President’s Message

By Tom Atkinson, SCAS President

This is the final newsletter of the year and the last chance I have to address you as president. It has been an eventful year and I am deeply grateful to all those people who serve on the board and do the many jobs that make our chapter one of Florida’s most outstanding. We have produced eight editions of our premium newsletter, The Limpkin, thanks to the efforts of Dee Fairbanks, our Vice President. We have enjoyed simply stellar programs this year averaging over sixty people per meeting throughout the year again, coordinated by Dee.

We have attracted state-wide attention for our expansive field trip program this year. We have had more advertised field trips this year than any other chapter on record. Our program has been coordinated by Jason Frederick and his enthusiasm and dedication has set standards that I can only hope will be carried on into the future.

I feel that one of the accomplishments of the last two years has been in our ability and willingness to work with other environmental groups to affect decisions by city and county law makers. We are living in a time of rapid growth and expansion and if no one speaks for the preservation of habitat, we are doomed to see our life style change from one of birds and green space to one of concrete and power poles. A case in point is that the County Commission voted April 13 to give the Sawgrass South eagles a chance to hang out at their prospective nest. This was brought about by many persons concerned about the eagles right to exist.

Speaking of the County Commission, I am happy to report that they adopted a formal resolution on April 13 recognizing Audubon Eagle Watch Volunteers of Brevard County, “for their outstanding contribution on behalf of the great symbol of our nation – the Bald Eagle.” This was largely brought about by member, Ed Slaney, long-time eagle watch volunteer. The resolution itself was presented in a beautiful frame measuring 19 by 22 inches. (Now if we only had a building to hang it in!)

Our major fund raiser, the Spaghetti Dinner at Mister Beaujean’s Restaurant, was a rousing success. We lowered our donation suggestion to an even $10 for adults, which resulted in 13% more donations than last year. The total raised this year for the benefit of our chapter’s educational programs was $1,409.50. I’d like to say that the increase was the result of an increased awareness of things environmental on the part of Brevard County citizens. I can’t, however, because you and I know that development rages on unimpeded in our fair county much to the detriment of our wildlife. The success of the Spaghetti Dinner was the direct result of all the dedicated folk who worked, donated food, sold tickets, and particularly the gracious hospitality of Mr. Bob Brown who makes his beautiful facility avail-able each year for this event. A big thank you to all.

An added note: The six (6) beautifully crafted bird houses which were auctioned off at the dinner brought in $61 which is in addition to the amount mentioned above. Thanks to Betty McKeown for arranging the donation of these bird houses which were hand constructed by a friend of hers.

Your board voted to support the Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA) in their efforts to enhance the Black Point Wildlife Drive and the Cruickshank Trail at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Money raised in this effort will be matched, up to $100,000 by the Fish and Wildlife Association. Years ago Helen Cruickshank donated money to our chapter. At that time the board set up a special fund, which was invested. When Helen passed on, she left a bequest in her will to our chapter. The be-quest was also placed in the fund. The current value of the Cruickshank fund is approximately $34,000. As requested at the our February meeting by Karl and Betty Eichhorn, the board voted to take $5,000 out of this fund to support MIWA’s fund raising efforts. In memory of the Cruickshanks, who played a major role in establishing both the our Audubon Chapter, the board could not think of a more appropriate way to spend the proceeds of their donations.

Speaking of money, which I seem to be doing a lot of lately, the board also voted to pledge $250 to support our youth Audubon member, Andy Bankert, for his trip to a national birding festival in California in June. In the opinion of your board this is another example of the best use of our resources. We just wish that we had several more young people with Andy’s skills and enthusiasm.

I’d like to call to your attention the importance of our final meeting of year, the pot luck dinner on May 21. We want to have our usual friendly, family auction. As you know we have to have donations to auction. If you have any nature books, bin-oculars, native plants or other valuable goods you can spare, please, consider donating them for this good cause. Of course, we are continuing the drawing of the fabulous reproduction of local artist, Spence Guerin’s famous oil painting entitled, Tootoosahatchee. Donations are $1 for each ticket or $6 for an arm’s length.

As we look forward to next year, I ask each of you to look in your heart and see if there isn’t something that you can do to support our new president, Sarah Linney. Please consider taking your turn on the board or serving on one of the many committees that keep our chapter alive. The board and committees are not composed of experts of any kind. They are just average citizens like you who have a desire to look at birds and hopefully preserves enough of their habitat to ensure their survival. Get out there…and do something. Please!

Membership Application for the Indian River Audubon Society Chapter and the National and State Audubon Societies

(Download Form)

TV Tip! On Thursday and Sunday evenings at 8:30 p.m., the BCC TV channel offers a program called Nature Scenes. According to our own Pat Meyer, this program will be enjoyed by Auduboners as well as anyone else who loves nature. Check your local listings for details!

Have you found a sick or injured bird or wild animal? If so, please contact:

Florida Wildlife Hospital (321) 254-8843