FWF 1011 - Newsletter Spring 2020 v5.qxp_FWF 1011 - Newsletter Spring 2020v5# 5/13/20 8:21 AM Page 1 Fish &

Volume 34, Issue 2 Wildlife News Spring 2020

Affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation

President’s Message Page 4 Earth

The Everyday Environmentalist Page 6 Day

Southwest Florida Report Page 8

The State of the Forest Page 10 FWF 1011 - Newsletter Spring 2020 v5.qxp_FWF 1011 - Newsletter Spring 2020v5# 5/13/20 8:21 AM Page 2

Chair’s Message Florida Fish & Jay Exum Wildlife News

FWF Board Greetings Florida Wildlife Federation Chair: Jay Exum Vice Chair: Dave Preston Vice Chair: Marilu Morgan Vice Chair: Joe Atterbury Members and Supporters! Northwest Region: Southern Region: Regional Director: Regional Director: To be appointed George Jones District I Director: District VII Director: Laurie Hood Linda Stanley s I write this, I am hoping that suggest that you take advantage of District II Director: District VIII Director: Pepper Uchino Ana Meira AFlorida is past the peak of the stress-reducing benefits of Northeast Region: At Large Directors Covid-19 cases. And by cases, I nature. State lands and local parks Regional Director: Joe Welbourn Jim Schuette Terry Gibson mean people - people who have lost District III Director: Bobbie Lindsay Ray Carthy Rene Brown their lives, suffered substantial District IV Director: Martha Musgrove Anna Hamilton economic impacts and, at the very Youth Conservation Central Region: Directors least, had their entire routines Regional Director: Tasman Rosenfeld Billy Causey Keara Clancy completely disrupted. It is District V Director: To be appointed District VI Director: unprecedented in all of our Jay Bushnell lifetimes, and is economically, FWF Staff emotionally and psychologically President and Graphic Designer Chief Executive Officer Danny Shapiro unsettling. Preston Robertson Information Technology Operations Manager Consultant Michelle Forman Cole Sousa

Osprey nest on Lake Norris Regional Policy Director Administrative Assistant Meredith Budd Susan Williams

Forest Advocate Environmental Education may be closed, but if you have Stan Rosenthal Coordinator Marney Richards access to a local greenway or trail, Membership & Database Coordinator Social Media Coordinator or if you can enter a park from an Lynn Jones Shraddha Shinde area with open access, seek respite there. As I write this, we all are also Roseate spoonbills on the Wekiva River just a few days away from Earth Day. One way I celebrate is to As impactful as it has been to make sure I spend time outdoors, us, there is a certain element of and this year is no exception. My stability that surrounds us. The plans to kayak and camp in the natural environment is mostly restored sections of the Kissimmee unaffected. In fact, the woods are River had to be cancelled, but I still quieter, roads are safer for wildlife have taken the opportunity to and beaches are less hectic for paddle local rivers and lakes, and nesting sea turtles. hike through forests and floodplains. Watching turkeys gobble and strut, experiencing the pandemonium of a wading bird

rookery and hearing male alligators Tidal Discoveries Willet (Tringa semipalmata), Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla), Volute ( junonia), sharks-teeth, and other bellow in the last few weeks have specimens of shells! Peter R. Gerbert, Acrylics with Texture on been a fantastic distraction, a Gessobord Contact Information return to normalcy and a needed Tallahassee Mailing Address Naples Office PO Box 6870 4851 Tamiami Trail N . psychological boost. I encourage Tallahassee, Florida 32314 Suite 255 [email protected] Naples, Florida 34103 you to take some time to venture 239-302-1767 (office) Tallahassee Street Address [email protected] outside, celebrate Earth Day, enjoy 2545 Blairstone Pines Dr Tallahassee, Florida 32301 American alligator on the Wekiva River 850-656-7113 the spring, and stay healthy. There is comfort and solace in The Florida Fish & Wildlife News is published quarterly by the Florida Wildlife Federation the natural environment. Wild 2545 Blairstone Pines Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32301.

places can be uplifting, fulfilling ISSN: 1520-8214 Editors Danny Shapiro & Preston T. Robertson and calming in their indifference to If you would prefer to receive this publication only via email some of the things that are most instead of print, contact [email protected]. Please include your name and address with your request. troubling to us, including a global Contact Us at: [email protected] pandemic. As soon as you can, I Cover photo information on page 5 No original material may be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. FWF 1011 - Newsletter Spring 2020 v5.qxp_FWF 1011 - Newsletter Spring 2020v5# 5/11/20 11:04 AM Page 3

EARTH DAY 2020

n 1970, Richard Nixon was president and the St. Lucie River IVietnam War was going full force. Protest were With so much bad news it is good to be able to being conducted to support minority rights, women’s share some good news. The ongoing restoration of rights and the anti-war movement. That year also saw Picayune Strand State Forest, depicted later in this the first Earth Day. issue, is one example. Another is the recovery of the Earth Day was the result of years of independent St. Lucie River in Southeast Florida. The St. Lucie efforts by folks concerned about our environment. flows east from massive Lake Okeechobee. It is a Rachel Carson’ book waterway that has suffered years of harmful algal Silent Spring, about how blooms as nitrogen-laden water has been pumped chemicals were from the Lake into the river at times of high water. eliminating bird The contentious pumping of polluted water has raised populations and concerns from many in this part of the state debating negatively impacting how to properly manage our water supply. humans, became a Two years ago, the St. Lucie was the site of a blue- national bestseller in green algae explosion which emitted neurotoxins that 1962. Leaded gasoline posed a threat to residents and the economy. As the fumes spewed out of algae bloom grew, it took the dissolved oxygen out of every car and truck tail- the water, thereby killing aquatic such as fish. pipe in the United States Since that horrible time, there have been no releases and industrial smoke of polluted water from the Lake due to low water stacks belched pollution. There were many groups levels and lack of rain. No new influx of pollution has opposed to this situation, but it took two Senators, allowed the river to come back. Oysters are spawning Democrat Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, and and conches are present. Even seagrasses are starting Republican Pete McCloskey from California, to make to be more plentiful as they can get sunlight instead of Earth Day real. These two led a bi-partisan effort being overtopped by algal mats. to clean up our air and water to the benefit of The St. Lucie show us that if we stop the harm, all, no matter party affiliation. our ecosystems can indeed return to a healthy and Due to the work of Nelson and McCloskey, and more natural state. thousands of local activists, the first Earth Day was Preston T. Robertson held on April 22, 1970. 20 million Americans (10% of President and CEO the population) took part in events to highlight the need to place restrictions on pollution. That success facilitated the creation of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and passage of the Clean Air Act later that same year. In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed, and in 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed into law. These laws have saved not only wildlife but made for a much cleaner and safer environment for all Americans. It can only be hoped that our present elected officials see the wisdom to save the planet for FWF Annual Awards’ future generations. Banquet Postponed! In Florida, the Clean Air and Water Acts have helped to protect us from many of the most Please be aware that, due to the Covid-19 deleterious effects of pollution, but, of course, we still pandemic, the Florida Wildlife Federation have a ways to go. Unregulated growth and sprawling Annual Awards Banquet has been development, the elimination of sensitive habitats and postponed from June 6, 2020 to summer wide-spread pollution are still to be found in the 2021. We shall recognize the same award Sunshine State, as our population nears 22 million. In winners proposed for 2020. Updated light of these challenges, the Federation continues to act to preserve what makes Florida special. information shall be made available in early 2021. Thanks!

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President’s Message Preston Robertson, President and CEO Dear Fellow Conservationists:

s the COVID-19 pandemic received funding. Sensitive natural A continues to take lives and As many more of areas will be preserved for us and upend our daily routines, the “ future generations through these Federation hopes you and yours are us are starting to appropriations. staying cautious, washing your grow our own One positive bill that passed, hands and practicing social food, we’re finding Senate Bill 1042, will create an distancing. Truly, we are all in this Aquatic Preserve off the coast of together. a tie to the land Citrus, Pasco and Hernando The present situation is a stark that our food Counties on the . It reminder that no matter our comes from. has been many years since such ideological beliefs, we are all ” protection has been given to coastal susceptible to what happens in our waters, and it is highly beneficial environment. As we must adapt to that this area, which is replete with and the House of Representatives the coronavirus, we must also adapt sea grass beds, has additional included $100 million for that to, and address, the realities of protective measures. Sea grass beds program and $8.7 million for the other threats, such as algae blooms, are the nurseries of the sea as they Rural and Family Lands program. climate change and sea level rise. provide cover for smaller aquatic While these amounts are less than The 2020 Legislative Session species to grow before they move we hoped for, and far short of what ended in mid-March. FWF pushed offshore. Sea grasses also absorb the voters asked for in 2014 as part strongly for full funding for the carbon dioxide, a known of the Water and Land Legacy Florida Forever Program, and the greenhouse gas. Senate Bill 1450 Amendment, we are pleased that at budget passed by both the Senate also passed, which slightly least both critical programs

Animal: Sandhill crane Photographer: Brian Kamprath Location: Orlando Wetlands Park

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increases civil fines for those who tree and species. If you have and knowledge about the wonders discharge pollution. a yard, see if you can identify what of our natural resources. We Unfortunately, several bills we plants are native and provide food continue to strive to ensure that opposed passed, including Senate for wildlife and which ones are ourselves, our children and all Bill 1794, which greatly increases invasive and alien to Florida. Put up future Floridians can experience the threshold for ordinary citizens a bird feeder and bird bath and beautiful and clean beaches, healthy to have proposed amendments to watch the squirrels scramble to gain freshwater springs and sustainable the state constitution placed on the access. forests, all with abundant wildlife. ballot. Also passing was Senate Bill As many more of us are starting Our advocacy also continues with 172, which gives the Legislature, not to grow our own food, we’re finding our elected leaders and those who local governments, the power to a tie to the land that our food comes control what our Florida will be in decide what potentially polluting from. Sustainable gardening is a joy the years ahead. sunscreen lotions can be used on and provides nutritious meals we Again, we hope you are well the beach. don’t have to leave home for. during this time of uncertainty, and As many of us are working With the pace of life slowing, it we truly appreciate all the support from home, now may be the time may well provide an opportunity to the Federation has received. to go outside and appreciate the enjoy simpler pleasures. Be safe. natural world. Take a walk in the As summer approaches, the park (while maintaining distance Federation remains focused on from others). Try to identify some expanding environmental education

Cover Image Tidal Discoveries

© 2020 Peter R. Gerbert, Acrylics with Texture on Gessobord

This original acrylic painting was commissioned by private collectors, and it is now available as a very Special Edition Print - signed & numbered by the artist only to 50, with 3 Artist proofs. Canvas prints are printed with archival inks, spray- coated with UV varnish and can be stretched for framing without glass. Order your signed print today, framed (ready to hang) or unframed, by Willet (Tringa semipalmata), Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla), following this link: Junonia Volute (Scaphella junonia), sharks-teeth, and other www.PeterRGerbert.com types of shells! “My goal with this piece is to capture the weight of the Your print will come with a Certificate water and the power of the ocean. It is not a crashing of Endorsement by the Florida Wildlife wave, but a colorful wave rolling in before it breaks on the Federation. A portion of the proceeds shore. The changing tides reveal some wonderful shells from the sale of this Limited Edition and many sharks-teeth on this south Florida beach.” Print will directly benefit conservation efforts in Florida. – Peter R. Gerbert

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The Everyday Environmentalist Marney Richards, Environmental Education Coordinator Nature and Public Lands

ust 30 minutes from home, St. paused to wait for an alligator treasured as familiar, while still JMarks National Wildlife Refuge, crossing the path, and later bringing interest and surprise. due south of Tallahassee, feels watched a bobcat creep from the St. Marks Refuge, one of the almost in the backyard. While the road’s edge into deeper woods. oldest wildlife refuges in the nation, Visitors’ Center is closed during the Changing seasons bring migratory is a gem that draws visitors from COVID-19 pandemic, the Refuge birds passing through and new around the country and the world. remains open for now. The place is seasonal residents on the ponds, Florida is home to many vast, approximately 68,000 acres along trails and in the forest outstanding natural areas, national spreading across three counties. canopy. Late March brought a and state forests, parks and The Refuge is accessible to the wildflower bloom, with butterflies, beaches, local parks and preserves. public, and there are many trails to moths, bees and all kinds of insects. How did these places come to be? walk or bike while keeping a safe When the pace slows, small Where did the idea of setting aside distance from others. details tend to catch my attention. and preserving public land come My visits are often solo and How light changes during the day from? meandering. My pace, if alone, is and seasons, how air feels on the We owe much of our thanks for always slow - there is so much to skin, how sounds shift with the the concept, and reality, of public see and hear. Even in a landscape activity of birds and insects. When lands to Theodore Roosevelt. A life- so familiar that scenes are etched in we come to a favorite place often long hunter, Roosevelt witnessed memory, things are always enough, we can recognize the and wrote about the loss of habitat changing. On a recent walk, I rhythms of nature. It becomes and species as early as the late

Location: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Photographer: Marney Richards

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1800’s. At a time when many saw are an essential part of our heritage. see both the familiar and the new. If our natural resources as limitless, Now I understand that they need we can get outside at all, I hope we he was increasingly concerned with continue to find a sense of wonder conservation. As President, in the natural world. Roosevelt used his authority to We owe much of our “We have fallen heirs to the protect wildlife and public lands, “ most glorious heritage a people often over the objection of thanks for the ever received, and each one must Congress. He established the U.S. concept, and do his part if we wish to show that Forest Service, hundreds of the nation is worthy of its good national forests, parks, monuments, reality, of public fortune.” – Theodore Roosevelt game preserves and federal bird lands to Theodore reserves (which later became Roosevelt. Resource: national wildlife refuges). Over 23 ” https://www.nps.gov/thro/ million acres of public land were learn/historyculture/theodore- protected during his administration. our continuing support and roosevelt-and-conservation.htm Early on when I started hiking advocacy. and camping in parks and forests Many of our beloved places are The series, Climate Change – close to home and across the currently closed do to a crisis that What Can One Person Do?, will country, I assumed that our local, has changed how we live, but they return in a later edition. state and national lands would will reopen. They will provide us always be there for us. Public lands, places to wander and explore. By large and small, open to everyone, immersing ourselves in nature, we’ll

Featured Animal

Florida Native – Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) One of our most beautiful birds, the roseate spoonbill has a most unusual bill – it is shaped like a flat spoon! Reaching about 2 1/2 feet in height, and with a 4 1/2 foot wingspan, spoonbills may be seen near water or stalking about in shallow wetlands or ponds. The curious bill allows them to feed using what is called “tactolocation.” The birds open their mouths and sweep back and forth along the watery bottom until they hit upon something to eat. Spoonbills eat small fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates and even leeches. Animal: Roseate Spoonbill Photographer: Mike Johnson Once hunted for their plumes to make Location: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge ladies’ hats, these rosy pink birds can now be seen throughout the state where their food can be found. Spoonbills build large nests made of sticks, and construction commences when an adult male provides the first stick to the female. The babies have downy white feathers and will grow the spoon-shaped bill at about two weeks old.

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Southwest Florida Report Meredith Budd, Regional Policy Director Picayune Strand State Forest: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

icayune Strand State Forest is an road network was built. As a result, never actually saw their newly Pintegral part of the Everglades Southern Golden Gate Estates acquired property in person. The new ecosystem. Historically, this hydric drastically altered the local landowners who did come to see forest sustained wetland hydrology. their properties eventually came to communities like cypress swamps, find that their land was inundated for pine flatwoods and wet prairies for Selling the Dream much of the year and nearly several months throughout the year. Southern Golden Gate Estates impossible to build upon. As such, In the 1940s and 1950s, the land was was advertised to potential buyers few homes were actually constructed logged for cypress trees and when the across the United States with the lure in this proposed subdivision. logging was complete, the land was of buying a ‘Piece of Paradise’ on the purchased for development by the Gulf coast. Potential buyers were Buying Back the Land to Gulf America Land Corp for what was offered free roundtrip transportation Achieve the Real Dream intended to become the “largest to view the properties, but these were By the 1970s, it was obvious that subdivision in the world.” To create all conducted during the dry season the extensive canal system and this large-scale development, known when the land appeared buildable. In roadways built throughout Picayune as Southern Golden Gate Estates, a fact, many people who purchased Strand were having detrimental canal system was excavated and a Southern Golden Gate Estates lots effects on the region’s natural

Picayune Strand State Forest

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communities, both A Restored Future hydrologically and on the Florida Wildlife various wildlife species Federation has that use the region. This consistently advocated was recognized by both for the funding State and Federal necessary to fully agencies, and soon the implement the PSRP and land was identified for has engaged with the needed restoration. In relevant agencies order to achieve this lofty throughout the years to goal, the land would need positively influence to be purchased. This was project planning all in an an incredibly complex effort to maximize the undertaking as it involved project’s ecological acquiring land from over benefits. Restoring 17,000 landowners! The Picayune Strand State first parcels of land in Forest presents an Picayune Strand were incredible opportunity to purchased in 1985 using fix what people harmed. Conservation and At completion, this Recreation Lands (CARL) Animal: Florida Panther Photographer: Max Freund project will restore funds. In 1998, the federal 55,000 acres of land— a government provided $25 million to Removing Roads, but Still matrix of wetlands, marshes and the State in order to complete the Encountering Road Blocks upland habitats that provide acquisition of the Forest. The Today, the PSRP is nearly 70% invaluable habitat to an array of Picayune Strand State Forest was complete and is poised to be the first wading birds, the endangered Florida officially named in May 1995. completed CERP project. However, panther, black bears, and many other even though 80% of the PSRP costs native wildlife species. A restored Restoration is Underway have been expended, only 30% of the Picayune Strand brings us one step The effort to restore the natural ecological benefits are being realized. closer to a restored Western hydrology of the Forest began in This is due to the need for a structure Everglades. It will connect and 2007. It is known as the Picayune known as the Southwest Protection positively impact the adjacent natural Strand Restoration Project (PSRP) Feature (SWPF). The SWPF will lands of Rookery Bay National and it is the first Comprehensive include levee and water conveyance Estuarine Research Reserve, Big Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) structures that are needed to protect Cypress National Preserve, project to begin construction. The adjacent property owners from Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State goal of the PSRP is to restore the flooding when all three pump stations Park, Collier Seminole Sate Park, and region back to its natural condition. are operational. Right now, only one Collier County’s Natural Resource To achieve this goal, the Army Corps of the three pump stations is moving Protection Area known as Belle of Engineers and the South Florida water south across the landscape. Meade. Water Management District are Until the SWPF design is finalized and The Federation is committed to working together to remove roads the features implemented, the ensuring that this project moves that impede sheet flow and plug easternmost canals cannot be forward, but is equally as committed canals that drained what should have plugged and full ecological benefits to ensuring the SWPF (and the overall been wet. The PSRP calls for plugging cannot be realized. With input from project) do not have adverse impacts 48 miles of canals, removing 260 all relevant stakeholders, the Army to the water quality of the miles of crumbling roads, and the Corps of Engineers designed these downstream estuaries. We continue construction of three major pump features and submitted a permit to engage through the public process stations. Once completed, the PSRP application in early April with the and are eagerly anticipating the day will recreate natural water flows, Department of Environmental that we can realize the full ecological historic water level conditions and Protection (DEP). The Florida benefits of the restoration project. ecological connectivity to the Wildlife Federation is reviewing the Only then will the Western surrounding natural lands. permit submittal and will provide Everglades be able to return to its comments in advance of any natural state. approvals.

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State of the Forest Stan Rosenthal, Forest Advocate Bees and Flowers

he other day a friend of mine Twas lamenting a Facebook conversation that was going on between two people that seemed to frustrate her. It went something like this: “I raise bees and just wanted to bring to your attention that the white flowers that you have in your yard are Spanish needles (Bidens alba) and they really help my beehives.” The other person was annoyed with this and said something like, “Okay, I will let them grow for another week but then I am going to mow them down. They look too weedy to me and they have those dreadful stickers.” What I found interesting was that both were looking at their yards from such a different perspective. The beekeeper Animal: Sweat bee Photographer: Claire Goodowens obviously saw the bees, butterflies, and other nectar insects from a point of produce very little food or cover songbirds use the seeds of responsibility. It was her duty to for wild things. The beekeeper Spanish needles. Think of it as share her land with these . had recognized this and was raising your own bird food. The other person likely looked at encouraging cooperation. I myself have a couple of the property as if nothing else Spanish needles grow healthy beds of Spanish needles. was important but what she throughout the state of Florida. I have them in low traffic areas, wanted for herself. Not only do bees use the plant so I won’t get the seeds stuck to The important point here but so do many types of me. On still mornings, I delight in is that we all need to work butterflies, including gulf fritillary watching the flowers bobbing up together to use our land for and monarch butterflies. and down as bees, butterflies and what we need, but also to Interestingly, our state butterfly, other insects collect nectar from remember that we are sharing zebra heliconian (Heliconius their flowers. Then there is the this land with other living charithonia) uses the flower for question of how many are things. Our landscapes both nectar and pollen. Our state enough. It takes approximately (woodlands, wetlands, prairies, butterfly’s host plant is another one million flowers to make a and lawns) should be awash with Florida native, purple pound of honey. An enlightening wildflowers. While our lawns can passionflower (Passiflora thing to do is go through your serve many needs, be a place to suberosa). Host plants are really landscape and count the flowers. play, provide defensible space to important as each species of a See if that is enough for all the protect our homes from wildfires butterfly’s larva (caterpillar) can bees in your neck of the woods. in rural areas, etc., areas of neatly only feed on specific plant mowed lawns are what ecologists species. call biological deserts; they Besides the insects, many

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Being Outdoors Thoughts from Generation Z Due to the coronavirus disease, Debido a la enfermedad por coronavirus, la most of us are unable to go to work, mayoría de nosotros no podemos ir al trabajo, la school or restaurants. However, escuela o los restaurantes. Sin embargo, estas these circumstances have given circunstancias le han dado a muchas personas la many people the opportunity to enjoy oportunidad de disfrutar más de la naturaleza. Salir a nature more. Going outside to hacer ejercicio es una excelente manera de aliviar el exercise is a great way to relieve estrés durante este tiempo, y la naturaleza nos permite stress during this time, and nature Allison Ramos apreciar su belleza de muchas maneras. allows us to appreciate its beauty in Desde que regresé a casa, he caminado por la so many ways. playa con mi familia, paseé en bicicleta por el Since returning home, I have walked on the vecindario y corrí al lado del río. Antes de la orden de beach with my family, biked around the quedarse en casa, rara vez hacía estas actividades. No neighborhood, and run next to the river. Before the apreciaba la naturaleza, y prefería quedarme en mi stay-at-home order, I rarely did these activities. I took casa. Esta crisis me hizo darme cuenta de que no nature around me for granted, and I preferred to stay importa lo que decidas hacer mientras estés al aire indoors. This crisis made me realize that no matter libre, te levantará el ánimo en momentos de estrés. what you decide to do while outdoors, it will lift your Mientras me rodeo en estas partes de la naturaleza, mood in times of stress. While I surround myself in otros pueden ir de excursión, jugar en el patio con su these parts of nature, others can go hiking, play in familia o incluso en el jardín. the yard with their family, or even garden. Durante una pandemia global, uno puede sentirse During a global pandemic, one can feel deprimido, preocupado y asustado. Estos son tiempos depressed, worried and scared. These are difficult difíciles, y es importante mantenerse seguro y times, and it is important to stay safe and healthy. saludable. Estar al aire libre puede mejorar la salud Being outdoors can improve one’s physical health as física y la salud mental, al tiempo que los mantiene a well as their mental health, all while keeping at a safe una distancia segura de los demás. distance from others.

TELL TOLL THEM NO ROADS! Please Contact Governor Desantis! Tell the governor not to waste money on three unneeded massive toll roads proposed to be built through the last remaining rural parts of the Florida Peninsula. These toll roads will bring sprawl and further degrade water quality and habitats and may well spell the end for the Florida panther. You may reach Governor DeSantis at 850-717-9337 or via email at [email protected]. Thank you!

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FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION’S LOU KELLENBERGER

2O2O PHOTO CONTEST Calling Florida Photographers!

he Florida Wildlife Federation enter, noting anyone may enter the photo, $10 for 3 photos, and $25 for Tis pleased to announce the contest with the exception of FWF 7 photos. One Overall Contest sixth year of the Lou staff. Entrants have an opportunity winner will be selected for the Kellenberger FWF Photo to win $300 in cash or a Kindle Fire First Prize of $300, a Second Prize Contest. The Contest celebrates tablet! It has never been easier to winner will receive a Kindle Fire the enjoyment of taking photos in capture images in Florida’s tablet, and the kids’ contest winner Florida’s great outdoors and outdoors – use your camera, will receive an outdoor backpack. promotes FWF’s mission to smartphone, or tablet to document Only digitally uploaded images may encourage citizens to participate in the wild world around you. Enter be entered. Judging will follow the sustainable outdoor recreation. your most compelling nature closing date of December 31, 2020. Note that there are several images and photos of Florida today categories which may be entered. at www.snappiephoto.com. Entries Visit www.snappiephoto.com to Enter the contest in 2020! will be taken from now until get started. Contact FWF at Members, supporters and December 31, 2020. (850) 656-7113 for more friends of FWF are encouraged to Entry donations are $5 for one information.

2019 Photo Contest Winner

Wildlife - Overall Winner: The Florida Panther Photographer: Elie Wolf Location: Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park

“I am smitten with the beauty of the Florida panther. This one makes a home at Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. These cats are under terrible threat due to intense pressure from habitat loss and vehicular collision.” – Elie Wolf

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Florida Wildlife Federation whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. When you Start With a Smile, we can facilitate wildlife crossings statewide which protect wildlife and humans. Visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1398265 to sign up!

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FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION’S FLORIDA SWEEPSTAKES Wild Florida Sweepstakes 2O20 WILDLIFE Play the Wild Florida Sweepstakes Kids’Quiz Today and Win $20,000 in Cash! by Marney Richards Five second prize winners will receive a $50 Bass Pro Shop Gift Card. You might find this 1. small toad, a native How to Enter: Ticket contributions are $5 each. Six tickets for $25, 15 of the Southeastern for $50, 35 for $100, and 50 for $125 (the best value). Watch for your U.S., in your yard or sweepstakes tickets in the mail. garden.

Photo by Norman Benton

This large, green 2. moth has a long “tail” on each of its hind wings and 4 eyespot circles.

Photographer: Scott Helfrich Location: Blue Cypress Lake

For more information, read the Wild Florida Flyer and the Official Rules at our website, www.fwfonline.org. To This garden enter, click the Programs 3. vegetable is long, icon at the top of our skinny and green and webpage. If you would like very easy to grow in a set of tickets mailed to Florida. you, send an email to FWF at [email protected] Photographer: Max Freund or call our toll-free number Animal: Florida Panther (800) 656-3014. Please provide your full name and complete mailing address to receive a packet of tickets. By playing the sweepstakes you help FWF advocate in critical areas such as Clean Water, the preservation of the Florida panther and the See page 14 for answers sustainability of species like the Florida black bear. and more information. Thanks for supporting the Florida Wildlife Federation!

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Rick Abbott Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way . . . For Wildlife

et me introduce myself. My which helps not only our L name is Rick Abbott. I am a environment, but also our fisherman, explorer, kayaker, economy. financial advisor, FWF board A charitable trust member, boater, but most benefitting the Florida Wildlife importantly, I am a husband and a Federation or a bequest like father. In these difficult and Rick’s is easy to arrange, changing times it is very makes creative use of assets challenging to raise a family with and can benefit your family as proper values. This task is made well as help the Federation. easier by enjoying Florida’s For more information on how outdoors together as a family. estate planning can benefit both Whether it is boating and exploring you and wildlife, please contact the Chattahoochee River, fishing Preston Robertson at off the beach at St. George Island (850) 656-7113. State Park or spending a cold December morning in a deer stand, these are activities that are crucial Past President, Rick Abbott to teaching my children about life. Preserving Florida’s natural children and their children can habitats is crucial for current and enjoy the same Florida that their future generations. I know that parents and grandparents while I am working my 8-5 job, experienced. Please consider FWF is constantly pursuing ways to FWF in your financial planning. keep the environment healthy and Please join with Rick and natural for all of Florida’s citizens. help make sure we and future I have included FWF in my will. residents can enjoy a healthy, Rick Abbott with his family I want to make sure that my clean and abundant Florida,

Answers to FLORIDA WILDLIFE Kids’ Quiz

1. The Southern toad lives throughout 2. The beautiful luna moth usually lives 3. Green beans, sometimes called snap Florida. They are 1.5 – 3 inches long, reddish- in forested areas and is active at night beans, grow as a small bush or as vines on brown to gray in color, with spots on their backs (nocturnal). The moth’s wingspan ranges from poles. You can grow green beans from February and ridges on their heads. They eat ants, bees, 4.5 inches up to 7 inches! The eyespots on the to November, depending on where you live. crickets, roaches and other invertebrates and live wings of moths (and butterflies) might be a way Beans help add nitrogen to the soil. Good in burrows in the soil or under objects. We can to confuse predators, making the moths look bacteria live on the roots and take nitrogen from help provide habitat for these amphibians in our bigger and dangerous. Native trees like the air and change it to a form plants can use. yards by leaving a leaf layer around trees and sweetgum, hickory and persimmon are favorite shrubs and in gardens, giving them a place to foods of the moth’s caterpillars (larvae). The luna live and find food. moth is the only moth to have its picture on a first-class postage stamp! How Did You Do, Florida Kid?

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Thank You to Our Donors

Thank You for Your Generous IN MEMORIAM Support! Donations have been received in memory of: Curtis Simmons By Linda Heal By Becky Millar “ FWF’s mission is to conserve Florida’s By Jesse McKenzie By Debbie wildlife, habitat, and By Cindy Frye By Darron Berrie natural resources By Richard C. Pohlman By Martha and Welton Underwood through education, By Marilyn Hooten advocacy and science- based stewardship. The Federation thanks you for your thoughtful contributions. We express ” our sympathy to family and friends of those who have passed away.

Featured Natural Area

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Created in 1990, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, comprising 2,900 square miles of aquatic habitat, protects a rare and fragile ecosystem. Administered jointly by the State of Florida and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Sanctuary serves to protect the Florida Reef, the only such ecosystem in North America and the third largest reef in the world. It also surrounds 1,700 islands. Fish and wildlife populations include a plethora of sea life and crustaceans, including lobsters. Sadly, the Sanctuary also hosts invasive species as well, including the voracious lionfish. Efforts are underway to preserve the corals as they are being harmed by climate change, rising temperatures and ocean acidification. Not only a Animal: Dolphins Photographer: Mary Swann beautiful place to see, the Sanctuary is also home to the Eco-Discovery Center, a free exhibit, that teaches visitors about the coastal environment and how to protect it and its inhabitants. At the Center, a 2,500-gallon reef tank is home to living corals and tropical fish. You will be immersed in what life is like under the sea. Location: Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, 35 E. Quay Rd., Key West, FL 33040; (305) 809-4750. FWF 1011 - Newsletter Spring 2020 v5.qxp_FWF 1011 - Newsletter Spring 2020v5# 5/11/20 11:04 AM Page 16

We’re Social! Official Publication of the Florida Wildlife Federation P.O. Box 6870 www.facebook.com/FlWildFed Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6870 www.FWFonline.org www.twitter.com/FlWildFed

www.instagram.com/FlWildFed

www.youtube.com/FlWildFed www.FWFonline.org

Photographer: Lauren Johnson Animal: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Location: Pensacola

Florida Fish & Volume 34, Issue 2 Wildlife News Spring 2020 Affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation

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