April-May, 2010 Vol. XXXVI No. 6

The Nature Conservancy’s Perdido River By Adlai Platt, Manager, Nature Preserve Perdido River Nature Preserve

uietly, step by step, a wonderful new nature preserve is taking shape along the Perdido River. You may have visited this property even before the Nature Conservancy owned it, but for those who will be making their first visit to the Preserve, I wanted to share with you a brief Q background on how this came to be and what we are working towards. This very special place was protected through a gift from the BCR restore longleaf pine and healthy ground cover in all its natural Foundation, creating a living memorial to its founders Betty and diversity (typically over 200 species). Crawford Rainwater. Its intent was to preserve these lands and create Human uses of these lands—from forest to pasture to the opportunity for others to experience the wonders of natural plantation—influence opportunities for nature observation. . The Rainwaters had owned these same lands as part of their As these areas are restored, a system of hiking trails is being Perdido Ranch in the 1940-50s, and then developed that will showcase the Preserve during the next 45 years it was owned by and our progress. Early restoration areas three different timber companies. can often be exciting places to find many Among Betty Rainwater’s most treasured species of overwintering sparrows, and books was a volume called Planting a Refuge the winding blackwater aquatic trails for Wildlife, and Francis Weston’s A Survey access the preferred habitats of Northern of the Birdlife of Northwestern Florida, along Parula and Prothonotary Warblers, Marsh with many more books on flowers, trees, Wrens, and a diversity of wildlife. The plants of all kinds, nature study and nature intent is for this Preserve to become that appreciation. increasingly rare place where people can still move through nature at nature’s The Perdido River Nature Preserve pace, focusing on hiking and paddling protects more than 7.5 river miles and trails rather than motorized travel. 2,331 acres along Florida’s western border, In the next year we want to create especially pine flatwoods, bottomland opportunities for self-guided nature forests, xeric uplands, marshes, estuaries, hikes so that more of our community can blackwater creeks, streams, the river, titi learn about this worthy place and the swamps, baygalls and river islands. The natural world, and join us in support of mission of the Nature Conservancy is to this Preserve. preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity Hedrick by Vaughn Photo To quote from Dr. Reed Noss, who of life by protecting the lands and waters directs the Science and Planning they need to survive. In keeping with that in Conservation Ecology Lab at the Reflections in echo the mission, the Conservancy’s primary focus on University of Central Florida, “the Florida tranquility of The Nature Conservancy’s the altered portions of the property is to Perdido River Nature Preserve. Continues on page 3. CALENDAR o f EVENTS to finishbyearlyafternoon. entrance toFt.Pickens. We plan the sound side parking lotatthe north end of the Pensacola BayBridge orat8:00a.m.in in the Pensacola Visitors’Center parking lotlocatedatthe may wishtowearsunscreen and ahat. Meet at7:30a.m. sand. Bring apicnic lunch and beverages for the day. You and spring blooming wildflowers. Expect easywalking in Trail and the Dunes Nature Trail toobservethe native plants Burkhalter willleadusalong the Blackbird Marsh Nature ■ afternoon. Hwy. 29and OldChemstrand Road. We plantoreturn early Meet at7:30a.m.inthe WinnDixie parking lotlocatedat a picnic lunch, which wewilleatnext toalake orriver. nesting atthistime. Expectsome moderate walking. Bring several species thatshould beestablishing territories or bordering the Escambia Riverand especially search for County insearch of breeding birds. We willvisitsome areas Morris Clarkwillleadusthrough partsof northern Escambia ■ Pine Forest Road. We plantoreturn afterlunch. the Publixstore locatedonthe corner of Nine MileRoadand Bring apicnic lunch. Meet at7:30a.m.inthe parking lotof strenuous walking. Insect repellent isalwaysagood idea. peak time of spring migration. Expectsome moderate, non- find and identify the birds using the Preserve during this River. Boband Lucy Duncan willbeourbirding guides to preserve locatedwestof Pensacola adjacent tothe Perdido Adlai Plattwillleadusthrough thisnewly established Perdido River Nature Preserve Birding. ■ afternoon. Parkway and Nine MileRoad. We plantoreturn byearly Target Store locatednear the intersection of University lunch. Meet at7:30a.m.inthe parking lotinfront of the steep trails. Insect repellent may beneeded. Bring apicnic Creek willbeincluded. Expectmoderate walking withsome County. Avisittoasteephead system along SevenRuns E.O. WilsonBiophilia Center locatedineasternOkaloosa along nature trails withinthe Nokuse Plantation and the us onawalktoobservenative plants and spring wildflowers Biophilia CenterNative Plants. ■ Field Trips

Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday,

April17,NokusePlantationandE.O. Wilson May 29,Ft.Pickens Native Plants. May 8,NorthEscambiaCountyBirding April 24,TheBettyandCrawford Rainwater James Burkhalterwilllead Preserve Manager James . 2 to the dinner catered byNancy’s Haute Affairs. Ourguestspeaker is PJC main campus. Acashbarand silent auction willbeopenprior awards banquet, ■ from fieldtripstothisprogram. FMWAS asMr. Kishshows ushow wecancontribute observations Longleaf Pine Chapterof the Florida Native Plant Society willjoin and students canmonitor and identify environmental trends. The how citizenscientists, government agencies, non-profit groups George Kishfrom the USA National Phenology Network willdetail ■ opportunities withinthe forest. David Creamer, Recreation Director for BRSF, willpresent recreational photographs accumulated inthe (BRSF)—Two Presentations.” ■ Center, Room2142,unlessotherwise noted. Guestsare welcome! Pensacola Junior College, Main Campus, 7p.m.,Baroco Science Chapter Meetings FL 32522.Thank you. to Francis M.Weston Audubon Society, P.O. Box 17484,Pensacola, zine Audubon Society. Withmembership youwillreceive Fill outthe form on page 8tobecome amember of the National How toBecomeaMemberof FMWAS earthdaypensacola.org/ a funday for the entire family! Formore information— information, displays, and artsand crafts. Thisevent isdesigned as and Park toenjoy music, animals, birds, plants and gardening 2010. ■ 10 a.m.to5p.m.atBayview Community Center and Park. Day Pensacola Festival, which willbecelebrated onApril24from the public. The Environmental Symposiumisinaddition tothe Earth the University Commons Auditorium. Admission isfree and opento held onthe traditional EarthDaydate, April22,from 9to12a.m.in hosted by theUniversity of . ■ Center ■ Other Events Building, 449West Main Street, Pensacola. Opentoallmembers. ■ Board of Directors Meetings mailed tomembers. entrees and cost,aswellthe time the meeting begins willbe of SouthFlorida. Registration toattend, and information ondinner David Simpsonwhose informative talkwillfocus oneBird and birds Thursday, April22,7p.m.“IdentifyingEnvironmental Trends.” Thursday, March 25,7p.m.“Blackwater River StateForest Saturday, April24,10a.m.to5p.m.Earth Thursday, April22,Earth Saturday, April17, Thursdays, 7p.m.,April1,May6 S A , the V Come celebrate withusatBayview Community Center E

T Florida Naturalist H E D ATE

Anna Lamar SwitzerCenter for Visual Artsatthe — Thursday, May27,Annualmeetingand V olunteer and the D ay Environmental Symposium Peggy Baker willshare insights and

State Forest Surveythatshe leads. D Skimmer ay atthe at the Baskerville-Donovan The Symposia willbe . Mail yourcheck H yatt Environmental D ay Pensacola Audubon Maga

http://www.

- Official Number of Protected Migratory Bird Species Climbs to More than One Thousand

nited States Fish and Wildlife Service regulations, including the list, implement the Migratory Bird (USFWS) Acting Director Rowan Gould Treaty Act of 1918, which in turn implements treaties with announced revisions to the list of bird Canada, Mexico, Japan and Russia. All species included on the species protected under the Migratory Bird list are considered federally protected, and governed by federal Treaty Act (MBTA) on March 1. Species regulations limiting take (from the wild), possession, and appearing on this list are governed under other use. migratory bird hunting and permitting The newly revised list reflects the addition of species based regulations concerning most aspects on new evidence of their occurrence in the or its of possession, transportation, sale, purchase, exportation, and territories. The revisions also remove species no longer known importation of protected species. The list, last updated in 1985, U to occur within the United States and change some incorporates the latest taxonomic and scientific data for names to conform to accepted usages. migratory birds. The changes include 186 new additions The mission of and 11 subtractions, bringing the total number of species the U.S. Fish The changes also reflect taxonomic revisions to protected under the MBTA to 1,007. and Wildlife the bird taxa of North America published by the American Ornithologists’ Union, and changes in the “This update to the list of federally protected birds Service is Migratory Bird List incorporate name changes and reflects the best available science on bird taxonomy working revisions—moving some species from one taxon to and distribution, and will help us improve management with others another. The final rule can be found online at http:// of our nation’s migratory birds,” said Gould. “The new to conserve, migratorybirds.fws.gov . list benefits researchers, hunters, conservationists, protect and state agencies, tribal governments, and birdwatchers enhance fish, USFWS is both a leader and trusted partner in by extending federal protection to all migratory bird wildlife, plants fish and wildlife conservation, known for scientific species native to the United States, while highlighting and their excellence, stewardship of lands and natural advances and changes in bird taxonomy that have habitats for resources, dedicated professionals and commitment accumulated since the list was last published.” the continuing to public service. For more information on its work benefit of and the people who make it happen, visit http:// The USFWS is the primary federal agency responsible the American www.fws.gov/. for managing migratory birds. Federal migratory bird people.

Perdido River Nature Preserve, continued from front page environment we know was shaped over eons by fire, big animals, National Wildfire Coordinating and bad weather.” Thus, one of our most important restoration Group training requirements), tools is fire, because so much of Florida was long shaped by fires, wildlife surveys, trail develop- typically ignited by the high frequency of summer lightning storms. ment and maintenance, facility For the decades this property was owned by timber companies, no restoration, creation of a native controlled burning was conducted, and bad weather periodically plant garden, and more. occurred. These tropical events contributed to massive fuel loads and set the stage for two very intense, but natural, wildfires that caused considerable concern to the surrounding community. To We invite you to join us on restore a more natural fire regime to this landscape, we rely on an Audubon field trip and bird- the careful use of prescribed fire by our certified professional burn ing hike at the Preserve on teams. It is always a wonderful surprise to see what the first fire April 24th led by Bob and Lucy in a long suppressed area awakens in the seed bank, and how it Duncan. The timing of this visit gradually tilts the balance away from domination by volatile waxy should be excellent for spring shrubs, and promotes more grasses, herbs, and flowers. migration and abundant wild-

flowers, and we look forward Hedrick by Vaughn Photo Though The Perdido River Nature Preserve is not yet “open to the to showing you our progress. The special Panhandle Lily public,” we have been able to host an increasing number of visitors See the Skimmer calendar for (Lilium iridollae Henry) scheduled around busy restoration activities. There is a growing details. returned after fire was applied list of opportunities for community involvement: native wildflower to the savannah habitat at the surveys, support for prescribed burning (for those who have met BCR Perdido Preserve. 3 FIELD NOTES

by Bob Duncan

N BRUTAL—How else can one describe the weather this winter? dark-eyed, and the Atlantic coast’s population are light-eyed. Do Who wants to go birding when the wind is howling outside and the Floridatown grackles breed here? If not, from whence do they the temperature is in the forties? Either that or it’s pouring rain or come? They were monitored by Bill Milmore for many years before threatening to do so. Nonetheless, in spite of a really bad winter so his passing, always at the Floridatown location. Lucy and I found far (early March), some birders braved the elements and came up with 24 there on 19 January, all males, creating another puzzle, and great birds. Larry Goodman found 5 males there 25 February. N LEFTOVERS—The Green-tailed Towhee* and Lark Sparrows N FIELD TRIP—On a cold, crisp but clear 13 February, Peggy found by the Bob and Lucy Duncan at Ft. Pickens on 1 Nov. continued Baker and Jan Lloyd led the F.M. Weston Audubon Society field to delight birders from near and far through 10 March. Birders from trip into the wilds of Blackwater State Forest, where some of us all over the Southeastern U.S. have come to add this rarity to their had not ever ventured before. Underneath long distance Gulf life lists. Based on the amount of internet chatter monitored by Bob Power transmission lines were unending rows of planted millet, and Lucy Duncan, we would estimate more than 100 birders have seen which attracted sparrows by the hundreds. As we walked the rows the green gem. At the Ft. Walton Beach Spray Fields (FWBSF) the of stubble we flushed dozens of Chipping, Song, Field, Vesper, Vermilion Flycatcher found in early fall continued to thrill observers Swamp, White-throated and Grasshopper Sparrows. If you’re as of 4 March. The Say’s Phoebe* also at the FWBSF, continued into sparrows, or want to learn sparrows, that’s the place to be. through 15 January, last seen by Alex Harper. Alex and Alicia Gerrety N MISCELLANEOUS—At the Fort Walton Beach Spray Fields I spotted the Pacific Loon* reported earlier in the season at Ft. Pickens found a Yellow Warbler* on 11 January, providing a first local on 10 January. record for that month. James Pfeiffer found a Lark Sparrow in N NORTH VENTURE—Six Sandhill Cranes at an overgrown catfish Pensacola on 18 February. I found a first cycle Glaucous Gull* impoundment in north Escambia County were reported by Max Griggs near Milton on 18 February. A rare Arctic visitor, it was about the on 15 January, and were seen by the Duncans on 8 February. That eighteenth area record. As I write this, the skies are peppered same trip rewarded us with 18 Greater White-fronted Geese, 6 of with returning Purple Martins, a few Green Herons have the declining Rusty Blackbirds* and 21 Brewer’s Blackbirds plus 58 returned from the tropics, and a few White-eyed Vireos that other species. There are avian surprises to be had in the lightly birded either wintered or just arrived are starting to sing. By time the northern areas of our counties. Skimmer is in your mailboxes, spring migration will be well N YARD BIRDS—A first year male Western Tanager* visited Greta under way. and Bill Bremser’s yard in Gulf Breeze 25–28 Jan. Another brightened *Species with asterisks require David and Chris Forster’s feeder in Pensacola 10–15 February. A documentation so that they may Dickcissel* and an Indigo Bunting were also present in the Bremser’s be processed to become part of the ornithological record. The Skimmer yard through 17 February. A male was a surprise Summer Tanager welcomes reports of noteworthy in Mike Scheller’s yard in Milton on 9 January. Another was at Morris birds. If you have something to Clark’s yard in north Pensacola 1–18 January. The guest that came to report, please call Bob or Lucy Duncan at 932-4792. stay, the Baltimore Oriole* in Betsy Tetlow’s yard and reported earlier, continued through 25 February. N MYSTERY—The status of Boat-tailed Grackles* in our area continues to be as much of a mystery as it was in F.M. Weston’s time. Boat-taileds are found almost exclusively at a small park in Floridatown with the exceptional few that are infrequently reported elsewhere. There is no confirmation of breeding, and they are seen primarily in winter. They are common in the Mobile Delta and in the Appalachicola area. Our Boat-taileds are light-eyed birds, ’s are 4 Tripping through Nature with Gwen Frostic By Ann Forster

have been lucky enough to have discovered some small but beautiful books by a Michigan woman named Gwen Frostic. She

literally created these books—the art, the poetry, even the paper itself. The one I am reading now is named Beyond Time. The

opening page resonated with me because we have just hosted some birding friends from Washington State whose comments

reminded me to appreciate what we still have. Here is her introductory poem:

IThis Earth with its great green trees, I thought about the places we had visited with friends its infinite life and boundless beauty, the only earth there’ll ever be. and how they fit into this poem. We visited piney woods

These waters of deep springs, of rivers and lakes, drops of dew, in Blackwater and Apalachicola Forests, the ancient and clouds above…all the water there has ever been; cypresses of Wakulla Springs and admired the oaks of all there ever will be. Naval Live Oaks. We searched the Gulf and St. Marks for The air all around that everything must breathe… over and over…forever and ever. wintering ducks and gannets; showed them the bays

Love this earth. Love it as much as life itself. Earth from which and marshes, blackwater lakes and rivers, and clear, cold all life has come. Earth to which all life returns. Love its waters and keep them springs. Our friends were thrilled to know that so many clean… good habitats were safe for now—their trees, water, and Water on which all life depends. Love clear air. Care enough to keep it clear…clear enough to see the stars. air. More important, they are our trees, water, and air to

And earth will remain Beyond Time. love and protect.

Birding Trail at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center (RHEC) Honors Curtis Kingsbery

The Francis M. Weston Audubon Society Center Committee received permission from the Escambia School District to build a birding trail at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center to honor Curtis Kingsbery, longtime chapter field trip leader.

The first planned bench site along the trail was Clark by Morris Photo recently constructed by Morris Clark, Richard Mason, and a team of sophomore students from the Zookeeper Class at Pensacola Junior College (PJC). The site consists of a pergola-shaded wood bench and brick pad built facing the water feature and bird feeders near the Students from the PJC Zookeeper Class celebrate completion bird bus. It is situated to permit observation of the of the first phase of the Curtis Kingsbery Memorial at RHEC. same birds viewed by students, without intruding on the Pictured left to right seated: Kathia Vandentillaart, Carmen natural features or distracting occupants of the bird bus. Bowling, Amanda Rigby, and Mary Kate Renfroe; standing: —Jim Brady Ashley Smith, Jim Brady, and Graham Northup.

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disadvantage when being tested by well-equipped amateurs. well-equipped by tested being when disadvantage

tures—and the birds—come to us. to birds—come the tures—and

eye’ birding, an interesting challenge, as well as a vexing vexing a as well as challenge, interesting an birding, eye’

- adven daily their and stories entertaining their with

I didn’t have binoculars, and had to fall back on ‘naked- on back fall to had and binoculars, have didn’t I

wall. But we’re content to stay inside and let the people people the let and inside stay to content we’re But wall.

culture as their short stays allowed outside our garden garden our outside allowed stays short their as culture

“Lesser Goldfinches.” “Lesser

ments for whatever, trying to take in as much color and and color much as in take to trying whatever, for ments

bitty birds pecking at those big pods!” big those at pecking birds bitty - appoint and reservations dinner, for plans making there,

can’t remember ever having seen that before. “Look at those those at “Look before. that seen having ever remember can’t The younger folk at Los Artistas were dashing here and and here dashing were Artistas Los at folk younger The

birder looking through binoculars smoking a cigarette, I I cigarette, a smoking binoculars through looking birder

fountain.

The lady from Detroit put down her cigarette. Funny, a a Funny, cigarette. her down put Detroit from lady The

read our books, and watch the birds splashing in the the in splashing birds the watch and books, our read

“Uh, no. It’s a Hooded. Altamira’s larger.” Altamira’s Hooded. a It’s no. “Uh, quiet spot, where we can walk to restaurants and shops, shops, and restaurants to walk can we where spot, quiet

the familiar. I guess it’s why Joan and I come back to this this to back come I and Joan why it’s guess I familiar. the

“That’s an Altamira Oriole, right?” Oriole, Altamira an “That’s

is being replaced by a gradually growing appreciation for for appreciation growing gradually a by replaced being is

turn our migrant warblers and orioles into Mexican species. Mexican into orioles and warblers migrant our turn learn automatically with age, as the love for adventure adventure for love the as age, with automatically learn

hummers. And it seemed they were beginners, determined to to determined beginners, were they seemed it And hummers. other way ‘round. Or maybe it’s the kind of thing we we thing of kind the it’s maybe Or ‘round. way other

met there, in the garden, while searching the flowers for for flowers the searching while garden, the in there, met a scheme for bringing the birds to him, rather than the the than rather him, to birds the bringing for scheme a

Detroit, I learned, and the other from Toronto, and they had had they and Toronto, from other the and learned, I Detroit, the first really lazy birder might have been, who devised devised who been, have might birder lazy really first the

stalking its perimeter. Then they noticed me. One was from from was One me. noticed they Then perimeter. its stalking comfort of my lounge chair, I found myself wondering who who wondering myself found I chair, lounge my of comfort

encumbered with binoculars, bird books and cameras, were were cameras, and books bird binoculars, with encumbered The fountain continued to draw in birds, and from the the from and birds, in draw to continued fountain The

its focus—and draws the birds. As we arrived two ladies, ladies, two arrived we As birds. the draws focus—and its

“Wouldn’t you be?” be?” you “Wouldn’t

flowering shrubbery, and a burbling fountain that creates creates that fountain burbling a and shrubbery, flowering

a large, luxuriant garden, enclosed by high walls and and walls high by enclosed garden, luxuriant large, a “Happy?”

We always stay at Los Artistas, a six-room posada with with posada six-room a Artistas, Los at stay always We

seemed happy enough. happy seemed

baskets with fresh fruit from the mercado. mercado. the from fruit fresh with baskets “A Happy Wren.” Of course I couldn’t say for sure, but it it but sure, for say couldn’t I course Of Wren.” Happy “A

with native folklore and turquoise jewelry, and their straw straw their and jewelry, turquoise and folklore native with J

“What kind?” “What

grés soon enough fall under that charm, stuffing their bags bags their stuffing charm, that under fall enough soon grés

hasn’t tarnished its native charm, probably because the émi the because probably charm, native its tarnished hasn’t -

“A wren, I believe.” I wren, “A

and Canadian émigrés, but the annual influx of snowbirds snowbirds of influx annual the but émigrés, Canadian and

through the grass?” the through dalajara. It’s usually filled with American American with filled usually It’s dalajara.

bobbing bird, brown little on Lake Chapala, forty miles south of Gua of south miles forty Chapala, Lake on -

that about “What nearly nothing, is Ajijic, a colorful village village colorful a Ajijic, is nothing, nearly

favorite place here for doing nothing, or or nothing, doing for here place favorite

“Well, pretty sure, yes.” sure, pretty “Well,

ing the spring after too long a winter. Our Our winter. a long too after spring the ing

- hasten recently, Mexico in were I and oan “Are you sure?” you “Are

ARMCHAIR BIRDING ARMCHAIR

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Skimming by Jere French Jere by N e w s & V i e w s

H O W L U C K Y CAN Y OU GET? FMWAS ELECTION OF OFFICERS Record of Questionable Merit. The election of officers for 2010-2011 will be Ann and Dan Forster’s bird feeder has hosted conducted at the annual meeting on Thursday, GOT three species of cowbird—Brown-headed, Bronzed, May 27, (see details in the calendar). At that time, HUMMINGBIRDS and Shiny. All three have been documented with the Nominating Committee (Sharhonda Owens, photographs. It is probable that few (if any) other Chairman, Becky Grass and Patriciann Retherford) will present their slate which follows. Nominations feeders in the United States have had this trio of will also be taken from the floor. ? nest parasites. Ruby-throated Humming- President ...... Jim Brady Vice-President ...... Sharhonda Owens birds have returned from PROTECT FLORI D A ’ S B E A C H ES Treasurer ...... Betsy Tetlow their winter hiatus in the The 2010 Legislative Session is upon us and Recording Secretary ...... Jan Lloyd it is likely that a bill calling for oil drilling off Corresponding Secretary ...... Ann Forster tropics. If you maintain a Director at Large ...... Frank Butera hummingbird feeder, be Florida’s beaches is going to come. Opposition to nearshore oil drilling is growing throughout Florida. sure the ratio of sugar to Already 60-plus cities, counties, chambers of T H ANK YOU, LELAND water is 1:4. That’s one commerce and organizations have passed resolutions Leland Leonard knows the twists and turns of part sugar and four parts opposing drilling. We need to send a message to wood. He has been working with wood most of his water. Do not use food col- our Legislators that we, as citizens, communities, businesses, and organizations, do not want risky life and turning trunks and limbs into works of art. oring. Higher ratios of sug- Cherry is his favorite wood to work, though his drilling activity off our shores. ar to water can be harmful. pieces may range from yaupon to oak or mesquite. You can help. We need to send our message loud The natural grains of each selection give a unique Beating its wings about and clear to legislators: One of the best ways to design to each turning of the lathe. Besides 53 times per second, the do this is to encourage your city council, county making delicately turned bowls, lighthouses, and Ruby-throated Humming- commission and other community organizations mushrooms that are so lifelike you have to touch bird eats insects and nec- of which you are a member to pass a resolution them to be sure of what you’re seeing, he also tar, doesn’t walk or hop, opposing drilling off Florida’s coasts. It’s easy and, crafts exquisite furniture. An expert on native more importantly, it’s effective. plants and flowers, Leland often generously donates and fiercely defends its his pieces as gifts to Francis M. Weston Audubon patch of flowers or feeder. Society guest speakers.

40th Anniversary of Earth D ay, April 22, 2010 Forty years after the first Earth Day, climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. It also presents the greatest opportunity—an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean-energy economy now and for the future. Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. And Earth Day can begin with our own personal commitments to reuse, recycle, and reduce all forms of waste from plastic bottles to grocery bags and energy consumption. Local Earth Day Celebrations will be on April 22 and 24. See our calendar for details. See also earthdaypensacola.org

7 Francis M. Weston Audubon Society NONPROFIT P.O. Box 17484 ORGANIZATION Pensacola, FL 32522 U.S. POSTAGE PAID RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PENSACOLA, FL PERMIT NO. 821 photo by Ken Schmidt.

The Green-tailed Towhee continues to be found at Ft. Pickens on the hiking trail between the wall and bridge.

Our online edition of the Skimmer is in full color at www.fmwaudubon.org

about 25% postconsumer waste

C ORPORATE SUPPORTERS CHAPTER CONTACTS Armstrong World Industries Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. Presidents’ Council Peggy Baker ...... 934-3242 International Paper Company Jim Brady ...... 456-5083 Pfizer Morris Clark ...... 968-5498 Ascend Performance Materials (formerly Solutia, Inc.) Annelise Reunert ...... 492-4389 Dana Timmons ...... 934-4521 INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY Recording Secretary Jan Lloyd ...... 453-1660 Individual/family $20 for one year Corresponding Secretary Ann Forster ...... 456-4421 $30 for two years Publicity Sue Timmons ...... 934-4521 Student/senior citizen $15 for one year Treasurer Betsy Tetlow ...... 438-3703 Make checks payable to the National Audubon Society. Directors at Large Larry Goodman ...... 433-5135 ______Sharhonda Owens ...... 944-5655 name Membership Annelise Reunert ...... 492-4389 ______Field Trips Morris Clark ...... 968-5498 address Programs Dana Timmons ...... 934-4521 ______Fund Raising Position open ...... city state zip Conservation Lynn Ogden...... 512-3187 ______Hyatt Center Committee Jim Brady ...... 456-5083 phone Education Peggy Baker ...... 934-3242 ______Outreach Position open ...... e-mail Skimmer Editor Lucy Duncan ...... 932-4792 Francis M. Weston Audubon Society Chapter C0ZE460Z Skimmer Art Director Lynn Gould Webmaster Debra Jones The National Audubon Society occasionally makes its membership list available to carefully selected organizations whose mailings you might find of interest. To have your name omitted from this list, please check here ❒.

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