.
Gary Parsons Vice President: [email protected] ……….678-1461 Karen Newhouse Treasurer:
[email protected]….897.3745 Pat Baker Recording Secretary: [email protected] .…………...678.2953 Corresponding. Sec: Linda Holloway [email protected] ……850-376-0327 Bird Count Coordinator: Donald M. Ware……………....862.6582 [email protected] Conservation:
CAS ONLY memberships are available and include SHORELINES NEWSLETTER ONLY.
To join CAS ONLY mail this form and a check payable to CAS to; P.O. Box 1014 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549.
□New Member Newsletter Only- $10.00 □Renewal Member Newsletter Only- $10.00 FL Dept of Agriculture REG # CH4619 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.
Chapter Code: C9ZE110Z
Gary Parsons
[email protected] ……….678-1461 Nonie Maines Education: [email protected]……...862.9588 Field trips Coord : Position available Hospitality: Position available Trish Reynolds Membership: [email protected] Nonie Maines Publicity: [email protected]……...862.9588 Programs: Position available Theresa Dennis Shorelines Editor: [email protected]……………. Pat Baker Historian: [email protected] .…………...678.2953
Printed on Recycled Paper © 2007 by Choctawhatchee Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
A great big THANK YOU to all CAS sponsors ! Donations are welcome, and all contributions are tax-deductible. Feel free to specify a particular fund/event that you’d wish to sponsor.
P.O. Box 1014 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549
Contact Theresa Dennis If you would like to receive Shorelines in color with links via e-mail.
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Fort Walton Beach, FL Permit No. 110
We’re on the Web!
CHOCTAWHATCHEEAUDUBON.ORG
VO LUME XXXVIII ,NUMBER 5
The Newsletter of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Calendar of Events
2
Your New Officers Are……
The following officers were elected at the May 7, 2009 chapter meeting: President: Vice President: Treasurer: Recording Secretary: Corresponding Secretary: Carole Goodyear Gary Parsons Karen Newhouse Pat Baker Linda Holloway
Greener Shorelines Conservation Migration Count Snack Alert New Bird in Walton NWF’s Campout
3 3 3
4 4 5
President’s Message
Carole Goodyear
Welcome to a new year of activities with the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society! I am honored to be your president and pleased to know you believe I can succeed our wise and wonderful Thelma Phillips. It’s a big job to fill her shoes, so I need help from all of you to make this a wonderful year for CAS.A big Thank You goes to the other four newly elected officers and to the committee chairs who have agreed to stay on to help direct the chapter. We welcome Linda Holloway to her first Board position as Corresponding Secretary. Retired Board members Sharon Weaver (Corresponding Secretary and Hospitality Chair) and Kathy Tidwell (Recording Secretary) deserve applause for their service. The talents of many people are needed for CAS to function. Some committees are open for new leadership, and we need other members to join Linda as new voices on the Board. Presently, we have no chairpersons for the Programs, Field Trips, or Hospitality committees. Also, our Membership Chair and Newsletter Editor have both expressed the desire for well-earned rests. The committee chairs are voting Board positions, so bring your ideas, opinions, and skills to the table and help direct CAS. Contact me to discuss these positions if you are interested. I want to emphasize, however, that it’s not just the Board of Directors who are important to the functioning of CAS. The valuable people are every one of you! Each one of you can contribute something. Join a CAS committee, help man our displays at one of the many outreach events we attend, or just give us your good ideas. Attend our monthly chapter meetings not only to learn interesting information from the program speakers but also to socialize with your fellow birders and hear the latest birding news. Don’t let lack (or perceived lack!) of birding skills stop you from joining our bird walks and other outings. Everyone is there to learn and enjoy nature. You can also contribute by engaging and staying informed on local, state, and national issues. Attend CAS chapter meetings to hear the latest about local and regional conservation issues. Write letters to our local newspapers. Sign up at http://audubonactional.org/florida/join.html to receive Audubon of Florida’s monthly e-mail newsletter the Advocate and learn about statewide environmental issues. Join the National Audubon Action Center at http:// audubonaction.org/audubon/join.html for similar information on a national scope. Whatever your comfort level of participation, we’re glad to have you as a member of CAS!
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 2
V O L U M E X X X V I II , N U M B E R 5
Calendar of Events:
CAS monthly meetings are held the First Thursday of each month August thru May at 6:30 PM at NWFSC Niceville Learning Resources Center (LRC), Room 128. Non members are welcome.
CAS Programs:
August 6: “Bottlenose Dolphin ecology, strandings, and rescue response in the Choctawhatchee Bay estuary.” Steve Shippee, PhD Candidate, University of Central Florida, will present his research into dolphin ecology and
habitat use in the Choctawhatchee Bay area and discuss the problem of dolphin interactions with recreational fishing.
September 3: “Hope Takes Wing.” Gerald Murphy will present a video on the migration of whooping cranes to Florida. Gerald is a volunteer with Operation Migration, the project to develop migratory flight behavior in support of the Whooping Crane Recovery Program.
October 1: “Gambia and Senegal: The Ladies Were Beautiful And The Birds Were Colorful. Or Was It The Other
Way Around?” Ecologist and world traveler John Winn will transport us to these West Africa countries via his photographs of their birds, wildlife, people, and flowers. He will also show his video “Zaire: In The Midst Of Gorillas -- Who Was Visiting Who?”
“The November 5: “The Beulah Laidlaw Nature Preserve, an Audubon asset in the Panhandle.” Neil Lamb of
Bay County Audubon Society will tell us about the fauna and flora of an Audubon of Florida preserve in Washington County and the process of working with AoF to help manage it. Learn about the Preserve tonight, and then join the field trip to the Preserve on Saturday, November 7.
Outings:
August 8. Bird walk at Fort Walton Beach spray fields. Meet at Coach-N- Four restaurant, 7:30 AM. Don Ware 862-6582. Coach862Eventures September 4. Eventures with Nonie’s Ark meet at 6:30 pm in Destin . RSVP to [email protected] for details. September 19. North American Fall Migration Count. Don Ware 862-6582. Eventures October 2. Eventures with Nonie’s Ark meet at 6pm in Mary Esther. RSVP to [email protected] for details. October 3. Bird walk in Fort Walton Beach area city parks. Meet at Uptown Station parking lot, 7:30 AM. Lenny Fenimore
863-2039.
October 15. Field trip to observe fall bird banding, Fort Morgan, AL. Check with Don Ware 862-6582 about time and AL
carpooling.
16Festival. October 16-18. South Walton Back to Nature Festival CAS will offer a bird walk. Date and place TBD. Check for future
details with Carole Goodyear 897-2666.
October 31. Nature photography walk. Place and time TBD. Linda Holloway 376-0327, Trish Reynolds 689-4359. Eventures November 6. Eventures with Nonie’s Ark meet at 5pm in Pine Log Forest; RSVP to [email protected] 6November 6-8. Camp Out at Pine Log Forest in Ebro area on the way to Laidlaw Preserve. Contact Nonie 862-9588. November 7. Field trip to Laidlaw Preserve, Washington County. Check with Carole Goodyear 897-2666 about time and
carpooling.
November 14. Field trip to Fort Pickens. Check with Lenny Fenimore 863-2039 about time and carpooling.
Other:
23October 23-24. Audubon Assembly. Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, St. Petersburg, FL.
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 3
V O L U M E X X X V I II , N U M B E R 5
NEW GREENER SHORELINES SCHEDULE
Take a close look at the dateline on this issue of Shorelines and notice that it covers the 3 months of August, September, and October. The costs of printing and mailing a monthly newsletter have consumed up to 50% of chapter operating funds each year, so your Board of Directors has decided to try a quarterly schedule. The 4 issues will be 1) August/September/October, 2) November/December/January, 3) February/March/April, and 4) May/June/July. Thank you to those CAS members who have already signed up to receive Shorelines by e-mail and have helped us reduce paper use and save funds. We ask the rest of our members to please submit your e-mail addresses to receive the newsletter electronically. Those on the e-mail distribution list will also receive the monthly announcements of meetings and outings.
Conservation Corner
Gary Parsons, Conservation Chair You should be aware of Audubon conservation activities going on at the regional level. The NW region consists of the Pensacola (F M Weston), Choctawhatchee, Bay and Apalachee Audubon chapters. I provide a quarterly report on our chapter conservation activities that is compiled and edited by our regional representative, Neil Lamb. Neil selects a few topics for presentation to the Audubon of Florida (AOF) Board. Last month regional representatives met in Defuniak Springs. Neil reported that our effort in support of the peregrine falcon delisting was selected by the Board and forwarded to Audubon National and that our Okaloosa County birding brochure was applauded by the Board as a great example of working with a local agency to get funding. The Okaloosa County TDC provided partial funding for the brochure. By the way, the birding brochure can be accessed at our website and you can print a copy. Neil reminded the attendees that a call for collaborative grants from Audubon will be announced in August so if you have an idea for a project in the $1000 range, let me know. Eric Draper, AOF deputy director, also attended the meeting and expressed his concerns that the state politicians are being heavily lobbied by the oil companies to open state waters for oil and gas leases. State waters extend 12 miles into the gulf and that is certainly close enough that a spill, especially one induced by a storm, could quickly contaminate the beaches before containment could be completed. This could well become an issue with the 2010 legislative session. The AOF focus in 2010 will be on Coastal Conservation, Climate Change and the Everglades. The Northwest Regional Conservation Committee voted on and approved a resolution to place high priority on our gulf beaches and advocate clean energy and opposition to oil well drilling in State waters. The resolution will be presented at the Audubon Assembly in October. The Committee congratulated Eric on his decision to run for Office of Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.
The Fall North American Migration Count
will be all day on Saturday, 19 September. CAS will need to recruit qualified leaders for the eight areas of Okaloosa County and seven areas of Walton County. To be most effective each leader should have a recorder and two spotters. Anyone interested in participating in the field, or just reporting the birds in your yard, especially migrants, please call 862-6582 or e-mail [email protected]/donware.
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 4
V O L U M E X X X V I II , N U M B E R 5
SNACK ALERT!
The refreshment stand at our chapter meetings will now be stocked by members who volunteer to bring goodies for a selected month. Please sign up at meetings to bring snacks of your choice to a meeting of your choice. You might want to volunteer with a partner, and one person can bring food, the other can bring beverages. The snacks should not be fancy or costly. Please note that all food and beverages must be commercially prepared and packaged. NWFSC rules prohibit us from serving homemade food at the college. Thanks to Sylvia Cowen, Tom and Alice Rhodes, and Gary and Kay Parsons, who have already volunteered for August, September, and November respectively. Who wants October? …….AND WE WANT TO GO GREENER. Many of us have been distressed by the amount of trash CAS has generated by using throwaway cups and plates at each meeting. So let’s reduce our discards! Put a cup hook next to your car keys or keep a cup in your car, because we want you to bring your own reusable mug or glass to meetings. If you must use a disposable cup, there will be a $1 “earth fee.” If you also bring your own reusable plate and utensils, better yet! The August meeting will be a trial with no fee, and also a time to voice your opinion on the idea.
New Bird for Walton County!
Photo by: Geri Bucheit On May 22, Geri Bucheit saw 5 black-bellied whistling ducks at a pond at Camp Creek Golf Club in southeast Walton County. This appears to be the first record of this species in Walton County. Way to go, Geri!
Coming to PBS September 27, 2009
“The National Parks: America's Best Idea” is a six-episode documentary directed by Ken Burns. Filmed over more than 6 years at some of nature's most spectacular locales, the series traces the birth of the U.S. national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years. It uses archival photographs, first-person accounts of historical characters, personal memories and analysis from more than 40 interviews, and stunning cinematography to chronicle the additions of new parks through the stories of the people who helped create them and save them from destruction. It is simultaneously a biography of compelling characters from every conceivable background and a biography of the American landscape. There will be an extensive educational component and an interactive website that provides information about the film, the parks, and related issues. Go to http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/.
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 5
V O L U M E X X X V I II , N U M B E R 5
National Wildlife Federation’s Great Backyard camp out fun!
By: michelle , 11 years old, from Destin.
It was my first time going camping. It was at Nonie's great backyard. First me and the other kids jumped on the trampoline. When the food was done cooking we came in and had hot dogs and hot dogs. After we went back to the trampoline. Then it got dark out! There's a creek in Nonie's backyard and we got to swim in it! But it was FREEZING! We came back to Nonie's house and rinsed off so we could jump into the hot tub. After that we all roasted marsh mellows and went to bed. What I learned was exotic animals like marsh mellows... A LOT !!! It was really fun and I made new friends too!
Our chapter activities for August, September, and October will cover a wide range of interesting wildlife topics.
Our new program season begins in August with Steve Shippee, who will discuss his research on dolphin ecology and habitat use in the Choctawhatchee Bay area, a component of his doctoral studies through the University of Central Florida. Steve will discuss the local Marine Mammal Stranding & Rescue Program, in which he serves as team coordinator with the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge and responds to dead and live strandings from Santa Rosa Beach to the Alabama state line. In addition, he will address dolphin interactions with recreational fishing, a subject that has received recent press coverage. In September, the video Hope Takes Wing will teach us about the work of Operation Migration to develop migratory flight behavior in whooping cranes and establish crane populations in Florida. This is especially relevant because a population is being established at NW Florida’s St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Leading the program will be Gerald Murphy, a volunteer with Operation Migration, who has done almost every kind of task, including bird handler (yes, in the crane costume!) and flying in the cover plane above the cranes and ultra lights guiding them. Learn more prior to the meeting by visiting http://operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html. In October, John Winn of Mobile, AL, will present a travelogue on the West African countries of Gambia and Senegal. Check the program’s subtitle in the calendar. How can anyone resist that? We will also be treated to a short-subject video on gorillas in Zaire. John is an ecologist, retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers. He and his wife Beverly (prior to her death earlier this year) visited 160 countries. Over a 30-year span they saw about 5500 species of birds and developed slide shows on 40 of their journeys.
Interim Southeast Regional Election
A special election was held this past spring to fill the vacated position of Southeast Regional Director on the National Audubon Society Board of Directors. Three candidates were nominated, two from Florida and one from Alabama. Because this election was on a tight timeframe so the chosen candidate could attend the May 2009 National Board meeting, chapter directors were allowed to vote on behalf of members. Your CAS Board voted for S. Joyce King of Melrose, FL, who won the election. She will serve on the NAS Board of Directors until the next annual member meeting when her name will be placed on the ballot for election by the full membership. Election results are posted at http://www.audubon.org/local/elections/index.html.
CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Membership
Name:_____________________________________ Address:_________________________________________ City:____________________________________________________ State:______ Zip:____________________ Phone: ___________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________________
□Introductory New Member- $20.00 □Individual Member Renewal- $35.00 □Introductory Student/Senior- $15.00 □Renewal Student/Senior-$15.00
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When you join you will be part of national, state, and local Audubon groups and will receive... Audubon magazine Florida Naturalist Magazine Our local Shorelines newsletter Inclusion in Audubon of Florida's advocacy network Discounts at Audubon Sanctuaries and Nature Centers Opportunities for Audubon Ecology Camps and specially priced travel adventures
Chapter Representatives
President: Carole Goodyear
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[email protected]…. 897-2666
To join, mail this form and a check, payable to National Audubon Society, to;
NAS Membership Data Center, P.O. Box 51005, Boulder, CO 80323-1005.
Gary Parsons Vice President: [email protected] ……….678-1461 Karen Newhouse Treasurer:
[email protected]….897.3745 Pat Baker Recording Secretary: [email protected] .…………...678.2953 Corresponding. Sec: Linda Holloway [email protected] ……850-376-0327 Bird Count Coordinator: Donald M. Ware……………....862.6582 [email protected] Conservation:
CAS ONLY memberships are available and include SHORELINES NEWSLETTER ONLY.
To join CAS ONLY mail this form and a check payable to CAS to; P.O. Box 1014 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549.
□New Member Newsletter Only- $10.00 □Renewal Member Newsletter Only- $10.00 FL Dept of Agriculture REG # CH4619 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.
Chapter Code: C9ZE110Z
Gary Parsons
[email protected] ……….678-1461 Nonie Maines Education: [email protected]……...862.9588 Field trips Coord : Position available Hospitality: Position available Trish Reynolds Membership: [email protected] Nonie Maines Publicity: [email protected]……...862.9588 Programs: Position available Theresa Dennis Shorelines Editor: [email protected]……………. Pat Baker Historian: [email protected] .…………...678.2953
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A great big THANK YOU to all CAS sponsors ! Donations are welcome, and all contributions are tax-deductible. Feel free to specify a particular fund/event that you’d wish to sponsor.
P.O. Box 1014 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549
Contact Theresa Dennis If you would like to receive Shorelines in color with links via e-mail.
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Fort Walton Beach, FL Permit No. 110
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