Celebrating
100 Years of Conservation: 1909 – 2009
The mission of St. Petersburg Audubon Society is to promote and provide environmental education and, through responsible activism, protect, restore and preserve natural ecosystems for both people and wildlife.
It’s easy to shrug one’s shoulders and wonder if there’s
really anything you can do to aid wildlife conservation. While only a select
group of people has the training and time necessary to be hands-on in the field
as part of an animal rescue foundation, you can still become an active
participant in the fight for wildlife conservation. There are things—easy
things—you can do right at home to be part of the movement. Plus, there are
animal rescue organizations that Dawn partners with that can also use your
help.
For example, next time you’re at the grocery store, buy a
bottle of Special Edition Dawn then go online to activate
your donation using the bottle donation code
printed on your bottle, and one dollar* will be donated to wildlife
conservation organizations, transforming you into an Everyday Wildlife
Champion.
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary Needs Volunteers and Items for Oil Spill
The
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is asking for the community's help to
prepare for injured birds and coastal cleanup as the disastrous Gulf
oil spill moves towards Florida. The sanctuary is asking for
volunteers and items to be donated.
The Sanctuary staff and
volunteers were a significant workforce in the disastrous Tampa
Bay 1993 oil spill and has experienced avian care staff on standby to
assist Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research.
The sanctuary is a local
drop-off center for the needed donations of linens, kennels, towels,
sheets, dawn detergent, pepto-bismol and toothbrushes. Please bring the
items to the sanctuary at 18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores. Please see seabirdsanctuary.com or call 727-391-6211 for more information.
You don't have to be registered with Facebook, but sign up! You'll be able to post comments on our page, upload your pictures and videos - have more fun - be more involved!
Don't miss out on our upcoming meetings and field trips. Go to the Trips and Events to view this year's schedule. Or click on the Brochure thumbnail to the left to view the brochure. Once opened, you print your own copy.
Please call Judi Hopkins, 727-526-3725, or e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
, for information, directions, reservations, or concerns. For other trips/events, see contact person listed.
2010 Programs
Meetings are held at the Science Center, 7701 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL 727-384-0027
May 3 -BOYD HILL MONTHLY BIRD HIKE, 1101 Country Club Way S., St.. Join Ron Smith for a guided walk at 8 am at the Nature Center.
May 8 - NORTH AMERICAN MIGRATORY BIRD COUNT
(NAMC). All levels of birders needed to count species
throughout Pinellas County. Contact Don Margeson, to
volunteer, 727-527-0227.
May 9 - COFFEEPOT BAYOU BIRD ISLAND BOAT TRIP.
$25. Get a
close look at an island rookery at the height of nesting season. Meet
at the St. Pete Pier by the bait house at 6:30 p.m. Reservations: call
Alice Tenney.
May-July SURVEY OF BEACH/ROOFTOP NESTING.
These field trips are open to anyone interested in birding, wildlife watching, photography and exploring natural areas that remain in Florida. Advance registration is appreciated but not required, except for trips noted. For all birding field trips, unless otherwise stated, bring water, hat, sunscreen, binoculars and dress for the weather.
Birding Field Trip Notes
By Judi Hopkins, Field Trip Coordinator:
The field trips to the Solid Waste Operations Facility in St. Pete were a great success. We had a full van on all 3 trips (35 participants), and compiled a total species count of 80. Thanks many times over to Lee Snyder for leading the birding. The tour of the facility and the short film afterwards was very informative. They are even featuring us in their newsletter.
Thomas Roberts, our driver and facility tour leader said he is looking forward to us returning next year. I am thinking about doing one trip a month in January, February and March, would appreciate your input.
Thanks again for all your support and participation. Hope to see you soon on one of our scheduled trips.
Current Wingspan
Wingspan is St. Petersburg Audubon's monthly newsletter, distributed free to all members.
Click the thumbnail to view the current issue of Wingspan.
You can read past issues of Wingspan from 2007 to 2009 online. Select the Wingspan tab and enjoy reading.
You'll need to have Adobe Reader installed.
SPAS Timeline
St. Petersburg Audubon Society receives “Chapter of the Year Award” at Audubon Assembly. Pictures and details on the website soon. Congratulations to all!
By Saskia Janes, St. Petersburg Audubon Society's Historian
Read about St. Petersburg Audubon's past history.
1900
The first National Audubon Society’s Christmas
Bird Count (CBC) is held on Christmas Day, 1900, when 27 birders noted
all the birds they saw during the day. Those birders covered 25
different areas, mostly in cities in the Northeastern U.S.
Florida Audubon Society (FAS) is formed in Maitland, Florida.
1909
Founding of the St. Petersburg Branch of the Florida
Audubon Society for the Protection of Birds by Katherine Bell Tippetts
(later renamed the St. Petersburg Audubon Society). The first meeting
is held at the Belmont Hotel.
1910
St. Petersburg Audubon Society (SPAS) posts
summaries of state bird laws against killing of songbirds or game birds
out of season.
Tippetts convinces the publisher of The Boys World to remove air-gun ads.
1912
SPAS is involved in an effort to get state laws
to protect American Robins – FAS developed a bill outlawing the killing
or capture of American Robins. SPAS sent the state legislature a
petition that, with signatures, was 70 feet long.
FAS and Tippetts urge passage of a law to establish Florida Fish & Game Commission.
During the first decade, SPAS’ members make annual, end of the year, excursions to “Bird Key” (now known as Indian Key).
St. Petersburg Audubon Society receives “Chapter of the Year Award” at 2009 Audubon Assembly in St. Petersburg in honor of our 100th anniversary.
Thirty SPAS members attended part or all of the Assembly. That’s a record attendance for us. Again,
thank you for your participation. A special thank you goes out to Judi Hopkins for taking on the field trip responsibility.
She organized two trips each morning, found the leaders, signed people up and made sure everyone
arrived where they needed to be. Thanks, Judi! Congratulations to all!
City Park Named in Honor of Audubon Founder - Katherine Bell Tippetts
(July 25, 2009) – Pinellas Point is the very tip of Pinellas County. Surrounded on three sides by warm Gulf waters, it is known as a neighborhood of lofty live oaks, beautiful homes and the famous pink streets. Now, this historic area has a new landmark. A small strip of city-owned, mangrove-edged shoreline has been named for Katherine Bell Tippetts, a former resident and founder of the St Petersburg Audubon Society (SPAS).
Congratulations to our new slate of St. Petersburg Audubon directors elected by our members at the March 17 meeting!
Officers: Mauri Dietrich-President; Maureen Arnold-Vice President; Nancy Ogden-Secretary; Rick Potter-Treasurer
Directors: Harold Albers; Mary Brazier; Wanda Dean; Judi Hopkins; Saskia Janes; Dave Kandz; Mark Mueller and Alice Tenney.
Position on Free-Roaming Domestic and Feral Cats
Background
The domestic cat (Felis catus) is a
beloved house pet with over 77 million pet cats nationwide. Of these, currently about 43 million spend
some time outside. Additionally, there may be 60 to 100 million homeless
stray and feral cats. Domestic cats have become a common feature not only
of our backyards and city streets but also of our parks and other wild lands. Domestic cats are non-native to Florida. Animal behavior experts note that cats will hunt
and kill even if well fed.
We are extremely grateful to TECO Energy and Seminole
Electric Cooperative, Inc., Business Sponsors of our Beach
Nesting Bird program.
Business Sponsorship funds
enable the Beach Nesting Bird program to expand its educational
activities, reprint brochures and provide more on-site
protection for the bird colonies during
nesting season.
Thanks to these businesses for providing generous financial support to the Beach Nesting Bird program!
If you see an injured in the Pinellas County area, contact the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary at 727 391-6211. Call them with bird rescues and other urgent issues. They are located at 18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, FL 33785.
St. Petersburg Audubon :: P.O. Box 49087 St. Petersburg, FL 33743-9087 :: www.stpeteaudubon.org
