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South Florida’s “Voice of Conservation” is throwing a milestone Birthday bash this spring to mark its 75 years of environmental advocacy and education. As the official local chapter of National Audubon, Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) has been leading area bird walks, defending wildlife, protecting natural resources, Biscayne Bay and the Everglades since its 1947 founding. Fittingly, the grassroots conservation organization will celebrate its 75th Anniversary over Earth Day Weekend at its historic Doc Thomas House headquarters. (The charming 1932 cypress and pine cottage, an architectural treasure and Florida Heritage Site, turns 90 this year!)
The community is invited to party with the proverbial birds at one or more of the society’s 75th Anniversary venues: Friday evening’s Bubbly & Bites Birthday Bash; Saturday morning’s Bill Baggs Bird Walk; Saturday evening’s Birdstock Conservation Concert; Sunday afternoon’s Members Migration.
Among the weekend highlights, Everglades National Park Superintendent Pedro Ramos will introduce Everglades Foundation board member and author James Kushlan, who will lead a book talk showcasing 75 years of Everglades history. Additionally, Ron Magill, founder of the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment at the Zoo Miami Foundation, will present an award to Wildlife Rescue of Dade County founder Lloyd Brown. The two will share insights about the Bald Eagle Nest Cam that has captivated the community.
Click here for tickets: tropicalaudubon.org/75thAnniversary
Bubbly & Bites Birthday Bash
Presented by Republic National Distributing Co.
Earth Day, Friday, April 22, 6:30-8pm
Savor an altogether enchanting and delicious 75th Anniversary bash that includes marking the Doc Thomas House’s 90th milestone. Gather on the Keystone patio under the Audubon oaks for an alfresco evening of bubbly and bites, a little night music by University of Miami Frost musicians, and special Earth Day toasts by Dade Heritage Trust’s Christine Rupp and The Villagers’ Susan Medina. (Both nonprofit groups take an active interest in Doc Thomas House, and believe historic preservation goes hand-in-hand with habitat conservation.) Community partner Whisk Gourmet has created the delectable menu of seasonal hors d’oeuvres paired with exquisite wines courtesy of Republic National Distributing Company, to include Domaine Carneros Brut and Sequoia Grove Cabernet, with wine stems and tableware by A Joy Wallace Catering.
At 75, TAS is among the oldest environmental nonprofits in the county. Net BBBB proceeds will support historic preservation and habitat conservation efforts, both on our home campus and further afield.
Attendance is capped at 75 patrons so please RSVP promptly to avoid disappointment.
Tickets: Conservation Level $75 p/p; Preservation Level $90 p/p (which includes a custom-designed enamel bird pin by Kate Dolamore of The Little Nuthatch).
Bird Walk @Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Presented by LEICA STORE MIAMI Saturday, April 23, 8:15-11am
Miriam Avello (bilingual) will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne in search of migrating cuckoos, hawks, falcons, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, buntings and warblers, including the stunning Cape May Warbler. Walk sponsor LEICA STORE MIAMI will loan a limited number of Leica binoculars and scopes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets: Admission Free. RSVP Required.
Birdstock | Saturday, April 23, 7-10pm
A playbill of top-flight acoustic acts will headline the much-ballyhooed Birdstock, featuring Acoustic Therapy, whose laid-back music is made by Phil Allen, Burt Bruton, Tony Sinatra and Bruce Turkel, solo songbird DeBlois Milledge and Lyin’ Fish duo John Holcombe & Eric Wagner. Be sure to catch these generous-spirited singer-songwriters as they jam for the Birds. Look for pop-up appearances by a few promising young troubadours. This highly anticipated annual Earth Month event serves as the finale to the 2022 12th Anniversary Conservation Concert series. Door proceeds will help fund completion of the Tropical Audubon chickee.
EVENT DETAILS AND PROTOCOLS
- Picnic tables available on a first-come basis.
- Attendees should be vaccinated and observe social distancing courtesies.
- Attendees will be asked to pack out their garbage; recycle containers will be provided for empty bottles and cans only.
- Our Steinberg Nature Center campus is a strictly enforced SMOKE-FREE environment.
Bird Walk @Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Presented by LEICA STORE MIAMI Saturday, April 23, 8:15-11am
Miriam Avello (bilingual) will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne in search of migrating cuckoos, hawks, falcons, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, buntings and warblers, including the stunning Cape May Warbler. Walk sponsor LEICA STORE MIAMI will loan a limited number of Leica binoculars and scopes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets: Admission Free. RSVP Required.
Birdstock | Saturday, April 23, 7-10pm
A playbill of top-flight acoustic acts will headline the much-ballyhooed Birdstock, featuring Acoustic Therapy, whose laid-back music is made by Phil Allen, Burt Bruton, Tony Sinatra and Bruce Turkel, solo songbird DeBlois Milledge and Lyin’ Fish duo John Holcombe & Eric Wagner. Be sure to catch these generous-spirited singer-songwriters as they jam for the Birds. Look for pop-up appearances by a few promising young troubadours. This highly anticipated annual Earth Month event serves as the finale to the 2022 12th Anniversary Conservation Concert series. Door proceeds will help fund completion of the Tropical Audubon chickee.
EVENT DETAILS AND PROTOCOLS
- Picnic tables available on a first-come basis.
- Attendees should be vaccinated and observe social distancing courtesies.
- Attendees will be asked to pack out their garbage; recycle containers will be provided for empty bottles and cans only.
- Our Steinberg Nature Center campus is a strictly enforced SMOKE-FREE environment.
4-4:45pm, Bird Walk with Brian Rapoza
TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza will lead a back-up Bird Walk (due to limited indoor Book
Talk seating) on our near-native Steinberg Nature Center campus. Spot Spring migrants among the Tropical Hardwood and Pine Rockland demonstration forests that comprise most of the 2.2-acre sanctuary. A limited number of LEICA binoculars will be loaned on a first-come, first-served basis.
5-6pm, Conservation Awards Presentation & Annual Meeting
An Awards Ceremony hosted by TAS President José Francisco Barros will recognize outstanding environmental role models in their respective fields of endeavor. These deserving citizen volunteers and public servants have dedicated themselves to protecting and preserving area wildlife, critical habitat and/or our region’s natural resources. Award recipients and their presenters will include:
- Lloyd Brown, Polly Redford Citizen Conservation Award
— Presented by Zoo Miami Ambassador Ron Magill
- Craig Grossenbacher, Dan Beard Government Conservation Award
— Presented by former Miami-Dade County Assistant Attorney Randy Duvall
- Luis Gonzalez, TAS Board Appreciation Award
— Presented by TAS Executive Board Members Brian Rapoza & José Francisco Barros
6pm, LEICA STORE MIAMI Binocular Raffle Drawing
Tickets: Members Migration is FREE to active members; non-members, $10 p/p CASH Admission Sponsorship opportunities are available. E-mail events@tropicalaudubon.org to inquire.
TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY MISSION: “Conserve and restore natural South Florida ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats.”
