President’s Message

By Sarah Linney

Welcome to Space Coast Audubon Society! A new year, a new name, and a new president, whew! I hope all of you had a great summer and had a chance to take some vacations, see some new and familiar places, and of course, get in some birding along the way.

And then there was Charley. Hurricane Charley roared through Florida on Friday the 13th and left his mark on many people’s lives both here in Brevard County and across the state. My heart goes out to any of you still without power or phones and/or that suffered damage to your homes and other property.

I would like to thank Tom Atkinson for two years of great work as chapter president, and for his continued dedication to the board in what I believe is a returning role as treasurer. A thank you also goes to retiring board members Don Garretson, former president, Elizabeth Bishop, past treasurer, Lenny and Charlotte Lieberman, and Bill and Pat Meyer for all of their input, time, and hard work over the years. (Pat remains chapter historian.) Now I wish to welcome our newest, and youngest, board member: Andy Bankert.

This year is shaping up to be a grand adventure and I invite everyone along for the ride! Program director Dee Fairbanks has lined up some terrific speakers as usual, on topics ranging from ducks to ghost crabs to spiders, as well as (shhh) a special surprise or two. Jason Frederick, our ambitious field trip coordinator, is back with new ideas including a probable spring trip to Ft. DeSoto.

As for me, my arm has recovered from the twisting, thank you. But seriously, I am optimistic, maybe a bit naive, in approaching this year with lots of ideas for getting you and your neighbors and friends involved in...something. Be it for a clean up, a workday at MINWR for the Black Point Drive Restoration Project, to various bird monitoring activities throughout the county, and more. I want you and your ideas!

I hope to see everyone for the September 17 Potluck at 6:30 p.m. (see the calendar). Bring your slides, a dish to share, and your appetite for food and friends galore.

Good birding to all!