MAY 2019
MAY - OCTOBER
SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON
Dear Friends,

On Saturday, April 27th, Canaveral National Seashore with help from DeSoto National Memorial, hosted a "Let's Go Fishing" Jr. Anglers Clinic. This clinic was put on by IGFA (International Game Fish Association) donating staff time, rods, bait and all of the equipment and expertise to teach dozens of young anglers the right way to fish in their national park. They went station to station, learning knot tying skills, fishing rules and regulations, how to bait a hook and how to release a fish without harming it. And one of the most important stations was the stewardship table, here the Jr. Anglers learned the importance of size in catching fish and the importance of releasing what you catch so that the resource stays protected. It was a great day for fishing, beautiful weather and a variety of fish were caught by all of the participants. What a nice way to end National Park Week!

See you at the beach!
Laura Henning 
National Park Service Names Jay Grass
Canaveral National Seashore Superintendent
National Park Service Southeast Regional Director Bob Vogel announced the selection of Jay Grass as superintendent of Florida’s Canaveral National Seashore. He began his work at the park in April.
 
“Jay is an accomplished public servant known for solid leadership in parks and communities,” Vogel said. “He has deep experience across disciplines, which will serve him well as superintendent at Canaveral National Seashore.”

Jay Grass, Superintendent
Canaveral National Seashore
Board or Directors 2019-2020
Thank you for attending the Friends of Canaveral 2019 Annual Meeting
Wednesday, April 17th

The following individuals were elected to the 2019-2020 Board of Directors:

Terry Bledsoe
Nancy Malmberg
Lisa Mickey
Elaine Morin
John Peel
Jane Pierson
Paul Sacks
Richard Tucker
MAY ACTIVITIES AT
APOLLO & PLAYALINDA


TURTLE WATCH RESERVATIONS OPEN!

Programs will be presented weekly throughout the months of
June and July!





It’s time to begin taking JUNE reservations for the 2019 Turtle Watch program. The programs will take place in both districts: Apollo (NSB) and Playalinda (Titusville). Reservations are required. Click links below for details:

VISITOR CENTER
Visitor Center Hours
9am-5pm Daily
Canaveral National Seashore's Visitor Center is located in the Apollo District at 7611 S. Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. There you will find a short film about the park, brochures, activity schedules, tide charts, and souvenirs. For more information call (386) 428 - 3384 extension 0. (more)
DID YOU KNOW?
About Nesting Shore Birds?
The Wilson Plover
WE NEED TO SHARE THE BEACH
WITH NESTING BIRDS
 
It’s nesting season for Florida’s water birds, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Audubon Florida are reminding beachgoers and boaters to give these birds and their young space to help keep them safe.  
 
By taking a few simple steps, people can enjoy a day at the beach or on the water without disturbing nesting birds and their chicks, which increases the birds’ chances of survival.”
 
Shorebirds and seabirds build shallow nests out of sand and shells on beaches in spring and summer, and eggs and chicks are difficult to see. Wading birds, such as herons and egrets, as well as pelicans, are also nesting now on islands around the state. Both types of birds can be easily disturbed if people approach too closely. Such disturbance can cause birds to abandon their nesting sites, exposing eggs and chicks to predators, sun exposure and other harm.
 
WHAT CAN WE DO?
  • Keep your distance. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close!
  • Respect posted areas.
  • Never intentionally force birds to fly. When birds are chased or disturbed, they use energy they need to reserve for nesting and migration.
  • Keep pets away from nesting areas. Even well-behaved pets can be perceived as a threat to birds and will disturb them.
  • Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows to the beaches. Litter on beaches can entangle birds, sea turtles, and other wildlife.
  • SPREAD THE WORD! If you see people disturbing nests, etc., gently remind them how their actions may hurt birds' survival.
  • Beach drivers - Please watch out for wildlife.
 
HOW TO REPORT VIOLATIONS:
FWC's Wildlife Alert hotline:
888-404-FWCC (3922)
 

(Includes sounds, habitat & more)
Wilson Plover
Currently Nesting

The North American population of Wilson's Plover is on the  2014 State of the Birds   Watch List , which lists bird species that are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered without conservation action. A 2012 assessment estimated a U.S. population of 8,600 bids, with an additional 6,000 individuals thought to breed in the Caribbean and along the coast of eastern Mexico. Their range has been contracting southward over the last several decades. Wilson's Plover is listed as threatened or endangered in some states.
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