KVAS Meetings for 2008-2009
Meetings are held at 6:45 pm at the KUA (Kissimmee Utility
Authority) Building
1701 W. Carroll St. in Kissimmee
The Public is Invited!
Tues., September 23, 2008 -- Brian Reichert -- Snail Kites
It was only a few years ago that Snail Kites were a pretty rare sight in Central Florida.
Now the population here has increased dramatically but declined in South Florida. Come
hear about one of the most unique but endangered birds in North America and what the future may hold for it!
Brian Reichert is a Graduate Research Assistant and Field Biologist with the Florida Cooperative Fish and
Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Florida in Gainesville. We recently sent him a photo of a banded Snail
Kite we saw and he practically emailed us a book on its life history!
Tues., October 28, 2008 -- Steve Isham -- Anoles: Those Florida Yard Lizards
Anoles are in practically everyone's yard in our state, yet few people know much about them.
They are mistakenly called chameleons, geckos, or skinks. Learn where they came from, where they live, how they
establish and defend territories, what they eat, what eats them, why they change color, how they climb up smooth
surfaces, and much more. Plus, find out how to help save our native green anoles while encouraging beneficial plant growth!
Steve has a reputation for delivering a funny and informative talk, and you won't be disappointed!
Steve Isham graduated from UCF with a degree in journalism and was recovering from a painful ankle injury when lizards
starting talking to him on the backyard deck. Well, not exactly, but while recuperating he researched and wrote the book
"Anoles: Those Florida Yard Lizards," and has become an expert on the subject.
Tues., November 25, 2008 -- Monica Folk -- The Return of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Part II)
We have new neighbors in Central Florida! A group of endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers
was re-introduced last year into the Disney Wilderness Preserve. Now a new group has been introduced! Come hear
about this effort to help save a species and get updated on how the project is going!
Monica Folk is Science Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy at the Disney Wilderness Preserve.
Tues., January 27, 2009 -- Pat Lamond -- Midway Atoll
Why should birders or anyone else be interested about a remote Pacific Island and the birds and
animals that inhabit it? Come find out in this informative illustrated talk.
Tues., February 24, 2009 -- Eleanor Foerste -- Lake Lizzie Preserve
Let our local expert tell you about one of our local natural treasures! Lake
Lizzie Preserve east of St. Cloud has many different plant and animal habitats and, thanks to
Osceola County land purchases, just keeps on growing!
Eleanor Foerste works in the Osceola County Extension Service of the University of Florida
and, when it comes to natural Central Florida, knows just about everything!
Please note changed program sequence below!
Tues., March 24, 2009 -- Jenny Welch -- Bald Eagles in Osceola County
Learn about the trials, tribulations, and yes, successes of local Bald Eagles as
they encounter an increasingly urban environment!
Jenny Welch is our KVAS Education Chair. She is the Audubon EagleWatch representative assigned to the Bald
Eagle nest at Highlands Elementary School in Kissimmee, and takes great photographs!
Tues., April 28, 2009 -- Dan Pennington -- Planning and Managing Land for Wildlife
In this time of relentless development of our natural lands, wise planning and
management of parks, preserves, and all kinds of private land becomes more important than ever. Learn
how planners, landowners, and citizens like you can give our wild friends a chance to survive and even thrive!
Dan Pennington, a Community Planner for 1000 Friends of Florida, is project manager for several projects
including developing a Florida-based guide, Wildlife Habitat Planning Strategies, Design Features
and Best Management Practices for Florida Communities, and also for the Florida Panhandle Initiative
which works to improve local and regional land use decisions.
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