MCAS Community Program - NOV 20th - BATS!!


WHEN: Monday, November 20th 7:00 pm
WHERE: SLO Botanical Garden, Oak Glen Pavilion, in El Chorro Regional Park
Do you think bats are scary?
Learn the truth about bats with
Blind Bat Educational Programs 
Presented by Melinda Alvarado
This presentation will include a slide show and feature live, tame bats of several species for viewing and discussion. All ages kindergarten through adult will benefit and appreciate this chance to examine the real world of bats. 
Myths, superstitions and misconceptions about these highly beneficial mammals are discussed and replaced with factual learning about the ecological importance of bats and their roles in many ecosystems as insect controllers, pollinators and seed dispersers. 
Discover why bats don't get headaches from hanging upside down and why you don't have to worry about bats getting stuck in your hair.

Melinda will also show why:
• Bats are the only significant hunter of night flying insect pests.
• They are NOT blind, are much more closely related to humans than to rodents.
• There are almost 1,100 species of bats worldwide, the second largest order of mammal.
• Only about 1 in 1,000 bats will contract rabies, about the same as other wildlife
• Simply not handling downed bats will reduce your chances of contracting this disease from a bat to zero.
• Bats are major pollinators in the southern hemisphere.
• They are primary seed disperser in tropical rainforests.
• Bats are responsible for up to 95% of tropical rainforest propagation. 
Melinda Alvarado has been rehabilitating wildlife since 1989, specializing in bats since 1995. She has been giving wildlife talks for as many years and has educated hundreds of children and adults of the importance of wildlife in our shared environment. Let Radar, a Big Brown Bat change your mind forever regarding these marvelous creatures of the evening sky. 
All MCAS programs are free, open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. 
(Photos courtesy of Jeanette Stone & Melinda Alvarado)
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FIELD TRIP: Harmony Headlands State Park, Saturday, November 4th

Sample of Cormorants on rocks at end of trail.
FIELD TRIP:
Harmony Headlands State Park
RESCHEDULED!
New Date:
Saturday, November 11th
8 AM - NOON

Join leader Steve Griffith for this favorite fall trip. Meet at 8AM at the Harmony Headlands parking lot on the west side of Hwy. 1, about 5.5 miles north of Cayucos. MAP

Trip includes about 4 miles (round trip) of moderate hiking (some hills) through grasslands and coastal scrub to ocean views.  A portable restroom is available along the trail.  Target bird species include raptors, songbirds, and seabirds. The trip should conclude by 12 noon.

Bring binoculars, water and snacks, hat and sunscreen, and dress for the wind / weather. Rain cancels.

No RSVP needed; for additional information, email Jan Surbey, MCAS Field trip chair, at jansurbey@earthlink.net.
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EUREKA! THE BIRDS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY-September 2017

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To VIEW, PRINT, or DOWNLOAD Eureka!, move cursor over Eureka! below and then click the "Pop-out" icon in the top-right corner.

Then, in the newly opened window, you can read Eureka! OR use the icons in the top-right corner to PRINT or DOWNLOAD Eureka!.
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GRAND OPENING - EAST SWEET SPRINGS ! !


Ground Breaking - July 13th

View north across East SS towards Estuary before construction.
View from estuary toward East SS and where new platform now sits.
GRAND OPENING
 Experience what East Sweet Springs looks like now!
EAST SWEET SPRINGS NATURE PRESERVE 
EXPANSION PROJECT
Sunday, November 12th, 2-4pm
Corner of 4th and Ramona in Los Osos
2:30 - A short presentation with a TOAST of sparkling WINE or CIDER TOAST, with LIGHT SNACKS
PATIO PAVER PROWL: Find that paver that you ordered near the entrance AND/OR order paver(s) for the May 2018 placement.
ASK AN AMBASSADOR: The Sweet Springs ambassadors will be roving around the property -- ready to answer your questions.
EXPERIENCE the new TRAILS, BOARDWALK, VIEWING PLATFORM/BLIND, BENCHES, AND INTERPRETIVE PANELS.
Morro Coast Audubon Society invites members, friends, neighbors, and the general public to enjoy the opening FREE of charge. No RSVP required.

You can still contribute to this expansion project.
New main trail and boardwalk on East Sweet Springs meet ADA standards. 
Reminder: No pets permitted!
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2017 Nancy Vaughan Scholarship Award-


The MCAS Nancy Vaughan Scholarship Award is available to Cuesta College students that meet the criteria listed below. Please pass this on to anyone you know who might be interested, as the application deadline is approaching.

Download Scholarship Application (PDF)

The scholarship application deadline is December 2, 2016

Scholarship Application Criteria:
  1. A minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average.
  2. Student must currently be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units at Cuesta College.
  3. Applicant must be interested in and pursuing a career involving some aspect of caring for our natural environment, such as biology, wildlife conservation, ecology, animal care, water and air quality, or any other related field.
  4. One letter of recommendation is required. Letters from instructors, counselors, employers, and community members are preferred.
  5. Candidate will be awarded the scholarship money at the Morro Coast Audubon Christmas Bird Count dinner on December 16, 2017 (held at the Botanical Gardens in San Luis Obispo).
Scholarship Guidelines:
  1. Selection of Recipients
    Selections will be based on student’s overall academic progress, financial need, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, and participation in community activities.
  2. Notice of Awards
    Students will be notified by e-mail or phone of any scholarship award or denial.
  3. Renewal of Scholarship
    Scholarship may be renewed, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and availability of funds. Students must re-apply for a continuation of the scholarship. Please attach a separate sheet describing how the scholarship benefited you and why it should be renewed.

Mail your application to:

Morro Coast Audubon Society
% Stephanie Little
PO Box 1507
Morro Bay, CA 93443

If you have any questions, you can email Stephanie Little at stephanie@morrocoastaudubon.org

Applicants will be notified of scholarship award or denial by December 4, 2017.
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FIELD TRIP - Santa Margarita Lake


Santa Margarita Lake Field Trip, October 20th

Join park ranger Chuck Woodard and Jan Surbey at Santa Margarita Lake Friday, October 20th from 9-11:30 AM for a birding walk along the shoreline in search of waterfowl and oak woodland species.

All experience levels welcome, although best suited for beginning and intermediate birders. One-two miles walking; bring binoculars, water, and snacks.  Trip will conclude by 11:30 AM, but those who choose to may bring a picnic lunch and remain in the park for the rest of the day.

For more information, directions to the lake, and to CONFIRM, please contact Jan at jansurbey@earthlink.net.  Confirmations are required as the number of participants is limited.
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MCAS Community Program - OCT 16th - Birds of SLO 2016, Part II

View Awe-Inspiring Bird Photography taken throughout San Luis Obispo County 
Artist Reception precedes the Program

Program Coordinated and Presented by David Keeling
with music by Bob Clark and Jack Collins 

WHEN: Monday, October 16th, Artist Reception 6:30 pm, Program 7:00 pm
WHERE: SLO Botanical Garden Oak Glen Pavilion in El Chorro Park

Birds of SLO 2016 is a two-part slide show featuring a very large number of outstanding images of over 200 species of birds taken last year by fifteen of the best nature photographers in the county. The photos are amazing, and their impact is heightened by the synergistic effect of live guitar accompaniment by Jack Collins and Bob Clark.

If you enjoy birds and birding, you’ll enjoy the evening. It will be great entertainment and motivation to get out and bird more often in our county. You’d be hard-pressed to come up with an example of anything quite like it.

The program will be preceded by an artist reception to honor the photographers.

Drinks and snacks will be provided courtesy of MCAS.  All MCAS Community Programs are free and open to the public. And, as always, all ages are welcome.

A small selection of photos from this month's program (clockwise from upper left):
Northern Flicker - Pat Baxter, Townsend’s Warbler - Marcia Beckley-Kane,
Double-crested Cormorant - Alice Cahill, Townsend’s Solitaire - Bill Bouton
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