Learn about Purple Martins at P&P meeting on Saturday, November 14

Shelly Rozenberg – Palm Beach County’s “Purple Martin Queen” – will speak to P&P members and visitors at the Okeeheelee Nature Center.

Shelly Rozenberg, the Purple Martin Conservation Coordinator for Audubon Everglades, will be the guest speaker at the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club’s meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 14, at the Okeeheelee Nature Center, part of Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413.

The meeting is free and open to everyone -- current and past club members, club visitors and guests and the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive for socializing starting at 1:30 p.m.

Shelly’s topic: “Meet the Martins: America’s Most Beloved Tenants”

Description: Meet the Purple Martin — North America’s largest swallow and one of its most beloved songbirds. Known for their chattering songs, social personalities, and aerial acrobatics, these remarkable birds share a relationship with people unlike any other.

In the eastern United States, Purple Martins depend entirely on people to provide the nesting habitat they need to survive and reproduce — a relationship that has developed over generations.

Through her photography, firsthand experiences, and stories from the field, Shelly Rozenberg takes you inside the fascinating world of Purple Martins.

Discover their remarkable migration and breeding cycle, experience life inside a thriving colony, and learn how people and communities throughout Palm Beach County are helping to ensure that these beloved birds will always have a place to call home.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Shelly Rozenberg has dedicated years to the conservation of Purple Martins, combining hands-on experience with a passion for education and wildlife photography.

As Purple Martin Conservation Coordinator for Audubon Everglades, Shelly helps individuals and organizations establish and maintain successful Purple Martin colonies by identifying suitable habitat and housing, providing guidance on responsible colony management, troubleshooting problems, and serving as a resource throughout the nesting season.

Shelly also fosters partnerships with public locations she designates as Purple Martin “Ambassador Sites,” working alongside staff and volunteers to support colonies and create opportunities for the public to experience and learn about Purple Martins firsthand.

Affectionately referred to as “The Purple Martin Queen,” Shelly shares her knowledge through presentations, community events, and mentoring. She is especially passionate about mentoring the next generation of Purple Martin enthusiasts and preparing them to become dedicated stewards of these remarkable birds.

Her extensive hands-on experience has given Shelly an in-depth understanding of Purple Martins and their unique relationship with people. Her goal is to inspire others to take an active role in helping these extraordinary birds thrive.

MEETING REMINDER

--Who: Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club

--What: November club meeting

--Speaker: Shelly Rozenberg, Purple Martin Conservation Coordinator for Audubon Everglades

--When: Saturday, November 14, 2 p.m.

--Social time: Starts at 1:30 p.m.

--Where: Okeeheelee Nature Center, 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413

--Directions: From Jog Road, take Forest Hill Boulevard 1.2 miles west to Eshleman Trail (the second Okeeheelee Park entrance). Turn right (north) and follow the signs and road 1.6 miles to the Nature Center, which is in the back of the park.

--Questions: Text or call 561-312-2765

PRODUCE

Before the meeting: Please bring produce to support Okeeheelee’s ‘Animal Ambassadors’

Please bring your extra produce to each meeting. Produce can be placed on the table in the back of the meeting room.

Here are the produce and specialty items that will be particularly helpful to the Nature Center:

--Apples (loved by the deer and Paisley, the opossum)

--Carrots (for the deer, opossum and insects)

--Celery (favorites of the deer)

--Sweet Potatoes (loved by the deer, opossum and insects)

--Unsalted Almonds (for the deer)

--Canned Cat Food (loved by Paisley)

--Unscented Puppy Pads for Paisley

--Plain Epsom Salt (used by Luigi, the diamondback terrapin)

--Wild Bird Seed with no corn or fillers (for the local birds at the bird feeders)

(Note: Please do not bring citrus or iceberg lettuce.)

Produce donations help to feed animals throughout the beautiful natural area at the park. And our club receives credit for our produce donations!

REMINDER: We also have a donation jar on the table. Any monetary donations will be used to purchase produce for the next monthly meeting.

The Nature Center gratefully thanks you for your generous donations at each meeting.

RAFFLE

Participate in the monthly raffle

Michelle Gaudet’s monthly raffle will be held near the middle of the meeting, with proceeds to be allocated equally to the club’s General and Conservation funds.

REMINDER: Please remember to bring your “Raffle Cash” to the meeting!

Special note: Please bring your donations for future raffles to the meeting! We accept camping, hiking, paddling, bicycling and snorkeling items, of course. We also accept your household goods as well.

EVENTS SLIDE SHOW

Looking ahead: Our events preview slide show for the next four weeks!

Near the end of the meeting, we will view Kathy McKim’s slide show presentation of upcoming events and trips that will include comments from trip organizers!

We will learn about events and trips for the next four weeks – plus trips that you will need to plan for far in advance!

MEETING QUESTIONS?

For questions about the Pack & Paddle Club meeting, please call or text 561-312-2765.

AFTER THE MEETING

Join us for an Early Bird Dinner at Applebee’s

After each meeting, Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club members and their guests gather for “The Meeting After the Meeting” just down the street at Applebee's Grill + Bar, 6706 Forest Hill Boulevard, Greenacres, FL 33413.

We usually take a show of hands at the end of each meeting so that we know how many people to expect at the restaurant.

Join us at Applebee's!

PAID CLUB MEMBER BENEFITS

Paid club members receive the following emails to keep them informed about club activities:

--Club Newsletter, during the week after club meetings
--Meeting Publicity Alerts, two to three emails during the two weeks prior to club meetings
--Twice-Monthly Event Flyers, on the 1st and 15th of each month

Paid club members are also eligible to:

--Attend some special events that are for paid members only.
--Attend long-distance camping trips, most of which are for paid members only.
--Take part in our 101 classes to learn more about kayaking, paddleboarding, camping and other outdoor activities.
--Receive a membership badge to display at club meetings.