Tues Apr 3 — ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING, ELECTION OF OFFICERS AT POT-LUCK DINNER & LECTURE

ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING, ELECTION OF OFFICERS AT POT-LUCK DINNER & LECTURE “Lake Okeechobee – Natural & Human History “ by Keynote Speaker: Paul Gray, Audubon Florida

Tuesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m.

Please note list of officers – members will vote on this slate and the budget at the meeting.

President                         Cynthia Plockelman

1st Vice president             Open

2nd Vice President            Linda Humphries

Secretary                         Alan Parmalee

Treasurer                         Janet Schreiber

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Dr Paul Gray, photo by Elam Stoltzfus

Join us as Dr. Paul Gray tells us about Lake Okeechobee’s natural and human history —what Lake Okeechobee was originally, how and why we changed it, the undesirable results of some of these changes and what our Audubon society is trying to do to make Okeechobee better again. He will also discuss how the lake is the center of south Florida’s water management system.

Dr. Gray, Science Coordinator of Audubon of Florida’s Lake Okeechobee Watershed Program, provides technical support to Audubon’s policy teams. He is working with various agency technical and policy teams designing and implementing restoration and stewardship plans in the region. Paul has been working in this area for more than 20 years and his educational background includes a BS from the University of Missouri, an MS from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1993. Among his awards are the John Kabler Grassroots award from the Everglades Coalition and the Audubon of Florida Staff member of the year.

“Florida is a biologist’s paradise and I like being with an effective conservation group and being part of the good we do. My hobbies are reading, gardening, and kayaking, hunting and fishing. Join me for a presentation mixing ecology, history, hydrology, politics AND BIRDS!” said Paul.

Our Annual Meeting will be a pot luck dinner and is open to the public. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and the food will be served at 6:30 p.m. The annual meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. People with last names that begin between R-Z please bring a main dish A-I bring salads and veggies, J–Q bring desserts. Please bring ready to serve food; we have no kitchen. We will supply the drinks. Paton White is creating a special raffle. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

This annual event is free and open to the public – join us and bring-a-dish! Pine Jog Environmental Education Center , 6301 W. Summit Blvd. , in West Palm Beach .

Also at the April 3 meeting: Bird of the Month:Sanderling, the little sandpiper you’ve been seeing all winter long running up and down the beach: Calidris alba Come to our April meeting to hear more about these winter residents to Palm Beach County.

Dr Paul Gray & students on wetlands walk zone, photo by Jen Benson