St. Lucie (Florida) Audubon Society

Florida wetlands

February Message from the President:

SAVE ENVIRONMENT FROM POLITICS

The phrase “Everglades restoration” was on everyone’s lips just before the legislative session started January 10. Two projects have shovels in the ground—the $400 million C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment project in western Martin County and the first mile of bridges designed to elevate Tamiami Trail and allow more water to flow into the Everglades. Congress approved a bill that was signed by President Obama designating $142 million for Everglades and Kissimmee River restoration. Governor Scott has pledged to seek $40 million for Everglades restoration during this year’s legislative session. Sounds great, right?

Well, let’s hope the new reservoir works better than the abandoned one in St. Lucie County that leaks and is not repairable according to the Corps of Engineers. Keep your fingers crossed the federal money is well spent and not squandered on poorly designed projects. The true miracle will be actually getting $40 million from the state this year. This will be a chaotic legislative session for two reasons. One, it’s an election year and, two, voting districts must be redrawn by June 8. I just hope the needs of Florida’s natural environment and wild lands will be heard above the cacophony of political self-interest. Please write or call your state legislators and remind them that you want Florida’s wild lands protected and restored.

Ruth Neese, President of St. Lucie Audubon Society

OUR FIRST BIRD-A-THON PLANNED: St. Lucie Audubon Society will be conducting our first Bird-A-Thon in March! The dates are March 10 and 11, 2012, rain or shine. What is a Bird-A-Thon? It is a competition and a fundraising event. Individuals and teams compete to see who can spot the greatest number of bird species. Participants solicit sponsor donations for each species spotted. Awards are presented to those with the highest species counts.