June 2003 OASis Newsletter Orange Audubon Society

8/9/2019 June 2003 OASis Newsletter Orange Audubon Society

1/4

The voice of Conservation in Central Florida

OASisOrange Audubon Society

A Chapter of National Audubon Society and Audubon of Florida

This Month's PrThis Month's PrThis Month's PrThis Month's PrThis Month's Program: June 19, 2003 - 6:30pmogram: June 19, 2003 - 6:30pmogram: June 19, 2003 - 6:30pmogram: June 19, 2003 - 6:30pmogram: June 19, 2003 - 6:30pm

OAS Annual Potluck and CherOAS Annual Potluck and CherOAS Annual Potluck and CherOAS Annual Potluck and CherOAS Annual Potluck and Chertok Naturtok Naturtok Naturtok Naturtok Nature Photographye Photographye Photographye Photographye Photography

ContestContestContestContestContestJune is our month to have special fun at our meeting. Orange Audubon Society isproviding ham and turkey, so please bring something of your choice (salad, side dish,

dessert, drinks) and join us for dinner at 6:30 p.m. Please also remember to bringyour own plates, glasses, flatware, and serving utensil!! The dinner will be followedwith the showing of the Chertok Nature Photography Contest entries and awardspresentation.

Throughout the evening, you are encouraged to make bids on the silent auctionitems (make it, bake it, grow it, or the items contributed to benefit the Chertok en-dowment) and this will be your last chance until next fall to visit OAS gift shop thatincludes t-shirts, tote bags, signs, etc. Any of these items might be just the thing youneed for a summer birthday, anniversary or other special event. You wont want tomiss this fun evening, so grab your plate and checkbook (or cash), bring that specialfood item, and join us for a great time! We look forward to seeing you.

Orange Audubon Society meetings are heldthe 3rdThursday of every month at 7:00pmin the Camellia Room at

Harry P. Leu Gardens1920 North Forest AvenueOrlando, FL 32803-1537

For directions, call 407-246-2620

VOLUME 38VOLUME 38VOLUME 38VOLUME 38VOLUME 38 JUNE 2003JUNE 2003JUNE 2003JUNE 2003JUNE 2003 NUMBER 10NUMBER 10NUMBER 10NUMBER 10NUMBER 10

In this Issue...In this Issue...In this Issue...In this Issue...In this Issue...

This Months Program ...............................p1

Field Trips .................................................p1

Presidents Message ...................................p2

Conservation News ...................................p2

Silent Auctions ..........................................p3

Summer Board Meeting .............................p3

Lake Co. Land Acquisition ........................p3

Birdathon Results ......................................p3

Winged Migration .....................................p4

Calendar of Events ....................................p4

May Field TMay Field TMay Field TMay Field TMay Field Trip Reporrip Reporrip Reporrip Reporrip Reporttttt DICK SMITH, FIELD TRIP CHAIRThe weather was fantastic in Viera! Althoughthe temperature was a little on the hot side,we didnt even notice it because of the con-stant light breeze that was blowing all morn-ing. And once again, the birds were very co-operative, allowing us to study them throughthe spotting scopes. This is especially impor-tant with some of the Shorebirds because ofthe similarities of species. Some of the spe-cies seen: Semipalmated Plover, Black-necked Stilt, Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted,

Semipalmated, Western, Least and Whiterumped Sandpiper, Long-billed DowitcherBonapartes Gull, Gull-billed, Foresters, Leasand Black Terns.

All together, we had 55 species for theday with the Black-bellied Whistling Duckputting on the best show and winning theBird of the Day award. All in all, it was agreat day to be in the great outdoors withgood birding friends.

Make it! Bake it! GrMake it! Bake it! GrMake it! Bake it! GrMake it! Bake it! GrMake it! Bake it! Grow it!ow it!ow it!ow it!ow it!What can you make, bake, or grow to bring to the silent auction fundraiser for OrangeAudubon Society (OAS)? Each of you has something that you do especially well. Nows thechance to do that to benefit Orange Audubon. Simply bring your item to the June 19thmeeting. We will have bid sheets available for your item you may suggest a minimumbid or not and whoever bids the highest for your contribution, pays that amount toOrange Audubon, and takes the item home. That could even be you if you dont want topart with it!! So, bring your checkbook (or cash) and/or your special item to the meetinand help OAS. See you there!

WWWWWanted! Pranted! Pranted! Pranted! Pranted! Programogramogramogramogram

Suggestions for 2003-2004Suggestions for 2003-2004Suggestions for 2003-2004Suggestions for 2003-2004Suggestions for 2003-2004Is there a particular topic of interest thatyoud like to see presented as one of ourmonthly programs? Or was there a pastspeaker whom youd enjoy hearing again?If so, were interested in hearing from you!Suggestions for next year's programs are be-ing taken for the upcoming 2003-2004 year.Focus on local natural history and conser-vation. Email to Deborah Green, VP for Pro-grams at [email protected] or call 407/869-7762. Program will be set in July.


2/4

PrPrPrPrPresidentesidentesidentesidentesidents Messages Messages Messages Messages Message LORETTA SATTERTHWAITE, PRESIDENT

ConserConserConserConserConservation Newsvation Newsvation Newsvation Newsvation News PEGGY COX, CHAIR

The Orange Audubon Society (OAS) promotes the under-

standing of and an interest in wildlife and the environment,recognition of the intangible values in the remaining natu-

ral beauty of Florida and the World, and the responsibility

for the conservation of these remaining resources.Orange Audubon Society

P.O. Box 941142

Maitland, FL 32794-1142

President.................Loretta Satterthwaite ([email protected])407-886-2925

Address Change......................Mike Daley ([email protected])

386-668-5021

Editor.................................Claire Hilliker ([email protected])

407-677-5374

The OASis is published monthly from September through

June and is sent free to all members of Orange AudubonSociety.

http://www.orangeaudubonfl.org

2

We have a Northern Cardinal nesting rightoutside our window. Baby Eastern ScreechOwls were banded recently when found in abirdbox at the Audubon sanctuary at Holi-day Highlands. While photographing mon-arch caterpillars the other evening, we lookedup and saw a Swallow-tailed Kite flying over-head. There is so much wildlife activity atthis time of year, you really must take time

to enjoy it!Well, another program year is coming

to a close. Each month, you have had theopportunity to attend an excellent programand an exciting field trip and you have beenkept informed of current happenings re-garding Orange Audubon Societys conser-vation, education and fund raising efforts

through the monthly newsletter, the OASis.The behind-the-scenes efforts to make allof this happen have been tremendous andmy special thanks to all the board members.The unflagging efforts of these twenty people,along with about that same number of non-board members who also gave willingly oftheir time and expertise, have helped OAShave another successful year.

Things arent over, however. Althoughthere will be no program, field trip or OASisfor July and August, there will continue tobe conservation and education opportuni-ties for OAS to take advantage of. With thatin mind, if you have any suggestions, com-ments or time to volunteer regarding on-going conservation problems, dont hesitate

to contact me (407/886-2925 or [email protected]) or Peggy Cox (352/429-1042)we welcome, and need, your help.

And, of course, all of the planning efforts to bring you more exciting programsand field trips for next year will need to bedone by the end of August. Again, if youhave suggestions or comments (or time) regarding these efforts, please feel free to contact me and I will see that Deborah Green

(programs) or Dick Smith (field trips) oranother appropriate board member is awareof your contribution.

Thanks again for all your efforts to makeCentral Florida a better place to live. Enjoyyour summer by visiting some of Floridasbeautiful natural areas. We look forward toseeing you in September.

As I write this article for the OASIS, the Leg-islature is in special session to try and com-

plete a budget for the next year, and finishthe work on several important pieces of leg-islation. One of those is a "glitch" bill to cor-rect ambiguities in SB 626 - the bad Ever-glades bill. Gov. Bush signed 626 into lawand then asked for clarifying legislation forit--seems like if it needed clarifying, maybeit wasn't needed at all. Despite heavy lobby-ing for Gov. Bush to veto the bill, it wassigned into law. Audubon opposed this billand lobbied extensively to defeat it. Some ofthe main points that Audubon consideredwere most troublesome were:

The bill allows the proposed 10parts per billion phosphorous discharge cri-teria to be ignored; It substitutes a planningprocess for an enforceable water quality stan-

dard; It makes the permit for water qualitystandards conditional on effort, not the out-

comes; prevents expansion and enhance-ment of phosphorous cleanup technologies;and extends the time period for compliancefrom 2006 to 2016.

The bill to block restoration of theOcklawaha River and establish theKirkpatrick State Reserve passed and is await-ing action by the Governor at this time. Wehave urged the Governor to veto this ill-con-ceived bill, aimed solely at stopping the res-toration, and to continue his support of res-toration of the river. By the time you read,the time period for signing or vetoing this

bill will have gone, and hopefully we will belooking forward to beginning restoration.

Orange County voted to put the Mobil-ity 20/20 sales tax referendum on the ballotthis autumn for 1/2 penny tax for transpor-tation improvements in Orange county. OAShad previously supported most of the rec-ommendations from the select Transporta-tion Commission, appointed by ChairmanCrotty. The actual proposed sales tax refer-endum and interlocal agreement with theCity of Orlando to be voted on was consid-

erably different from the Commission rec-ommendations on one of the most impor-tant components, mass transit. Transit wasdiminished in importance in the final pro-posal. No specific systems or previously stud-ied rail systems and alignments were named.What was specified was the formation of aTransit Board of 3 officials; The CountyChair, Mayor of Orlando, and district Secre-tary of DOT to create, design, and imple-ment mass transit systems with approval of

the Mobility 20/20 governing Board( thawould be 9 elected officials in the county andcity), if this referendum passes.

OAS had strongly supported the implementation through this tax of light rail andcommuter rail for the County. Proposed environmental land acquisition from mitigationdollars generated by the road constructionwas presented by the County as a environmentally sensitive lands program. The proposed lands plan had no structure or dedicated funding arrangement (without obtaining legislative authority to do so). So basedon these new issues, OAS decided to nomake any recommendations for or againsMobility 2020. Most other environmental or

ganizations did not officially support the final proposed referendum, with some givinconditional support with concerns on transit and land acquisition.

In Lake County, we continue to supporthose opposing a Comp Plan amendmenthat would allow the transfer of developmendensities from high density land use categories into low density categories to facilitatsubdivision construction in a more sprawling manner. While this proposal would nogenerate any higher density levels overall, idoes target getting higher building densitieon land designated as rural or inside thGreen Swamp Area of Critical State Concernin the transitional area. Both land use categories are currently very, low density - at dwelling unit per 5 acres. The proposedamendment could effectively allow doublinof density in current less intensive land uscategories. A meeting with the interested parties and the Department of Community Affairs was held ConConConConCont. p3t. p3t. p3t. p3t. p3


3/4

3

Summer BoarSummer BoarSummer BoarSummer BoarSummer Board of Dird of Dird of Dird of Dird of Directorsectorsectorsectorsectors

MeetingMeetingMeetingMeetingMeetingSunday, July 13th will be the day for the sum-mer board meeting. All 20032004 boardmembers are expected to attend. Addition-ally, any member of Orange Audubon Soci-ety is welcome. Please plan on a full-daymeeting (9:30 A.M. 3:30 P.M.). We have acouple of possibilities for a meeting place,but have not yet made a decision; it may well

hinge upon how many people plan to attend.If you are thinking of attending, but arenton the 200304 board, please contactLoretta (407/886-2925; [email protected])by June 21st so plans can be finalized. Boardmembers, and all others who contact me, willbe notified of the location as soon as pos-sible.

Please remember that, as of press time,we still have a seat available on the Board ofDirectors. No experience is necessary; if youor someone you know has an interest in vol-unteering, please contact me for details.

Thanks.Loretta Satterthwaite, President

on May 23rd and the outcome was a delayof hearing of the proposal by the CountyCommission and another meeting of inter-ested parties scheduled by DCA.

Thank you to everyone who has writ-

ten, phoned, emailed their legislators andother elected officials to try and stop moreenvironmental damage being made lawfulduring this past year. Every contact is im-portant, because our elected officials at ev-ery level don't know we have concerns un-less they hear from us. They do hear fromvested interest lobbyists on a daily basis, soevery call or letter you sent made a differ-ence. Thanks again.Peggy Cox, Conservation Chair

TTTTTwo Silent Auctions One Fun Eveningwo Silent Auctions One Fun Eveningwo Silent Auctions One Fun Eveningwo Silent Auctions One Fun Eveningwo Silent Auctions One Fun EveningThe Make It, Bake It, Grow It! silent auction items will be complemented by other itemsdonated by sponsors from the community to benefit the Chertok Nature PhotographyContest (CNPC) Endowment Fund. At this writing, weve already received framed art-work, admission passes, books, collectable items, butterfly-theme merchandise, and pho-tographic prints from these sponsors:

Atlas Screen Printing & Wild Cotton DesignThe Enzian Theatre & Florida Film FestGatorland, The Alligator Capital of the WorldDeborah Green Natural History Author

Milton Heiberg Wildlife Photographer, AuthorStephen Koury - Wildlife ArtistScheids Park Avenue GalleryJames Urbach Wildlife Photographer (Past CNPC Winner)Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

More items are expected to arrive before the June 19th potluck dinner. If you have anitem(s) you wish to donate for either auction, you can let us know before the 19th and bidsheets can be prepared in advance or just bring your item and well have plenty of sparebid sheets at the dinner. Contact Teresa by email (preferred) [email protected], ortelephone 407-644-0796, providing this information: your name, item(s) description, re-tail or appraised value, starting bid (if desired), and fund you wish to benefit from proceeds(CNPC or general operating fund). Let her know if you require acknowledgment for taxpurposes as well.

Dont miss OAS season finale, promising scrumptious food, a great slide show, cama-raderie with Audubon friends, and perhaps a bit of friendly competition at the auctiontables! See you there.

ConserConserConserConserConservation...vation...vation...vation...vation...

Lake County Commissioners vote for Land AcquisitionLake County Commissioners vote for Land AcquisitionLake County Commissioners vote for Land AcquisitionLake County Commissioners vote for Land AcquisitionLake County Commissioners vote for Land AcquisitionThe Lake County commissioners have lately done some very good things. Led by CatherinHansons desire for smart growth, the commissioners have unanimously voted on severaoccasions to move toward a land acquisition program for this county.

A year ago this May, the commissions unanimously decided to form a 27-membecommittee to study land acquisition. This committee was made up of members of thcommunity with a wide range of interests and talents. Many members put in long hourdoing outside research, many speakers presented information, and county staff gave the

committee great support. It was an inspiring effort and the final report was well receivedThe commissioners then voted unanimously to accept the recommendations made by

the committee. These recommendations were broad and ambitious. They include creatinga land acquisition program to buy and preserve natural communities, historical sites, upland/water recharge areas, and passive recreational areas, with voter support by referendumand funding from ad valorem taxes. They also include creating a 9-member citizens advisory council to direct the program and a land trust to facilitate acquisition transactions.

Most recently, the commission unanimously decided to implement the committeerecommendations by enlisting the services of The Nature Conservancy and the Trust foPublic Land to poll the citizens of Lake County in preparation for a referendum on landacquisition.

This is the most exciting decision to date. These two organizations specialize in landacquisition. They have worked nationally and internationally to purchase and preserve

natural areas, open space, community trails, and wildlife habitat, and to encourage locamunicipalities to do so. In Florida, they have had excellent results with land acquisitionreferenda in literally dozens of counties.

Twenty-six Florida counties now have land acquisition programs, the majority of whichare established by referenda and funded with ad valorem taxes. These programs are popular with voters, and many have been approved by referendum multiple times. These counties are preserving open space a green infrastructure for future generations to enjoyThis is our opportunity to do that here.

Ultimately, voters will determine the fate of land acquisition in Lake County, but in themeantime, our commissioners are doing their part. I congratulate them and thank them.Terry Godts

BirBirBirBirBirdathon! 2003 Updatedathon! 2003 Updatedathon! 2003 Updatedathon! 2003 Updatedathon! 2003 UpdateOur Birdathon pledging has been great thisyear, with almost $2,000 collected. Thankyou to everyone who contributed their time,effort, and monetary pledge to make this oneof our most successful Birdathons yet. If youhave not made your contribution yet, pleasesend a check payable to Orange Audubon

Society to Sue Farnsworth, 419 ElkwoodCourt, Orlando, FL, 32825. We must getour account in order to report our results toNational Audubon. Remember, contribu-tions could be tax-deductible and go to sup-port our local programs. Thanks again to allour participants.


4/4

OrangeAudubonSocietyP.O.Box941142Maitland,FL32794-1142

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATIONU.S.POSTAGEPAID

Orlando,FL

PERMITNO.790

Calendar of EventsCalendar of EventsCalendar of EventsCalendar of EventsCalendar of Events June 1, 2003 - Satur June 1, 2003 - Satur June 1, 2003 - Satur June 1, 2003 - Satur June 1, 2003 - SaturdaydaydaydaydayLANSRA Bird Survey; 7:30am-Noon.Pam Bowen [email protected]

June 19, 2003 - Thursday June 19, 2003 - Thursday June 19, 2003 - Thursday June 19, 2003 - Thursday June 19, 2003 - ThursdayOAS Annual Potluck and Chertok Nature Pho-tography Contest, 6:30pm, Leu Gardens.OAS Board Meeting to take place prior to theGeneral Meeting at 5:30pm. All welcome.Loretta Satterthwaite 407-886-2925

July 4, 2003 - Friday July 4, 2003 - Friday July 4, 2003 - Friday July 4, 2003 - Friday July 4, 2003 - FridayShowing of Winged Migration, time TBDEnzian Theater 407-629-0054www.enzian.org

July 5, 2003 - Satur July 5, 2003 - Satur July 5, 2003 - Satur July 5, 2003 - Satur July 5, 2003 - SaturdaydaydaydaydayLANSRA Bird Survey; 7:30am-Noon.Pam Bowen [email protected]

OAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENTLoretta Satterthwaite ............... ............. 407-886-2925

VICE PRESIDENTLeesa Sward ................ ................ ........ 407-677-5374

VICE PRESIDENT (PROGRAMS)Deborah Green .............. ................. ..... 407-869-7762

SECRETARYTerry Godts ................. ................. ........ 321-436-4932

TREASURERTeresa Williams ................. ................. 407-644-0796

BOARD MEMBERSAlex Alexander Susan Clary Peggy Cox Susan

Farnsworth Louise Friderici Marjorie Haverland-Holt Milton Heiberg Claire Hilliker Susan Moss MonaPhipps Arthur Ranson Ayme Smith Dick Smith BobStamps Pete Vogt

OAS COMMITTEES/CHAIRS

BIRDATHON ............... ................. .... Susan Farnsworth

CHERTOK NPC .................................. Teresa Williams

CONSERVATION ........................................ Peggy Cox

EDUCATION ........................................ Deborah Green& Mona Phipps

FIELD TRIPS ...............................................Dick Smith

FINANCE ............................................... Milton Heiberg

HOSPITALITY ................. ............. Tom & Ruth Williams

MEMBERSHIP ................ ................. ........ Claire Hilliker

NEWSLETTER ........................................ Claire Hilliker

DonDonDonDonDont Miss Wt Miss Wt Miss Wt Miss Wt Miss Winged Migration at theinged Migration at theinged Migration at theinged Migration at theinged Migration at the

Enzian Theater this July!Enzian Theater this July!Enzian Theater this July!Enzian Theater this July!Enzian Theater this July!Using groundbreaking camera techniques, Jacques Perrin gorgeously documents the flight patterns of several species of birdswithin both urban and exotic locales such as Paris, New York City, the Arctic, and the Amazon. During the making of the film,Perrin's crew was able to capture the lives of the featured birds from birth, granting them a privileged opportunity to beauti-fully capture images of the birds' migration patterns without any obstruction. Four years and 400 hours of footage later, thebreathtaking WINGED MIGRATION reveals a portrait of the world from an angle seldom experienced. Nature lovers and film

fans of all ages should rejoice. This incredible film is tentatively scheduled for July 4th, 2003 at the Enzian Theater. For moreinformation, you may call the theaters Showtime Hotline at 407-629-0054, or visit their website at www.enzian.org.

July 13, 2003 - Sunday July 13, 2003 - Sunday July 13, 2003 - Sunday July 13, 2003 - Sunday July 13, 2003 - SundayBoard of Directors Summer Meeting,9:30-3:30pm, location TBD. All welcome.Loretta Satterthwaite 407-886-2925

August 2, 2003 - Satur August 2, 2003 - Satur August 2, 2003 - Satur August 2, 2003 - Satur August 2, 2003 - SaturdaydaydaydaydayLANSRA Bird Survey; 7:30am-Noon.Pam Bowen [email protected]

September 6, 2003 - SaturSeptember 6, 2003 - SaturSeptember 6, 2003 - SaturSeptember 6, 2003 - SaturSeptember 6, 2003 - Saturdaydaydaydayday

LANSRA Bird Survey; 7:30am-Noon.Pam Bowen [email protected]

September 18, 2003 - ThursdaySeptember 18, 2003 - ThursdaySeptember 18, 2003 - ThursdaySeptember 18, 2003 - ThursdaySeptember 18, 2003 - ThursdayGeneral Meeting, 7:00pm, Leu Gardens.OAS Board Meeting to take place prior to theGeneral Meeting at 5:30pm. All welcome.Loretta Satterthwaite 407-886-2925

June 2003 OASis Newsletter Orange Audubon Society

Documents

Transcript of June 2003 OASis Newsletter Orange Audubon Society