Perdido River by Adlai Platt, Manager, Nature Preserve Perdido River Nature Preserve
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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. Florida. 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 Black Creek 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. Field Trips Chapter Meetings ■ Saturday, April 17, Nokuse Plantation and E.O. Wilson Pensacola Junior College, Main Campus, 7 p.m., Baroco Science Biophilia Center Native Plants. James Burkhalter will lead Center, Room 2142, unless otherwise noted. Guests are welcome! us on a walk to observe native plants and spring wildflowers along nature trails within the Nokuse Plantation and the ■ Thursday, March 25, 7 p.m. “Blackwater River State Forest E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center located in eastern Okaloosa (BRSF)—Two Presentations.” Peggy Baker will share insights and County. A visit to a steephead system along Seven Runs photographs accumulated in the State Forest Survey that she leads. Creek will be included. Expect moderate walking with some David Creamer, Recreation Director for BRSF, will present recreational steep trails. Insect repellent may be needed. Bring a picnic opportunities within the forest. lunch. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot in front of the ■ Target Store located near the intersection of University Thursday, April 22, 7 p.m. “Identifying Environmental Trends.” Parkway and Nine Mile Road. We plan to return by early George Kish from the USA National Phenology Network will detail afternoon. how citizen scientists, government agencies, non-profit groups and students can monitor and identify environmental trends. The ■ Saturday, April 24, The Betty and Crawford Rainwater Longleaf Pine Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will join Perdido River Nature Preserve Birding. Preserve Manager FMWAS as Mr. Kish shows us how we can contribute observations Adlai Platt will lead us through this newly established from field trips to this program. preserve located west of Pensacola adjacent to the Perdido ■ River. Bob and Lucy Duncan will be our birding guides to SAVE THE DATE—Thursday, May 27, Annual meeting and EVENTS find and identify the birds using the Preserve during this awards banquet, Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts at the peak time of spring migration. Expect some moderate, non- PJC main campus. A cash bar and silent auction will be open prior strenuous walking. Insect repellent is always a good idea. to the dinner catered by Nancy’s Haute Affairs. Our guest speaker is Bring a picnic lunch. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of David Simpson whose informative talk will focus on eBird and birds the Publix store located on the corner of Nine Mile Road and of South Florida. Registration to attend, and information on dinner Pine Forest Road. We plan to return after lunch. entrees and cost, as well as the time the meeting begins will be mailed to members. ■ Saturday, May 8, North Escambia County Birding. Morris Clark will lead us through parts of northern Escambia Board of Directors Meetings o fCounty in search of breeding birds. We will visit some areas bordering the Escambia River and especially search for ■ Thursdays, 7 p.m., April 1, May 6 at the Baskerville-Donovan several species that should be establishing territories or Building, 449 West Main Street, Pensacola. Open to all members. nesting at this time. Expect some moderate walking. Bring a picnic lunch, which we will eat next to a lake or river. Other Events Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Winn Dixie parking lot located at Hwy. 29 and Old Chemstrand Road. We plan to return early ■ Saturday, April 17, Volunteer Day at the Hyatt Environmental afternoon. Center ■ Thursday, April 22, Earth Day Environmental Symposium ■ Saturday, May 29, Ft. Pickens Native Plants. James hosted by the University of West Florida. The Symposia will be Burkhalter will lead us along the Blackbird Marsh Nature held on the traditional Earth Day date, April 22, from 9 to 12 a.m. in Trail and the Dunes Nature Trail to observe the native plants the University Commons Auditorium. Admission is free and open to and spring blooming wildflowers. Expect easy walking in the public. The Environmental Symposium is in addition to the Earth sand. Bring a picnic lunch and beverages for the day. You Day Pensacola Festival, which will be celebrated on April 24 from may wish to wear sunscreen and a hat. Meet at 7:30 a.m. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bayview Community Center and Park. in the Pensacola Visitors’ Center parking lot located at the ■ Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Earth Day Pensacola north end of the Pensacola Bay Bridge or at 8:00 a.m. in 2010. Come celebrate with us at Bayview Community Center the sound side parking lot at the and Park to enjoy music, animals, birds, plants and gardening entrance to Ft. Pickens. We plan information, displays, and arts and crafts. This event is designed as to finish by early afternoon. a fun day for the entire family! For more information— http://www. earthdaypensacola.org/ How to Become a Member of FMWAS Fill out the form on page 8 to become a member of the National Audubon Society. With membership you will receive Audubon Maga- zine, the Florida Naturalist and the Skimmer. Mail your check CALENDAR to Francis M. Weston Audubon Society, P.O. Box 17484, Pensacola, FL 32522. Thank you. 2 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 United States 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.