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Nikon and The Brevard Nature Alliance present Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 16 - 20, 2005 in Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. |
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Nikon and The Brevard Nature Alliance present Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 16 - 20, 2005 in Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. |
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2005 SEMINARS
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Videos
Florida Growth Videos: Phantom Future and Changing Lanes
Presenter: Documentary Filmmaker, George Sibley
Although only the 22nd largest state in the nation, Florida ranks fourth in population. Ever increasing numbers of people are moving into environmentally sensitive areas, which is having an enormous impact on natural systems all over the state. Explore some of the most important consequences of this state's enthusiasm for growth in two films about people and nature in Florida.First, travel from the Panhandle to the Keys to take a look at Florida's threatened water resources. The Sun Belt is America's frontier now, and coping with a booming population who want to live the good life in a warm place is largely a question of water. Competing demands for smaller supplies, and politicians with dubious priorities add up to a "Phantom Future" for the Sunshine State.
Then, "Changing Lanes" shows how roads continue to open up rural lands for development and how, under the guise of transportation "solutions" that are really no solutions at all, the growth industry is using tax dollars to promote road congestion and urban sprawl.
Nature has always been an essential part of the mosaic that is Florida. These stimulating films remind us of just how frail and vulnerable it is in the face of relentless human pressures, and of how important it is for all of us to take a hand in protecting the natural things and places that we need. George Sibley has been a filmmaker for a number of years. He took an interest in making nature films with a message about ten years ago.
www.floridahometowndemocracy.com
Nov 18, 11:00am-12:15pm: BCC Gymn Class 123; $5.00
Nov 19, 3:45pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; $5.00International Travel and Adventure
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
Presenter: Kurt Beate
Nomadtrek S.A. and Tapir Lodge
The phrase "small is beautiful" could have been coined specifically with Ecuador in mind. Here you can watch dawn break over the jungle canopy, have lunch high in the Andean mountains, then watch the sun slip into the Pacific Ocean; all in the same day. Ecuador is one of the world's premier birding destinations. It occupies only approximately 0.02% of the world's land surface, but contains easily 18% of all species of birds (1,630 species). The Galapagos Islands came to the world's attention following a visit by a young Charles Darwin. The islands, which get their name from the giant tortoises that live there, are the home of 26 endemic species of birds, such as the Galapagos Penguin, Lava Heron, Flightless Cormorant, Galapagos Hawk and Darwin Finches (13 spp). But it is not just the scientific importance of this place, or its unique wildlife that make it so special. The animals here are so tame you can walk up and shake their hand (flipper, wing or claw). Each island also has its own particular main event; from the bizarre love dance of the Blue-footed Booby to the magnificent courtship display of male Frigate Birds. Veteran of 28 years of organizing trips to the Galapagos and a pioneer in eco-tourism, Kurt Beate is the Founder of Nomadtrek, a lodge in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon region.
www.nomadtrek.com
Nov 16, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Room 121; $5.00
Nov 19, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; $5.00The Ecuadorian Andes and Rainforest
Presenter: Kurt Beate
Nomadtrek S.A. and Tapir Lodge
Ecuador's fast changing geography and climatic variations, have led to evolution of thousands of species of flora and fauna. When it comes to avifauna, the subtropical zone of the Andes, suspended between about 4,500 - 8,000 feet, is simply one of the richest and most enjoyable areas to bird anywhere in the world. Eastern and western Andean outer slopes are combined to produce a staggering array of species in spectacular surroundings and ideal temperature. Some birds that can be seen in the Andes slopes are the Toucan Barbet, Wattled Guan, Golden-headed Quetzal, Cock of the Rock, Club-winged Manakin, Beautiful Jay, Swallow Tanager, Yellow-collared Clorophonia and Giant Antpitta.Birding in our Tapir Lodge, which is located in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in the Northeastern Ecuadorian Amazon Basin, is a wonderful experience for beginners and experienced birdwatchers. Bird while you navigate on dugout canoes through the gorgeous Cuyabeno River, small creeks or through black water lakes. Hikes through the primary tropical forest also provide first-class opportunities for birding. Here are some samples of the 550 different bird species existing in Cuyabeno: Pavonine Quetzal, Zigzag Heron, Harpy Eagle, Buckley's Forest Falcon, Gray-winged Trumpeter, Pheasant Cuckoo, Gray-breasted Crake, Sunbittern, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Black-banded Owl, Long-tailed Potoo, Great Potoo, Fiery Topaz, Great Jacamar, Brown Nunlet, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Cocha Antshrike, Black-and-white Antbird, White-plumed Antbird and Noble Antthrush. Veteran of 28 years of organizing trips to the Galapagos and a pioneer in eco-tourism, Kurt Beate is the Founder of Nomadtrek, a lodge in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon region.
www.nomadtrek.com
Nov 17, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Class 121; $5.00
Nov 20, 10:15am-11:15am: BCC Class 121; $5.00The Best Birding Spots in Panama
Presenter: Carlos Bethancourt
Canopy Tower Ecolodge and Nature Observatory
One of the "birdiest" countries in the world, the small country of Panama is approximately the same size as the state of Delaware, but it boasts a BIG bird list of 965 species - greater than that of the United States and Canada put together!! Sixty-five percent of those species inhabit the forests around the Panama Canal where birding is easy and very productive. It is not uncommon to see 275 species in 7 days of birding. Highlights generally include great views of toucans, puffbirds, motmots, trogons, antbirds, tanagers, and manakins. Panama also hosts a superb assortment of mammals, including two and three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, capuchins, Geoffrey's tamarins, tamanduas, wooly opossums, capybaras, and kinkajous. Raptor migration is spectacular, offering sights of 75,000 Swainson's Hawks and Broad-winged Hawks in the air at once. Panama is quite easy to get to - it's only 2 1/2 hours from Miami, with several non-stop flights every day. Join Canopy Tower's top birding guide, Carlos Benthancourt, as he reviews the best birding spots around the Canal Zone and the birds and wildlife that can be observed there.
www.canopytower.com
Nov 16, 1:00pm2:00pm:BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00
Nov 17, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00
Nov 20, 11:30am-12:30am: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00The Sunday presentation has been CANCELLEDThe Birds of Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve
Presenter: Alexander Dzib Chay
Hotel Ecoparaiso Xixim Observatory
Regarded by ornithologists as a true treasure trove, the "Ria de Celestun" is home to over 350 species of birds. The unique location of Celestun (where the winds blow from different directions) and the great quantity of habitats, such as wetlands, mangrove forest, low deciduous forest, savannah, hummocks, etc. provide sufficient food and shelter not only for resident birds such as the American Greater Flamingo (the most popular bird and the most sought after by tourists), but also for the migratory ones. Both the wintering and transient species may be found in the "Ría de Celestún" from November through March. For sure, amongst the wintering birds, you will observe the Painted Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American Redstart and Zone-tailed Hawk, and amongst the transient species, Cerulean, Blackpoll & Golden-winged Warblers, Scarlet Tanager and Baltimore Oriole. Nevertheless, a visit to "Ria de Celestun" is a must for birdwatchers because of the 11 endemic (of the 14 endemic species found in the whole Yucatan Peninsula) and 2 quasi-endemic species you can spot here, including Yucatan Wren, Yucatan Jay, Yucatan Parrot, Yucatan Woodpecker, Yucatan Nightjar, Yucatan Flycatcher, Black Catbird, Rose-throated Tanager, Gray-throated Chat, Orange Oriole, Ridgway's Rough-winged Swallow, Mexican Sheartail and Yucatan Bobwhite. Aleander Dzib is the professional Birding Naturalist Guide for the Ecoparaiso Hotel in Celestun,Yucatan, Mexico.
www.ecoparaiso.com
Nov 17, 2:15pm-3:15pm: BCC Community Dining Room; $5.00
Nov 20, 10:15am-11:15am: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00Helpful Tips for Tropical Birding
Presenter: Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
Victor Emanuel has been birding the neotropics for almost fifty years. It is his favorite birding area in the world. He wants to encourage more people to visit this wonderful area. During this talk he will discuss where to make your first trip to the neotropics, what areas have the easiest birding and what areas are the most challenging. He will try to dispel some common misconceptions about the tropics and will discuss how best to prepare for a birding trip to the tropics. During this talk, Victor will share his insights in how best to bird the tropics, including which binoculars to use and what techniques will enable you to have the best birding experience. Victor Emanuel started birding 57 years ago, and has since lived a life that is full of accomplishments and recognitions, including the Roger Tory Peterson Excellence in Birding Award, given by the Houston Audubon Society in recognition of a lifetime of dedication to careful observation, education, and addition to the body of avian knowledge.
www.ventbird.com
Nov 18 & 19, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00The Celestun Special Biosphere Reserve
Presenter: Verena Gerber
Hotel Ecoparaiso Xixim
The Celestún Special Biosphere Reserve lies 56 miles west of Merida, Yucatan (route 281) and/or 134 miles to the north of Campeche, Campeche (route 180) towards the western tip of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico. It comprises 81,482 hectares (201,345 acres) shared by two states: 47,352 hectares belong to the state of Yucatan (Municipio de Celestún) and the rest, 34,130 hectares, to Campeche (Municipio de Calkiní). On July 19th, 1979, the Federal Government created the Celestun Wildlife Refuge. Because of its importance as the main feeding area for the American Flamingo and countless species of waterfowl and shorebirds, its status was upgraded to that of a Special Biosphere Reserve in 1989. The Special Biosphere Reserves are representative zones of one or more ecosystems that haven't been altered by men. These areas are the habitat to endemic, and/or species threatened with extinction. On February 2nd, 2004, during the Treaty of Ramsar, the Biological Reserve "Ría Celestún", was registered as one of the Wetlands of International Importance. Today, Mexico is home to 67 National Parks, 13 Special Biosphere Reserves, 22 Biosphere Reserves, 28 Protected Areas, 17 Sanctuaries and 4 Natural Monuments. Verena Gerber is the Owner and President of the Board of Eco Paraiso, S.A. de C.V.
www.ecoparaiso.com
Nov 16, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; $5.00
Nov 20, 9:00am-10:00am, BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00Wonderful Hummingbirds of Ecuador
Presenter: Xavier Munoz, Owner and Tour Leader, Neblina Forest Birding Tours -
Ecuador is home to 135 species of hummingbirds. That represents almost fifty percent of the amount of hummers found in the Americas. Hummingbirds can be found in nearly every type of habitat in Ecuador from sea level to the snow capped mountains. This presentation will show you how these amazing diminutive creatures have changed the lives of many people. They are admired and seen at hummingbird feeders in natural environments near the Andes in Ecuador. Thanks to hummingbirds, many organizations have started conservation programs in Ecuador. Enjoy with us this presentation about these wonderful tiny birds. They are lovely, they are lively and they are seen everywhere in Ecuador. Xavier Munoz is the co-owner of Neblina Forest Birding Tours, the first birding company established in South America, where they boldly set an example for conservation by visiting the communities and forests where local people profit from eco-tourism.
www.neblinaforest.com
Nov 17, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Community Dining Room; $5.00
Nov 19, 11:30am-12:30pm: BCC Gymn Class 123; $5.00Exotic and Easy Birding in Brazil and Uruguay
Presenter: Xavier Munoz
Neblina Forest Birding Tours
To talk about Brazil is to speak about a place that is almost another world. The nation shares its borders with every other country in South America except Chile and Ecuador. Birding inside this giant land will give you the chance not only to be in contact with different and wonderful birds, but will give you the opportunity to see exotic mammals as well. Brazil is home to 150 species of endemic birds and habitats of all types, such as Atlantic Forest, Cerrado Forest, Amazonian Forest and the Pantanal. Uruguay is a tiny country with big opportunities for wildlife watching. Relax on Punta del Este beaches while admiring whales and dolphins. Easy birding in a fairyland forest is enhanced by the wide variety of mammals. Uruguay has easy access with fantastic food and amazing cultural heritage. It is THE country for birdwatching, whale and mammal watching and culture! In this presentation I will try to give you a taste of each. Xavier Munoz is the co-owner of Neblina Forest Birding Tours, which organizes tours in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Uruguay and Brazil.
www.neblinaforest.com
Nov 17, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; $5.00
Nov 19, 9:00am-10:00am: BCC Gymn Class 123; $5.00AAA Adventures
Presenter: Julio Soto
AAA SignaTours
To experience the exhilaration of rushing down the white water of the Colorado River is what many travelers seek in their vacations. For those adventures and others like them, AAA Travel has created AAA Adventures - exclusive vacations, explorations and expeditions that will excite, educate and challenge you in ways you never thought possible. From scuba diving the incredible underwater world of a 186-mile long barrier reef off Ambergris Caye, to horseback riding through varied Irish Landscapes, to viewing rare species of birds in the rainforest of Costa Rica, AAA Travel has searched the world to bring you the most extraordinary vacation experiences...AAA Adventures. The Connemara Trail on Horse Back • Yellowstone Fly Fishing Adventures • Grizzly Bear & Wildlife Watching • Costa Rica Family Adventure Program • Costa Rica Eco-Tourism Adventure • Journey to the Galapagos • Belize Diving • Western Snow Train...these and many more adventures await you. Julio Soto is the Director of Sales & Alliance Services for AAA Signa Tours.
www.aaasouth.com/adventure_travel.asp
Nov 16, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; Free
Nov 18, 2:15pm-3:15pm: BCC GymnClass 123; $5.00
Domestic Travel and Adventure
Eco-trips In and Near the Space Coast
Presenter: Holly Ambrose
EcoFlorida magazine
Based on the University Press of Florida book 30 Eco-Trips in Florida: The Best Nature Excursions (and How to Leave Only Your Footprints) by Holly Ambrose. Find out the best wild areas around to watch birds and other wildlife, hike, paddle and camp. Attendees will be invited to share their own stories about their trips in the region for the benefit of others. Session will end with a question-and-answer period about Florida wild places and the creation of the book. Holly Ambrose is the Founder and Editor of EcoFlorida Magazine.
www.ecofloridamag.com
Nov 19, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; $5.00Hike Florida!
Presenter: Sandra Friend
Florida Trail Association
From the state-spanning 1,400-mile Florida Trail to the hundreds of short nature trails found in urban neighborhoods across the state, hikers enjoy an incredible range of opportunities to get out and enjoy natural Florida. Hiking is great way to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and to participate in wildlife watching and birding. Author Sandra Friend, an expert on Florida hiking, informs you how to get involved in Florida hiking and the best places to hike as she details via video, slides and discussion the variety of experiences available to hikers of all ages and abilities. Sandra Friend is the Communications Coordinator for the Florida Trail Association and author of seven books on Florida hiking.
www.floridatrail.org
Nov 17, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 123; $5.00Wings Over Alaska - Places You've Heard Of, and Places You Haven't
Presenter: Karla Hart
Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game
With spring comes an explosion of life as millions of birds from all seven continents converge to breed in Alaska. The "standard" birding itinerary includes Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks, Nome, Gambell, St. Paul, and perhaps Barrow. Time tested and covering a range of habitat types and a vast geographic spread, this itinerary optimizes your species list. But, at 10 times the size of Florida, with a population of just 650,000, Alaska also offers vast new birding frontiers. Karla will share some Alaska specialties and suggest some areas that are deserving of attention by adventuresome birders looking to expand birding knowledge. Karla Hart is the Watchable Wildlife Program Coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
www.birdingalaska.gov
Nov 16, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00
Nov 18, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00Alaska - Come Watch Our Wildlife!
Presenter: Karla Hart
Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game
Escape to the wildlands and waterways of Alaska and learn how to plan your unforgettable wildlife viewing adventure while enjoying slides and video footage of spectacular scenery and wildlife. Karla will help you find brown bears, humpback whales, puffins, walrus, caribou, moose, wolves, foxes, muskoxen, birding hot spots and more. Like Florida, Alaska can be an expensive destination. Learn how to cut costs while enhancing your experiences, and where it is worth it to splurge if you can. Bring your questions. Karla has extensive experience planning wildlife viewing trips across Alaska and knows how to get about and when to look for what wildlife where. She'll be available after the workshop for individual discussions as well. Karla Hart is the Watchable Wildlife Program Coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov
Nov 17, 11:00am-12:00pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00
Nov 19, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00The Great Texas Birding Classic: A Bird Watching Tournament Extraordinary
Presenter: Carol Jones
Sponsored by Reliant Energy
The Great Texas Birding Classic is touted as the U.S.'s biggest, longest and wildest bird watching tournament. This presentation will give an overview of how the tournament is structured to include every age and skill level. In 2006, the tournament celebrates its 10th anniversary. During the first nine years, over $450,000 has been contributed to habitat conservation, restoration and enhancement along the critically important Texas Gulf Coast. Competitors come from foreign countries and all across the US to participate. Our Mission Statement is: To increase appreciation, understanding and conservation of birds along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail through education, recreation, nature tourism and conservation fundraising. Carol Jones is the Education Program Manager for the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.
www.gcbo.org, www.tpwd.state.tx.us/gtbc, www.reliant.com
Nov 18, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; Free
Nov 20, 9:00am-10:00am: BCC Gymn Class 121; FreeThe Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Presenter: Jeremy Roberts
Papoose Creek Lodge
Yellowstone is world renown for its spectacle of geysers and hot springs, its bubbling mudpots and hissing vents, and of course its stronghold of wild and free bison. With the return of the wolves after a 60-year absence, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) returned to its full, wild, and former self, rounding out its all-star line up of rare plants, birds, and butterflies endemic to this unique island in the Northern Rockies. From Hayden's ringlets to cutthroat trout, the GYE is unlike any other place on earth. In fact, nowhere in the lower 48 states is there greater biological diversity and abundance of mammals, including wolverines, moose, grizzly bears, lynx, and the largest herd of elk in North America. There are 128 species of butterflies, and over 300 species of birds, including some hard-to-find species such as Rosy Finch and Trumpeter Swan. You will enjoy this journey through the beauty and natural wonders of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Jeremy Roberts is a naturalist with Papoose Creek Lodge, an eco-tourism lodge in SW Montana where he leads birding and botany trips via canoe and foot.
www.papoosecreek.com
Nov 18, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00
Nov 19, 2:15pm-3:15pm: BCC Community Dining Room; $5.00AAA Adventures
Presenter: Julio Soto
AAA SignaTours
See the description in the International Travel and Adventure section. CLICK HERE
Birds and Wildlife
The Future of Birds and Other Wildlife May Depend on the Tortoise
Presenter: Dr. Ray Ashton
Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative
A lot of people want to live in Florida and who can blame them? Approximately two thousand people move to the Sunshine State each week and that rate is not likely to slow. This growth is impacting already strained natural resources. The gopher tortoise conservation folks are working hard to change the face of conservation in Tallahassee and throughout the state. Good conservation for tortoises will also benefit resident and migratory birds as well as contribute to our own quality of life. For example, gopher tortoise habitat includes the highest recharge areas for the Floridan Aquifer, which is our primary source of drinking water. The Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative group has created a concept to conserve tortoises and their habitat. State-wide Assurance Colonies, regional and local Assurance Colonies and even Tortoise in My Yard programs will provide a home for displaced tortoises that live in the path of development. Assurance Colonies will provide an alternative to burying tortoises. How can you persuade developers to become good conservationists? Did you know that your County Commissioners CAN pass rules that protect wildlife? In this program, everyone can learn how to help. We need you!!! Ray and his wife, Pat, have studied gopher tortoises for over thirty years. Their book, The Gopher Tortoise: A Life History, was published last year.
www.ashtonbiodiversity.org, www.nbbd.com/godo/ef/gtortoise
Nov 16, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00
Nov 18, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 123; $5.00
Nov 19, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 123; $5.00Reptiles: It's a Cruel World Out There
Presenter: Rebecca Bolt
Dynamac International, Inc.
Most people do not consider reptiles to be beautiful, cuddly, or appealing in any way. However, this often misunderstood group of animals (alligators, turtles, lizards and snakes) has developed incredibly interesting methods to survive and thrive. Rebecca Bolt, wildlife ecologist for the Dynamac Corporation at Kennedy Space Center, presents the advantages and hazards of being a cold-blooded creature in a warm-blooded world. Join her for a look at the natural history of some of our common, and not so common, reptiles. Becky will bring a collection of her reptiles for audience interaction. Rebecca Bolt is a Wildlife Ecologist for Dynamac Corporation at the Kennedy Space Center, a member of the Gopher Tortoise Council and answers hundreds of questions about gopher tortoises on the following web site:
www.nbbd.com/godo/ef/gophertortoise, www.dynamac.com, www.gophertortoisecouncil.org
Nov 19, 10:15am-11:15am: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00The Florida Scrub-Jay and Scrub Fire Ecology
Presenters: Dave Brieninger and Dr. Paul Schmalzer
Sponsored by Dynamac International and NASA Kennedy Space Center
The Florida Scrub-Jay, fascinating from both biological and conservation perspectives, is the only avian species restricted entirely to Florida. Endemic to the scrub habitats of peninsular Florida, Florida Scrub-Jays exhibit a suite of remarkable adaptations. Scrub habitat evolved when North America was much drier, and desert animals from Texas and Mexico colonized Florida. When the oceans rose, the plants and animals remained, and evolved into an ecosystem unlike any other on the planet, one that is highly dependent on fire. Dozens of plants and animals living in the Florida scrub are found nowhere else in the world. The presentation will focus on Florida Scrub-Jay habitat use, demography and sociobiology in different types of habitat with an emphasis on fire ecology. Dave Breininger is a Wildlife Ecologist and Paul Schmalzer is a Plant Ecologist for Dynamac Corporation at the Kennedy Space Center. A free NASA bus trip into restricted access areas of the Kennedy Space Center to see Florida Scrub-Jay families will follow the presentation. See the description in Field Trips.
www.dynamac.com, www.nasa.gov, http://northflorida.fws.gov/Scrub-Jays/scrubjays.htm, www.fnps.org
Nov 18 & 19, 8:00am-9:15am: Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center; FreeThe Great Texas Birding Classic: A Bird Watching Tournament Extraordinary
Presenter: Carol A. Jones
Sponsored by Reliant Energy
See the description in the Domestic Travel and Adventure section. CLICK HERESearching For Swallowtails
Presenter: Susan Cerulean
It took just one sighting of the Swallow-tailed Kite to dispatch writer and biologist Susan Cerulean on a 10-year pilgrimage through this bird's fragmented and ever-shrinking habitats, an odyssey which culminated in her new book, Tracking Desire: A Journey after Swallow-tailed Kites. This presentation will interest the many bird lovers who share a passion for these elegant raptors, yet know little about the birds' natural history and life ways. Cerulean will share the quest after kites she began with ornithologist Ken Meyer and then continued on her own, roaming the kites' much reduced homelands, gaining knowledge about the bird and the grave threats to its breeding grounds and migration paths. In this presentation, she will also consider what each of us might offer to aid the conservation of the birds we love, including Swallow-tailed Kites. Susan Cerulean is the director of the Red Hills Writers Project in Tallahassee, Florida, and coeditor of Between Two Rivers: Stories from the Red Hills to the Gulf. She is also the author of the Florida Wildlife Viewing Guide, editor of The Book of the Everglades, and coeditor of Guide to the Great Florida Birding Trail: East Section and The Wild Heart of Florida.
www.susancerulean.com -- http://www.peregrinefund.org/Explore_Raptors/kites/swallowt.html
Nov 17 & 18, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; $5.00The Migration and Conservation of Red Knots in the Americas
Presenter: Brian Harrington
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
The Red Knot is one of the longest distance migrants on Earth, routinely commuting between High Arctic breeding areas in Canada and wintering habitats in the southernmost lands of South America. Brian is the author of The Flight of the Red Knot, published in 1996, which chronicles the migratory flight of the far-flung Red Knots, from the Arctic Circle to the tip of South America and back. Today Red Knot populations are thought to be declining rapidly, and the species is one of the highest conservation priority shorebirds in North America. Brian's program, illustrated with slides, describes the amazing migration of Red Knots and discusses why shorebirds may have such amazing migrations. The talk also discusses some of the reasons why knots have become such a high conservation priority. Brian is the Senior Scientist, Shorebird Research and Conservation Program with Manomet, where he has been studying knot migration since 1980.
http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/shrbird/shrbird.html, www.manomet.org
Nov 17, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 123; $5.00Shorebird Conservation - The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan and the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network
Presenter: Brian Harrington
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
There is a growing variety of evidence indicating that populations of 34 of our 71 species of North American shorebird species are declining, some at very alarming rates. Only 2 species are thought to be increasing, and the remaining 35 are mostly ones where the population status is unknown. Finding ways to save North American shorebird populations is unusually complicated because most of the species are highly migratory, some living in as many as 28 nations of our Western Hemisphere. This talk focuses on two conservation efforts, one focused on developing conservation strategies specific to the United States, and the other focused on building momentum for shorebird conservation throughout the Americas. Brian is the Senior Scientist, Shorebird Research and Conservation Program with Manomet, where he has been studying Red Knot migration since 1980.
http://shorebirdplan.fws.gov/, www.manomet.org
Nov 18, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 121; $5.00Snowy Owls
Presenter: Denver Holt
Owl Research Institute
Barrow, Alaska is the most northerly point in the United Sates. It is located on the northern coastal plain and lies over 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It is home to the Inupiat Eskimo people, and the Snowy Owl. Barrow was once called Ukpeagvik, an Inupiat name that roughly translates to - a place where owls are hunted or can be found. Here in Barrow, Ukpik (Snowy Owl) and the Inupiat have had a long history. The owls have been hunted and their eggs gathered for food, their young have been raised as pets, and the owl symbolized in ivory carvings, artwork, masks, dance and other traditions. The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiaca) is a large owl that breeds on the tundra of the Northern Hemisphere. Although it is one of the largest owl species in the world, the Snowy Owl is best recognized by its white plumage. Indeed, on the breeding grounds, male plumage seems to glow as if a fluorescent white, and can easily be seen from over one mile. It is the second largest bird of prey in the arctic tundra, surpassed only by the Golden Eagle. During the non-breeding season Snowy Owls migrate and wander throughout Canada, the northern United States, and a few scattered locations at mid-latitudes and the southern states. Males and females have been observed to drive caribou, bears, wolves, and people from their nesting areas. Although capable killing animals as large as Arctic fox and White-fronted Geese, Snowy Owls do not breed unless the 2-3 ounce brown lemming is abundant. Join Denver Holt, Founder and President of the Owl Research Institute, to learn more about these white owls of the north.
www.owlinstitute.org -- www.owlpages.com, http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Bubo&species=scandiacus
Nov 17 & 18, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BC Auditorium; $5.00The Kingfisher
Presenter: Stephen Ingraham
Carl Zeiss Sport Optics
Stephen Ingraham shares some of his newest and favorite birding poetry (or some call them essay), and images to accompany them, in an attempt to capture both the inspiration and the humor of our passion for birds. You are sure to recognize someone you know, some place you have been, some secret you thought you were the only one to know, in these words and images. It is very likely, since you are here at this festival, that you find yourself in these experiences. Laugh a little, cry a little, soar a little. It is all there in the Kingfisher: words and images about birds, birding, and birders. Stephen Ingraham is the Birding and Observation Product Specialist for Carl Zeiss Sport Optics.
www.zeiss.com, www.lightshedder.com/digiscoping, www.lightshedder.com/life*lines/Kingfisher
Nov 16, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00Black Rails
Presenter: Mike Legare
You won't want to miss Mike's fascinating presentation on these elusive birds and their mysterious habits in the wetland areas where they are found. Black Rails are very secretive marsh birds that rarely fly and behave more like a mouse than a bird. Black Rails are small, and while they fly long distances to migrate, they are not agile or graceful fliers. So they stay on the ground most of the time and walk through the grass to eat, build nests, etc. They don't fly to catch food and they really are about the size of a mouse. Mike's MS thesis work was on the Black Rails that inhabit the St Johns NWR. During his fieldwork, he refined a method to survey for the bird. In this seminar, you can listen to the tapes that Mike used to induce the rails to call while he gathered data on rail density for his research. Mike Legare is the US Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Manager, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. A car pool trip to the St Johns NWR for a sunset hayride into marshy Black Rail habitat follows the seminar.
Nov 17 & 18, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00South Florida's Exotic Birds
Presenter: Larry Manfredi
Larry Manfredi Birding Tours
Take a photographic tour of South Florida with a Miami native. You'll see specialties like Red-whiskered Bulbuls, Spot-breasted Orioles, White-winged Parakeets, Monk Parakeets, White-crowned Pigeons, Mangrove Cuckoos, Black-whiskered Vireos and more. More than 120 species of exotic birds have been recorded in the South Florida region. Larry will discuss which species seem to be established, as well as some of the theories that speculate as to how and why so many species of exotics are found in South Florida. A resident of South Florida for more than 35 years, Larry is familiar with all of the locations of the specialty birds. He will also cover Bahamian vagrants like Bananaquits, Stripe-headed Tanagers, and LaSagra's Flycatchers. Larry Manfredi is the Founder and President of Larry Manfredi Birding Tours.
www.southfloridabirding.com
Nov 17, 4:00PM-5:00PM: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00World of Bats
Presenters: Cyndi and George Marks
Florida Bat Center
Bats are probably the most misunderstood of all the mammals. They became entangled in the Dracula legend centuries ago and have played frightening roles in myths and tales of horror ever since. Yet bats are shy, gentle animals and fill a vital role in maintaining balanced ecosystems throughout the world. In Florida, bats are the most important natural controller of night flying insects. In other parts of the world, bats disperse seeds, pollinate plants, provide guano for fertilizer and even vampire bats have made important contributions to science and medicine. Come and join us for an interesting and informative presentation on "The World of Bats" by Cyndi and George Marks of the Florida Bat Center. The program will include a slide presentation on bats around the world, illustrating their unusual diversity, unique behaviors and benefits to humans. They will also be bringing live bats so you will be able to see some of our native Florida species up close and personal. Cyndi and George Marks are the Executive Directors of the Florida Bat Center in Bay Pines, Florida.
www.floridabats.org
Nov 18, 10:15am-11:15am: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00
Nov 19, 11:30am-12:30am: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00The Life of Birds
Presenter: Renier Munguia
Wildstock Photography
This presentation covers all aspects of a bird's life, from the adaptations that allow them to survive in their environment to their amazing flights and displays. Some of the topics to be covered include: physical adaptations as well as behavioral adaptations, communication, foraging, courtship, nesting, brooding, and many bird facts and real life stories. You'll get lots of detailed information about many species around the world, with special emphasis on Florida birds. Renier Munguia is a nature photographer based in Lakeland, Florida. As a teacher, he is recognized for his enthusiasm and his passion for teaching others what he knows.
www.wildstockphotos.com
Nov 18, 8:00am-9:30am: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00Barn Owls: Farmer's Friend, Teacher's Pet
Presenter: Dr Richard Raid, University of Florida Barn Owl Project Coordinator -
Preying primarily on rodents which commonly destroy or contaminate human food supplies, Barn Owls have frequently been referred to as "one of the most beneficial birds on earth". In recent years, Barn Owl populations throughout the nation have declined with the demise of favored habitat and suitable nesting sites. The Everglades Agricultural Area of south Florida, supporting large tracts of sugarcane and vegetable production, is a region with an abundance of prey, but a paucity of natural nesting sites. For this reason, Barn Owl populations in the 'Glades' were historically low, and crop damage due to rodents was significant where these pests were left uncontrolled. In 1994, as part of a science fair project, a high school student initiated a research project to investigate the possibility of enhancing Barn Owl populations for sustainable rodent control. Placing nesting boxes of various designs along canals and field edges, the student quickly learned that Barn Owls would find them and rear their broods, commonly two per year. Word has spread and the local agricultural industry, which at one time viewed Barn Owls as pests, has since learned of their potential benefit. With the industry's support, hundreds of nesting boxes have now been erected throughout the Glades, with an observed occupancy rate exceeding 80%. What began as a science fair project has presently grown into the University of Florida's Barn Owl Project. Research is currently underway to determine if the owls are indeed capable of controlling rodent populations, to the extent that the need for chemical rodenticides may be eliminated. Some growers, based on their own observations, have already reduced or even discontinued the use of such compounds. In addition to its promise as a means of sustainable rodent control, the UF Barn Owl Project has served as a tremendous outreach and education program, informing the public that man and the environment can indeed benefit one another. In this Seminar, Dr. Raid will describe the biology of Barn Owls and detail ongoing efforts to enhance their populations in south Florida and throughout the state. The presentation will include images and video taken of Barn Owl nestlings inside some of his nesting boxes. Dr. Richard Raid is the University of Florida Barn Owl Project Coordinator.
www.owlpages.com/species.php?genus=Tyto&species=alba
Nov 18, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00
Nov 19, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00Coast Gulf Bird Observatory: Linking the Land, Birds, and People of the Gulf of Mexico
Presenter: Cecilia Riley
Sponsored by Reliant Energy
Millions of neoarctic-neotropical landbirds move through the coastal forests of the Gulf of Mexico each spring and autumn as they migrate across and around the gulf. Migration routes in this region are not static and they shift year to year and season to season according to prevailing wind patterns. Given the dynamic nature of migration routes, most coastal forests can potentially provide important stopover habitat to en route migrants. The coastal forests from the Florida Keys to the Yucatan Peninsula include a wide range of habitat types and host a diverse array of avian species. Sadly, the majority of these coastal habitats have been lost or degraded due to the effects of development, agriculture, livestock grazing, timber industry activities, and the spread of exotic species. The continued loss and degradation of coastal forests pose a risk to migrating birds, and thus we need to develop a conservation strategy that maximizes the suitability of the remaining forested patches around the gulf. The conservation strategy of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO) has been to forge alliances with a diverse group of private and public landowners who are responsible for the protection and management of 5.7 million acres at 54 sites. GCBO works to assist these partners with specific conservation efforts and also facilitates Sister-Site Partnerships to share responsibilities and resources for similar habitat types and for shared avian species. Cecelia Riley is the Executive Director Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.
More about the Site Partner Network and GCBO can be found at our website: www.gcbo.org, www.reliant.com
Nov 18, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gymn Class 119; Free
Nov 20, 11:30am-12:30pm: BCC Class 121; FreeEagles in Florida
Presenter: Lynda White
Audubon Center For Birds of Prey
With the largest population of Bald Eagles in the contiguous states, Florida faces the challenge of protecting the birds while dealing with unprecedented development. Learn about these magnificent creatures and ways you can help ensure the continued recovery of the species. Meet Paige the eagle and bring your camera! Lynda White is Audubon of Florida's Project Eagle Watch Coordinator.
www.audubonofflorida.org/conservation/cbop.htm
Nov 18, 11:30am-12:30pm: BCC Gymn Room 153a
Nov 19, 9:00am-10:00am: BCC Gymn Room 153You Are Strictly For the Birds
Presenter: Joanne Williams
Joanne Williams Photography
Join Joanne on a visual journey to some of the most exciting birding and wildlife "hot spots" in the world! Colorful images of wildlife from the Galapagos, Falkland, Pribolof & Bahama Islands will excite your visual tastebuds. Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe and parts of South Africa are also part of Joanne's photographic venue. Images of Bee-eaters, Hornbills, Secretary Birds, Lilac-breasted Rollers, and the world's largest bird, Ostriches performing their mating rituals, will delight all bird lovers and photographers. Get up 'close & personal' with a King Penguin trying to kidnap a Gentoo Penguin chick, or sit on a cold, slippery, ledge high above the raging Pacific Ocean on a Pribolof Island & view through Joanne's lens Tufted & Horned Puffins soaring by at eye level! As a native Floridian, Joanne has spent many years studying and documenting the wildlife of the Everglades and other parts of Florida. The endangered Snail Kite & Whooping Crane, as well as Bald Eagle, Crested Caracara and the numerous other species of birds that reside in these areas are subjects in her viewfinder. Joanne created "You Are Strictly For the Birds" not only to entertain you, but to help you learn about wildlife and nature from other parts the world you may never have the opportunity to visit. Joanne is an accomplished and internationally published photographer, a lecturer offering "top-shelf" slide presentations to varied groups and organizations, as well as a photography instructor and an international tour leader.
www.joannewilliamsphoto.com, www.natureandwildlife.com
Nov 16, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Class 119; $5.00
Nov 18, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Auditorium; $5.00Butterflies and Wildflowers
Identification of Central Florida Butterflies
Presenter: Buck and Linda Cooper
Learn to identify the forty or so species most likely to be seen on festival field trips using only your eyes and close-focusing binoculars. Discover easy ways to separate look-alike species. From backyard gardens to coastal areas to weedy roadsides to upland habitats, sample the rich butterfly diversity of the Titusville area. Naturalists extraordinaire, Buck and Linda Cooper are acknowledged experts in the identification of Florida butterflies using binoculars only. This non-consumptive approach to butterflying is being utilized by more and more butterfly enthusiasts throughout the nation.
www.naba.org
Nov 18, 9:00am-10:30am: BCC Gymn Room 123; $5.00Butterflies and Blooms - Serendipity
Presenter: Buck and Linda Cooper
Travel with the Coopers as they search the state, from the Panhandle to the Keys, for the 165 or so butterfly species seen in Florida. This program covers basic techniques for locating both common and rare butterflies as well as some of the serendipitous events encountered during their journeys. Past recipients of Florida Audubon's distinguished Allan Cruickshank Memorial Award for their extensive conservation work in the state of Florida, Buck and Linda Cooper have given their time unselfishly for many years, introducing countless people to the wonders of natural Florida.
Nov 19, 9:00am-10:30am: BCC Gymn Room 119; $5.00Gardening for Butterflies
Presenter: Marc Minno
This seminar will explore flower architecture and pollination strategies, and then compare the kinds of flowers attractive to butterflies. Some of the most attractive flowers suitable for gardens are in the aster, heliotrope, coffee, mint, and vervain families. We will also discuss adding caterpillar host plants to the garden. While adult butterflies are familiar to most people, their fascinating caterpillars are often ephemeral and secretive. Participants are welcome to bring in samples of plants, caterpillars or slides for identification and discussion. Marc will also be signing his new guide to Florida butterfly caterpillars and their host plants. Marc Minno is a wetland scientist for the Saint Johns River Water Management District where he works to preserve rare habitats, and on conservation of threatened animals and plants with a special emphasis on butterflies.
www.naba.org
Nov 20, 9:00am-10:30am: BCC Gymn Room 153; $5.00Florida's Fascinating Butterflies
Presenter: Marc Minno
In gardens, forests, and fields, Florida has a wealth of native plants and beautiful butterflies. Come hear of exciting new discoveries and tales of metamorphosis, toxins, and lurid sex. Various kinds of Florida butterflies, from the threatened and endangered to the ubiquitous will be discussed. Participants are invited to bring in samples of plants, caterpillars or slides for identification and discussion. Marc Minno has written or co-authored many scientific and popular articles on butterflies and moths, as well as the books Butterflies of the Florida Keys, Florida Butterfly Gardening and Butterflies Through Binoculars: Florida. Following the seminar, Marc will be signing his new guide to Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and their Host Plants.
Nov 20, 10:45am-12:15pm: BCC Gymn Class 153; $5.00Space Coast Wildflowers
Presenter: Jim Stahl
Florida was named for its abundance of flowering plants the early explorers found here. Today the many habitats of Florida (hardwood and palm hammocks, deciduous forest, pine flatwoods, scrub, sand hills, prairie, coastal dunes, roadsides, marsh, swamp and riverine) support over 4,000 species of native and naturalized wildflowers plus numerous exotics from the horticultural trade. This program will present slides of wildflowers (common, rare, unusual, small, and spectacular) and a few trees, shrubs, ferns and other plants; with comments on their natural history, uses by people and wildlife, home landscaping values and occurrences. The presentation will highlight plants that can be seen during the festival week. The speaker will include information on books for identifying and locations for finding Florida plants. Jim Stahl is a retired biologist from Ohio and an active volunteer for Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Canaveral National Seashore, and the Brevard County Natural Resources Department where he does biotic surveys and public programs.
www.floridawildflowers.com, www.fnps.org
A car-pool field trip to visit sites around north Brevard will follow.
Nov 16, 8:00am-9:15am: BCC Gymn Class 121; $5.00Archaeology, Anthropology, and Palaeontology
Multidisciplinary Investigations at West Williams, An Archaeic Site in Hillsborough County
Presenter: Dr. Robert J. Austin
Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc.
In 2001 and 2002, Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc. (SEARCH) conducted archaeological excavations at the West Williams site (8HI509) in northeastern Hillsborough County. The site is located on a hill next to Harney Flats, historically a large freshwater marsh. Over 240 square meters were excavated revealing a stratified Archaic site containing faunal remains (48,000+ specimens), lithic artifacts (150,000+), and over 130 features (post molds, pits, deposits, depressions). Major occupations occurred during the Late Archaic period, ca. 5000-4000 B.P., and the Kirk phase of the Early Archaic. A radiocarbon date of 6810 +/- 40 B.P. was obtained from this early component. Although a few interior upland Archaic sites with preserved fauna and features are known, West Williams is the first to receive such extensive study. A team of archaeologists, zooarchaeologists, archaeobotanists, soil scientists, and palynologists worked at the site and the resulting studies provide in-depth analyses of interior upland subsistence, middle Holocene environment, and site formation processes. Our research has also enabled us to refine existing models of Archaic-period settlement and subsistence strategies, as well as construct data-based models of Late Archaic social organization based on the size and layout of the structures present at the site. Dr. Robert J. Austin is the Vice President and Principal Investigator of Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc. in Riverview, Florida.
www.trailofthelosttribes.org
Nov 19, 11:30am-12:30pm: BCC Auditorium; $5.00The Ais Indians: Brevard County's Prehistoric Inhabitants
Presenter: David R. McDonald
Indian River Anthropological Society
When Ponce de Leon first arrived in Florida he met the Ais. The Ais occupied and area that included southern Volusia County, all of Brevard County, and northern Indian River County. We know they were hunters-gatherers-fishers never practiced agriculture like their neighbors, the Timucuans, who lived to the north. This presentation will give an overview of what we do know about this enigmatic group of people. It will trace their cultural roots in the Malabar Period and describe what it may have been like to be an Ais. This is a hands-on presentation with original artifacts and modern replicas. David McDonald is an amateur archaeologist, a member of the Indian River Anthropological Society and has participated in archaeological projects with this group.
www.nbbd.com/npr/archaeology-iras
Nov 19, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Auditorium; $5.00Prehistory of East Central Florida: 1,300-3,000 Years Ago
Presenter: Thomas Penders
Thomas Penders and Associates
Brevard County and the surrounding area has a rich archaeological heritage. Man has lived here for 13,000 years. There is a wealth of sites in Brevard, Volusia, and Indian River County that tell the story. This presentation gives an overview of what archaeologists know of the prehistoric Native Americans who lived in this region from the hunters of mammoths and mastodons, to people who buried their dead in ponds/peat bogs, to those who created the mounds and middens. Thomas Penders is a registered professional archaeologist who owns and operates Thomas Penders & Associates an archaeological, historical and pale ontological consulting firm.
www.nbbd.com/npr/archaeology-iras
Nov 19, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Auditorium; $5.00The Pine Island Conservation Area Archaeological Project (Sams Site): Seasons I & II
Presenter: Thomas Penders
Indian River Anthropological Society
The Pine Island Conservation area consists of 879 acres on Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida. It is jointly owned by the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EELs) and the St. Johns Water Management District (SJWMD). EELs had plans to conduct improvements to a known historic house located at the southern end of the property. The Brevard County Historical Commission requested the Indian River Anthropological Society conduct a preliminary Phase I archaeological survey of the area in the immediate vicinity of the house. The purpose of this assessment was to locate and record prehistoric or historic sites within the defined project area. The Indian River Anthropological Society and Thomas Penders and Associates under permits from the Bureau of Archaeological Research conducted the study in October 2003 through April 2004. During that period almost 200 shovel tests were excavated across the property. Of these only 4 contained no artifacts. From this study, 2 historic structures (one of the oldest in Brevard County), a 2000 year old prehistoric Native American village site, and a fossil site containing mastodon and mammoth remains. This presentation will give an overview of what we have found to date and the plans for future excavations at the site. Thomas Penders is the President of the Indian River Anthropological Society. He is project archaeologist for the Pine Island Conservation Area Archaeological Project.
www.nbbd.com/npr/archaeology-iras
Nov 19, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Auditorium;$5.00Florida Fossil Hunting
Presenter: Brian Sherman
Brian Sherman will give a presentation about his ongoing journey and adventures in amateur paleontology in Florida. Many years ago while thumbing through a book about invertebrate fossils (shells); Brian was surprised to discover that Florida has a fossil vertebrate past. Not just a little past, but a big past! Since the first thing most people think about when hearing paleontology is dinosaurs, it should be prudent to point out that Florida did not exist in the age of the Jurassic. However, there still remains evidence of very many Ice Age creatures, some strange, some wonderful and some familiar. "Mammoths, Sabercats and Cave Bears....Oh my!" With this knowledge in his head, Brian was off to pursue a hobby of amateur paleontology in Florida. Years later, Brian's journey has taken him across the state in all directions. His desire to unearth and discover Florida's vertebrate fossil history has continually compounded as well as his travel experiences and interactions with others in the field. An amateur Paleontologist, Brian has had no formal training or education in paleontology, but his knowledge has been obtained through reading, experiences in the field and by interaction with both professionals and other amateurs. Fossil hunting is something that anyone can do, which is part of the fun. Brian will share pictures and information about his own personal experiences and adventure into Florida's prehistoric past. Part of Brian's personal fossil collection will be on display along with a variety of recommended reading and some of the tools of his trade.
www.fossilexpeditions.com, www.flmnh.ufl.edu, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fossilhall, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/vertpaleo
Nov 19, 10:00am-11:00am: BCC Auditorium; $5.00Ocean Sessions
Sponsored by Dixie Crossroads Seafood RestaurantSpace Applications to Marine Research and Operations
Presenter: Larry Harvey
Centers for Space Oceanography
Space Oceanography is the application of satellite products and capabilities, particularly remote sensing, to address a variety of marine issues and opportunities. The toolbox of the space oceanographer includes satellite tracking of targets of significance; observation of water height, temperature, productivity; monitoring of specific features and parameters such as currents and vertical structure; and the communication of data, research, and education components real-time throughout the world. The not-for-profit Centers for Space Oceanography, based in Brevard County, Florida, was created in order to foster the utilization of such space-borne capabilities to further ocean research and management capabilities. Working in partnership with the leading satellite service providers, the individual national fishing ministries within the Caribbean, and a powerful team of researchers, CSO is developing a highly innovative approach to one of the most critical issues facing the world's maritime nations: understanding the dynamics of a population of migrating pelagic species and using this knowledge to successfully manage these resources. Larry will present the details of this cutting-edge program that has the potential to positively impact future research and management of a variety of critical species, marine and terrestrial, throughout the world. Larry Harvey is the Executive Director of the Centers for Space Oceanography.
www.argosfoundation.org
Nov 19, 3:00pm-4:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00The Indian River Lagoon Bottlenose Dolphin Health Assessment Program: A Sentinel for Emerging Marine Mammal Disease and Ecosystem Health
Gregory D. Bossart, V.M.D., Ph.D.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Concern for the overall health of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) ecosystem, an Estuary of National Significance, was first prompted by the rapid increase in development of the IRL area, and the associated alterations of physical and ecological features. There is a present concern about the health of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin population living in the IRL. Dolphins in the IRL consume fish associated with seagrass beds and recent studies of IRL seagrass distribution and abundance suggest that overall seagrass abundance has declined throughout the IRL. Water clarity and quality are major factors controlling seagrass distribution and these factors have changed in the IRL over the past five decades due to significant watershed alteration and land drainage patterns. Photo-identification data and recently published pathologic research from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution document a varied assortment of diseases in IRL dolphins that may have anthropogenic etiologies. Some of the pathologic findings in stranded dolphins also suggest immunologic dysfunction as a component in disease pathogenesis.To address this issue, in the summer of 2003, we launched the first comprehensive study focused on defining the health status of IRL dolphins in collaboration with our partners at NOS/NOAA in Charleston, SC and under a permit issued to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution by the National Marine Fisheries Service. One hundred and two IRL dolphins have been safely captured, examined, sampled and released during the IRL study from 2003-2005. This presentation will describe the first three years of this 5-year program including the extraordinary logistic planning performed by the Harbor Branch marine mammal staff and the cutting-edge technological examinations and diagnostic testing that were done. Preliminary results will also be presented. Defining the health status of bottlenose dolphins is important for the future management of this species and provides an insight into the health of the IRL ecosystem as a whole. Gregory D. Bossart, V.M.D., Ph.D. is the Director and Head of Pathology, Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
http://www.hboi.edu/marinemam/bossart.html, http://www.hboi.edu/marinemam/research.html
Nov 19, 2:00pm-2:45pm: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00Deep Coral Communities off the Space Coast of Eastern Florida
Presenter:Andrew Shepard
NOAA Undersea Research Center
During the last Ice Age, sea level was miles offshore from Cape Canaveral, at the edge of the continental shelf. As sea level rose over the past 10,000 years, areas of the seafloor hardened and now exist as drowned reefs. On some of these reefs, deep coral communities settled and grew as sea level rose to form mounds and pinnacles as high as 100 feet above the surrounding hard bottom. The Oculina Bank is a series of these pinnacles in 50-100 meters of water built by the Ivory Tree Coral, Oculina varicosa. Down-slope in deeper, less explored waters, are deep coral mounds constructed by another related species of deep water coral, Lophelia pertusa. These coral banks are important fishery habitats and susceptible to damage by towed fishing gear. This talk will introduce these deep sea frontiers and discuss the challenges of studying, conserving, and rebuilding the coral communities and associated reef fish stocks. Andrew Shepard is the Director of the NOAA Undersea Research Center-- Southeast U.S. & Gulf of Mexico region, located at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. The undersea center specializes in use of advanced diving technologies to support NOAA's ocean mission goals.
www.uncw.edu/nurc, www.hboi.edu, http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/technology/subs/rov/rov.html, http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/02sab/welcome.html
Nov 19, 1:00pm-1:45pm: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00 - Program in questionAquarius Inner Space Station: Living, Working, and Observing beneath the Sea
Presenter: Andrew Shepard
NOAA's Aquarius Undersea Lab is the world's only operating offshore laboratory-a place where scientists can live on a coral reef for weeks per mission, diving for up to 10 hours per day, accomplishing months of work in only a couple of weeks. Aquarius rests at the base of a coral reef wall 5 miles off the coast of Key Largo, FL. This talk will address many frequently asked questions about living and working underwater, including: what is Aquarius and how does it work?; how long can divers dive from and live in Aquarius?; how do we send real-time data and video from Conch Reef to the Web?; what have scientists accomplished on Aquarius missions?; and why is NASA interested in using an undersea facility? Andrew Shepard is Director of the NOAA Undersea Research Center-- Southeast U.S. & Gulf of Mexico region, located at the University of North Carolina- Wilmington.
www.uncw.edu/aquarius
Nov 19, 4:15pm-5:00pm: BCC Gymn Class 119; $5.00- CANCELLED
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