Audubon of Florida joined the Natural Resources Defense Council and Rocky Mountain Climate Organization to launch a new report this week that highlighted the public coastal areas threatened by the BP/Gulf oil spill. Read about the report and our views here.

So Far So Good

The Good News is that Florida's special places and wildlife have not yet been heavily impacted by the oil or chemical dispersants. Everyone should be encouraged to enjoy all that Florida has to offer and support our tourism economy. The health of Florida's economy depends on healthy bird and wildlife populations,  pristine beaches and rich coastal and marine habitats.

To encourage visitors, Governor Charlie Crist and state agencies are promoting two free fishing weekends, allowing residents and visitors to fish without a license for saltwater species in state waters. No fishing license will be required on  Memorial Day weekend, May 29 to May 31, and the weekend of June 5 and 6, just after red snapper season opens in the Gulf on June 1.  Fishing rules will apply. Click here to learn about them.

Please remember to STEP LIGHTLY ON OUR BEACHES. Shorebirds are nesting and long-distant migratory species, such as Red Knots, are resting to build their strength for the next leg of their journey.

Tips to Protect Birds

•    Avoid the temptation to flush groups of birds. They may be resting, feeding or sheltering eggs. By giving them a wide berth, you’ll make sure your actions don’t have deadly consequences for eggs or chicks.

•    Similarly, obey leash laws and don’t allow dogs to flush birds. Even in areas where there do not appear to be groups of birds, solitary nesters may be camouflaged with the beach. It’s best to keep dogs off the beaches entirely or only take them to "dog beaches" until later in the summer when the birds have finished nesting. Birds perceive dogs as predators and will be scared off their nest even by a leashed dog walking away from them.

•    In places where beach driving is allowed, take extra care to be aware of birds on the beach. Drivers who move faster than a pedestrian and are isolated by their vehicles from the sights and sounds of the beach are more likely to overlook birds.  Furthermore, chicks sometimes take shelter in the depression of tire tracks in the sand, leaving them vulnerable to other vehicles that follow them.

Download our factsheet for more beach guidelines. Have fun and protect our birds and beaches.

A New Resource on the BP Gulf Oil Spill

Progress Florida has launched a new site on the oil spill. Check it out here.