Manatee County Natural Resources Department

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Manatee County Natural Resources Department Vistas

Manatee County s Natural Resources Department is

additional 150 acres of land adjacent to Robinson

On December 27, 2012, the Conservation Foundation

a planning process that will bring new restored

exciting new environmental education classroom to

1 Manatee County Natural Resources Department Vistas Issue The Dream Becomes a Reality! Manatee County s Natural Resources Department is pleased to announce the acquisition of an additional 150 acres of land adjacent to Robinson Preserve. On December 27, 2012, the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast conveyed the title of the land to Manatee County. This new portion of property is already undergoing a planning process that will bring new restored habitats, passive recreational amenities, and an exciting new environmental education classroom to the already beautiful preserve. As the plans unfold NRD will be hosting Sneak Peek tours and including updates here in Vistas. Stay tuned! 23: Jan/Feb/March 2013

Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 Vistas Image of the

Dotty Motta This month s Image of the Quarter features a gallery of images from the

2 Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 Vistas Image of the Quarter: Curiosity Creek Shutter Stroll (Special Edition) Dotty Motta John Ilko Rob Hamilton Dotty Motta This month s Image of the Quarter features a gallery of images from the photographers who took part in the December 2012 Sneak Peek Shutter Stroll at Curiosity Creek. This preserve, not currently open to the public, is located near Port Manatee in northern Manatee County. The land was deeded to the County by Gulfstream Natural Gas System after the property was restored to a beautiful uplands area. During this Sneak Peek Tour, photographers visited and took photos for the County to use to showcase the site. These photos chronicle the growth and success of the restoration as well as bring the location to life for those who may not otherwise see it. Thank you, photographers, for sharing your beautiful work! Scott Niblick

Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 Parks versus Preserves: Knowing Your County s Special Spaces Parks versus Preserves: Knowing Your County s Special Spaces Have

We make an intentional separation as our parks are intended for very active recreational activities such as playing baseball, swimming, and playing soccer.

While they provide recreational opportunities too, the activities offered are more passive and have less of an impact on the land.

Why is the distinction important? Because our behaviors are linked to how we identify these places.

3 Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 Parks versus Preserves: Knowing Your County s Special Spaces Parks versus Preserves: Knowing Your County s Special Spaces Have you ever wondered why places like Robinson and Emerson Point have preserve in their names? In Manatee County, there s a big difference between parks and preserves. We make an intentional separation as our parks are intended for very active recreational activities such as playing baseball, swimming, and playing soccer. The preserves, on the other hand, have restoration and conservation of resources as a high priority. While they provide recreational opportunities too, the activities offered are more passive and have less of an impact on the land. The Department also focuses on protecting, preserving, and improving the land in addition to providing visitors with great opportunities to enjoy those same protected resources. Why is the distinction important? Because our behaviors are linked to how we identify these places. In a study conducted by staff and our intern program graduate Amanda Croteau as part of her Master s degree at University of Florida, those visitors who correctly identified Robison as a preserve, and not a park, displayed a greater understanding of the preserve rules and their connection to protecting the land. They also were more likely to follow the rules and continue the attitude of conservation and preservation of the site. In a preserve, the site is more than just a place for the public to enjoy. It may be home to rare wildlife or plants, house historically or culturally significant resources, or include the headwaters of the drinking water for Manatee County. The word preserve indicates that these sites are special and may have special rules and regulations that help protect each location. You can help protect the places you love, and build awareness for their unique status, by remembering to call them preserves and share their special designation with others. Photos: Charles Warner at Emerson Point, George Case at Emerson Point, Sherry Kessel at Pine Island

Here at NRD, we re pretty proud of our volunteers.

volunteers working at both Emerson Point and Rye Preserve.

dedicated group of volunteers has attended each month, first selecting a

Workdays rotate monthly between weekday and weekend opportunities in order to

Check out these photos of our volunteers in action!

4 Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 Monthly Volunteer Workdays Make a Big Impact! Here at NRD, we re pretty proud of our volunteers. We are particularly excited to share the continual good works of a group of volunteers working at both Emerson Point and Rye Preserve. Each of these sites have been chosen for regular monthly workday and a dedicated group of volunteers has attended each month, first selecting a project and then working together to accomplish it. Workdays rotate monthly between weekday and weekend opportunities in order to make them available to everyone. Check out these photos of our volunteers in action! To join up, please call ext Photos (CW from top left): - Removing trash by cart at Rye Preserve - Collecting trash at Emerson Point - February 2013 Rye Preservers - January 2013 Emerson Point work group - Eradicating exotic invasive Caesar weed at Rye Preserve

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gif Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March Manatee County Natural 2013 Duette Preserve Celebrates 20 Years of Historical Hunting The 2012-2013

The program is an incredibly unique part of the Natural Resources Department; it is one of the only County-run hunt programs in the state.

these animal groups from growing too large and taxing the habitat as well as preventing disease and the unnatural die-offs that occur when a population

Duette s Hunt Program provides participants with the opportunity to hunt using traditional methods such as archery and fire arms, but never through the

This year the County increased the number of hunt opportunities to include a special youth turkey hunt and four summer hog hunts.

5 Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March Manatee County Natural 2013 Duette Preserve Celebrates 20 Years of Historical Hunting The calendar year marks the 20 th anniversary of Duette Preserve s Hunt Program. The program is an incredibly unique part of the Natural Resources Department; it is one of the only County-run hunt programs in the state. It is also an incredibly successful tool used to help with the management of deer, turkey, and hog populations, assisting land managers with keeping these animal groups from growing too large and taxing the habitat as well as preventing disease and the unnatural die-offs that occur when a population peeks too quickly. Duette s Hunt Program provides participants with the opportunity to hunt using traditional methods such as archery and fire arms, but never through the use of dog hunts. All hunters must participate in a state-sponsored Hunter Safety Course and County led Orientation class before hunting. This year the County increased the number of hunt opportunities to include a special youth turkey hunt and four summer hog hunts. The youth hunt is an expansion of the already popular annual youth hunt that provides families with the opportunity to experience nature, orienteering, tracking, and hunting together in a safe supportive environment. The summer hog hunts will serve to protect the newly planted longleaf pine trees that hogs will often dig up. These trees are part of the ongoing restoration activities at the site. To learn more about Duette s Hunt Program and the calendar for upcoming opportunities please visit

6 vz Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 At Home with the Eagles The Robinson Preserve bald eagle family has landed, and has a happy eagle chick to show for it! The egg was laid around December 20 th ; when one of the parents remains on the nest at all times it s a sure sign there s an egg in the nest. The egg hatched during the last week of January, identifiable by the behavior of the adults who feed the hatchling. The baby grows up quick, reaching several feet tall after only a few weeks. In the photo to the right, the dark brown baby is only about 5 weeks old! Robinson Preserve s Eagle Watch Volunteers are led by Volunteer Wayne Pellien who is at the preserve nearly every day in the morning with a spotting scope, volunteering his time so that others may catch a glimpse of the happy family. Other Eagle Watch Volunteers Emily and Mike assist in the afternoons, providing visitors with a chance to see the famly most days from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and around 2 p.m. in the afternoon. These days, both parents can be seen around the nest bringing food to the baby and we expect the young eagle to fledge and fly soon. Stop by and say hello to the family and our fabulous volunteers too! Rob Hamilton Doggie Do s and Don t s Did you know four-legged friends are welcomed at Manatee County s preserves? It s true! But if you re bringing your favorite furry pal please be sure you follow the preserve rules and County ordinances in order to make sure everyone can still enjoy bringing their pets to the preserves. DO: Keep your pet on a leash at all times. Use a leash no longer than 8 feet. Bring some water for your pet. Keep your pet on the trail at all times. Pick up pet waste immediately and dispose of it in trash receptacles. Visit and have fun! DON T: Allow your pet to chase after wildlife or other visitors. Leave pet waste to pick up later or decompose. Pet waste is not a natural part of the system and can harm other wildlife and pollute the waterways. Forget that hot days may bother pets too. Plan accordingly!

zz Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 Manatee County s

Check out the images below to see the exciting happenings within your conservation lands: Photos

Graduates of the Florida Paddle Trails Association s Environmental Toolkit Workshop held in

Photographers get a sneak peek of the new land at Robinson Preserve, and a special surprise talk

Nothing to be heard but the hundreds of birds flocking to Perico Bayou during the February 2013

7 zz Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 Manatee County s Conservation Lands and YOU! You never know who you might see in Manatee County s preserves. Check out the images below to see the exciting happenings within your conservation lands: Photos top down to right: 1. Graduates of the Florida Paddle Trails Association s Environmental Toolkit Workshop held in partnership with NRD at the Emerson Point Field Station. Wayne Douchkoff 2. Photographers get a sneak peek of the new land at Robinson Preserve, and a special surprise talk with Department Director Charlie Hunsicker, during the February 2013 Shutter Stroll. George Case 3. Nothing to be heard but the hundreds of birds flocking to Perico Bayou during the February 2013 Silence Stroll at Robinson Preserve. 3. Kids and parents work together to build the salt marsh food web, with a little help from the NRD puppets, during the February 2013 Life in the Salt Marsh family program at Robinson Preserve.

vp Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March 2013 012 Manatee County Natural Resources Department 415 10 th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 Natural Resources Department

Editor Aedan Stockdale Volunteer & Education Specialist Alan Lai Hipp Marine Resources Manager Johnny McLeod East County Superintendant Marcus Campion West County Superintendant Jayne Souders Sr.

8 vp Manatee County Natural Resources Department Issue 22: Jan/Feb/March Manatee County Natural Resources Department th Street West Bradenton, FL Natural Resources Department Administration Charlie Hunsicker Director Max Dersch Manager, Resource Management Division Rob Brown Manager, Environmental Protection Division Melissa Cain Nell Manager, Vol/Edu Division,Vistas Editor Aedan Stockdale Volunteer & Education Specialist Alan Lai Hipp Marine Resources Manager Johnny McLeod East County Superintendant Marcus Campion West County Superintendant Jayne Souders Sr. Fiscal Analyst Maggie Marr Grants Coordinator FREE Monthly Eco-Events! Be a part of our newsletter! We re looking for photos that illustrate the spirit of our preserves. Submit a photo in JPG format to Melissa.nell@mymanatee.org and your photograph might be featured in an upcoming issue of Vistas! PLEASE NOTE: Manatee County cannot return any photographs submitted to it. Submission of photographs or other images constitutes representation that the person making the submission has the legal authority to make the submission, and that Manatee County is granted permission to use the photographs or images without compensation in any of its print or web-based productions, including image databases and marketing materials. The County will make every effort to credit the artist, owner or photographer in such materials. Manatee County will not sell or market any individual image to the general public. FREE Paddle Manatee Guide This FREE publication features maps of the County s blueways, GPS coordinates, paddle tips, and much more. For a FREE copy, please call ext Wildlife Issues Please report any sightings of injured or deceased wildlife! For Emerson Point, Leffis Key, Robinson, and Riverview Pointe preserves call: For Rye Preserve call: For Duette Preserve call: Please leave a message if you are not able to reach a Ranger. Thank you!

2017 Calendar of Events

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2017 Calendar of Events Photo Courtesy of Clara Trill - 2nd Place Wildlife Friends Of Crab Orchard Photo Contest 2016 All events are free unless otherwise noted Free admission