Saturday, November 5, 9:30AM, "Taylor Gardens Nursery,"
Take a guided walk through the native plants with owner Guda Taylor. Be prepared to take some plants home to replace the exotic plants in your yard. Prepare for this walk by reading Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy. Taylor Gardens Nursery. 12871 N.E. 7th Ave. in Citra. (352) 629-0980.

Thursday, February 16, 7:00PM, "Protecting Burrowing Owls... how did this fail?," Location to be determined:
FWC will help us learn about how to protect these owls as well as other birds.

Saturday, March 24, 9:00AM. Silver River State Park
Start with a bird walk and at 12:00 Jacqui Sulek from Florida Audubon will present “Water – Energy - Birds! It’s All Connected.” Better watch the animated film “Rango” because whoever controls the water is in control! Questions about programs? Questions about programs? Call Erika Ritter at 352-546-5718.

BOAT TRIPS (FUNDRAISERS FOR MARION AUDUBON) by Erika Ritter

Reservations must be made in advance with Captain Erika at 352-546-5718 or by email to acruisingdowntherivdr@gmail.com. Limited seating and availability. Be sure to dress warmly with lots of layers; sleeping bags make the best protection from the winter weather. Remember, it feels much colder on the water. This is a very remote area. Rain checks only if it really rains. Three (3) featured trips are available:

January 21, 2012, Saturday, 10:00 a.m. Rodman Dam Pool
Boat tours every 2 hours. First tour leaves at 10:00 a.m. Kenwood boat ramp to Blue Springs and back. During drawdown you can see the old river channel and a great number of winter birds including Bald Eagles, White Pelicans, several species of ducks and lots of coots. Directions to the ramp will be given at time of reservation. Minimum donation is $15.00 per person.

February 18, 2012, Saturday, 10:00 a.m. Eureka to Orange Springs
See the declining health of the trees as we go from the river into the overgrown canal. Approximately 5 hours one way. Vehicles are needed for shuttle at beginning and ending locations. Minimum donation is $25.00 per person.

February 19, 2012, Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Orange Springs to Eureka
Start out at the old ferry landing and return to the natural river. Approximately 5 hours one way. Vehicles are needed for shuttle at beginning and ending locations. Minimum donation is $25.00 per person.

Special Events

October 29, 2011, Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.
Our guide will be Joel DeAngelis of SWFMD. Meet at the Pruitt Trailhead on Hwy. 484 across from Dunnellon Airport. Experienced birders and those wanting to learn are needed to conduct a bird survey of this property in the future. Reservations are needed due to limited seating. Members with 4-wheel drive vehicles…we need you! This trip will require some hiking and some riding. Call Erika at (352) 546-5718 to reserve your seat or volunteer your 4x4. Stick around for the tailgate program below.

October 29, 2011, Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.
Meet at the Pruitt Trailhead on Hwy. 484 across from Dunnellon Airport for an In-Field Program on conducting a bird survey. Join us to learn about habitat management in the Preserve.

December 16, 2011, Friday, Ocklawaha Valley Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
Contact Peg Lindsay for assignments east of the Ocklawaha River at pegcondor@embarqmail.com and Barbara Gay for the Villages and west of the river at stkite@triton.net. Please line up to be assigned to a group to help count our big and little feathered friends. Birders from beginners to experts are desperately needed. You can drive, write,w photograph, point, see, describe and walk, walk, walk. This is a great way to have fun and make some new friends while observing birds in their native habitats.

January 3, 2012, Tuesday, Southwest Marion County Christmas Bird Count.
Contact Norm Lantz at villagebirder@cfl.rr.com to sign up. Boaters and boats are needed for the Withlacoochee and Rainbow River surveys.

April 28, 2012, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. Tuscawilla Park
Breakfast with the birds! Join Marion Audubon for a guided bird walk during the Earthfest and Arbor Day Festival in downtown Ocala. More information will be forthcoming about Marion Audubon’s interactive display, “Trees are for the Birds”!

May 5, 2012, Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Ray Wayside Park (Ocala Boat Basin)
East Hwy. 40, Silver Springs. There is a parking fee of $5.00. Boat rides by reservation. Be at the dock by 8:15 a.m. Call Captain Erika (352) 546-5718 or email acruisingdowntheriver@gmail.com or Captain Vince at (352) 690-7140 or email captvince@embarqmail.com. Annual meeting begins at 11:00 a.m. Lunch at 12:30 p.m. Main dish will be provided; please bring your favorite dish to share.