MAY 2018
SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON
MAY 1 - OCTOBER 31
We will attempt to help you educate the public about threats to sea turtles -
we ask that you help us!
The 2018 year continues our stewardship of America's National Parks. The “Friends” urge support of Canaveral Seashore National Park, as your Park, and discover its recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs in your own backyard.
Dear Friends,

ï»ż We bid a fond “see ya next year” to our Winter friends as they head back to places north, thanks for your time and support, both as Friends of Canaveral and Volunteers-In-Park.

There is still time to participate in the 2018 Run with the Rangers on May 5 th , starting at Mary DeWees Park in Oak Hill. Registration information available in this newsletter and at www.friendsofcanaveral.com . Awesome t-shirts and goody bags for all registered runners and great door prizes from local restaurants given away after the race. 

Sea Turtles have begun the age-old process of nesting on Canaveral’s shore. We have at this time 4 Leatherback nests and 1 Loggerhead nest so far. Also Wilson’s Plover are nesting on the beach, so watch for their little speckled eggs on the sand. 

Friends, thanks for all that you do, we couldn’t do what we do without you. 

See You at the Seashore,
Laura Henning
ï»żChief of Interpretation & Visitors Services
2018 RUN WITH THE RANGERS 5K
& Junior Ranger Fun Run
May 5 th 8:00 am

START TIME:  8:00am EDT
END TIME:  10:00am EDT
PRICE:  $25.00 Race Fee + $2.50 SignUp Fee 
REGISTRATION:  Registration ends May 4, 2018 at 11:59pm EDT 


Start/Finish at Dewees Park, N. Gaines St., Oak Hill to include Canaveral National Seashore/Seminole Rest.

CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE
IS MY HAPPY PLACE

My affection for Canaveral National Seashore began years ago as a visitor, then a National Park Service Volunteer at Apollo Visitor Center, a member of Friends of Canaveral, Inc. and now board member and President. For 2018-2019, I have the pleasure of representing Friends with some awesome officers and board members; Jane Peirson, VP/Secretary; Elaine Morin, Treasurer; Nancy Malmberg, Past-President; Dick Tucker, Paul Sacks and Laura Henning (our dedicated Park Liaison). Friends of Canaveral , Inc. was formed in 1989, and as we approach 30 years of serving all 57K plus acres of the Seashore, I want to thank all the donors, members and volunteers that keep our park close to their heart.

Last year, Canaveral National Seashore was a “happy place” for 1.7 million visitors!  Friends of Canaveral fundraisers (NSB Paintout, Run with the Rangers, and Turtle Derby), together with your membership dues and donations leave Friends in solid financial shape. Financial stability is worthless without the countless hours and energy of our volunteers, who make Friends an exciting and engaged support group dedicated to protecting and preserving the Seashore. With bold new projects on the horizon, we welcome old and new members to up your commitment and volunteer at Friends activities. Just announced on our Facebook page (Friends of Canaveral) we have Living Shoreline Restoration (May 20), Run with the Rangers (May 5) and Oyster Reef Restoration (June 14-21).    You can still renew your membership on our website. 

See you at the park.

Terry Bledsoe, President
Friends of Canaveral
Volunteers Needed for Living Shoreline Restoration

Officials at the Canaveral National Seashore are looking for volunteers to help with living shoreline restoration. Volunteers are asked to meet at Fellers House Field Station (near Eldora State House, Apollo), beginning on April 28.

Participants should wear old clothes that will get wet and old sneakers with good soles that will also get wet. Bring water, food, sunscreen, insect repellent.

  • Sunday, May 20 from 9 AM – noon

To RSVP and for more information, contact Linda Walters at linda.walters@ucf.edu
Oyster Reef Restoration Dates:

  • Thurs., June 14: 6:30 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Sun., June 17: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Mon., June 18: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Wed., June 20: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Thurs., June 21: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Fri., June 22: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Help Needed for Oyster Reef Restoration

The following dates have been set aside for oyster reef restoration at Canaveral National Seashore. Participants should wear old clothes that will get wet and old sneakers with good soles that will also get wet. Participants should bring water, food, sunscreen, insect repellent. 

RSVP to Linda Walters at
 

‌
How Can You Help?
It’s As Easy As 1-2-3

  • Step 1 – Check your phone’s camera settings to make sure your location setting is enabled.
  • Step 2 – Snap a photo of any bird you see in a natural habitat of Mosquito Lagoon. (For example, a bird perched on a mangrove, wading in the water, or foraging on an oyster reef.)
  • Step 3 – Email the location-tagged photo to:
or text your photo to (954) 900-6526. (None of your personal information will be saved or used.)

For more information about Mosquito Lagoon restoration, email Linda.Walters@ucf.edu . To learn more about how your geo-tagged photos are being used for science, email Giovanna.McClenachan@ucf.edu.
SEA TURTLE THREATS - Coastal Development
Coastal Development
ï»ż& Sea Turtles
Coastal development is a broad category which includes an array of human activities including beachfront construction of homes, hotels, restaurants, and roads, often for tourism.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? - Make your concerns known to your local city & county officials and watch for meetings regarding coastal development!
Also included are things like beach renourishment, seawall construction, and nearshore dredging and oil platform construction. Half of the world’s population lives on or within 100 miles of a coastline and this number will likely increase dramatically in the next decade.
THINGS TO DO - MAY 2018
From canoe trips, pontoon boat trips and brown bag lunch presentations - from the Apollo District to Playalinda, we have something for everyone!
TURTLE WATCH RESERVATIONS BEGIN AT 9:00 AM ON TUESDAY MAY 15TH
Starting Tuesday we will begin taking telephone reservations for this year’s June Turtle Watch programs. The number to call is (386) 428-3384 ext.223.

The programs are open to all person eight (8) years of age and older. Reservations have a maximum of six (6) persons per reservation call. For dates, etc., please click on Apollo Activities link above.

DID YOU KNOW?

WE NEED TO SHARE THE BEACH
WITH NESTING BIRDS

It’s nesting season for Florida’s waterbirds, 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)

Black skimmers: These birds have large orange and black beaks which they use to skim the water’s surface for prey.
Snowy plovers : These birds are small, pale birds with short beaks. Snowy plover chicks begin to forage on their own just hours after hatching.
American oystercatchers : These birds have long red beaks which they use to dig for prey. They often return to the same nesting area each year.
Wilson’s plovers : These have thicker beaks than other plovers. They may pretend to be injured in an effort to lead you away from their nest.
Least terns : These are small yellow-billed birds with white “foreheads.” They nest in colonies on beaches and frequently nest on rooftops as well.
A close-up for a Least tern with a chick!