BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Audubon Everglades - ECPv6.15.16//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.auduboneverglades.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Audubon Everglades
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260214T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260214T113000
DTSTAMP:20260425T044430
CREATED:20251120T020832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251222T042241Z
UID:13499-1771054200-1771068600@www.auduboneverglades.org
SUMMARY:Guided Birding Driving Tour at STA-1E
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a birding adventure at STA-1E\, where we’ll be spotting some feathered friends while cruising around in our cars!\n\n\nJoin SFWMD guides Brian Garrett \, Sydney Kaufman and Audubon Everglades Field Guides Kyle Matera & LeaAnne DeRigne for a special opportunity to explore Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East (STA-1E)\, a vital part of Everglades restoration. This event is made possible through our partnership with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). \nDuring the driving tour\, participants will follow a caravan led by SFWMD employees along the levees\, stopping at multiple locations to observe and photograph birds and wildlife. At each stop\, sightings of secretive marsh birds\, wading birds\, raptors\, waterfowl\, and other species may be seen. Target species may include Roseate Spoonbills\, Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks\, Limpkins\, Purple Gallinules\, Northern Harriers\, American White Pelicans\, Wood Storks\, Snail Kites\, and occasionally rarities like Least Bitterns or Crested Caracaras.. \n \nAbout the Event \nGuides will help participants identify birds and share insights into their behaviors\, calls\, and habitats. This is not a walking tour; all observation occurs from vehicles or at frequent stops. Participants should be prepared to exit cars at stops and return to their vehicles to continue the tour. This tour is for ages 12 and above. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. \n \nEvent Details \n\nMeeting Location: TBD (Meeting location and directions will be emailed the week of the event once confirmed)\nCheck-In Time: 7:30 AM\nStart time: 7:45 AM\nEnd Time: 11:30 AM\nRestrooms: There are no bathrooms or porta-potties at STA 1E. The closest facilities are at a strip mall at B Road and Southern Blvd\, where you’ll find a 7-Eleven (15589 Southern Blvd) and Dunkin’ Donuts (15689 Southern Blvd).\nAccessibility: Fully accessible from vehicles; some stops have levee edges for scope setup but do not require walking\n\nRegistration and Carpool Rules\n\nThis is a carpool driving tour with 4 people per vehicle including the driver.\nDrivers: Register as “Driver.”\nPassengers: Register as “Passenger” and indicate your preferred driver if known.\nIf you do not arrive with 4 registered participants in your vehicle\, you may need to take additional passengers or join another car. Please coordinate before arrival to save time.\nMandatory SFWMD Release: Email the completed form to fieldtrips@auduboneverglades.org prior to the event. Failure to submit will prevent attendance.\nCancellation: Notify us early if you cannot attend to allow others to participate\nNo Walk-ins allowed on STA and driving tours\, registration is mandatory.\n\nDonation Ticket: Attendance at our STA field trips is always free. However\, if you choose the Donation Ticket\, your gift directly supports Audubon Everglades’ avian conservation and education programs. Every contribution helps us protect local habitats\, expand outreach to schools and communities\, and bring meaningful programs to life. Your generosity ensures we can continue connecting people with birds and the natural world while safeguarding critical habitats for future generations. \nTour Format & Safety\nThis is a driving tour with multiple stops guided by expert birders and biologists. Each vehicle will be issued a radio to ensure consistent communication during the tour. For the safety of all participants and to protect the integrity of the land\, everyone must stay on the designated route at all times. Do not stray from the path or leave the caravan unless instructed by a trip leader. \n \nImportant Access Information\n\nThis tour starts promptly at 7:45 AM and the gates will be closed. No exceptions can be made. Please allow enough travel time to be at the location by 7:30 AM.\nThis tour takes place on unpaved\, dirt roads. Roads can be muddy\, uneven and can have large potholes.\nVehicle Requirements: High clearance\, good tires\, and a full tank of gas. Please fuel up before arrival.\nTerrain: Minimal walking involved. Activities occur from or near vehicles.\nTrail Length: Approximately 6–10 miles of slow caravan driving with frequent stops.\nAccessibility: Birding may be conducted from the car for people with limited mobility.\n\n \nBirding Rules\n\nListen to and follow the instructions of the Field Trip Leader. Do not walk ahead of the leader.\nBe respectful of your fellow participants.\nAvoid flushing birds: close car doors gently\, do not slam doors\, and minimize loud noises.\nMaintain a safe distance to avoid disturbing the birds. If a bird is flushed\, do not chase it.\nPlease follow the ABA standards of ethical birding and photography\n\n \nE-bird and Photography\n\nA shared eBird list will be provided\nBy signing the Audubon Everglades consent form\, you agree your photo may be taken and shared on AE’s social media\nPrefer not to be photographed? Let us know in advance\nShare your photos and tag us: @AudubonEverglades\n\n \nWhat to Bring\n\nWater\nSnacks or lunch\nBinoculars\nCamera or spotting scope\nSunscreen and insect repellent\nWide-brimmed hat\n\n \nImportant Reminders\n\nNo drones\, glass\, alcohol\, or littering\nSpace is limited; please cancel if you cannot attend\nThe caravan is led by SFWMD employees; all participants must exit the STA once the tour concludes.\n\nWe look forward to exploring STA-1 E\, observing its extraordinary birds\, and experiencing this essential wetland habitat together. \n\n\nAbout STA-1 E \nStormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are large\, constructed wetlands planted with native vegetation that create essential habitat for birds and wildlife. Shallow pools and dense vegetation attract wading birds\, waterfowl\, and secretive marsh species\, providing food\, shelter\, and breeding grounds. \nSTAs also benefit people by improving water quality. They filter excess nutrients (especially phosphorus) from stormwater before it flows into the Everglades\, helping to restore and protect one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. In short\, STAs sustain both wildlife and the clean water we all rely on\, making them critical for South Florida’s environment and communities.
URL:https://www.auduboneverglades.org/event/guided-birding-driving-tour-at-sta-1e-2/
LOCATION:STA 1E Auto Entrance\, 1991 Flying Cow Road\, Wellington\, FL\, 33470\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.auduboneverglades.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/da0e0d5c39f248affb849fbde9d1ca5a.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR