Do we really care about watersheds?

Um, yes. In a very big way. And the Science & Environmental Council of Sarasota County has planned some super fun and educational activities to help you see why.

In a nutshell, a watershed is the land area from which surface runoff drains into a stream, river, lake, reservoir, bay, or other body of water. The health of Sarasota’s watersheds determines the quality of Sarasota’s water bodies, large and small. This in turn, affects the quality of life for residents and visitors. (That's you, my friend.)

And it's easy to take simple steps to make a difference when it comes to protecting the County’s watersheds.  October 12th through 18th is “Watershed Awareness Week.” To celebrate, watershed-related educational events and programs for the whole family are scheduled throughout the week by member organizations of the Science and Environment Council of Sarasota County. Check them out:

• Thursday, October 8 at 10:00 a.m. Sarasota Conservation Foundation – "Tropical Natives for Coastal Living"  with Laurel Schiller, co-owner of Florida Native Plants, Inc.. Free. Bay Preserve at Osprey, 400 Palmetto Ave. For reservations, call Robin at 941-918-2100.
  
  
• Saturday, October 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Historic Spanish Point – "Family Water Day."  Enjoy catch-and-release fishing on Little Sarasota Bay. Standard admission rates apply. To learn more, visit www.historicspanishpoint.org/Family_Water_Day.htm
  
  
• Monday, October 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.   Sarasota County Government – "What Is Wild: Myakka the Wild and Scenic River" Take a guided nature walk along the Myakka and learn about this “wild and scenic river.” Meet at Sleeping Turtles Preserve. Free. Call 941-861-5000 for reservations.
  
  
• Monday, October 12 at 4:30 p.m. New College – "Trees at Work" Find out how trees capture rainfall and reduce, mitigate, and prevent stormwater runoff to Sarasota Bay. Meet at the intersection of College Drive and Dort Promenade on the bayfront campus of New College. Free to the public. No reservations required.
  
  
• Tuesday, October 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Mote Marine – Kayaking 101  Learn the basics of kayaking while you enjoy beautiful Sarasota Bay. $20/person. For reservations, call Miranda Wrobel 941-388-4441 ext. 264.
  
  
• Tuesday, October 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Sarasota County Government – Walk the Hammock Trail  Learn about the native plants and wildlife in the hammock. Rothenbach Park, 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Free. Call 941-861-5000 for reservations.
  
  
• Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. New College – Bay Neighbors  Discover easy landscaping techniques that protect our watershed and reduce bay damage from stormwater runoff. Meet at the north end of Sun Circle Park. The bayfront park is located at the intersection of Sun Circle and Sapphire in the Indian Beach Sapphire Shores Neighborhood. $10.00/person. To register, call 941-361-6590 or go to http://www.ace-sarasota.com/
  
  
• Wednesday, October 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Historic Spanish Point – Sunset Stroll   Light refreshments will be served. Ticket prices TBA. No reservations required. For more information, call 941-966-5214 ext. 295 or visit http://www.historicspanishpoint.org/
  
  
• Wednesday, October 14 at 12:00 p.m. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – Green Roofs and Living Walls Speaker Tim Rumage. This free noon-time talk will include a green roof tour. Meet at the Cooley Theater in the Welcome Center at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Call 941-366-5731 ext. 221 for more information.
  
  
• Thursday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. Historic Spanish Point – Native Plants and the Coastal Environment  Join horticulturist, Nancy Paul, as she leads a guided tour through beautiful Historic Spanish Point to discuss the many diverse plants found on-site. Learn to identify native and Florida-friendly plants and their characteristics. $21.00/person. To register, call 941-361-6590 or go to www.ace-sarasota.com

Watershed Awareness Week events are sponsored by SEC and the Manasota Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

It's Not Cool to Feed Sandhill Cranes

To some, it can be hard to resist, but feeding sandhill cranes (and most other forms of wildlife) usually does much more harm than good to the animals you are trying to "help." Sandhill Cranes fed by people can become agressive and cause property damage....and guess what else? It's illegal to feed Sandhill Cranes. 

Our chapter's treasurer was recently inquiring about a banded Florida Sandhill Crane seen in Sarasota. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission had captured it with another crane in Lakeland last spring and translocated them 90 miles to Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area. These birds had been causing property damage and as part of a simple experiment they were moved to see if they would take up residence in the “wilds” of that state land. One bird returned to the capture site and the other (one in Sarasota now) has not.

So just an important FYI: resist the urge. You can do it!

Here's a really cool article from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission that explains a little more about it.

Ocean Researcher Sylvia Earle is Visiting Soon

We're so psyched.  Famous and eloquent ocean researcher Sylvia Earle, Ph.D. is speaking at this year's statewide Audubon Assembly in St. Petersburg later this October. Check out her speech here from TED, and consider the opportunity to meet her up in St. Pete.

How About That Trip to Cedar Key?

It's one of those places so close to home, it remains undiscovered for most of us. But just three hours north of Sarasota, a hidden island gem rests on the Gulf Coast.  Are you ready to explore?  Sarasota Audubon is leading a trip to Cedar Key on October 14-16. Come with fellow birders and nature enthusiasts as we explore the birds and beauty of this historic vishing village in Levy County.

Join a carpool or self-drive for a 2 night stay. We'll embark on a boat trip to search for shore birds and take several other side adventures. It's only $100 for one breakfast, lunch, dinner and a boat ride. Hotel at your own expense. E-mail Karen at karensarasota@yahoo.com for details.

Been to Cedar Key? What are some of the special birds & wildlife you've seen on your trip? Leave a comment.

Rick Greenspun's Great Gray Owl: FINALLY!

WOW WOW WOW!!


Bird Friends, the title tells it all. After many years and many fruitless pursuits. I have finally seen my number one wish list bird, the Great Gray Owl, thanks to a posting I saw on the Idaho birdlist serve on the 17th of August. We drove from Spokane, WA to Donnelly, Idaho so I could try for the owl this evening. When I initially saw it on the post with wings spread and from a distance, I thought it was much too big to be a bird. It was very cooperative and allowed me to snap away from about 60 feet and sporadically dove into the field for mice, not paying the least bit of attention to me. What a magnificent creature. I wish each and every one of you was with me when I saw it (you were in spirit). I damn near cried from the beauty of it.

So what’s next after THAT??? Siberian Bluethroats in Nome, Bristle-thighed Curlew on the Dalton Hwy. or Pechora Pipits in Adak. Who knows….That’s what makes birding so exciting.

One excited birder, Rick Greenspun

(from Rick Greenspun’s summer travelogue)

Too Close for Comfort

Check out this awesome short video, "Too Close for Comfort" about development's impact on birds here in Florida. Produced by Florida Wildlife Conservation Commmission.

A New Season Is Starting

We have so many exciting things planned for you this year at Sarasota Audubon. With regularly scheduled guided walks at Oscar Scherer State Park and the Celery Fields, monthly environmental programs, day trips, festivals and celebrations like our Environmental Heroes night, there's something for everyone. Be sure to check out http://www.sarasotaaudubon.org/ for the full schedule of upcoming events.

Have a little extra time on your hands? We need you. Volunteers with a healthy environment on the brain are needed to lead bird walks, help clean up the road next to the Celery Fields, clear invasive air potatoes at Pinecraft Park and much more.  We depend on you to keep Sarasota a birdy and beautiful community!  E-mail dubi@comcast.net if you'd like to help.