Preservation group keeps putting nature at forefront

History Column: Preservation group keeps putting nature at forefront


Jean Catchpole,
corresponding secretary of Pelican Island Audubon Society
Sunday, May 25, 2008

"To preserve and protect the animals, plants and natural communities in Indian River County through advocacy, education and public awareness" is the stated mission of the Pelican Island Audubon Society.
Originally formed in 1961 as the Indian River Preservation Society, the organization's early members were comprised of citrus growers, commercial fishermen, sportsmen and concerned citizens. Spearheaded by local pioneer Joe Michael, the society's goal was to protect the vital wetlands adjacent to the Pelican Island National Refuge from dredge-and-fill operations and eventual development.

The organization was successful in convincing Florida to declare the wetlands sovereign land. From its success at Pelican Island and due to the island's reputation as a premier sanctuary for roosting and nesting water birds, the organization became affiliated with National Audubon and changed its name to the Pelican Island Audubon Society. In April of 1964, PIAS was voted a chapter of the Florida Audubon Society. Merritt C. Farrar served as its first president.
Over the succeeding decades the organization has continued its crusade against activities that result in negative impacts to our environment. Countless PIAS representatives have spoken out against improper development in Indian River County at government meetings and in print and continue to do so to this day.
In the 1970s, PIAS was instrumental in implementing several important environmental regulations and policies. For example, it led drives that resulted in the protection of beaches, dunes and their associated flora and fauna through construction of dune walkovers and prohibition of vehicles on the beach. Activist Maggy Bowman was the catalyst for this and many other endeavors and served as PIAS president numerous times. Other PIAS initiatives resulted in the now widely appreciated adoption of building height restrictions, a feature that sets Indian River County apart from its neighboring counties.


In 1986, PIAS organized the first coastal cleanup in the country when hundreds of volunteers gathered to clean Indian River County's beaches. PIAS was recognized by the Department of Interior and the Keep America Beautiful campaign in the early '90s for this program which has now grown into an international event with the participation of more than 90 countries and hundreds of thousands of volunteers annually.
From 1986 to 1990, PIAS led the community in convincing coastal government entities, including Vero Beach and Indian River Shores, to pass nighttime lighting ordinances to protect sea turtle hatchlings.
In 2006, the chapter worked with Indian River County staff to rewrite the county's landscape ordinance encouraging the use of water-saving plants and increasing tree protection. The new ordinance was adopted by county commissioners in 2007 and was a contributing factor to PIAS being named 2007 Chapter of the Year by Florida Audubon.
Most recently PIAS was instrumental in appealing a decision by the St. Johns River Water Management District to swap 1,265 acres of important conservation lands ( known as the Sand Lakes Tract) to avoid a lawsuit by adjacent landowners. St. Johns has reversed its decision and that parcel will remain in conservation with Indian River County now owning 23 percent of it and having a say in any future plans.


PIAS has a long history of promoting and supporting environmental education in Indian River County. The organization has donated monies to local schools for the purchase of scientific equipment such as the Water Analysis Laboratory presented to Vero Beach High School in the mid-1970s. Scholarships have been awarded since 1991 to high school students showing an interest in conservation or environmental education. The current award is $500 toward books at the recipient's college or university.
One of the proudest accomplishments has been the creation of the Environmental Learning Center at Wabasso in 1988 with its ongoing public education programs including the award-winning "River Days." This special event targets all fourth-grade students in the county who are brought to the center and exposed to a full, hands-on day of estuarine ecology on the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse estuary in North America.
The chapter publishes a monthly newsletter, "The Peligram," to inform the community about environmental issues and schedules monthly speakers, field trips, canoe trips and educational workshops for its members and the general public. It annually recognizes community members for making outstanding environmental contributions.
Currently PIAS is in the planning and fundraising stage to construct its own office and outreach center in collaboration with the University of Florida and Indian River County. The new center is designed to be a "green" building and will be located adjacent to the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area.
The public is invited to attend the chapter's monthly meetings at 7:30 p.m. conducted the third Monday of each month at the Vero Beach Community Center. For further information or to become a member of Pelican Island Audubon, visit its Web site at http://www.pelicanaudubon.org/. or call the office at (772) 567-3520 .