MARION
AUDUBON SOCIETY

A Chapter of National Audubon Society

Conservation

The Big Picture
Keeping Our Conservation Focus on Marion County Special Places

Wetland Groundwater
Recharge Park
The Wetland Groundwater Recharge Park allows the City of Ocala to efficiently use its water resources. By developing this park, the City of Ocala will create a wetland ecosystem, improve water quality, and boost regional groundwater supplies. This project will include rapid infiltration basins that will replenish the Floridan Aquifer faster than current natural rates.

We held our Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 6, 2018

The project site is a 60-acre, City-owned parcel located next to the Pine Oaks Golf Course. This area already contains oak canopies, lined irrigation ponds, trails, and grassy fairways. The Wetland Groundwater Recharge Park will preserve existing oak canopy, transform the ponds into deep marshes, and convert the fairways to wetlands. Additionally, an educational center, boardwalks, trails, and wildlife overlooks will be constructed throughout the park. Above is a conceptual drawing of the recharge park. Estimated completion September 2019. Marion Audubon Society at the request of Ocala Water Resource Department, we were invited to attend the meeting and Groundbreaking Ceremony. Marion Audubon will be planning meetings and nature walks once it is open to the public.

For a poster and map of the Recharge Park click here Recharge Park map

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Prices Scrub – Located near the Alachua County line, this preserve is a critical area for ecosystem connectivity with the Paynes Prairie State Preserve that is part of the Orange Creek Basin. The Orange Creek Basin encompasses other water bodies of critical concern including Orange Lake. The first bird sanctuary established by National Audubon in 1910 , Bird Island, is located on Orange Lake. This sanctuary was later transferred to Florida Audubon and is managed by Alachua Audubon, our birding comrades to the north. Connectivity and partnering among local Audubon groups facilitates ecosystem connectivity. I hope you will attend the November 8th program at the Grand Lake RV & Golf Resort to learn more about wading birds and conservation actions to protect the special places of north Marion County.

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Halapata Tastanaka Preserve –This preserve represents a major percentage of the geographic area for the SW Marion Christmas Bird Count. Ongoing Bird Surveys spearheaded by Sandra Marraffino and Citrus Audubon will continue under the direction of Steve and Darcy Shaddix. Breeding Bird Atlas data for this area will be added under the direction of Helen Ogren. The impacts of our changing climate to bird migration and habitats were released by National Audubon and initial review of the conclusion for our area clearly indicates that Marion County bird populations will change.

MARION COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY
CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP EFFORTS

Beginning last spring, MAS began to work with Environmental Science students at the College of Central Florida. The professor, Mr. MacKenzie, encouraged student participation in several MAS activities. The positive response from the participating students was delightful. When National Audubon began its “Audubon in Action” grant program, it was a perfect fit.

Our focus with the grant is to get the students outdoors on bird walks, birding by kayak trips and other activities using binoculars, bird books and/or tri-folds. And of course, cell phone apps! They will also participate in the Florida Audubon Conservation Leadership Initiative. There are opportunities to participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the eBird Global Big Days and the Great Backyard Bird Count. All of these activities bring them into our local State, City and County parks and natural areas.

There is also the opportunity to learn about plants/yards/patios for birds, the Scrub Jay project, and the Florida Springs Institute educational courses. Bird walks and educational talks will also be held on the CF campus twice a semester.

Getting students involved in birding and environmental conservation is the surest way for them to understand the all of life is interwoven and connected. If they learn to love the birds, they will protect them and expand that love and protection to all of nature.

That is conservation.

Field Report by Sandra Marraffino
Scrub Scrub Jay Activity & Habitat

April 7, 2015

I entered the Rte 200 entrance of Halpata Tastanaki at 8:30 am this morning and walked along the sand road parallel to Rte 200, heading toward the Bel-Largo development. Turning right at the first turn, I walked to where the road takes a bend and phished to call the Florida Scrub-Jays. First to respond were a pair of Eastern Towhees (photo on far left) and then a Blue-Jay (photo in middle-left), followed by the harsh call of the Florida Scrub-Jay (photo in middle-right). The Scrub-Jay flew from the eastern side of the road into a tree about 100 ft or more from the road . Soon it was joined by a second Scrub-Jay (photo on far right) . They both then flew north-westerly further into the scrub toward the trees in the distance where I lost sight of them .