Merritt Island NWR
Field Trip
Atlanta
Audubon Society will again sponsor a two day/ three night
trip to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida
on January 17,18, and 19, 2009.
Located east of Titusville, Merritt Island has the distinction of being
the home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the wildlife refuge, and the
Canaveral National Seashore.
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is the second largest refuge in Florida. It, and its surrounding waters offer a sanctuary for an abundance of plants and animals from both temperate and tropical climate zones. Along its western edge is the Indian River Lagoon, North America's longest and most biologically diverse estuary.
The refuge consists of 140,000 acres of salt marsh, freshwater impoundments, brackish estuaries, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, and scrub. Due to the diverse habitats, Merritt Island remains unsurpassed as a refuge for endangered wildlife. It supports more threatened and endangered animals ( 21 species ) than any other single refuge in the continental U.S., including the Florida manatee, bald eagle, wood stork, gopher tortoise, and eastern indigo snake. Combined with the Canaveral National Seashore, the refuge supports the world's largest population of Florida scrub jays.
Offering varied birding opportunities, the refuge has recorded more than 310 species of birds. The field trips around the refuge will concentrate on wintering waterfowl and wading birds. There will be opportunities to view other species such as rails, scrub jays, and other wildlife.
The trip leaders will be Theresa Hartz and Lisa Hurt. The cost of the trip ( NOT including food or lodging ) will be:
$175 for Friends of
Atlanta Audubon members
$200 for assigned members
$225 for non-members.
This trip is limited to 12 people.
There will be a pre-trip orientation meeting and a short workshop on Sunday, Dec.7, 2008 at the Dunwoody Nature Center from 3-5 PM.
For reservations or more information contact Lisa Hurt by phone or email: artlisahurt@bellsouth.net, 770-934-7660. Your payment will confirm your reservation.
Your payment will confirm your reservation.
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