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Eco-Tourism includes everything from fishing, bird-watching, nature hikes and everything in between. It’s a form of tourism that educates both the community and the potential visitors to our coastal Gulf region. It helps to provide funding for ecological conservation, benefiting the economic development of our local towns, and fosters respect for wildlife and the environment. Since the 1980s, eco-tourism has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists.

One of Suncoast Seabird’s main objectives is to prudently leverage eco-tourism to help those who rescue, rehabilitate and release injured wild birds along our Gulf Coast.

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Collaboration between the two, rather than launching one single attraction, could transform downtown Clearwater’s identity by giving it a viable, long-term mission — one that educates and generates an appreciation among visitors and residents about the ecology and wildlife, feathered and finned, that make our area unique.

Businesses would have a compelling reason to take root and spin off that theme.

As downtown partners, the two could attract a more diverse population of visitors and locals, which would add to the long-term viability of the project — an important factor when residents vote on the referendum.

If it comes to pass, Clearwater residents will have good reason to take pride in their downtown. They have waited a long time.

From TAMPABAY.com

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MARCH 4, 2013

The newly formed non-profit; Suncoast Rescue, welcomes one of the most respected names in avian care.

The newly formed non-profit; Suncoast Rescue, welcomes one of the most respected names in avian care.

Barbara Suto is the former Avian Care Director at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. She recently resigned her position there after 30+ years.

Suto joins Robin Vergara; a former volunteer at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. Mr. Vergara is now the organization’s operations manager. Vergara will handle duties related to rescue, transport, operations.

Mel Taylor is the head of the executive board and the original founder. Mr. Taylor is a highly-regarded, digital marketing & communications executive. Mel will handle strategic partnerships, eco-tourism strategy, and all marketing/PR efforts.

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But help may be on the way.

One group, Suncoast Bird Rescue, is talking with some cities about creating a new rehabilitation center on park land. The group Suncoast Bird Rescue hopes to have its paperwork in order by this week so that it can accept donations.

“Be patient. We’re on it. We’re tying to do this the correct way”.

Largo parks superintendent Greg Brown said he has spoken about putting a rehab center and sanctuary at McGough Park, 11901 146th St., where the city already has a nature center with birds of prey. Any agreement is far down the road, he said, and would require the City Commission’s approval but the idea is that Largo would provide the land and that Suncoast Bird Rescue would provide everything else.

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Volunteers, who would eventually become part of Suncoast Seabird Rescue, went to work and made a dramatic rescue. The majestic bird was then transported to a trusted vet in Tampa. They stitched up Peter’s neck, and nursed him back to health.

Throngs of kids, TV cameras and happy families watched as this world famous seabird was released on Friday, Feb 22.

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This totally sweet track could be our theme song.

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The Florida Department of revenue has just slapped a tax lien of $7684 on the charity for non-payment of unemployment taxes from April through September of last year.

That debt comes on the heels of a $188,000 tax lien from the IRS, more than $21,000 in back wages the U.S. Department of Labor ordered the charity to pay workers, and a foreclosure suit recently filed for an overdue loan of $550,000. WATCH VIDEO.

A sanctuary worker said founder Ralph Heath wasn’t available for comment about the latest tax lien and operations manager Micki Eslick did not return our messages. Last month Progress Energy turned off the charity’s electricity after Eslick said she forgot to pay the power bill. Read more below.

Things weren’t always this tough for the 40 year old bird rescue facility. In the 1990′s founder Ralph Heath had enough to charity resources to purchase a 65 foot luxury yacht named Whisker and a beach house near the Indian Shores facility that had become a world famous refuge for pelicans and other seabirds.

Heath called the yacht, once equipped with a hot tub, five luxury staterooms and satellite TV was his “research vessel.” He said the sanctuary purchased the beach house, which became his residence, to keep it in “friendly hands.”

Last year, the sanctuary sold the beach house to a private equity company controlled by Heath’s two sons. he still lives there. The yacht Whisker has been decaying for years in dry dock and is in need of major repair.

The sanctuary recently announced it no longer rescues birds due to it’s faltering finances and is transitioning to a mostly volunteer staff to cut costs.

A newly-formed group created by former employees called Suncoast Bird Rescue has started taking in birds and is now working on a deal with the City of Largo to create a new refuge.

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Peter’s Injuries Were Severe. He’s Doing Great Now !

Wow. What an amazing story about “Peter”, the severely injured Great Blue Heron. Only a few days ago he had gaping hole in his neck that made it virtually impossible to eat. Today, Peter has been ‘stitched up’ and should make a full recovery. Click thru and watch video below.

Apparently, “Peter” was named by a couple who watched him on a daily basis on their back dock. They saw the massive injury that kept this majestic bird from being properly nourished. Watch the video to see Peter swallow a morsel, only to have it fall out of his neck. Heartbreaking. The concerned homeowners desperately tried to contact the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary to have him rescued. Their calls were apparently ignored.

Peter the heron disappeared every so often. But we were patient. He showed up again. This is when he was finally rescued.

The couple saw Peter on the news and were so happy he was still alive and is now getting the care he deserves. They tracked us down and personally called to thank us for stepping in and saving this beautiful bird. We’ll keep you posted on Peter’s progress as LOT of people are inquiring about him. Peter is our first “official rescue”. He will always be an icon as we move forward.

Hope to have a way to accept donations soon. This must be done in a rock solid, reputable and 100% transparent way. Gas and some materials are needed now and in order to recruit more rescuers/transport volunteers.

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