Apalachee Audubon Society

Apalachee Audubon Society Protecting North Florida's biodiversity through education, appreciation, and conservation.

07/15/2026

🥰 A video update about the Lake Henrietta Park bluebird nest, recorded July 15, 2026. The nestlings are due to fledge any day now! All four eggs hatched and have survived to this critical point. Wishing these youngsters all the best as they move out into the world. (NOTE: Nest box photos were taken with an endoscopic camera attached to a smart phone, minimizing any disturbance to the nestlings.)

UPDATE: The proposed annexation was unanimously opposed, 7–0.Thank you to everyone who contacted the commissioners, atte...
07/15/2026

UPDATE: The proposed annexation was unanimously opposed, 7–0.

Thank you to everyone who contacted the commissioners, attended the meeting, shared information, and spoke up in support of protecting this important area.

The commissioners voted 7–0 to object to the annexation, sending a clear and unified message that the environmental concerns surrounding this proposal must be taken seriously.

This outcome shows the difference our community can make when residents stay informed and make their voices heard. We are grateful to the commissioners for listening and to every person who took the time to advocate for our local wildlife, habitat, and natural resources.

We will continue following this issue and will share additional information as it becomes available. For now, thank you for standing with us!

🚨 URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Speak up for Lake Jackson and North Meridian Road 🚨Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, the Leon County C...
07/13/2026

🚨 URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Speak up for Lake Jackson and North Meridian Road 🚨

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, the Leon County Commission will consider Agenda Item #20 involving the proposed voluntary annexation of approximately 1,742 acres north of Gardner Road and west of North Meridian Road.

This land is currently rural and lies around portions of Carr Lake and Mallard Pond, immediately north of Lake Jackson. Lake Jackson, Carr Lake and Mallard Pond form the Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve—one of our community’s most important areas for birds, wildlife, recreation and natural habitat.

Annexation would not immediately approve a development or change the property’s current Rural zoning. However, it would transfer authority over future land-use and zoning changes for these parcels from Leon County to the City of Tallahassee.

Leon County’s professional staff has identified unresolved legal concerns with the annexation boundaries, including possible unincorporated enclaves and pockets and insufficient information about whether the parcels meet Florida’s contiguity requirements.

Staff is recommending OPTION #1, which would authorize the County to file a formal objection, meet with City officials and proceed to mediation if the problems are not resolved.

We are asking everyone who values Lake Jackson, responsible growth, wildlife habitat and the historic North Meridian Canopy Road to contact all seven County Commissioners TODAY or early tomorrow.

Please ask them to SUPPORT STAFF RECOMMENDATION OPTION #1 ON AGENDA ITEM #20.

Commissioner emails; copy and paste all into the recipient line:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Suggested subject:

Support Option #1 on Agenda Item #20 — Orchard Pond Annexation

COPY/PASTE EMAIL:

Commissioners,

My name is [NAME], and I am a [LEON COUNTY RESIDENT/BIRDER/PROPERTY OWNER/OTHER CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY].

I respectfully ask you to support Staff Recommendation Option #1 on Agenda Item #20 at the July 14 meeting and authorize Leon County’s formal objection to the proposed annexation of approximately 1,742 acres north of Gardner Road and west of North Meridian Road.

County staff has identified unresolved statutory concerns involving contiguity and reasonable compactness, including possible enclaves and pockets. The prudent course is to use the established city-county review process, including a formal objection, meet-and-confer discussions and mediation if necessary, before the City proceeds.

I am also concerned about what annexation could mean for future development surrounding the Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve, Carr Lake, Mallard Pond and the historic North Meridian Canopy Road. This area supports important bird and wildlife habitat. Decisions involving nearly 1,742 acres should follow careful, coordinated analysis of habitat, water quality, stormwater, traffic, infrastructure costs and our community’s long-term growth needs.

Please vote for Option #1 and support a thorough, transparent and legally compliant planning process.

Respectfully,

[NAME]
[NEIGHBORHOOD OR ZIP CODE]

Please personalize the first and final sentences when possible. A short individual message is more effective than an identical form letter.

The meeting begins Tuesday at 3 p.m. Please send your email as soon as possible, ideally before noon Tuesday, and share this post with friends and neighbors.

https://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Government/Commission-Meetings/Upcoming-Meeting-Information

Eight AAS volunteers picked up 9 bags of trash and assorted car parts and debris at our bi-monthly Sharer Rd trash clean...
07/11/2026

Eight AAS volunteers picked up 9 bags of trash and assorted car parts and debris at our bi-monthly Sharer Rd trash cleanup today. Started at 8 AM to beat the heat and finished in an hour. Thank you all for keeping Tallahassee beautiful!

Our four Eastern Bluebird nestlings at Lake Henrietta Park are 13 days old today (July 11), days away from fledging! The...
07/11/2026

Our four Eastern Bluebird nestlings at Lake Henrietta Park are 13 days old today (July 11), days away from fledging! They are expected to leave the nest box July 14 or 15 when they are 16-17 days old.

Hi all, Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are having to cancel Sunday, July 12th Birds and Brews. We will be b...
07/09/2026

Hi all, Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are having to cancel Sunday, July 12th Birds and Brews. We will be back with a new location in August!

Four 9-day-old Eastern Bluebird nestlings in one of the AAS nest boxes at Lake Henrietta Park. July 7, 2026. 🥰
07/09/2026

Four 9-day-old Eastern Bluebird nestlings in one of the AAS nest boxes at Lake Henrietta Park. July 7, 2026. 🥰

07/07/2026

Adult and recently fledged Purple Martins hanging out on the gourd array at Lake Elberta Park. They will stick around while the latest fledglings are learning their way around and strengthening their wings. June 23, 2026.

07/07/2026

Nine Purple Martins, adults and fledglings, hanging out on the gourd array at Lake Henrietta Park. They will stick around while the latest fledglings are learning their way around and strengthening their wings. July 7, 2026.

07/07/2026

July 5 video of our last two Purple Martin nestlings being attended to by their parents and possibly their recently fledged sibling. (Note the birds reactions to fireworks being set off in a yard adjoining the park.) Our nest inspection on July 7 showed that they had fledged, closing out our 2026 Purple Martin season. We had a total of 135 fledglings, 61 at Lake Henrietta Park, 74 at Lake Elberta Park.

Address

Tallahassee, FL
32305

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Apalachee Audubon Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Apalachee Audubon Society:

Shortcuts

Share

Category