Lake Elberta Park is one of Tallahassee’s best kept birding secrets, tucked away in a historic African American neighborhood between Florida A&M University and Florida State University. Apalachee Audubon received a special Audubon grant to help restore the lake and share its significance with the diverse Tallahassee communities nearby. Students from both local universities are receiving scholarships to serve as local Audubon ambassadors. With the resources and support of Apalachee Audubon members, these ambassadors work with the community to restore the lake and teach diverse populations about the importance of this local natural treasure.
Believe it or not, Lake Elberta Park currently ranks #4 in terms of bird species observed at a given place in Leon County. In fact, I know several birders who made the park their first stop when visiting Tallahassee due to its ease of access and diversity. Rarities like red-necked grebe and magnificent frigatebird have been seen there but, even on “slow” days, a casual birder should be able to see 20-25 species of birds simply by walking the paved path around the lake. - Peter Kleinhenz
Florida State University Sustainability Fellows
Apalachee Audubon has received funding through three grants to enhance the park for wildlife and people. During the implementation of these projects, our members and volunteers have held numerous trash clean-up days. Still, the trash remains. The reason is the influx of trash with every rain event. We wanted to identify where this trash was coming from in order to address the issue with the contributors, city officials, and members of our community. Without this strategic approach, our best efforts to improve the park would never be achieved.
The Apalachee Audubon Society wanted to know the source of trash in Lake Elberta so that steps may be taken to reduce the problem. We applied to The Florida State University Sustainability Fellows to recruit upper class or graduate students to study the problem. Two students, Alexis Chavez and Shiqian (Kate) Wang were selected.
Read the study that they produced:
EXPLORING POTENTIAL SOURCES OF SOLID WASTE IN A STORMWATER SYSTEM
Below is their presentation:
Thank you to the many donors and organizations who have helped make this project possible:
National Audubon Society Audubon-In-Action Grant, Florida Power & Light, City of Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department, City of Tallahassee Stormwater Management, Native Nurseries, Charles and Vicky McClure, Amelia Fusaro and Bill Everitt, Marilyn and Ed Feaver
