President’s Message

President’s Message

By Sarah Linney, SCAS President

One month is over for the new year. How are you doing on your resolutions? When, and if, you made some, did you consider making a concerted effort to recycle? Newspaper, glass, cans of steel and aluminum, plastics. Check the consumer info section of your phone book for more details. If your area does not recycle, can we as a chapter make a difference in getting something started?

Being more water conservative? Only water lawns after 4:00 p.m. and before 10:00 a.m., on the odd or even days for your address, and turn off sprinklers in the rain. I can’t tell you how irritated that makes me to see grass getting watered when it’s raining. For most grass types, the roots will grow deeper if you don’t water as often, but give it a decent soaking when you do water (like 1/2 inch to1 inch). This also helps make it more drought hardy. In the house, simple things like turning the water off while brushing your teeth; running the dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads; and taking showers instead of baths will save a lot of water over the long haul. That’s not to say a nice, hot, soaking bath is taboo, but it will seem even more luxurious if it’s drawn only occasionally.

Become more proactive in our Chapter? This is a great time to think about it. Jason Frederick is taking our own Project Colony Watch by the horns, (or would that be beaks?) The first watch will be this month (see the calendar for more details). We could really use everyone’s input on this. If you know of any sites where wading birds nightly roost and/or nest within the county, please contact Jason or any of the board members. Also, if you know of any new Bald Eagle nests, please contact Ed Slaney with Eagle Watch (contact information can be found on our Web site at http://www.spacecoastaudubon.org/contact.html). Don’t forget about the upcoming elections. We will be looking for a new VP as Dee has unfortunately reached her term limit. One person is thinking about it but due to travel constraints, may not be able to devote full time. Perhaps we would consider co-VPs this year? The Limpkin is always looking for your stories and anecdotes, birding facts and tips, related “how-tos,” etc. Lastly, I have asked before and disappointedly received little to no response, but will say again: The Board would love to find ways to get more members involved, but we need your advice! Field trips, community events/projects, programs for next year, what do you want to do?!? To borrow a phrase from JFK: Ask not what your chapter can do for you, but what you can do for your chapter! Call or e-mail us or send a postcard to SCAS, PO Box 1741, Cocoa, 32923.

We had a fantastic program at the Brevard Zoo (thank you Dee and Allison!) and saw many new faces in attendance.

The Trash Cleanup at Lori Wilson Park January 22, was a great success and the seven participants filled about eight lawn bags with trash. We found everything from old beer and soda containers, fast food containers, cat food cans, plastic shopping bags (empty or with dirty diapers), to a pair of shorts, hairbrushes, a blanket and pillow, and hurricane debris (either washed over the dune or blown off buildings).

In other chapter news, watch for more details on a new location and date for the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. Bob Brown will not be able to host it this year at BeauJeans Restaurant due to a full plate of his own. Recently confirmed is the Cocoa Civic Center in Cocoa Village for our annual May Potluck and Auction. Our Education Committee is in the last stages of finalizing details for a school poster contest for this semester with the theme “My Favorite Bird Is…” and announcements will begin to go out after the Board Meeting on Ground Hog’s Day.