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Gulf Guardian Award Winners 2003
Civic/Nonprofit Organization - 2nd Place
| Project #: | GG-03-27 | |
| Company: | Audubon of Florida, Miami, FL | |
| Project Name: | Protection and Management of Coastal Bird Colonies in West-Central Florida | |
| Category: | Civic/Nonprofit Organization | |
| Project Type: | Habitat | |
| Average Rating: | 16.0 |
In 1934 the National Audubon Society launched the Tampa Bay Sanctuaries
program to protect remnant bird colonies that were annually plundered
by humans for food and feathers. Over the next 20 years populations recovered,
and one colony -- Alafia Bank, in Hillsborough Bay -- was recognized as
the largest in the US. During the 1960s and 1970s, some species began
to decline in response to urbanization and habitat loss, but diversity
actually increased as five new species entered the local breeding fauna.
By 1981, the sanctuary program included ten islands and about 14,000 nesting
pairs of birds of 17 species.
In subsequent years it became obvious that with human population growth
continuing at a rapid pace, Audubon needed to expand efforts to protect
birds and their habitats in the Tampa Bay area. In the last decade, the
program has been greatly expanded to include nesting colonies from Tarpon
Springs to Sarasota, and occasionally beyond. In 2002, 86 colonies were
surveyed, totaling just over 50,000 breeding pairs of 30 species. This
is possibly the largest and most diverse population of colonial waterbirds
in Florida, outside of the Everglades.
Audubon believes that it is essential that 1) populations be monitored
to track trends and evaluate factors affecting these species and 2) important
colonies be protected, if the long-term future of these birds is to be
ensured. Although all the species are legally protected, and some colonies
are designated wildlife sanctuaries or refuges, a sustained presence at
the colonies, as with signs and coordinated educational efforts, is vital
to reduce disturbance and allow for successful reproduction on nesting
colonies. Regular monitoring allows the discovery of problems and therefore
prompt response.
