PRAS NEWSLETTER GOING ALL ELECTRONIC

Beginning the 2011-2012 season the PRAS White Bird newsletter will be going all electronic. Costs for printing and mailing have become too burdensome and we would like to do our part to reduce resource unnecessary use when possible. So, this means that you will no longer see the Whitebird in your curbside mailbox however, you can still see the White Bird right here. To get a monthly reminder of the publishing of the newsletter, please sign up for one of our three email groups.

THANKS TO OUR BANQUET SPONSORS

Our March 2012 Annual Banquet and Fundraiser could not have been possible without the support of the businesses below who provided items for the banquet and silent auction:.

Sea World, Aquatica and Discovery Cove of Orlando,Carraba's Italian Grill, Riverwood Golf Club, Bobcat Trail Golf Club, Kennedy Space Center and Visitor Complex (Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts), Busch Gardens, Port Charlotte Golf Club, Sabal Trace Golf Club, Hills Golf Club, Palms Golf Club, Babcock Ranch Preserve, Mote Marine, Naples Zoo, Florida Everblades, Kingfisher Fleet, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Grande Tours, Bok Tower, Florida Aquarium, Selby Gardens, Central Florida Zoo, Beyond the Sea, Farlow's on the Water, Worden Farms, Sarasota Classic Car Museum, Publix, Sweetbay, and Pineapple Press.

Thanks to our members who reached out and received help from these businesses as well!

11th Annual Charlotte Birdathon 2012

Saturday, April 7
? a.m. until 5 p.m.

Objective:
To have fun while raising money
for youth environmental education.

Want to join in the fun this year? Go to birdathon for more information.

NORTH AMERICAN MIGRATION COUNT

On September 17, 2011, a nationwide effort to review migratory and resident birds took place..Eight areas that were counted this spring in Charlotte County were again counted in September.

Please see Cathy Olson's article in the October White Bird http://www.peaceriveraudubon.org/whitebird/2011/201110.pdf for the results.

Attend Meetings and Learn

Pennington Park Wednesday Workdays

• Did you know that the Audubon Pennington Park in Port Charlotte is maintained by PRAS?
• Did you know that Brazilian pepper, carrotweed and air potatoes have been invading the beautiful habitat?
• Did you know that every Wednesday at 8AM our volunteers meet to maintain the park?

Well, if the above is news to you - you're missing out on a wonderful opportunity to enjoy birding AND make a diference in our community.

If you'd like to help maintain the park, please meet at the park entrance on Wednesdays mornings at 8 AM. The entrance is off Alton between Peachland and Midway Blvds - approx. 1 1/2 miles west of Kings Highway.

PRAS College Scholarship Fund

The Peace River Audubon Society College Scholarship Fund is an endowed fund to support an advanced college undergraduate environmental studies major residing in Charlotte or Desoto Counties. Our goal for the fund is $30,000 and we are making progress with every fundraising effort to meet that goal. Once the goal is attained, the interest earned will support yearly scholarships. If you would like to donate to this fund please contact our Treasurer, Dave Lancaster, at (586) 214-0203.

If you would like to take advantage of the tax benefits for planned giving options by leaving a legacy through a bequest in your Will or through a gift annuity in yours or someone else's memory please contact your attorney or financial advisor. Your gift will support our work while meeting your own personal needs for income, retirement planning, and tax savings.

We need your help and expertise - Get involved in PRAS today

PRAS Monthly Meetings

Our member meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 2565 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte (just south of Midway Blvd). This is the church where we used to have meetings before Hurricane Charley. We are very thankful to have been invited back. The hall has now been rebuilt and will be a wonderful place to meet. Our doors open at 6:30 PM for friendship, snacks, and sharing bird tips, etc -- meetings begin at 7 PM. See you at the next meeting!

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