We Support Amendment 4

On Nov. 2 Florida residents can vote for an amendment to the State Constitution that might preserve much of what remains of wild and rural Florida and the birds and other animals that depend on those habitats. Called the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment, it would allow voters to veto any change to county or city comprehensive land use plans. Publicity and debate in many forums is already ramping up, and Sarasota Audubon Society (SAS) members should be informed.

About a hundred environmental and citizens' organizations, including SAS and seven other Florida Audubon societies, Florida Sierra, Florida Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Everglades, Environment Florida, and local or regional organizations such as ECOSWF, CONA, Citizens for Sensible Growth, and Control Growth Now have endorsed and recommended passage of Amendment 4.

What is Amendment 4 about? Each county and municipality in Florida is required to have a long-term growth plan projecting what land will be developed and for what use (commerce, residential, industrial, etc.) and how densely. A State agency (DCA) must approve changes adopted by the county or city commissions, and Amendment 4 would add voter approval as the FINAL step. The amendment would not apply to zoning changes, which would, as now, be subordinate to the comprehensive plan.

Developers should find land in the proper use category under the comprehensive plan, request a zoning change as appropriate, and build accordingly. But some developers, particularly those with a mega project (like the recently-foreclosed over-5,000-acre Isles of Athena project in eastern Sarasota County), find cheaper land that the long-term plan designates at a density only appropriate for agriculture or natural habitat. Then they have the local commission, perhaps elected with their financial support, approve the requested change in the long-term plan, push it through the State agency (some legislators are even trying to eliminate the requirement for State approval), and there goes another mega-development blocking a wildlife corridor.

Polls of voters in many parts of Florida show that most citizens deplore the sprawl and overdevelopment of the State that is destroying much of what brought or kept them here. The theory behind the Hometown Democracy amendment is that allowing voters a veto on such plan changes will discourage developers from even making many such requests, thereby channeling development into urban infill already allowed by the comprehensive plans. If a really good, generally supported change in the long-term plan is proposed, then voters will presumably approve it.

The two main arguments against Amendment 4 are: First, that it would flood the ballot with complicated proposals, and second, that it would discourage job-creating construction. However, the complicating details would obviously be consolidated, as already happens with such measures on the ballot now, with the ballot language concisely referring to the project. Second, with 300,000 homes already vacant in Florida and commercial space rates in free fall, the last thing we need now is low-paying jobs building more dwellings and shopping malls in environmentally sensitive areas. Instead, we should channel jobs into clean energy and high tech manufacturing, and after the present building glut is absorbed, direct new housing and commercial work to urban infill.

-Wade Matthews, Conservation Chair, Sarasota Audubon Society

Become a Chick Checker for Our Critical Beach Monitoring Program

Each year, dedicated volunteers jump through hoops trying to help our beach nesting birds survive. The picture is grim. Last year on Siesta Key beach, 36 eggs hatched from 8 Snowy Plover nests; two chicks survived one night, and the rest did not due to predation from crows, dogs, cats, raccoons, and human disturbance of nest sites.


You may have noticed the buffered zones on Siesta and North and South Lido. This year, we have a new strategy: we are going to have pre-posting parties—everyone invited. This means we will buffer historical nesting sites in order to create a “safe zone” for birds to set up their nests. Come help us or just watch and learn.

When are the parties? On Siesta Key on Friday, March 12 at 10 am at Access 7. On Lido on Friday March, 26, meet at the corner of Ben Franklin and Ringling at 10 am. What will we do? We’ll install stakes every 20 feet or so around a designated site, attach string, colored tape and information signs.

Prior to parties, I will be giving a presentation about our beach nesters at Beach University in the concession area on Siesta Key (public beach) on March 10 at 9 am. All are welcome. In addition, Sarasota Audubon is leading three Chick Check walks on Lido Key: March 20, April 17 and May 21. These walks are designed to look for courtship and nesting activities and to monitor the progress of Snowy Plovers, Least Terns, and Black Skimmers as they go through their breeding cycles. Meeting place is the parking area at the corner of Ben Franklin and Ringling on Lido Key at 8 am.

I hope you can join us to learn about the birds that allow us to share their beaches. For more information, call 355-1709.

Jeanne Dubi, President, Sarasota Audubon Society

Awesome Photos from Sarasota Audubon's Trip to Puerto Rico

Sarasota Audubon Society recently returned from a birding trip to Puerto Rico. The group found 15 of the 17 listed endemic bird species there.

Here's Rick Greenpsun's report and his photography:

Conditions were tough for birding and photography. The vegetation was thick and dark most of the time, and the birds were reluctant to show themselves. We birded the southwestern part of the island were it was lush but drier and then put in two days in the northeast corner near and in El Yunke Rainforest, where it was lush and wet. El Yunke gets about 200 inches a year in rainfall, so most days you can expect to get wet!!

The Puerto Rican Owl was taken at 4 in the morning with a flash and a flashlight.

Puerto Rican Tody:

Bananaquit singing:

If you'd like to come with us on our next trip, be sure to visit our website for more information. We travel locally, from county to county and every now and then, outside of the U.S.