National Bird Day 2024

The Avian Welfare Coalition makes use of the annual National Bird Day to bring attention to the harm caused by keeping birds in captivity. These glorious, free creatures are often stolen from their homes, have their wings clipped, and sent to be sold in pet stores or to the highest bidder. An estimated 60% of wild-caught birds die before they even reach international markets; this increases the number of birds that are stolen, devastating local ecologies and irreparably damaging bird populations.(1)

Even those exotic birds who have been bred in captivity experience devastating effects. The deprivation of their natural behaviors (for example; flying, flocking, nesting) is an inescapable component of captivity; no matter the size, a cage can never give them the space their instincts call for – the wide open sky. Confinement in cages can lead to neurotic behavior, excessive screaming, feather plucking, self-mutilation, and other destructive habits.

So, this National Bird Day, consider helping bring awareness to the plight of those birds caught in the global bird trade. Talk about exotic birds, do some research, take your kids out to see native bird populations, support reputable bird sanctuaries, or watch a documentary on the wild bird trade, birds in captivity, or the intelligence of birds.

National Resolution Planning Day

Did you know that the failure rate of New Year’s Resolutions is estimated to be 80%?! Most people lose their motivation by the end of January at the earliest or mid-February at the latest.

Warren Holleman, who has a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science, says, “It takes a lot more than a resolution to change. It takes a self-understanding, skills, strategies, and support.” Rather than create a simple, yet daunting, list of resolutions, choose one or two things to focus on. Then, strategize. Break each goal into achievable tasks.

For instance, if your goal is to exercise more. The first thing to do is figure out what ‘exercising more’ means to you. Say you’ve taken a break from exercising for the last few years. It doesn’t make sense to immediately expect yourself to work out 5 days a week. Instead, create an action plan where you gradually build up the amount of exercise you do. Try to find a friend to workout with or choose activities that feel less like exercise and more like fun; try hiking, swimming, or playing a sport. Even if ‘exercising more’ means adding 5 minutes of walking to your day, go for it! Small changes create a ripple effect that makes it easier to make bigger changes into lifelong habits. 

 

Japanese Language Club: TONIGHT

The Bay County Library is hosting a Japanese Language Club. Young fans of Japanese games, anime, and culture will enjoy the beginner class. The program is geared towards ages 6 – 12, and focuses on teaching Japanese words and phrases for everyday life. Registration is required and opens 3 weeks before each class. Please call 850-522-2118 to register. See the Facebook event page for future dates and more information. 

Thanksgiving and More

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate! Today is a celebration of family, friends, and tradition.

Over the last decade, many individuals have turned away from the traditional celebration of ‘Thanksgiving’ to celebrate in other ways. People have begun to recognize that the story of a kind, collaborative Thanksgiving between the pilgrims on the Mayflower and the indigenous tribes was nothing more than a myth taught to elementary school children. In fact, the first ‘Thanksgiving’ was likely a celebratory dinner in 1637 following what’s now known as the Pequot Massacre. After killing over 700 men, women, and children of the Pequot Tribe, Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony declared the next day would be “a day of thanksgiving and celebration for subduing the Pequots.

Understandably, many people choose to move away from celebrating a tradition rooted in murder, terror, and racism. Still, the celebration of friends, family, and thanks is not something to completely abandon. Many now celebrate the themes of the season via alternative holidays occurring during the same time.

  1. The National Day of Mourning is an annual protest held on Thanksgiving Day. Protesters acknowledge the historical and current suffering of Native American people.
  2. National Day of Listening falls on the day after Thanksgiving. It encourages individuals to broaden their perspective by listening to someone who is a member of a marginalized group.
  3. Friendsgiving. This is a celebration of friendship and found family; gather those closest to you for a potluck, a traditional holiday meal, or a day of snacks and games. 
  4. Thankskilling. A niche celebration that is growing in popularity on the internet. Many combine it with Friendsgiving. This particular celebration brings awareness to the true story of the ‘first thanksgiving’ while also indulging in fun activities such as watching bad movies. There is a growing selection of bad Thanksgiving movies such as Killer Turkey, ThanksKilling, The McPherson Tape, and more. 

Panhandle Butterfly House

Did you know that the Panhandle is home to a butterfly house? No, not the world-famous Gainesville Butterfly Rainforest and McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity. The Panhandle Butterfly House had it’s grand reopening this spring and has been slowly improving it’s grounds throughout the year. It was originally located in Navarre but recently relocated to Milton. 

The Panhandle Butterfly House is committed to displaying exclusively Florida-native butterflies; this allows visitors to learn about the butterflies they may encounter in their backyards and throughout nature in their area. Additionally, the House raises native butterflies, allowing volunteers and visitors to witness the full butterfly life cycle from egg to hatching to caterpillar to chrysalis and then – the emerging of adult butterflies! 

Learn more by visiting the official Panhandle Butterfly House website. 

Right Whale Festival 2023

The 2023 Right Whale Festival will take place on November 4-5 at Main Beach Park in Fernandina. The festival is part of a regional effort to educate and protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Every year in late fall, these endangered whales return to the warmer waters off the coast of northeast Florida to give birth and nurse their young. There are fewer than 350 right whales left. 

The festival features family-friendly education, marine exhibits, animal ‘ambassadors,’ a beach clean-up, live music, kids activities, food, and more. Learn more about the event by visiting the festival website

Florida Bat Festival

Lubee Bat Conservancy is hosting the 2023 Florida Bat Festival. Come out on October 21st to enjoy the 19th annual event; it will run from 10am to 5pm. There will be a plethora of bats including the largest bat species – a Malayan Flying Fox which has up to six-foot wingspan. There will also be baby bats, bat-themed merch, educational seminars, live music, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone, and a beer garden. The beer garden is exclusive for participants ages 21 and up; the Beer Garden includes a souvenir glass and unlimited pours from local craft brewers like Swamp Head Brewery, Azalea City Brewing Company, and First Magnitude Brewing Company. Visit the Lubee Bat Conservancy website to learn more. 

Fall-Winter Ceiling Fan Settings

During the summer, the fan should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft. This helps create a direct, cooling breeze. Now that the season is changing and the temperatures are cooling down, it’s time to consider changing the direction to clockwise. This helps create an updraft that will circulate warm air around the room. Recirculating the warm air and distributing it back into the living space helps keep the average room temperature up and your heater from overworking. Checking your ceiling fan settings is a good way to help cut down on unnecessary energy costs. 

Covenant Care Presentation on Dementia & Alzheimer’s

Covenant Care is hosting an educational discussion on the Presentation, Progression, and Planning for someone with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s Disease. The event is free to anyone in the community; they ask that you reserve your seat so they can properly prepare. The event will start with a Meet and Greet at 5:30pm and be followed by a Buffet Style Dinner starting at 5:45pm.

The Presentaiton will begin promptly at 6pm. It will be led by Dr. Steven Spence, a member of the Internal Medicine Associates of Jackson Hospital and Medical Director of Covenant Care. The event will be held at the Rivertown Community Church in Marianna. For more information or to reserve your seat, please contact either:

Jennifer Griffin; (850) 209-8008; jennifer.griffin@choosecovenant.org

Chelsea Dickinson; (850) 209-7799; chelsea.dickson@choosecovenant.org

Emerald Coast Native Plant Fair

Paradise Plants and Palms is excited to announce that they’re hosting the first-ever Emerald Coast Native Plant Fair! Join them on September 16th from 10am – 4pm EDT. The Fair will be a celebration of all things Florida Native Plants and conservation. There will be a variety of conservation groups, local artisans, native plant sellers/nurseries, and arts-n-crafts vendors. There will also be a food truck! 

Along with arts-n-crafts, native plants, and food for sale, the event will feature free educational classes, wildlife conservation experts, and coastal ecosystem informational services. A complete list of native plant sellers, vendors, and conservation groups listed below:

  • Paradise Plants and Palms
  • Sandhill Native Nursery
  • Native Plant Company
  • Revive Native Plant Nursery
  • Root and Stem
  • Pojars Plants
  • Pawsative Chaos
  • Hannah’s Treasures
  • Bohemian Funk
  • Aleigator Supply
  • Clay by Kim
  • Nate Buckley: Bat Conservation
  • Saneka’s Legacy Corp: Ecology Conservation

Visit the event Facebook page HERE for more information.