Ebb Tide - Estero Bay Buddies

Eb
bT
ide
EBB Annual Meeting
Election of Directors
Dear Buddies,
Are you willing to become more involved with your local citizen
support organization? We usually meet for a couple of hours on
the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. either at the EBAP office
or Koreshan SHS. We need additional board members to help with
our important mission, please volunteer!
Current Slate for Annual Meeting – to be Voted on by Members
Date: Saturday, May 3rd, 2014
Event Time: 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

Socialize & Eats: 9:00 a.m.

Board Meeting: 9:45 a.m.

Presentation: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Place: Koreshan State Historic Site
3800 Corkscrew Road Estero, FL 33928

Directors whose terms expire 2015
Dorothy McNeill
Reginald McNeill
Laura Carr
Sasha Linsin-Wohlpart
Pam Rokoskie
_2_____________________ (vacancy)
Vacancies will be filled in numerical order.
Nominees to fill vacancies:
_1______________________
_2______________________
_3______________________
After breakfast, we will conduct the important business of selecting our
board of directors and officers.

Nominees for 2 year terms expiring 2016
Terry Cain
Jim Wohlpart
Sherry Furnari
Sis Newberry
Andrew Stansell
_1_____________________ (vacancy)
_3_____________________ (vacancy)
Come and join the Buddies as we learn more from Joy Hazell, a Lee
County Sea Grant Extension Agent, about the importance of mangroves and their health in our southwest Florida ecosystem.
Breakfast and drinks will be served.
Please help us protect our environment by bringing your own cup
or mug for your beverage!
THE EBB TIDE IS ON-LINE
Wonder what this newsletter looks like in color?
Want to recommend a story to a friend? Find the
online edition at:
www.esterobaybuddies.org
Got questions? Please email them to:
[email protected]
RSVP by April 24th, contact the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve Office:
Phone: 239-463-3240
Volume 13 Number 1 March 2014
E-mail: [email protected]
Sherry Furnari, editor
Ebb Tide
ies …
d
d
u
yB
a
tes!
oB
r
o
e
t
N
s
uick
eE
h
Q
T
Newsletter of the Estero Bay Buddies
Volume 13 Number 1
The Mission of the Estero Bay Buddies (EBB), a Citizen Support Organization for Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve and
Estero Bay Preserve State Park, is to support and further the
protection, conservation, restoration, management, and the
enhancement of the natural and cultural resources of the
coastal and aquatic ecosystems of the Estero Bay estuary
and watershed for the enjoyment and appreciation of current
and future generations.
Notice: Membership Renewals
 To simplify the membership renewal process, all membership fees will be due by January 31st hereafter. If
you already haven’t done so, please help us during this
transition and send in your dues now. Thank you!
Estero Bay Buddies Board of Directors
Dorothy McNeill
Terry Cain
Jim Wohlpart
Reggie McNeill
Laura Carr
Sherry Furnari
Sasha Linsin-Wohlpart
Sis Newberry
Pam Rokoskie
Andrew Stansell
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
EBB Sponsored this Quarter...
 Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Watershed
Summit. A 3-day event in Punta Gorda (March 25-27th).
 FL Aquatic Preserve State-wide CSO Formation Committee Meeting (April 24-25th).
 Volunteer Water Quality Annual Recognition Event @
Ding Darling NWR (March 29th).
 Provided Americorps with long-sleeve T-shirts to safely
spray herbicides, while killing exotic plants at EBPSP.
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Florida Coastal Office (FCO)
Cheryl Clark
Sherry Furnari
Chris Griffin
Jackie Langston
Calendar of Events
Manager
Environmental Specialist I
Environmental Specialist I
Environmental Specialist I
Division of Recreation and Parks (DRP)
 April 12th, Saturday – Earth Day Festival @ Bonita
Springs Riverside Park on Old US 41, 9am-3pm.
 April 12th, Saturday – Great American Clean-up @ San
Carlos Bay–Bunche Beach Preserve, see page 6 for additional info.
 April 17th, Thursday – Estero Bay Estuary Wading Trip,
10:00am-12:00pm. Call 239-463-3240 for info & registration.
 May 6th, Tuesday – Estero Bay Estuary Wading Trip,
10:00am-12:00pm. Call 239-463-3240 for info & registration.
 July 5th, Saturday –The 5th of July Clean-Up, see page 6
for additional info.
Robert Brooks
Alfred Bea
Erin Maehl
Jon Meyer
Manager
Assistant Manager
Administrative Staff Assistant
Environmental Specialist I
Please send contributions & membership renewals to:
Estero Bay Buddies
700-1 Fisherman’s Wharf
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
EBB contact phone (Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve office):
239.463.3240
2
The mission of the Estero Bay Buddies (EBB),
a Citizen Support Organization for the Estero
Bay Aquatic Preserve and Estero Bay Preserve
Be
AB
State Park, is to support and further the
udd
y! E
protection, conservation, restoration,
ster
management and the enhancement of the natural
oB
ay B
and cultural resources of the coastal and aquatic
udd
ecosystems of the Estero Bay estuary and
ies W
watershed for the enjoyment and appreciation of
ant
You
current and future generations.
!
If you would like to become an EBB member, or if it’s time to renew your membership please write a
check to: Estero Bay Buddies, Inc.
and mail with the membership form to: 700-1 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Student $5; Individual $10; Family $15; Contributing $25; Supporting $50; Non-profit $25; Association
(Homeowner, Condo or Civic) $25; Business $100; Donor $100-500.
Membership Form
Yes! I would like to make a difference by joining the Estero Bay Buddies, Inc.
Name(s):
New Member
Mailing Address:
Renewal
(city)
(state)
Phone number:____________________
(zip code)
Email:______________________________________________
Annual Membership Dues:
Individual $10
Family $15
Student $5 (Ages 17 & under are free)
Contributing $25
Non-Profit Organization $25
Association (Homeowner, Condominium or Civic) $25
Supporting $50
Business/Corporate $100
Donor $100 - $500
Additionally, I/we would like to make a contribution in the amount of $________________
Total Amount Enclosed $_____________
Please return with check payable to Estero Bay Buddies, Inc. The Estero Bay Buddies, Inc. is a non-profit organization.
I would prefer to support the "Buddies" with dues as a member and/or through monetary donations.
I would like to become an active volunteer and participate in resource management, research/monitoring and
education activities.
3
Special Offer: One free EBB T-shirt with a new
membership of $10 or more!
Exclusive EBB design and logo lets people know you care
about Estero Bay. Great for fishermen and fisherwomen,
environmental activists, old-timers, boaters, personal-water
craft riders, divers and everyone else who cares about the
health of Florida’s waters!
Request newly designed white T-shirts or older T-shirts with
colors of turquoise, granite or 40th Anniversary Clyde
Butcher photo on white. State size and color. Size: S to XXL.
Membership Form
New/renewing members, please check all boxes that apply to your interests.
Resource Management
Research and Monitoring
Exotic Plant Control (Removal/herbicide treatment of
Citizen Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring
Computer (Managing Data using Windows XP,
Melaleuca, Brazilian Pepper, and other exotics.)
Habitat Restoration
ACCESS DataBase and EXCEL spreadsheets)
Nature Trail Construction and Maintenance
Advocacy
Monitoring/Patrol of the Preserve State Park
Computer/Desktop Publishing (Newsletter,
Resource Watch/Patrol of the Aquatic Preserve
Brochures, Flyers, etc.)
Office Assistance Support (reception, hospitality,
(Boaters, Canoe and Kayak enthusiasts)
Monitoring Mangrove Forests
answering phones, mailings, etc.)
Monitoring Bird Rookeries
Land Acquisition
Monitoring Indian Shell Mounds
Fund-raising events
Assistance with Resource Inventories
Letter Writing Campaigns
Participating in Coastal Clean Ups
Other
Education
Become a board member
Conducting Guided Nature Walks
Other (please explain in detail)
Environmental Education/Public Outreach
Estero Bay Buddies, Inc.
700-1 Fisherman's Wharf
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Attention Members: To simplify the membership renewal process, all membership fees will be
due by January 31st hereafter. If you already haven’t done so, please help us during this transition and send in your dues now. Thanks very much for your continued support for the Buddies
and Estero Bay!!!
4
13th Annual - Earth Day Festival -
Saturday April 12, 2014
Held at Bonita Springs beautiful Riverside Park (Old US 41)
Kayak rides all day on the Imperial River
FOOD AVAILABLE STARTING AT 11:00 am
The Lions Club will be serving hot dogs and
free range BBQ
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
* Co-sponsored by Preserve Our Paradise
& the Responsible Growth Management Coalition
* Free festival to the general public
Opening ceremony: 10:00 am
Project Nature Connect Earthing Stations experiences:
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bring your drums for Drum Circle: 4:30—6:30 pm
Local Artists will be displaying their work
Kids’ activities going on all day!
Many items will be RAFFLED off, including a poster
donated by Clyde Butcher,
renowned southwest Florida photographer!
Raffle Tickets available at the Responsible Growth
Management coalition table
LIVE MUSIC
(Bring your favorite chair to relax and listen to the music)
Solar powered stage by Fafco Solar /
Sound reinforcement by Mike Pacanza
Freedom Evolving
11:00 am
Natural Spirit
12:00 pm
James Willhite Band
1:15 pm
Sweetclover
2:30 pm
Adam Mack
3:30 pm
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
BOBBI LEE (239) 777 - 0186
Mound Key Exotic Plant Control Project
(Psidium guajava) native to Asia and
Australia, non-native lantana
(Lantana camara) native to the
By Jon Meyer
West Indies, and Brazilian pepper
(Schinus terebinthifolius) native to
Mound Key Archaeological State Park underwent a category I and II invasive
Brazil. The 2010 project was
exotic plant removal effort between March 11-18th. This removal effort was
considered a success because
the follow-up project to one performed in 2010. This project was possible
where the invasive exotic plants
through a FWC Southwest Florida Invasive Species Working Group grant and
were removed, the native statewas completed by Perpetual Contracting Inc., the hired contractor. The key
listed Endangered wild cotton
A
lantana
(Lantana
camara)
begins
to
bloom.
plant species that were removed were life plant (Kalanchoe pinnata) native to
(Gossypium hirsutum) now thrives.
Madagascar, Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora) native to South America, Guava
We hope that this follow-up project will have the same results.
The 2014 Florida Sportsman Expo
By Terry Cain
Jackie Langston speaks with an
interested visitor.
Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves offices to answer questions and teach
guests the importance of our estuaries, their natural resources and health.
Information was handed out and memberships were gained for the Buddies.
This is a fun event for the Buddies, because we are able to interact with the
public and teach the young how to take care of their natural resources. The
Buddies are looking forward to next year’s event.
The 2014 Florida Sportsman Expo was held at the
Lee County Civic Center in North Fort Myers. Even
though the Expo was held on Super Bowl Weekend, we
saw record attendance and interest at our booth. The
Estero Bay Buddies and the Friends of Charlotte Harbor were on-site along with staff from the Estero Bay &
5
Estero Bay Buddies, Inc.
700-1 Fisherman’s Wharf
Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33931
Env
iro
nta
nme
ps &
lC
-u
lean
aces
F
New
dt
un
Aro
!
ay
he B
A Retirement & New Beginnings...
Karen LaCivita retired on the 31st of January after 28 years of service to the
Florida Park Service (FPS). During her time with the FPS, Karen worked at
Delnor-Wiggins Pass SP, Lover’s Key SP and finally the Koreshan State Historic
Site (KSHS), which later took on the management of the Estero Bay Preserve
State Park (EBPSP). Congratulations to Karen and thank you for your many
years of dedicated service to the citizens and visitors of southwest Florida!
Welcome New Board Member —
Andrew Stantell
Andrew grew up in
Chuluota, a small rural
town east of Orlando,
and moved to Fort
Myers in 2009 to attend Florida Gulf
Coast University. He
recently graduated
with a degree in environmental studies and
biology. Andrew is
currently a manager at
the Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education at
FGCU. At the Center
he works to put on
educational events, run
scholarship and grant
programs, and contributes to educational publications.
Alfred Bea replaces Karen LaCivita, the park’s long-time assistant manager. Park Manager Robert Brooks introduced Alfred to the Board of Estero
Bay Buddies during its March
meeting. Besides the EBPSP, Alfred’s other responsibilities include
KSHS and Mound Key Archaeological State Park.
Alfred has filled a number of
positions in his Florida Park Service
career. He comes from Palatka
where he was most recently the
assistant park manager for three
parks there including Ravine Gardens State Park, Dunns Creek
State Park and the Palatka-to-St.
Augustine State Trail.
Alfred worked his way up the ranks of the Park Service. He started as a
temporary employee and then became a full-time Ranger with duties covering
everything from trash detail and prescribed burns to construction and visitor
services. Later he was promoted to Park Services Specialist handling activities
such as special events like festivals, media and volunteers.
Andrew has been an avid outdoorsman and angler his whole life and grew
up exploring the Intracoastal Waterway of Cape Canaveral and the Mosquito
Lagoon. After spending the past five years in southwest Florida, Andrew has
fallen in love with pursing the abundant redfish, tarpon and snook found in
Estero Bay’s backwaters. His passion for coastal fisheries encouraged him to
become more involved in its protection and conservation with the Estero Bay
Buddies. He looks forward to contributing his enthusiasm and knowledge to
the Buddies team!
“Many aspects of my previous park service experience like working in formal
gardens, prescribed burning for resource management as well as responsibility
and maintenance of cultural and historical resources will help a lot as I begin
taking on my roll here at these three unique parks,” he said. “These parks are
truly special, and every day working here is like a dream come true.”
Alfred came to the park system through his love of the outdoors. He is an
enthusiastic outdoorsman – camping, hiking and mountain climbing whenever
possible. He has run two marathons and also enjoys swimming and fishing.
CLEAN-UP EVENTS
Before coming to the Park Service, Alfred’s work life included stints as a
reporter, a photographer, a contract manager, a public information officer and
a spokesman during natural disasters.

Saturday, April 12th—The Great
American Clean-Up hosted by Keep Lee
County Beautiful (www.klcb.org). Multiple sites can be found on the KLCB web
site to pitch in and help. Estero Bay
Buddy Terry Cain will sponsor San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach Preserve for this event. Join us to help Keep Lee County Beautiful!
Social Media—Now there are 3 ways to follow
Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/EsteroBayAquaticPreserve
Florida Aquatic Preserves on Twitter – follow @AquaticFL
Florida Aquatic Preserves on Pinterest – follow AquaticFlorida
6
Saturday, July 5th—The 5th of July Clean-Up. This is a day to get out
and help clean-up your community after a day of fun, food and fireworks. You will find beach sites on the KLCB web site to help clean
as well.

Download Report