IN THIS ISSUE
- Park Happenings
- Volunteer Opportunities
- May Programs & Activities
- Kid's Corner
- Friends of JDSP - Membership
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Contact us:
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education & Research Center
561-745-5551
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Jonathan Dickinson State Park had another successful Earth Day! We planted nearly 230 cypress trees in the Loxahatchee River floodplain with help from local volunteers, scouts, and park staff. Check out the video below for a sneak peak into the mangrove swamp and the park.
Thank you to everyone who helped
make this happen!
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Video courtesy of Mark Sapirie
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Gopher Tortoise Burrow Studies
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On April 17, students from the Samaritan Center in Stuart, FL joined park staff and volunteers for their first gopher tortoise burrow sampling project, one of many more to come! This research project focuses on gopher frogs around different wetlands in the park. Gopher frogs live in gopher tortoise burrows and use nearby wetlands to lay eggs and find food.
Students are using a gopher tortoise burrow scope to record video and pictures of what is inside the burrows. They are also identifying and recording surrounding plants and other data relevant to the project. This data will help the park better understand gopher frogs, and their uses of gopher tortoise burrows as an essential part of their habitat.
Click here
to learn more about these adorable frogs and where they are found in Florida.
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Participate in the Global Big Day for Birding!
Saturday, May 5, 10:00 - 11:30 am
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Join us to celebrate National Geographic's
Year of the Bird
with
Audubon, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and many more p
artnering organizations to see how many birds can be see in one day! May 5 is designated as "Participate in the Global Big Day" for birding, and we will hike the 1.5 mile Kitching Creek trail to see what we can find. Download the free Cornell University eBird and Merlin Bird ID apps to help log and ID sightings. Can't join us? Visit
ebird.org/globalbigday
for information about the Global Big Day and what you can do.
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Florida Scrub-jay Walks
1st and 3rd Wednesdays 9:00 - 10:00 am
Join us October through May to see these endangered
birds found only in Florida! Park entry fees apply.
Contact the Kimbell Center for more information and location.
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Solar Nature Printing - Save the Date!
Saturday, June 2 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Enjoy FREE admission and a nature craft on Saturday June 2, 9:00 am - 4:15 pm.
Children will learn about native wetland plants and choose leaves and/or flowers for solar printing on fabric. All materials and instruction will be included. Appropriate for children ages 4-10 years old; space is limited.
Receive your free park/event admission ticket by registering for a one hour session. Event is sponsored by The Guardians of Martin County. Please visit
http://theguardiansofmartincounty.com/events/
to register. Admission ticket will be emailed to registrant- print or show it on your phone for free park entry! Free park entry only applies to registered children plus one parent.
Event requires sunshine - rain date is June 23rd!
Questions?
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Non-native Plant Removal Day
Saturday, May 19 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Join park staff to help remove non-native plants which compete with native plants and decrease native habitat and food for wildlife. RSVP required 2 days before work day by 12:00 pm.
Water will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle for refills and gloves, if you have any.
We will meet in the parking lot at the front entrance of the park.
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Volunteers Needed!
Florida Audubon Jay Watch Citizen Science
Saturday, May 12
Free training sessions for volunteers who want to participate in this important program to monitor Florida scrub-jays. Meet at the Kimbell Center in the park; wear lightweight long pants, close-toed shoes, hat, sunscreen; bring binoculars, water, snacks, and a smile! Training manual, clipboard, and pencil provided. An overview of Florida scrub-jay behavior and review of the survey protocol will be followed by field practice with the scrub-jays! Contact Jacqui Sulek,
jsulek@audubon.org.
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May Schedule ~ Programs & Activites
Programs may vary from what is listed below. All are free excluding rentals, entry, and special event fees. Registration is suggested for all Saturday morning programs, and it is required for some as noted below. Contact the Kimbell Center for details, 561-745-5551, or email
libby.reinert@dep.state.fl.us
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1st and 3rd Wednesdays through May
- Scrub-jay Walk 9:00 - 10:00am
Every Friday
- Nature Hike 2:00 - 3:00pm - Join us for a leisurely stroll through the scrubby flatwoods and river floodplain. Osprey, pleated woodpeckers, and barred owls are some of the wildlife that can be seen. The walk may go through muddy or wet terrain.
Saturday, May 5
- Global Big Day! 10:00 - 11:30am - Join us in celebration of National Geographic's Year of the Bird! May's monthly theme is "Participate in the Global Big Day" to learn how many birds can be see in one day! We will hike along the 1.5 mile Kitching Creek Trail to see what we can find!
- Evening Ranger Program - For overnight guests; topic, time, and location may vary
Saturday, May 12
- Bones, Skulls, and Skins 10:00 - 11:30am Examine bones, meet live snakes, and learn about the park’s wildlife and their habitat. Program includes an indoor presentation and short nature walk. Registration is suggested.
- Evening Ranger Program - For overnight guests; topic, time, and location may vary
Saturday, May 19
- Orienteering 10:00 - 11:30am - Orienteering, the use of a map and compass to find locations and plan a journey, has been a vital skill for humans for thousands of years. Visitors will learn the basics of orienteering and explore the park in a whole new way with this interactive program.
- Evening Ranger Program - For overnight guest; topic, time, and location may vary
Saturday, May 26
- Guided River Paddling Tour - 9:45am - 12:00pm Explore the natural wonders of the Loxahatchee River. Rent a canoe or kayak at the park's concession or bring your own and join us for a fun and leisurely paddle. The tour is weather dependent. Registration is required.
- Evening Ranger Program - For overnight guests; topic, time, and location may vary.
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Schools, Homeschools, Scouts, and More!
We have programs for you! Many programs are aligned with state standards for schools; scouts can complete badges, Eagle, and Silver projects; and we can even do special birthday party or other group programs. Programs are free excluding rental and boat tour fees. Entrance fees apply and can be waived for school-curriculum aligned programs and service projects. Contact the Kimbell Center for details!
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Calling All Kids!
Come visit the Kimbell Center where we can help you become a JDSP Junior Ranger or click
here for more information.
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Awesome Animal of the Month: Loggerhead Shrike,
Lanius ludovicianus
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Test Your Knowledge!
True or False...
- Loggerhead shrikes use hunting skills similar to those of a hawk or falcon.
- The word "loggerhead" describes how small the shrike's head is.
- Both male and female shrikes help pick a nest site.
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Cool Facts!
- Loggerhead shrikes sit patiently from an exposed perch watching for prey, then dive down to catch them with their sharp hooked bill
- "Loggerhead” is a synonym for “blockhead,” which describes the unusually large size of this bird’s head compared to its body.
- Loggerhead Shrikes eat insects, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and birds; they also sometimes feed on roadkill.
- When nesting both male and female shrikes help find a nest site, inspecting many locations before picking one. They often build their nests in thorny vegetation, which may help keep predators away.
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True or False Answers: 1. true, 2. false, 3. true
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The Friends would like to invite you to become a member of their organization. The Friends primary role is to provide financial support
for the park's visitor programs and physical needs that are not funded
by the state. Park special events, activities, and programs are directly supported by your memberships and donations!
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Join the Friends with a $40 family membership and receive every year:
- 12 free park entries each year of membership ($72 value!)
- Discounts at local merchants
- Discounts on select Friends' merchandise
- Priority invitations to Friends events
- Special members only social and networking events
New members also receive a
JDSP Visitor's Guide and
one free Loxahatchee River Boat Tour (some restrictions apply).
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