Member Survey

Please take a few moments to help us improve our chapter. Your input is essential in helping us design our programs to your interests. Click here to download a pdf version that you can print and mail to us..

PRAS Donates $2500 to the
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center

Many of us may not realize but PRAS was a founding member of CHEC and maintains a seat on the board. As CHEC has grown we have strived to maintain a PRAS connection. Each year CHEC runs a 1 day environmental education course for all 4th grade children in Charlotte County. PRAS strongly believes that youth environmental education is critical for instilling a
lifelong appreciation of our natural world and responsible environmental stewardship. We salute CHEC in its efforts and are putting our money where our mouth is. Please join us at our
May 16 members meeting as we present $2,500 from the PRAS Environmental Education Fund to CHEC. We encourage you to visit this wonderful preserve and environmental education
center and participate in CHEC functions.

Elections

Please join us at our members meeting on May 16 for our annual elections. Three officer positions are currently open. The slate consists of Gregg Klowden for President, Stu Lewis for Vice-president, and Walt Williams for Treasurer. With member approval, Mary Ann Hughes will continue to serve as Secretary and Jan Walker for a 2nd term as a Director. Michael Krzyzkowski and George Ruby joined as Directors midterm 2006-7 and are requesting
member approval to continue. Seeking member approval as incoming Directors are Sandy Artman and Cathy Olson. Alternate officer nominations or additional Director nominations
(including self-nominations) are encouraged and will be accepted at the meeting.

Please consider that our activities would not happen and will not continue to happen without the generous help of volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering to help the Peace River Audubon
Society in any way please complete the volunteer form on the member's survey or contact Gregg Klowden at 941-613-6753 or klowdeng@peaceriveraudubon.org.

Board Nominations Needed

The PRAS board has selected a nominating committee consisting of Gregg Klowden, Phyllis Cady, and Walt Williams. This committee is responsible for seeking nominations for the 2007-2008 PRAS President, Vicepresident, treasurer, and secretary. If you are able to serve your chapter or can think of someone who may be, please send nominations to the committee chair
Gregg Klowden at klowdeng@peaceriveraudubon.org or call 941-613-6753.

Evening With Audubon a Great Success

This year's Evening With Audubon banquet and fundraiser was attended by 101 people. The food was delicious and our speaker Rudy Gelis wowed us with his tales and stunning photos of Ecuadorian wildlife.

The silent Auction was a resounding success with more than 80 items auctioned and over $2000 raised in part for our youth environmental education funds. The photo contest was a success with 40 entries that were judged by the attendees. Winners were: 1st place - Eve Furner, 2nd place - Mary Ann Hughes, 3rd place - a tie by Ginny Diehm, Eve Furner, and Gregg Klowden.

We would also like to thank the people who purchased entire tables. They were: Omni Waste (1), Gail Giles (2), Mary Ann Hughes (2), Pam Neer (1), and Joan Froman (1). Extra special thanks to all those who donated and bid on items. Without you our fundraiser could not have happened. Special thanks also go to all the PRAS members who worked so hard to pull this event together, especially Phyllis Cady, Ginny Diehm, Mary Ann Hughes, Gregg Klowden, Eleanor Marr, George Ruby, Jan Walker, and our emcee and President Paul Holmes. And of course, a very special thanks to Rudy Gelis for coming all the way from Ecuador. I am sure
he would make an excellent guide for an Ecuadorian adventure and can be contacted at rudygelis@yahoo.com.

Donations Needed for Silent Auction

Please consider donating a new item to be auctioned at our annual silent auction at the Evening With Audubon banquet and fundraiser. Books, artwork, gift certificates, and more. Please contact George Ruby at (941) 423-0174 or

CHARLOTTE BIRDATHON 2007
March 31,  2007

Join us for our new and improved Birdathon
to have fun and raise funds for environmental education in Charlotte County . 

Have Fun With Friends
Teams of birders will try to find as many kinds of birds as they can anywhere in Charlotte County in 6 hours. Get together with up to 3 more friends, name your team, plan your day.  Teams will find sponsors (individuals or businesses) to contribute either a lump sum or an amount per bird species seen, such as 10 cents a bird (Previous Birdathons had around 120 species). 

Plan Your Adventure
Teams can start anywhere they want at 7 AM, but will meet with other teams at 1 PM promptly at a designated place to end the Birdathon.  There we share results and determine the number of species the Birdathon has produced, which will be the basis for what the sponsors will pay.   We'll have a picnic lunch (bring your own).

Support PRAS Environmental Education
If you cannot participate, please be a sponsor!  Find more information, the rules, and an entry form at the address below, or call Eleanor Marr, coordinator,  at 941-624-4182. Entries can be mailed or submitted electronically.  Entries will be accepted up until March 29, but if received by March 19 you can join the quest for sponsors at the March 21st banquet.   If you want to participate but do not have a team, e-mail to the address below or call the number provided. 

Click HERE for information, rules, and entry form.

To contact the coordinator:

10th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count
Join With Thousands of Citizens February 16-19, 2007

• It's for people of all ages and levels, fun, easy, and free!
• Your tally helps us understand more about birds and support their conservation.
• Count birds anywhere: including your backyard, a park, schoolyard, or refuge.
• Teachers and (grand) parents: show children a new world of natural wonders.
• See your results immediately online, and compare to those from across the U.S.
• Help us set a new record for participation!
• For more information visit http://www.audubon.org/gbbc/index.shtml

Bill Coombs 1924 - 2007 We are sad to report the sudden death of Bill Coombs. Bill died unexpectedly on January 4, 2007. Bill was an accomplished sailor, exceptional volunteer, and all around good guy.

Before retiring with Betty to Punta Gorda he had a career with Bausch & Lomb where he played a principal part in the introduction of the soft contact lens. Prior to that he earned a BS from University of Rochester and a MS from MIT.

Bill was on the PRAS Board of Directors for at least 7 years where he served terms as President, Treasurer, and Nominating Committee Chair. He served as our CHEC representative, webmaster, on the Membership committee, conducted the fund raising sales, served on the bylaws committee, and on the Coalition for a Livable Environment and Neighborhoods. Most recently he was compiling the history of PRAS and organizing the archives to be stored at CHEC. PRAS and CHEC owe much of their success to Bill. He will be missed!

A tree has been donated in his name by Gregg Klowden and Cathy Olson. A tree dedication will be held at Audubon-Pennington Park in the upcoming months where PRAS members will be able to come and share their memories as we plant the tree. Look for the date in a future White Bird.

Photography Group Trip
to Sarasota Jungle Gardens
January 9, 2007

Grab your camera and come join us for our first photo trip of the year. You will have the opportunity to photograph some fabulous parrots, numerous ducks, and exotic birds including black swans and a white peacock that we can get really close to (don't need that long lens this time).  If you like flamingoes, we can photograph each other feeding them from our hands. Other wild birds seem to share the flamingoes' pond in small numbers.  This may be a great chance to get that winning picture for the Audubon banquet in March! And without even going to a real jungle.

TIME:   Meet 8:45 AM, Leave 9:00 AM sharp.
MEETING PLACE:   McDonalds in Peachland Square (75 and Kings Hwy)
ENTRANCE FEE: $12 per person

2006 Christmas Bird Count
Volunteers Needed

The Peace River Audubon Society's 'Christmas Bird Count,' will take place on Saturday the 16th of December. Twelve groups of birders, ranging from brand new birders to experts, will count as many birds as possible from within a 30 mile diameter circle, centered on the junction of Henry St. And US41 in Punta Gorda. For over 100 years Audubon chapters from as far north as Canada to parts of South America have taken part in this annual count, making this what is
probably one of the oldest and almost certainly the largest example of 'Citizen Science' in the world.

Interested members of the public, especially ones capable of identifying our more common local birds are welcome and encouraged to take part in this day long fun event. Even if you are not confident in your birding skills, you can help out by driving our counters or tallying the birds as they are called out by our counters.

Since each group surveys its own area, there is no specific starting point. Anyone wishing to join us should contact the count organizer, Tony Licata, at or (941) 505-9775.

Environmentally Sensitive Lands Referendum Passes

On November 7th the citizens of Charlotte County spoke and their message will be heard for generations to come. Charlotte County now joins 27 out of 67 counties in Florida that have decided it is worth spending a few dollars each to ensure there are green spaces in our future and to protect our environment by reducing the impacts of growth on our most special places. Over the next 20 years, 70 million dollars will be spent on the purchase and management of numerous environmentally sensitive lands. This is a huge victory for us and future generations. Many thanks should be bestowed upon the Political Action Committee board Valerie Gunther, Ed Freeman, Dave Sumpter, and Perry Cook, the Nature Conservancy and its representative Sue Mullins, and a host of other volunteers, organizers, sponsors, and people who took the time to vote and without which this success would not have been possible. For more information on this program click here.

Vote YES For Environmentally Sensitive Lands

On November 7th, you and I, the members of Peace River Audubon Society have an historical opportunity to promote a positive future for Charlotte County . If it passes, the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Referendum, known as 'Conservation Charlotte', would help assure that some of the most important green areas of our county remain green. When you look around much of Florida and see the results of uncontrolled urban sprawl, you see the danger that faces Charlotte County in the immediate future. Unless action is taken now, it is almost certain that the Charlotte County way of life will be changed forever.

With the expected low turnout at the polls, if the 540 members of Peace River Audubon Society all vote in favor of the 'Conservation Charlotte' referendum it would greatly increase its chance of passing. So, not just for us, but for future generations, go out and vote 'YES' to the 'Conservation Charlotte' referendum and take as many relatives, friends, and neighbors with you as possible.

For more information visit the Vote Charlotte Conservation website.

2006-2007 Season Off to a Start

Welcome back to old members and welcome to new members. We are privileged to have several returning board members as well as new additions to our board. Please check out our current lineup of board and committee members. We are still in need of a Conservation Chair. If you would like to help revitalize the conservation arm of our organization or would like to help out with any of the many activities of our organization, please contact Paul Holmes at (941) 833-3337 or EMAIL DELETED Without YOU we can not succeed.

Photography Group Trip to Cedar Key
October 24-26, 2006

Three day trip to in conjunction with Charlotte Digital Art Photographers.

Reservation must be made by October 1.

For more information or to make reservations, contact Mary Ann Hughes at 941-661-1218 or EMAIL DELETED

Click here for info on additional photography group trips.

7th Annual Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival
October 7th
10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Charlotte Sports Park and Tippecanoe Environmental Park
2300 El Jobean Rd. (S.R. 776)

Free Admission

The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is pleased to sponsor the seventh annual Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival - a day for the family to explore, learn and enjoy the area's beautiful natural environment.

Explore and learn about the incredible wildlife and natural environment of the Charlotte Harbor estuaries and watershed. You'll enjoy guided walks, wagon rides (if conditions permit), exhibits, displays, live animals, nature crafts and art, guest speakers, children's activities, music, good food and more!

Jan Walker and Phyllis Cady (the education committee) will present a program for children ages 5 to 8 at 3:30 P.M. on Friday, August 25 at the Mid-point Library in Port Charlotte.  The topic will be "Learning About Birds" and it will be part of the library's after school program.  Jan and Phyllis will have a story, songs, pictures and discussion, an art project, and a display that the children will be able to touch.

PRAS Receives Grant From Florida Audubon

Thanks to Eleanor Marr, Jan Walker, and Larry Linn, PRAS has received a $995 grant from Florida Audubon. Grant funds are to be used for educational signage along the trails at Audubon Pennington Park.

2005-2006 season ends with a bang

Our season ended with two great events.  The first was a birding trip and pig roast at the old girl scout camp near Arcadia.  Approximately 40 people came and enjoyed a delicious feast.  Our final event of the year was a boat trip up the Peace River to see two wading bird rookeries.  Nine people, plus guides Monica and Rich Dorkin from CHEC, were treated to tremendous amounts of wood stork chicks as well as some beautiful views of tricolored heron babies, the flamboyant plumage of breeding cattle egret, and many splashes of breeding cow-nosed stingrays.

Stay tuned for next years schedule of events.  Our new Board of Directors has been posted but several Committee positions are still open.  Please contact Paul Holmes if you would like to help us out.

In Loving Memory

We are sad to report that the Audubon Society and Charlotte County has lost a true conservation leader.  Betty Talburt passed away on May 23rd shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Betty will be missed by us all.

Betty moved to Port Charlotte only a few short years ago and has left an impression on our county and us all.  She served on our Board of Directors the last 2 years, managed the Audubon membership roles, solicited donations for and organized our annual silent auction, and helped organize our monthly meeting programs. 

She also served as the volunteer coordinator for the Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival the last 4 years and was the founder of the Charlotte chapter of the Republicans for Environmental Protection.

Another example of Betty's proactive nature that will live on in Charlotte County is that recently when she learned that a nursery was going out of business she purchased a large amount of live aok trees to be used to beautify the streeets of Harbour Heights.  We are told that it is likely this will come to fruition and will live on as part of her legacy.

The Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners recently honored Betty by declaring May 9, 2006 as "Betty Talburt Day".   The Peace River Audubon Society recently honored Betty with the '2006 Environmental Volunteer of the Year' award. This award was presented by Commissioner Adam Cummings, who received the 'Environmental Citizen of the Year' award that evening, and was received by Betty's son and daughter. "She identified an unmet need in the community and seized the opportunity to meet that need," Cummings said. The Charlotte County Sierra Club also honored her that evening and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary program voted to authorize a resolution recognizing Talburt for her many contributions.  Articles on Betty also recently appeared in the Charlotte Sun Herald on 5/5/06 and 5/18/06.

Following are a few comments from PRAS members:

"Betty was an absolutely amazing woman; always upbeat and smiling.  She often reminded me that while one person can't change all that is wrong in the county and state, each of us can make a difference.  She, of all people, constantly reminded me to take time for myself and not wear out.  She was always ready with words of encouragement and a hug.

She loved the Peace River and the critters that inhabit Florida and worked for years to protect and restore it.  She loved scrub-jays and wanted to see them better protected. After Charley, while still recovering from hip surgery, she was helping everyone in the neighborhood.  I remember checking in on her and she insisted that she was fine and that I should help someone who needed it...  She was one of  the last people to get her house tarped because she sent the Corps volunteers to other people in the neighborhood who were unfamiliar with hurricanes and the damage they cause.

Above all she was an intelligent woman who did not accept the rhetoric that was put in front of her.  She sought advice from people who knew the topic and formulated their shared knowledge into her own words.  She never "parroted" information, she researched situations and made recommendations based on information she had gathered.  She was not afraid to admit she had made a mistake when she had. She stood up to the loud spoken and could debate the best of them.

Her death will leave a large void in Charlotte County. I will always remember her laugh, kind eyes, firm grip, and hugs". ----- Cathy Olson, Former PRAS President

"We at Peace River Audubon will miss Betty very much. Betty was a lady it was hard to say "no" too, but she always smiled as she asked you. We took it for granted that the membership rolls were up to date, after all, Betty was membership chair....We knew the silent auction would raise money, after all, Betty was in charge of it......But the main reason we will miss Betty, was simply because she was 'Our Betty.' And, "Our Betty." is irreplaceable".   ----Paul Holmes, PRAS President

"I got to know Betty mainly through the Nature Festival for the past four years (though this year's festival got rained out).   She coordinated the activities of all the volunteers who worked the festival and I was her assistant on the day of the festival.  Betty was in charge of it all, including getting volunteers in the first place, collecting entry fees at the gate when that was done, directing vendors and attendees to their destinations, getting all the great prizes for the hourly raffles, and then running the raffles.  I don't know how she did it.  Such energy!  We'll all  miss her." 
----Eleanor Marr, Board member

In Loving Memory

Estelle Fairhurst, a vibrant, active, and dearly loved PRAS members, died April 12, 2006. Estelle chaired the hospitality committee for many years; she baked goodies, made coffee and mothered us all. She also loved to embroider and made several bird and butterfly embroideries that she donated to the silent auction. Estelle will be missed!

Following are some comments from PRAS members:

Larry and I really enjoyed Estelle's tenacity and humor.  She was a wonderful warm-hearted person who took great pride in her baking ability.  She loved to organize the food and beverages for Audubon meetings.  In particular, she loved to remind Larry each time she brought one of his favorites...her cream puffs...which of course he enjoyed thoroughly!  Plus offering decaf and her somewhat-famous vanilla coffee.  Always having a smile and willing to help in whatever way she could.  She was a pistol! She will be missed. ---- Joy and Larry Linn

Estelle had been planning to serve as the "coffee lady" this past year, but she became ill last summer and had been hospitalized since the first week of July with pancreatic cancer.  There were several times when we thought she wouldn't survive for very long beginning in September, but she would rally and fool all of us.  She actually became strong enough to handle household bills from her hospital bed!  The last time Ted and I saw her was in February and she was working on her income taxes.  I understand that she had already renewed their Audubon membership for the coming year. Estelle loved to bustle around preparing homemade goodies for all.  She would always prepare and bring at least three different items to potluck dinners and was so pleased when people ate every bite.  She was born to help and to put a smile on your face.   We'll all miss her. ---- Kitty Rich

Estelle and her husband Earl participated in the PRAS Florida Scrub-Jay monitoring project. She concentrated on the birds in central Charlotte County near Eleanor Avenue . She had a special bird that she called "Tag Along". She would call out to the bird and he would pop out of the scrub. She would smile and coo and encourage Tag Along as he followed her down the block. I will always remember her for her kind words of support, laughter and hugs. ---- Cathy Olson

I remember her enthusiasm for watching and naming the Scrub-Jays. ---Karl Miller

I always looked forward each meeting to seeing Estelle's smiling face. She would greet me warmly with a hug and kiss and then make sure I had a full plate of goodies she baked. She always had a heartfelt story waiting about the animals, especially scrub-jays, she had recently seen and was equally eager to hear of my exploits. Estelle was always willing to lend a hand and though she could not identify many birds was eager to help out on the Christmas Bird Count by driving or tallying.  One of Estelles's endearing qualities was her New-England tenacity.  I will always remember with a chuckle one Christmas Bird Count in which she insisted on driving and then a few miles down the road told us we couldn't roll down the windows since she had just had window tinting installed. Obviously we had to backtrack for a different car but that didn't matter as her overall warmth and enthusiasm was a joy to be around. I will greatly miss hearing her distinct Massachusetts twang and seeing her sweet smile. ---- Gregg Klowden

5th annual Charlotte Harbor 100 Bird-A-Thon
March 26th, 2006, 6 a.m. to noon

Come join the fun, help raise some money, and test out your birding skills.

Objective:
The winning team will be the team which records the most species of birds either by sight or sound within Charlotte County during the six hours from 6 am to noon on March 26th , 2006. To beat the Charlotte Harbor 100 Challenge, the current record must be beaten. For more information see this months Whitebird and click here.

Nature Photography Group trip to Six Mile Cypress Slough
Tuesday, March 21, 7:00 a.m.

For details see our Photography Group page.  If you are interested in nature photography, whether you are an expert or complete novice, you use digital or film, don't miss this great opportunity to improve your skills and share your love of wildlife and photography with others.

Meet in the parking lot of Sweetbay at US 41 south of Burnt Store Road intersection.

PRAS Banquet, Silent Auction, & Photo Contest
March 9, 2006

PREPAID RESERVATION DEADLINE Tuesday February 28th
Tickets are NOT available at the door.

The 29th Annual PRAS Banquet, Silent Auction, & Photo Contest
will be held on March 9.  Come join the fun.  Nonmembers welcome. 

---------------
For more details click HERE (pdf) .

Questions? Contact us at EMAIL DELETED

----------------
For reservations contact Phyllis Doggett at
941-575-4009 or EMAIL DELETED
or mail a check for $20/ person to
PRAS/ c/o Phyllis Doggett/ 425 Fireball Ct/ Punta Gorda, FL 33950

-----------------
To donate items for the silent auction please contact Betty Talburt at
941-766-0354 or EMAIL DELETED

Columbus McLeod Memorial Dedication
	January 20th 2:00 pm Ponce de Leon Park

In 1908 Columbus McLeod, one of the original two Florida wardens employed by Audubon to police the plume trade, disappeared and was presumed murdered in Charlotte County. For some years now Peace River Audubon has been working to place a historical marker in a local park to commemorate his sacrifice. Thanks to George Marks, Larry Linn, a grant from the Bureau of Historic Preservation Florida Department of State, and donations from local and state Audubon members, this goal has been realized and the marker has been installed in Ponce de Leon park. A dedication will held at 2:00 pm January 20th in Ponce de Leon park, Punta Gorda Florida. We have invited the members of the town council, the city manager, the head of Parks and Grounds, and Charlotte County commissioners. As a member of Peace River Audubon Society, we would be delighted if you could join us for the ceremony.

Nature Photography Group trip January 24th

The Nature Photography Group is back and will take two trips this spring.   The first is a trip to Corkscrew Swamp on January 24th. For details see our Photography Group page.  If you are interested in nature photography, whether you are an expert or complete novice, you use digital or film, don't miss this great opportunity to improve your skills and share your love of wildlife and photography with others.

6th Annual Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival
February 4th, 10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Charlotte Sports Park and Tippecanoe Environmental Park
2300 El Jobean Rd. (S.R. 776)

Free Admission

The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is pleased to sponsor the sixth annual Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival - a day for the family to explore, learn and enjoy the area's beautiful natural environment.

Explore and learn about the incredible wildlife and natural environment of the Charlotte Harbor estuaries and watershed. You'll enjoy guided walks, wagon rides (if conditions permit), exhibits, displays, live animals, nature crafts and art, guest speakers, children's activities, music, good food and more!

105th Christmas Bird Count

The Christmas Bird Count is coming on December 17.
Click here for more info or contact Tony Licata at EMAIL DELETED  or (941) 505-4775.

Environmental Education

PRAS has been asked to help the Girl Scouts of Charlotte County with their birding program. We have set up 5 Saturday morning session at various birding spots throughout the county. We need volunteers to help the girls with bin-ocular usage, use and organization of field guides, and bird identification skills. If you have an hour to share with the Girl Scouts on March 25th or May 13th, we still need volunteers for those dates. We have materials that will help you organize your presentation if you need them.

We will also be working with Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) to present a “Family Introduction to Birding” on Saturday, January 14th. This will be an opportunity to introduce people of all ages to the fun of birding.  We need people to help with instruction, guidance in the use of binoculars, organization and distribution of materials, and guides on the trails.

These activities offer PRAS the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community and provide fun rewarding experiences for everyone involved.  To volunteer for either of these projects, call Jan Walker at (941)639-3879, or Email me at: walkerj@peaceriveraudubon.org.

Phosphate

Concerned about the effects of phosphate mining on the environment? Check out www.thephosphaterisk.com. Spread the word!

CANCELED DUE TO HURRICANE WILMA

A Citizens Update - Wednesday October 26th at 9:00 a.m.
We have an exciting new event called 'A Citizens Update' that will take place on Wednesday October 26th at 9:00 am in the Cultural Center. This event will offer you an opportunity to get up-to-date on the main environmental issues that concern us. Speakers include the director of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Lisa Beever, Charlotte County Commissioner Adam Cummings, the developer of Babcock Ranch, Sydney Kitson, and Charlotte County environmental Specialist Bill Byle speaking about the fight to stop phosphate mining in the headwaters of the Peace River..

We hope that some of our 450 nonactive members will also join us so that we understand how all our members feel about local environmental issues.  This will allow us to take action on the behalf of all our members.

Admission is free but please register so we have sufficient refreshments.  Contact us at: EMAIL DELETED. or call (941)639-3879.

Welcome Back
It's that time of year again and Peace River Audubon is gearing up for a great year.  Note our new meeting location and check out this year's field trips. This year we have 2 types of trips: Field trips and Walk-Abouts.  Walk-abouts are a bit less strenuous, are closer to home, and occur on the 1st Tuesday of each month.  For more details click here.