Annual joint meeting of the Suncoast Native Plant Society, Tampa Audubon, and Tampa Sierra Club

July 16, 2008
7:00 pm
Hillsborough Extension Office
Preserving Old Florida
Presented by Jeff Klinkenberg

The annual joint meeting of the Suncoast Native Plant Society, Tampa Audubon, and Tampa Sierra Club will be held July 16, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Hillsborough Extension Office, 5339 CR 579, Seffner (Exit 10 off I-4, then south 1 mile on the left). The presentation will be preceded by a potluck dinner, so bring a dish to share.

The speaker for the evening will be Jeff Klinkenberg. Jeff is truly a voice of natural Florida and is one of Florida’s best known and most talented nature writers. Jeff has several books out including Seasons of Real Florida, Dispatches from the Land of Flowers, and Pilgrim in the Land of Alligators: More Stories about Real Florida. Jeff writes about all things Florida and integrates Florida’s history, environment, culture, and people into compelling and memorable stories about the real and vanishing Florida. Jeff is also well known as the “Real Florida” columnist for the St. Petersburg Times, has served as the Writer in Residence for the Florida Studies Program at USF St. Pete, and has received the distinction of being a “Road Scholar” with the Florida Humanities Council.

Please join us for an evening of great stories, fascinating essays, and memories and recollections of all things Florida as Jeff Klinkenberg shares with us his amazing array of tales and experiences gathered over years of exploring the backwoods, back roads, and backwaters of the Sunshine State.

The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has a wonderful shop full of books, stationary and nature related gifts. Now online at http://www.corkscrewnaturestore.org/ we have access to the shop from home!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

We now have Black Skimmers nesting on the NE corner of Shell Key and on Treasure Island (along with the beach nesting bird colonies on Egmont Key, Ft DeSoto, Bellaire Beach, and Indian Shores). We could use more bird stewards on weekends this spring and summer. The nesting areas are roped off, but many people don't know why these birds are nesting on the beaches. Armed with our educational packets, you can help explain why these birds rely on the beaches to nest and what we can do to help. We also keep our eyes open for human disturbances and contact the authorities with information We do not do law enforcement, just education. It's fun, the public loves it, and it's important work to protect our bird families from unnecessary disturbance.

If you haven't signed up yet and you can help, please email or call Barb Howard at 727 343-1272 or 727 512-4914 cell or b_howard2001@msn.com

Flatwoods Park Bluebird Trail Information

Click here to find out more about this great Tampa Audubon sponsored project.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Hillsborough County Conservation Services is seeking volunteers to help maintain their native plant nursery. Volunteers would be helping with weeding, re-potting, etc. for one or two mornings a month, on a Monday thru Thursday based on what is most amenable to all interested parties. Nursery is located at Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve in Ruskin.

Contact Debi at tharpd@hillsboroughcounty.org</P>

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve’s Florida Natural History Tours

Join wildlife biologist George L. Heinrich in search of imperiled species during this new series of Florida natural history tours. These leisurely day trips will provide ample opportunity for wildlife watching and photography. Each trip is ideal for those that enjoy relaxed birding.

Saturday, 28 June 2008 (8:00 am-2:00 pm)

This leisurely four-mile canoe trip down a wild, remote section of the Hillsborough River will provide an ideal setting for reflection and tranquility. Wildlife abounds, including large American alligators, turtles, limpkins, belted kingfishers, raptors, and river otters.

Rainbow Run
(Dunnellon, Florida)
Saturday, 16 August 2008 (9:00 am-4:00 pm)

There will be ample opportunity for watching wildlife while leisurely canoeing and snorkeling on a two-mile section of this spring-fed river. Special emphasis will be placed on the natural history and conservation of riverine turtles, such as the loggerhead musk turtle and Suwannee cooter.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Elnor Island Coastal Cleanup
Saturday, June 28, 8:30am - 12:00pm
Meeting place: Gator's Marina docks just east of Kingfish Park in John's Pass
We will have boats to ferry the volunteers to/from the island.
To sign up: contact Bob Minning at minning@msn.com or 343-4499

Saltwater Angler Magazine Smoke "N" Spanish Mackerel Tournament

June 21st 2008
$2000.00 Grand Prize
$55 entry fee
For more information visit: www.saltwateranglermag.com