JUNE 2019
Dear Friends,

Summer is a great time to dip your toe into the pool of the Volunteers-In-Parks program. If you are looking for a way to stay cool and still make a difference, think about volunteering in our Apollo Visitor Center. Many of our volunteers leave for cooler points in the summer, so the need is great to assist our visitors with information in the Visitor Center. If you are interested please contact Volunteer Coordinator Avia Woulard at 386-428-3384 ext. 240 or at avia_woulard@nps.gov.

Turtle Watch reservations are still being accepted for June and on June 15 th we’ll start taking them for July.

Remember June 1 st is the first day of Hurricane Season, make sure all of your plans are in place to have a safe and happy summer.

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

See you at the beach!
Laura Henning 
SEA TURTLE NESTING #'S
  • Loggerhead
  • Apollo (406)
  • Playalinda (493)
  • Green Turtle
  • Apollo (3)
  • Playalinda (3)
  • Leatherback
  • Apollo (4)
  • Playalinda (7)
TOTAL: 916

  • Wilson's Plover nests: 40
MAY - OCTOBER
TURTLE NESTING SEASON
What Can You Do to Protect Sea Turtle Habitat?

Every year these endangered species face countless dangers from human activities, but we can all do our part in helping to protect this amazing species.

  1. Reduce marine debris that may entangle or be accidentally eaten by sea turtles.
  2. Participate in coastal clean-ups and reduce plastic use.
  3. Carry reusable water bottles and shopping bags.
  4. Refrain from releasing balloons, they'll likely end up in the ocean where sea turtles can mistake them for prey and consume them.
  5. Turn out lights visible from the beach. Keep nesting beaches dark, and safe for sea turtles. Use turtle friendly lighting.
  6. Do not disturb nesting turtles, nests, or hatchlings. Attend organized sea turtle watches that know how to safely observe nesting sea turtles.
  7. Remove recreational beach equipment like chairs, umbrellas, boats at night so sea turtles are not trapped or turned away.
  8. Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles before you leave the beach. They can become obstacles for nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings.
  9. Choose responsibly caught seafood. Sea turtles are vulnerable to commercial fishing methods like trawling, longlines, and drift gillnets, become unwanted catch that is discarded like trash.
  10. Leave no trace...This means practicing good housekeeping when visiting a beach where turtles nest. Remove your trash and any obstacles that may become hazards for nesting sea turtles.
  11. Choose sunscreen carefully...Chemicals in some types of sunscreen can damage coral reefs, and pollute turtle habitat. Avoid any sunscreen with "oxybenzone" and look for brands labeled as "reef friendly" and avoid sprays that can pollute the sand where turtles nest.
Lights out!
Fill in your holes or don't dig holes in the beach!
Canaveral National Seashore partners with Atlantic Center for the Arts: SCOUNDSCAPE FIELD STATION
Sounds of our Environment:
Known as the Soundscape Field Station, the program invites musicians and scientists to work together within the pioneering field of soundscape ecology. From urban design to wildlife ecology, the sounds of our environment tell a story of wildlife biodiversity and the health of people living in that community. “It is important to provide innovative opportunities for sound artists to engage the community with the natural world in a new way that will inspire us to protect this resource,” says Eve Payor, ACA Director of Community Programs. Atlantic Center for the Arts has over 40 years of experience in producing artist-in-residency programs that attract distinguished artists from all over the world. 
JUNE ACTIVITIES AT APOLLO & PLAYALINDA
From learning about endangered sea turtles of Canaveral National Seashore, to exploring plankton from Mosquito Lagoon, see what amazing programs are available at your National Park!

JULY TURTLE WATCH RESERVATIONS
Beginning June 15th...
TURTLE WATCH RESERVATIONS
It’s time to begin taking JULY reservations for the 2019 Turtle Watch program. The programs take place in both districts: Apollo (NSB) and Playalinda (Titusville). Reservations are required. Reservations for JULY can be made beginning June 15th by calling 386-428-3384 ext. 223 or in person at the Visitor Center. Programs will be presented weekly throughout the months of June and July. 
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
ShORE Symposium - November 15, 2019
A Research Symposium for Students, Scientists and the...

For more information about Dr. Krause and ShORE 2019, please visit our website. ShORE registration opens in September. To become one of our great ShORE Sponsors, please contact one of the ShORE Team members.

Read more
www.daytonastate.edu
2019 Plein Air Paintout
October 20-26
DID YOU KNOW?
About the Critically Endangered Sawfishes...
Sawfishes are rays, not sharks
  • GESTATION: The females give birth to live young. The pregnancy is believed to be one year. They can give birth to 7-14 young measuring 2 to 2.7 ft. long.
  • SPECIES: There are 5 species of sawfishes
  • In Florida we only see smalltooth sawfish. The largetooth hasn't been seen in decades
  • They live in warm, shallow waters off the coast of the southeastern United States and in parts of the Caribbean Sea
  • PREDATORS: Sharks are the only known predators of sawfish
  • SIZE: They can grow to 18ft. long and weigh more than 700 pounds.
  • TEETH: They don't have teeth on their rostra (saws), their teeth are located inside its mouth (21 to 30 on each side). The rosta are used to attack and stun its prey (see video below) or defend themselves from predators like sharks.
  • These are used to dig under the ocean floor for crustaceans such as shrimp.
  • If they chip a tooth while defending themselves, or if one of them wears down, their teeth continue to grow through its life.
  • LEGALLY: You cannot legally buy or sell sawfish rostra.
  • REPORTING: Scientists want to know if you see a sawfish!

Ecological Advice:

Here are some guidelines that can make a huge difference for the sawfish conservation and other sea animals as well:
  • Never throw fishing lines into the ocean. They can get entangled in the sawfish rostrum, sea turtles, etc… causing a great impact in the animal’s life leading even to its death.
  • Choose circle hooks over j-hooks. Circle hooks minimize internal injuries during the catch process and, as a result, greatly enhance post-release survival rate.
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