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Lee and Collier Shorebird Stewardship Programs
Nesting Season, Spring/Summer 2015
LET’S ALL GET TRAINED!!
Hello Lee and Collier Shorebird Stewards and Friends:
We’ve just finished a Winter Shorebird Stewardship Pilot Project for 2015 and learned lots –
thanks to all who got trained and came out on the beaches to protect migratory flocks! Now
our beach-nesting birds in Southwest Florida are arriving and we need to change gears to
help protect many hundreds of their nests around Marco Island and Ft. Myers Beach, plus
rooftops all over. These nesting sites are among the most important in the State, according to
the data! The data also show stewardship makes a big difference. So, please join us!
Volunteers are needed and you don’t have to have any prior skills – just curiosity and
love for the birds. All stewards receive training in both beach & rooftop stewarding
(one engages people, the other finds you in parking lots possibly handling chicks) and
counting birds. The training dates and locations follow below and we ask that you
RSVP to Brad Cornell – and please bring a friend! Tasks and schedule are flexible
and we can use you whether you can only work one weekend or every weekend. Call
or email with questions, too.
Our goals are to protect these vulnerable species, learn more about them, and enjoy
ourselves in the process. Training includes a light breakfast, and we schedule social
and educational sessions during the nesting season, in addition to the work on the
beach.
We hope to see you there!
Brad Cornell
Southwest Florida Policy Associate
Audubon of the Western Everglades/Audubon Florida/Audubon of Southwest Florida
239-280-6278 cell
bcornell@audubonWE.org
P.S. – Training is necessary for new stewards, but will be very helpful for veterans, as well.
We encourage everyone to share in the community of beach nesting bird stewardship as we
step into the 2015 season.
BEACH-NESTING BIRD STEWARD TRAININGS for 2015 SEASON:
* Sat, May 2nd at 9am - noon; at Lovers’ Key State Park – park at Tram circle and take it to Gazebo
area (thank you to Gloria Beauchamp, Park Manager for making this possible). This will include a
light breakfast and some beach practice with birds and is open to Lee or Collier volunteers. All
participants will be admitted free to the park.
RSVP: bcornell@audubonWE.org. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Lovers-Key
* Sat, May 9th at 9am – noon; at Tigertail Beach on Marco Island – we will meet at the info kiosk
past the restrooms and snack buildings. This will include a light breakfast, some beach practice with
birds, and is open to Lee and Collier volunteers.
RSVP: bcornell@audubonWE.org. http://www.colliergov.net/index.aspx?page=468#tigertail
The Collier and Lee Stewardship Programs were established in 2010 by two of several
current partnerships of organizations around the State, under the banner of “Florida
Shorebird Alliance”. Southwest Florida partners include: Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission, Rookery Bay Estuarine Reserve, City of Marco Island, Town of
Ft. Myers Beach, Friends of Tigertail Beach, Friends of Barefoot Beach, Turtle Time,
Audubon Florida, Audubon of Western Everglades, Audubon of SW Florida, Conservancy of
SW Fla, and Lee Bird Patrol.