FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:00 PM Page 1

Florida Fish & Volume 34, Issue 3 Wildlife News Summer 2020 Affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation

Protecting the We Love

President’s Message Page 4

The Everyday Environmentalist Page 6

Southwest Florida Report Page 8

The State of the Forest Page 10 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:00 PM 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 wrote the last “Message from the before I ran it out of my plum grove. District II Director: District VIII Director: Pepper Uchino Ana Meira Chairman” in April and, in that Wherever you are, take this time to I Northeast Region: At Large Directors Regional Director: Joe Welbourn article, I had hoped that we were slow down and discover the Jim Schuette Terry Gibson District III Director: Bobbie Lindsay past the peak of Covid-19 cases. Yet idiosyncrasies of the wildlife Ray Carthy Rene Brown District IV Director: Martha Musgrove here we are, three months later, at around you. Anna Hamilton Youth Conservation the epicenter of a renewed surge of Central Region: Directors Regional Director: Tasman Rosenfeld this frightening and persistent Billy Causey Keara Clancy District V Director: global pandemic. It is likely that the To be appointed District VI Director: virus has impacted the health of Jay Bushnell

someone in your family or someone FWF Staff President and Graphic Designer close to you, and it is even more Chief Executive Officer Danny Shapiro Preston Robertson likely that is has wreaked havoc on Information Technology Operations Manager Consultant your finances and drastically Michelle Forman Cole Sousa

changed your daily routine. At that Regional Policy Director Administrative Assistant Meredith Budd Susan Williams time, I urged you to go to a park, a Forest Advocate Environmental Education local greenway or and seek Stan Rosenthal Coordinator Marney Richards Membership & Database respite there. Having been to Coordinator Social Media Coordinator Lynn Jones Shraddha Shinde several local and state parks recently, I know that people are indeed seeking solace outdoors – it is one source of tranquil stability that we can count on. A benefit of my working from home for much of the last four months has been the ability to pay Juvenile black bear marauding through my close attention to the wildlife in my chickasaw plums. Photo by Jay Exum. yard. I have seen warblers passing through Florida on the way to their At FWF, our face-to-face northern nesting habitats, fawns outreach may have been restricted, from our local deer herd and poults and our statewide travel may have from the local flock of turkeys; and been limited, but we are still I have heard the surreal sounds of working to improve our the male alligator bellowing in my effectiveness as advocates for pond. Sometimes the unique wildlife and habitats across the Photographer: Lauren Johnson aspects of living adjacent to a large state. To be able to better Location: Admiral Mason Park, Pensacola conservation area can go unnoticed, communicate with a membership Animal: Bumblebee Plant: Pickerelweed but not if you are confined to that is more and more dependent Contact Information Tallahassee Mailing Address Naples Office quarters for four months. Recently, on digital communication, we are PO Box 6870 4851 Tamiami Trail N . Tallahassee, Florida 32314 Suite 255 I witnessed a black bear marauding taking this opportunity to overhaul [email protected] Naples, Florida 34103 239-302-1767 (office) two of my Chickasaw plum trees in our website, and refocus our efforts Tallahassee Street Address [email protected] 2545 Blairstone Pines Dr pursuit of its fruit. Bears don't do on electronic media. Look for Tallahassee, Florida 32301 850-656-7113 anything daintily, and this young wholesale changes to our website The Florida Fish & Wildlife News bear destroyed the tree to get at a and improved communication is published quarterly by the Florida Wildlife Federation 2545 Blairstone Pines Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. few of the native plums. Ironically, I through various social media ISSN: 1520-8214 planted the tree for wildlife, but I platforms soon. Editors Danny Shapiro & Preston T. Robertson

didn't count on the destructive If you would prefer to receive this publication only via email instead of print, contact [email protected]. Please include your dining habits of black bears. I name and address with your request.

captured the photo of the marauder Contact Us at: [email protected] No original material may be reproduced without written consent from the publisher.

2 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:00 PM Page 3

Enjoy Nature. Enjoy Conservation Collier o you live in Southwest Florida? During these days of social Ddistancing, you can still connect with nature! Many Conservation Collier preserves REMAIN OPEN and provide a great place to enjoy the peace and solitude of the . These include the Gordon River Greenway, Marco Island’s Otter Mound Preserve, the Cocohatchee Creek Preserve in North Naples, Freedom Park and more. The Conservation Collier program, which is not currently funded to purchase additional preserves, will be eligible for more funding in the upcoming November election! You can learn more about the initiative to further expand this successful land conservation program by visiting the YES Conservation Collier Facebook page (And don’t forget to give their page a ‘Like’!). Go to: YesConservationCollier.org Photos by Conservation Collier

Nominees for District Directors “Eight District Directors (one for each district) shall Please vote online at www.fwfonline.org/site/Ballot be elected by the Individual Associate and Corporate or Only current members may vote. Business members. Nominations for those eight District Directors shall be published to the Individual Associate Voting ends September 11, 2020. and Corporate or Business members in the form of a ballot at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Such NORTHWEST REGION CENTRAL REGION ballots shall be received by the Federation’s principal place of business no later than fifteen days prior to the District 1 District 5 annual meeting; otherwise, the votes on such ballots shall David Ward Matthew Erpenbeck not be counted. The ballots shall be tabulated by the District 2 District 6 Federation’s employees, verified by the Organizational Pepper Uchino Joe Welbourn Affairs Committee, and announced at the conclusion of the other elections. The eight District Directors so NORTHEAST REGION SOUTHERN REGION elected shall be the nominees who received the most District 3 District 7 votes and neither declined their nomination nor were Ray Carthy Linda Stanley elected to another office or directorship.” District 4 District 8 FWF Bylaws, article XI, section B – as amended September, 2005. To be determined Ana Meira

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 3 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:00 PM Page 4

President’s Message Preston Robertson, President and CEO Dear Federation Members and Supporters:

ven as the hot summer transportation planning. Thank you protecting these properties for Etemperatures continue and a to all who voiced your opinions native wildlife and water recharge. busy hurricane season is predicted, during the 2020 Legislative session! The major purchases include: we are still dealing with the ongoing As to wildlife habitat Bluffs of St. Teresa - 17,000 COVID-19 pandemic. That is a lot to conservation, the state budget, acres to protect the entirety of the digest even as we rapidly move into which was recently signed by the St. Teresa peninsula at the mouth of the national election. During this Governor, includes $100 million for the Ochlockonee River in Wakulla tumultuous time, the Federation and Franklin Counties. One of the continues to strive to make a better most wonderful places in North and more sustainable Florida for Our environmental Florida with sand banks reaching 20 ourselves, future Floridians and “ feet in height and adjacent to 6,000 visitors. education program acre , this The 2020 Legislative Session is growing, and each purchase will protect water quality saw some progress on of us can be more in Ochlockonee Bay. Important environmental issues, but all passed aware of our fisheries and habitat for many bills awaited a potential veto from native species, including the black the Governor. Measures that made it connection with bear, will be preserved. past the Governor’s desk include Nature. I have found Working Ranchlands - House Bill 1061, which creates an that as you educate Approximately 2,800 acres in Aquatic Preserve on the Gulf of yourself on the Desoto County will be protected by Mexico’s Nature Coast (Pasco, a permanent conservation easement Citrus and Hernando Counties). wonders of the benefiting water recharge and open This is the first new aquatic woods and waters of space. preserve in 32 years and should help Florida, you grow Devil’s Garden - Over 10,500 preserve the large expanse of sea more dedicated to acres in Hendry County will be grass beds that are critical to the added to the existing complex of preserving them. life-stages of so many of our marine ” protected lands in the southern part species, from shrimp to sea trout. A of the state and provide critical new water protection bill that habitat for the endangered Florida increases fines by 50% for those panther. who pollute our waters (Senate Bill land protection via the Florida Also approved were smaller 712) also became law. Importantly, Forever program. While short of tracts to protect lands in the Green Governor DeSantis vetoed a bill that the spending we believe is required Swamp in Polk County (where would have gone even further to gut by 2014’s Amendment 1, the Water Central Florida gets much of its what remains of growth and Land Legacy Amendment water supply), on the Apalachicola management (Senate Bill 410). approved by 75% of voters, it is still River in Liberty County, and the Unfortunately, the toll roads plan, a significant amount of money. As purchase of the last remaining which would push three massive an example of why these dollars are private inholding in the Topsail roads and thereby sprawl into the so important, on May 28, 2020, the Preserve in Walton County. rural areas of the peninsula, is still Florida Cabinet unanimously All of the Florida Forever alive and we need to keep opposing approved seven acquisitions totaling acquisitions go towards retaining this expensive 1950’s mode of over 32,000 acres, permanently environmental beauty and health.

4 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:00 PM Page 5

Moreover, all transactions only coastal cities and contaminating our population has dwindled to such an involve willing sellers. freshwater aquifers. extent that the state can only As an update on the Water and Our environmental education attempt to increase numbers by Land Legacy Amendment which program is growing, and each of us eliminating harvest altogether. voters overwhelmingly approved, can be more aware of our Oysters only live within a specified the Federation continues its connection with Nature. I have window of salinity, and the level of litigation to make the Legislature do found that as you educate yourself salinity has been drastically altered the will of the people. After multiple on the wonders of the woods and by upstream use, especially in hearings and appeals, we are back waters of Florida, you grow more Georgia. at the trial court level in dedicated to preserving them. Indeed, there are a myriad of Tallahassee. More to follow. Environmental education is more issues we face, but we must One overarching issue that we than an academic exercise as we persevere. all need to be constantly paying seek answers to face global climate As we continue our efforts, attention to is climate change. threats and the worldwide many thanks to all who support the There can be little doubt that our diminishment of species. Take a Federation. We could not do it planet is heating up and we are the look at our Creature Feature and without you. cause as pollutants such as carbon Nature at Home segments on our Please be safe. dioxide get trapped in our website. Action Item: Please go to the atmosphere and retain heat emitted A sad indicator of existing Florida Department of Transport- from the Earth. Other nations have problems is the slow death of the ation website and tell them what set positive goals to confront this once famed Apalachicola Bay, you think of the toll roads – situation and have acted vigorously which is now proposed to be closed https://floridamcores.com/#contact-us. to mitigate this threat. We can do it to wild oyster harvest. This bay

as well. Sea level rise from a used to provide a substantial warming Atlantic and Gulf is even portion of all oysters consumed in now pushing saltwater into our the nation, but now the oyster

Featured Animal

Everglades Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus axanthus belli) The Everglades dwarf siren is one of the most secretive and unknown creatures in the Florida Everglades. Found nowhere else in the world but the cypress swamps, marl prairies, and depression marshes around and south of Lake Okeechobee, this two-legged aquatic salamander moves about at night hunting for small invertebrates. Sirens are neotenic salamanders, Animal: Everglades Dwarf Siren Photographer: Tasman Rosenfeld Location: Florida Everglades meaning that they reach sexual maturity without ever leaving the water and losing their juvenile characteristics, such as their external gills (those bushy red structures behind the head) that are used to extract oxygen from the water. During droughts, they coat themselves in mucus and burrow into the mud or beneath decaying plant matter and wait for the next big rain. Threats to the Everglades dwarf siren include water pollution, the drying up and fragmentation of suitable habitats, and habitat destruction by increased development on the edge of the Everglades.

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 5 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:00 PM Page 6

The Everyday Environmentalist Marney Richards, Environmental Education Coordinator The Problem with Exotics – What We Can Do nvasive exotic plants are a major and grows vigorously. The seeds are Iproblem in Florida. These consumed and easily spread by unwelcome species might be wildlife, especially birds. Once attractive, but they can rapidly run ardisia escapes into natural areas it wild, threatening many natural will rapidly expand its presence, areas by overgrowing native plants. out-competing the native vegetation Some of the removal of invasive in parks and woodlands and plants can require using herbicides destroying biodiversity. We can help or machinery and may best be done control the spread of ardisia in our by professionals. But we can take Plant: Nandina Photographer: Emmanuel neighborhoods by learning to steps in our own gardens, yards Douzery. Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0. recognize it, then digging up the and neighborhoods to prevent ornamentals, nandina escaped its plants making sure no berries are the spread of some of these intended garden boundaries and left to make new plants. Good invaders. invaded natural areas in North and alternatives to ardisia are wild Central Florida. Nandina forms coffee (Psychotria nervosa), and dense thickets and displaces the dwarf cultivars of our native hollies native vegetation our native wildlife (Ilex spp.). Please check with your depends on. At home we can avoid local County Extension Office to planting nandina and learn how to learn the best way to remove remove any from our yards. Some invasive plants. And consider beneficial alternatives are native joining a group in your area like the firebush (Hamelia patens) and Gainesville Greenway Challenge Virginia sweetspire (Itea (https://youtu.be/ylZA-aQXaqI) virginica). that needs volunteers to help Plant: Firebush Photographer: Coral ardisia (Ardisia remove ardisia from nature parks. Marney Richards crenata) is another troublemaker. Lantana camera, is another A recent Twitter post caught the This native of Southeast Asia is a invasive exotic plant that is often attention of our FWF staff. An designated invasive species and found in Florida yards and individual posted he had noticed illegal to propagate or sell without a landscapes. It has spread widely to nandina growing in a friend’s yard. license. Like nandina, it has dark forests, citrus groves, creekbanks He enlisted another friend, they green leaves and bright red berries and roadsides, crowding out native removed the invasive nandina, and species. The exotic lantana has replaced it with a native firebush. been able to hybridize with our Those are the kind of friends to native Florida lantana (Lantana have! depressa) which is now considered Nandina (Nandina domestica) endangered. We can remove this is a native of China and Japan invasive plant from our yards, ask introduced in the over our local nurseries not to sell it, and 200 years ago as an ornamental request an alternative like the plant. Its nickname is “heavenly beautiful red salvia, or Tropical sage bamboo” but this plant is not a (Salvia coccinea).

heavenly addition to our landscape. Plant: Coral ardisia Photographer: The invasive plant problem in As happens with many exotic Augustus Binu. Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0. Florida is huge and is aggravated by

6 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 7

our gardens and yards. You might our neighborhoods and local parks. even start a family project using the The University of Florida IFAS app, Seek, by iNaturalist to identify websites plants. Let’s remove and properly (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant- dispose of invasive plants and directory/ and replace them with native https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/) alternatives! Go to : (http://edis. provide more information on ifas.ufl.edu/ep467). As consumers, nandina, ardisia, and lantana and we can work with local nurseries to other invasive plants, or contact encourage them to make a switch your local County Extension Office. Plant: Lantana Photographer: Joaquim Alves Gaspar. Own work, CC BY 2.5. to natives, along with the non- natives we know aren’t invasive. our warm and warming climate. We We can also volunteer with family can help by knowing the plants in and friends for removal projects in FWF Scholarship Update

he Wildlife Ecology and Florida’s longleaf ecosystems. His • Sylvia Van Boskirk has TConservation Department at the research focuses on fox squirrel volunteered as a University of Florida has awarded behavior and its implications on surveyor and data $4,000 from FWF Scholarship the health of longleaf pine forests. collector at St. Funds at the UF Foundation to the Augustine following graduates and • Hannah Henry is interested in Alligator Farm undergraduates: animal care, and at Fort • Andrew Marx, a Ph.D. student research, and Matanzas whose doctoral environmental National Park. For the past three research focuses education. She summers, Van Boskirk was a on integrating currently volunteer bird steward for St. captive breeding volunteers with John’s Audubon Society, where genetic the Aquatic she protected a least tern colony management with Animal Health at Anastasia State Park beach. in situ genetic Program, based at the UF College After receiving a bachelor’s management for the Perdido Key of Veterinary Medicine, and is a degree, she plans to obtain a beach mouse and the federally- research assistant for the UF Sea master’s degree in wildlife endangered grasshopper sparrow. Turtle Research team. In her conservation and ecology, He is interested in continuing to career, she would ultimately like specializing in ornithology and look at Florida species in the to become a lead environmental avian conservation. Then, she context of landscape genetics and or education manager at an would like to get her doctoral landscape ecology. ecological organization. She is degree and pursue a career in particularly interested in academia. • Alex Potash, a Ph.D. student, is protecting Florida’s endangered an advocate for species. conserving and properly managing To make an online donation to the FWF Scholarship Fund, longleaf pine please go to: forests and has https://www.uff.ufl.edu/OnlineGiving/FundDetail.asp? spent the last FWF FundCode=013403 four years SCHOLARSHIP You may also send your donation to the FWF office. examining the dynamics of FUND P.O. Box 6870, Tallahassee, Florida 32314. Attn. Michelle

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 7 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 8

Southwest Florida Report Meredith Budd, Regional Policy Director

We’ve Moved! – The Southwest Florida office has a new home! Our new address is 4851 Tamiami Trail N, #255, Naples, FL 34103. Our new contact number is: (239) 302-1767.

Southwest Florida: Thriving with Wildlife on a Shared Landscape

ild Florida is home to a wide lands and residential communities. Wvariety of species including the The collected footage will be used to majestic and endangered Florida create an education tool that can be panther. As human population in used to promote wildlife conservation Southwest Florida continues to grow, across Southwest Florida. there is a subsequent need for Cameras have been deployed for residential development that, less than two months and we have undoubtedly, encroaches on wildlife already captured hundreds of images habitat. It is not surprising that many documenting an array of wildlife. species of native wildlife are being Florida panthers moving quietly through reported in close proximity to the night. Photo by fStop/FWF humans. While having interaction important to understand that we must with wildlife provides wonderful not just tolerate wildlife, but rather, opportunities to observe and learn learn to share the landscape. about wild animals, sometimes this Education is one of the most proximity presents challenges and important elements of wildlife inconvenience to regular human conservation and is an essential tool activity. The Federation, in to help reduce human-wildlife coordination with the fStop conflict. This educational initiative Foundation, highlights the importance of habitat Osceola turkey hen walks through a yard has launched a connectivity not only for the wide- alert to danger. Photo by fStop/FWF campaign to ranging Florida panther, but all native Collier County to Purchase help reduce wildlife. With this goal in mind, the HHH Ranch potential Federation has reached out to Collier County Commissioners human-wildlife conflict in such areas. residents whose houses are located voted unanimously earlier this Wildlife is all around us and we on the border of wild landscapes summer to move forward with plans are all a part of the same ecosystem. along Corkscrew Road in Lee County. to purchase the 967-acre property Each species plays an important role Volunteers were selected and known as HHH Ranch. The Florida and contributes to keeping our cameras were placed in their Wildlife Federation has long environment healthy. This campaign backyards to document wildlife that supported the preservation of this aims to elevate this concept. It is live and share the land. particular property, but costs had Engaging the public to be a part previously prevented the County from of the process that captures wildlife making a deal. Since 2017, appraisals on camera fosters a sense of and negotiations proceeded between stewardship and appreciation for the County and the landowners. wildlife. This leads to increased Thankfully, this spring, the County tolerance and, therefore, less and landowners agreed to the price potential conflict. This project will and the land now moves towards also allow the Federation to curate a closing. collection of wildlife photos and The purchase, however, did not videos of native wildlife utilizing come with any land use decisions for White-tailed deer move along the forest edge. Photo by fStop/FWF areas that are on the interface of wild the property. While the County is well

8 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 9

Picayune Strand State Forest. The North Belle Meade and has reared at nearly 1,000 acre ranch is just to the least two litters of kittens on this Wildlife is all west of Collier County’s 6,500 acre ranch twice over the past years. “ around us and we North Belle Meade Natural Resource The closing for the purchase is are all a part of the Protection Area and south across scheduled for the end of 2020, and the Alligator Alley is Picayune Strand County has committed to engaging same ecosystem. State Forest. The HHH Ranch is with stakeholders to discuss and Each species plays nesting and foraging habitat for the finalize all future potential land uses an important role endangered red-cockaded for the HHH Ranch. The Federation is woodpecker and is breeding habitat committed to protecting the and contributes to for the endangered Florida panther. environmental integrity of this keeping our In fact, Florida Panther (FP) 224 has property and the North Belle Meade environment a home range that overlaps all of region. healthy. ”

aware of the environmental value of the property, they are still considering a range of options, such as housing or road construction. These land uses are likely to degrade and/or destroy natural resources on the property. The Ranch, if it remains in preservation, can serve as an excellent location for additional Alligator Alley wildlife underpasses between North Belle Meade and Aerials of HHH Ranch. Photo by FDOT Featured Natural Area Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park East of Orlando and bordering the Econlockhatchee River, the Hal Scott Preserve and Park is a welcome respite from the developed areas of Orange County. Approximately 9,500 acres in size, the Park provides opportunities to camp, hike, horseback ride, bike, fish and view native wildlife. Species found here include white-tailed deer, turkey, bald eagles, river otters and sandhill cranes. The rare red-cockaded woodpecker is also a resident. Once used as a timber and turpentine plantation (where pine trees were “milked” of their sap), the Park is now managed to restore more natural habitats, including the use of prescribed fire. The area is a popular hiking spot as trekkers enjoy palmetto scrub and prairies resplendent with wildflowers in season. Location: 3871 Dallas Blvd., Orlando, FL 32833; phone (386) Two pine lilies rise into the sky above the scrub brush during a clear 329-4404. (owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, you sunset. Location: Hal Scott Regional Preserve may want to call to make sure the Park is open) Photographer: Brian Kamprath

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 9 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 10

State of the Forest Stan Rosenthal, Forest Advocate A Tree Pandemic

e know invasive exotic plants us, the red bay is an important The relationship of a beetle and a Wand animals have caused a lot host to three butterflies: fungus are often found in nature. of problems to our natural world palamedes, Schaus and spicebush The problem is that these and our economies. Sadly, there are swallowtails. The seeds of red relationships are often connected other threats. bay are eaten by turkeys, quail, to many other relationships in Along with invasive exotic deer, songbirds and bears. their place of origin. This plants, we also get diseases that complexity when transferred to come from other nations. Our another continent in bits and current Covid-19 pandemic is a pieces can wreak havoc on plants good example of one that is “ Historically, our and animals native to the affecting us right now. failures to stop an receiving continent. Our world is I would like to bring your very interconnected now, and the attention to a problem caused by unwanted pest great expanses of oceans that both an exotic insect and a from coming into used to separate the continents fungus. The story starts with two are not as effective at limiting the trees common to the Southeast our country has spread of these pests. that are being harmed by the been very costly. Many areas of Florida have recent introduction of both a ” already lost their mature red foreign beetle and a foreign bays. I am told that in the fungus. These victims are the red Everglades where red bay can be bay and the sassafras. The red In 2002, the destructive Asian a common tree, a mere two bay tree, it is feared, will be ambrosia beetle was found in percent seem to have a natural eradicated from the Southeast by insect traps near Savannah, resistance. Not much, but let’s this scourge. The sassafras tree Georgia. The beetle is a native of hope that they continue to will be affected by the disease, India, Japan and Taiwan. This survive and repopulate the but to a lesser extent. Many beetle spreads a fungus which species, so that one day, red bay people have heard of sassafras as causes the red bay trees to die. trees return to their recent settlers often used this aromatic The name for the disease is prominence in our Florida tree to make tea brewed from the Laurel Wilt. Laurel Wilt is forests. bark of its roots. The bark, twigs, spreading now and has affected More information can be and leaves of sassafras are also other species in the Lauraceae found on Laurel Wilt disease at important foods for wildlife. family including avocado trees. the following web page The red bay, also an aromatic At the present time, there is no maintained by the Florida plant, is in the laurel (Lauraceae) known method to halt the spread Department of Agriculture and family and can be used as a of this disease. Consumer Services. substitute for the bay leaves you Historically, our failures to https://www.fdacs.gov/content/do buy in the grocery store. It is stop an unwanted pest from wnload/4639/file/laurel_wilt.pdf often used in Southern cooking to coming into our country has been Stan Rosenthal is Forest flavor gumbos. Both trees, very costly. Examples in the tree Advocate with Florida Wildlife although not commonly used in world of North America include Federation and UF/IFAS urban landscapes, have good Dutch elm disease and chestnut Extension Forestry Agent aesthetic qualities. The sassafras blight. Emeritus. often produces good fall color, This recent loss of red bay and the red bay has beautiful trees from our landscape brings lustrous evergreen leaves. us to the difficult question of how Beyond the direct usefulness to we can keep this from happening.

10 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 11

Impact of Climate Change Thoughts from Generation Z

t may seem that what happens uede parecer que lo que sucede a miles de I thousands of miles away from us is P kilómetros de nosotros es insignificante. Sin insignificant. However, this is far embargo, esto está lejos de ser verdad cuando se from the truth when discussing the discute el impacto de las temperaturas inusualmente impact of Siberia’s unusually high altas de Siberia en el resto del mundo. temperatures on the rest of the De enero a mayo, las temperaturas de Siberia han world. estado alrededor de 8 grados Celsius por encima del From January to May, Siberia’s Allison Ramos promedio. El calor en la región no se ha prolongado temperatures have been about 14 tanto en miles de años, y los científicos culpan a los degrees Fahrenheit above average. Warmth in the incendios forestales y al descongelamiento del region has not been this prolonged for thousands of permafrost por el aumento de la temperatura. A nivel years, and scientists blame the temperature as the regional, estas condiciones han resultado en cause of wildfires and thawing permafrost. On a dificultades agrícolas y de pastoreo, colapso de casas y regional level, these conditions have resulted in edificios, carreteras rotas, más incendios forestales y el agricultural and herding difficulties, collapsing derrame de petróleo más catastrófico en la historia del homes and buildings, buckled roads, more wildfires, Ártico ruso. Además de su impacto regional, las and the most catastrophic oil spill in the Russian temperaturas prolongadas en Siberia también pueden Arctic’s history. In addition to its regional impact, tener un impacto en el resto del mundo. prolonged temperatures in Siberia can have an Los incendios forestales y el deshielo del impact on the rest of the world as well. permafrost empeoran el calentamiento global al liberar Wildfires and thawing permafrost worsen global metano a la atmósfera. El gas metano es veintiocho warming by releasing methane into the atmosphere. veces más fuerte que el dióxido de carbono, y una vez Methane gas is twenty-eight times stronger than en la atmósfera, circula por todo el mundo. Esto puede carbon dioxide, and once in the atmosphere, it cambiar negativamente el clima en otras partes de circulates around the globe. This can negatively Europa e incluso en los Estados Unidos. change the weather in other parts of Europe and Si bien estas temperaturas extremas se producen even the United States. muy lejos de nosotros, debemos estar conscientes de While these extreme temperatures are occurring los impactos que tienen en la región y los efectos far away from us, we must remain aware of the duraderos que tienen en el mundo. Debemos hacer impacts they have on the region and the lasting nuestra parte para frenar y prevenir el calentamiento effects they have on the world. We must do our part global, proteger nuestra vida silvestre y asegurar que la to slow and prevent global warming, protect our próxima generación tenga un futuro donde nuestra wildlife, and ensure the next generation has a future tierra sea habitable. by keeping the Earth habitable.

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!

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 11 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 12

Black Bear Research y name is Lori food sources such as garbage, work that is already being done by M Lindsay and bird/wildlife feeders, or pet food. FWF in the South Florida area, with a I’m a graduate Even open garages can lead to slight twist on the type of videos. I’ll student at Miami of stocked refrigerators and freezers or also be deploying some trail cameras Ohio University, stored garbage, pet food, or birdseed. in the Central Florida area with the where my master While typically shy and wary of goal to collect some additional plan focuses on bear humans, bears can learn where to education and find the best food sources with the outreach and human-bear conflict. highest calories. In the Central The Florida black bear I’ve been spending time this summer Florida area, that is typically in and “ is highly adaptable and as an intern for the Florida Wildlife around our neighborhoods and Federation (FWF), concentrating on homes that are built into or close to will readily change its the Central Florida area. As you may the Basin area. This behavior to take know, both human and bear situation can often mean bad things advantage of human- populations continue to grow in our for bears. Because of this, education provided food sources state. With approximately 900 people on how to live and recreate safely so such as garbage, bird/ moving to Florida every day, human bears and other wildlife can thrive in encroachment, habitat our shared landscape is critical. wildlife feeders, or pet fragmentation, and habitat loss mean I’m thrilled to be able to help food. an increased likelihood of human- FWF with a targeted focus on the ” bear interaction and/or conflict. Florida black bear. It’s been a bit Bears are driven by food; they are unconventional due to the COVID-19 footage that can blend in and opportunistic and will go wherever pandemic, as my initial primary focus hopefully provide some different their noses lead them. The Florida was to prepare and give species for the project. Should you or black bear is highly adaptable and presentations on how to live safely someone you know have some will readily change its behavior to with bears in bear country. With in- wildlife video around your take advantage of human-provided person group meetings being off the home/property that you would like to table, I’m targeting groups that may share for this project, please send be interested in doing something in those to FloridaBearAware@ an online forum. It’s a different type gmail.com. of opportunity, so should you or a I am incredibly thankful to the group you are involved with be Florida Wildlife Federation for giving interested in scheduling me the opportunity to further my something, please let me know. skills and partner with them, as well I’m also focused on putting the final as for their dedication and touches on a landing webpage about professionalism in every interaction. bears for the FWF website, as well as I’m thoroughly enjoying learning pulling together a Bear Facts sheet more about and focusing on their that can be used statewide at FWF mission to conserve Florida’s outreach events. Another fun project wildlife, habitat and natural I’m working on is collecting camera resources through education, videos (such as Ring, for example) of advocacy and science-based bears and other wildlife in and stewardship. The projects I’m around human-dominated spaces for working on and the skills I’m further an upcoming educational tool FWF is developing will be helpful to me as I producing. It is a unique way to move forward in my career path. I engage stakeholders and wildlife look forward to the rest of the enthusiasts in an important project to semester and to helping share my promote the importance of humans passion for the black bear. and wildlife sharing the same I’m so grateful – thank you, FWF! Animal: Florida black bear Location: Weirsdale, Florida landscape and doing so safely. This Ms. Lindsay may be reached at Photographer: Cathy Connolly project piggybacks on trail camera [email protected]

12 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/12/20 10:31 AM Page 13

FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION’S Wild Florida Sweepstakes 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. Smaller than a 1. robin, this year- How to Enter: Ticket contributions are $5 each. Six tickets for $25, 15 round Florida resident for $50, 35 for $100, and 50 for $125 (the best value). Watch for your has a dark sweepstakes tickets in the mail. hood and For more information, read the Wild Florida Flyer and the Official back, Rules at our website, www.fwfonline.org. To enter, click the Programs rusty sides icon at the top of our webpage. If you would like a set of tickets mailed to and a you, send an email to FWF at [email protected] or call our toll-free white number (800) 656-3014. Please provide your full name and complete belly. Do mailing address to receive a packet of tickets. you know By playing the sweepstakes you help FWF advocate in critical areas this bird? such as Clean Water, the preservation of the Florida panther and the sustainability of species like the Florida black bear. Thanks for supporting the Florida Wildlife Federation! What veggie grows 2. in summer FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION’S LOU KELLENBERGER gardens throughout Florida and is popular 2O2O PHOTO CONTEST in Southern dishes like gumbo? Calling All Florida Photographers! he Florida Wildlife Federation photo, $10 for 3 photos, and $25 for Tis pleased to announce the 7 photos. One Overall Contest sixth year of the Lou winner will be selected for the Do you know a Kellenberger FWF Photo First Prize of $300, a Second Prize 3. Florida freshwater Contest. The Contest celebrates winner will receive a Kindle Fire fish that can take gulps the enjoyment of taking photos in tablet, and the kids’ contest winner of air or buries itself in Florida’s great outdoors and will receive an outdoor backpack. the mud and can survive promotes FWF’s mission to Only digitally uploaded images may for weeks? encourage citizens to participate in be entered. Judging will follow the sustainable outdoor . closing date of December 31, 2020. Enter your most compelling nature images and photos of Florida today Visit www.snappiephoto.com to at www.snappiephoto.com. Entries get started. Contact FWF at will be taken from now until (850) 656-7113 for more December 31, 2020. information. See page 14 for answers Entry donations are $5 for one and more information.

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 13 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 14

Jim and Ginger Visconti Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way . . . For Wildlife

im and Ginger Visconti live in JJefferson County east of Tallahassee and near the small town of Monticello. Lifelong conservationists, the Viscontis, originally from New York State, have made themselves a wonderful home in rural . They have retrofitted their house to accept solar power and enjoy the wooded land that surrounds them, as well as the abounding native wildlife. The Viscontis wanted to make sure that after they were gone, their special place on Earth would be saved for Nature. They very generously allowed a perpetual conservation easement to be placed on most of their wooded acreage, and have listed the Florida Wildlife Federation in their wills as the recipient of Jim and Ginger Visconti (and friend), Manley Fuller and Preston Robertson their land. It is by the magnanimous a healthy, clean and family as well as help the actions of residents such as the environmentally sustainable Federation. Viscontis that the Federation can Florida. For more information on how keep fighting the good fight for a A bequest or trust estate planning can benefit both sustainable Florida. benefitting the Florida you and wildlife, please contact Please join with Jim and Wildlife Federation is easy to or call Preston Robertson at Ginger and help make sure we arrange, makes creative use (850) 656-7113. and future residents can enjoy of assets, and can benefit your

Answers to FLORIDA WILDLIFE Kids’ Quiz

1. The Eastern Towhee does look a little 2. Okra loves our heat and humidity. It is 3. The Bowfin or “mudfish” can live in like a robin but is smaller with a thick bill and related to hibiscus and has a beautiful flower. The water with low oxygen and breath air from the distinct coloring. You might hear a towhee pods can be picked when about 3 inches long surface because they have an air bladder that rustling around under shrubs in your yard if you and still soft, then fried, pickled, or used in soups works like a lung. They grow 2-3.5 feet long and leave plenty of leaf litter for them to forage in. and stews. eat fish, snakes, amphibians and insects. This Listen for the call that sounds like the bird calling species can be traced to fossils from 150 million its name, tow-hee. years ago! How Did You Do, Florida Kid?

14 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 15

Thank You to Our Donors

New Legacy Member: IN MEMORIAM Linda Heller, The Villages Donations have been received in memory of: *Legacy Club Members are those who have donated $5,000 or more in a single gift. Eagle Club Members are John Dufek Vic Heller $2,500 donors and Life Members are by Diane Hines by Linda Heller $1,000 donors. Curtis Simmons Madeline Squibb May Thank You for by Patti Berry and by Jane Sheldon Chapter of Dennis Rogers The Daughters of the Your Generous American Revolution Support! The Federation thanks you for your thoughtful contributions. We express our sympathy to family and friends of those who have passed away. “ FWF’s mission is to conserve Florida’s wildlife, habitat, and Backyard Gardening is Growing! natural resources through education, advocacy and science- based stewardship. ”

Animal: American alligator Photographer: Holly A. Yocum Charlenia Rutland-Persons shows off her plants in South Florida

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020 15 FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8.qxp_FWF 1013 - Newsletter Summer 2020 v8# 8/7/20 5:01 PM Page 16

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

www.instagram.com/FlWildFed

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

Photographer: Dan Mele Animal: Suwannee Cooter Location: Ginnie Springs Just before going into the cavern at Ginnie Springs, I noticed some Suwannee cooters swimming overhead. I was able to fire off a few shots before this one was out of sight.

Florida Fish & Volume 34, Issue 3 Wildlife News Spring 2020 Affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation

16 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS • Summer 2020