KVAS Meetings for 2007-2008
NEW LOCATION!!!
Meetings are held at 6:45 pm at the KUA (Kissimmee Utilities
Authority) Building
1701 W. Carroll St. in Kissimmee
The Public is Invited!
Tues., September 25, 2007 -- Mike Godwin -- Alligators and Wading Birds: A Natural Symbiosis
Too many Floridians seem to think the only good 'gator is a dead one. Did
you know alligators are crucial to many healthy Florida ecosystems, and that wading birds actually
prefer to nest over swamps crawling with 'gators? This presentation will show you what a successful
rookery full of nests of herons, egrets, storks, and even spoonbills can look like in Central Florida.
You may need to count your fingers when you leave; Mike plans to bring a live alligator!
Mike Godwin is the grandson of Gatorland's founder and has developed what we think is a healthy
obsession with creating great photographs of beautiful birds. He keeps telling us, "I'm not a birder,"
but we beg to differ!
Tues., October 23, 2007 -- Christine Carlson -- The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
and You
Did you know Central Florida is where the Everglades ecosystem starts? The creeks, swamps, rivers,
and lakes between here and Lake Okeechobee have a crucial role to play in the health of the Everglades and in our local
habitats for birds like Bald Eagles, Wood Storks, Snail Kites, and all the wading birds. This is your chance to
not only hear about the new "Long-term Management Plan" being developed for our lakes and rivers, but to also provide
your own input into how these precious resources will be managed.
Christine Carlson is the Senior Supervising Geographer for the Kissimmee Division of the South Florida Water
Management District, and is interested in your ideas and comments.
Tues., November 27, 2007 -- Monica Folk -- The Return of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker
We are getting new neighbors soon in Central Florida! A group of endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers
is being re-introduced into the Disney Wilderness Preserve. Come hear about this effort to help save a species and
see what you can do to help.
Monica Folk is Science Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy at the Disney Wilderness Preserve.
Tues., January 22, 2008 -- George and Cyndi Marks -- BATS!
Disgusting vampires or cute balls of fur that can eat their weight in mosquitos? You are
about to find out.
George and Cyndi Marks conduct acoustical bat surveys throughout Florida on behalf of the Port
Charlotte-based Florida Bat Center (FBC). Their digital catalog now numbers in the thousands,
documenting nine different species. The surveys help determine the range of bat species so they can
advise residents and communities on ways to conserve these beneficial creatures.
Tues., February 26, 2008 -- Liz Block -- The Water Crisis and How You Can Help
Do we really need to conserve water? Should we water our lawns twice a week like we hear on TV? Is once enough?
Should we even have lawns at all? And what can we do inside our homes and in the community?
Liz Block will explain the looming Florida water crisis and what we can do to help.
Liz Block is Water Conservation Manager for Toho Water Authority.
Tues., March 25, 2008 -- Bob Montanaro -- The Ospreys of Pelican Island
Come experience the life of the "Fish Hawk." Follow the story of a pair of Ospreys as they go through
a nesting season at the refuge. See encounters with river otters, a family of pileated woodpeckers, and fighting
red-shouldered hawks .
Bob Montanaro is a wildlife photographer.
Tues., April 22, 2008 -- Frank and Nancy Benham -- Feed the Birds! (plus elections)
So you love birds and would love to have more in your yard, but you either don't know what to do or
you've been a miserable failure. Or, you know exactly what you are doing and have a feathery
menagerie out your window. Well, we want both of you at this meeting, which will be a teaching and
sharing session on bird feeding and habitat led by Frank and Nancy. This is also our every-two-years elections
meeting, so run for an office if you want to keep KVAS the best!
Frank and Nancy Benham are birders who live in New Hampshire during our very comfortable Florida summers.
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