SEPTEMBER 2019
Dear Friends,

Records are made to be broken and here we go, it was just 2017 when Canaveral broke the record with over 12,000 nests. We have surpassed that record as we edge our way up to 13,000. While we celebrate the success, it is with pride that we remember what brought us here.  Thirty five years ago, Canaveral National Seashore started a sea turtle conservation program that consisted of screening all of the turtle nests to keep them from predators. In 1984, about 1100 nests were observed in the seashore, all but 10% of them were predated or scavenged by raccoons. Started by staff and volunteers that came on their own time at night, NPS started monitoring and screening nests, that early program morphed into the CANA Sea Turtle Conservation Program that we see today.   Hundreds of people, thousands of hours and millions of turtle eggs have come and gone. What is in place today is a program that protects sea turtle nests, educates the public and provides data about one of the most important sea turtle nesting beaches in the world.  We are the Sea Turtle Park! So flippers UP in a salute to the past and present staff, volunteers and Friends of Canaveral that have made this a success story starting on a very dark beach in 1984!

Thank you to all of the Friends and Volunteers-In-Parks for all you do.  

See you at the beach!
Laura Henning 
SEA TURTLE NESTING #'S
Congratulations Canaveral National Seashore
  • Loggerhead (Caretta caretta):
Apollo ( 2304 ) ...... Playalinda ( 3291 )
  • Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas):
Apollo ( 2362 ) .......... Playalinda ( 4709 )
  • Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea):
Apollo ( 12 ) .......... Playalinda ( 21 )
  • Kemps Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii):
Apollo ( 0 ) .......... Playalinda ( 0 )
Total: 12,389
As of August 20, 2019
The park has surpassed their previous all time high for number of sea turtle nests.

Congratulations to Canaveral National Seashore for 35 years of excellent sea turtle conservation!

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us in our mission to support our Seashore!
2019 INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP
SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 ~ 8am-12pm
 
Canaveral National Seashore invites the public to join the International Coastal Cleanup. Once a year all over the world, millions of volunteers, who love the ocean and want to protect it, take this day to really make a difference. Come join Canaveral National Seashore and its many visitors in the Annual International Event to help cleanup marine debris that washes ashore with the tides. The first 100 visitors will receive a T-Shirt, bring water in a reusable container, work gloves, sunscreen, and a hat for protection from the sun. Meet at the Visitors Information Center.
CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE
"The Story of a Seashore"

We wanted to share this beautiful video highlighting the plant and animal life, as well as endangered species of Canaveral National Seashore.

This video, although lengthy, beautifully captures all that is magnificent about our backyard that is Canaveral National Seashore.
If you liked this video you may be interested in our new book, "Plants of Canaveral National Seashore" by Don Spence and Friends of Canavera. It is a beautiful guide with photos and plant identifications of approximately 180 species found within the Seashore.
Wanted: Sea Turtle Photos for
Sea Turtle Conservancy's 2020 Calendar!
Calling all photographers! Sea Turtle Conservancy is looking for talented photographers (amateur or professional) for their annual Sea Turtle Calendar Contest! The  sea turtle calendar  reminds people throughout the year that sea turtles need our help to survive, and it includes important sea turtle dates like World Sea Turtle Day, Earth Day and World Oceans Day. Contributing to the calendar is a great way to help spread the word about sea turtle conservation!
Photo submissions along with the  Photography Permission Form  should be sent to  lexie@conserveturtles.org  n o later than September 20, 2019 and must follow the criteria here.
HOW TO DO FLORIDA: EXPLORING
CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE
Since ancient times, this barrier island has provided sanctuary to both people and wildlife. Many threatened animals find refuge here, including sea turtles who nest on its shores. Like Indians and early settlers, you too can find tranquility. Swim in the ocean. Fish in the lagoon. Stroll down a wooded trail. Or reflect on the longest expanse of pristine shore in Florida - the way it used to be.
SEPTEMBER 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!

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR CURRENT ACTIVITIES:


SAVE THE DATE
October 20-26
3RD ANNUAL TURTLE - Mark your calendars!
SUNDAY, DEC. 15, 2019
Tickets will be available at:
Coastal Christmas Market
Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach
Saturday, November 30
9am-5pm

Tickets will be available online soon.
Watch for details!

Prizes - $500 - $300 - $150 - $50
DID YOU KNOW?
About the Nautilus
We can help! The best way is by not buying products made from their shells.
Read about this strange looking creature!
  1. They have well know relatives. They are members of the phylum Mollusca, which includes clams, scallops, oysters and more.
  2. They are "living fossils". The first nautilus species appeared over 500 million years ago, hundreds of millions of years before the dinosaurs. Ancient nautiluses reached up to 10 feet in size, unlike the current size of 10 inches. There were originally 10,000 different species, only about six remain.
  3. They have complex homes. Inside, the shells are divided into chambers, being born with four chambers, and add them as they grow. The chambers alter the amount of air in each chamber, which in turn changes the animals' buoyancy. They can propel themselves backward by expelling seawater from the chambers through the tube.
  4. They need help! Overfishing, jewelers and collectors have impacted the population. They are slow growing and lay only a few eggs a year. Scientists worry that our desire for the nautilus could be driving the animal towards extinction.
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