Alachua Conservation Trust Adds to Paynes Prairie

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet approved an option agreement today between the state of Florida and the Alachua Conservation Trust, Inc. to expand recreational opportunities and conserve precious natural resources. The 500 acres located southeast of Gainesville is a critical addition to the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and a deal the state has been looking to strike since the early 1970s.

“With Governor Crist’s and the Cabinet member’s signatures on this agreement we finalize an important project that will help promote nature-based tourism and be a beautiful area for Floridians and visitors to enjoy,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Paynes Prairie is rich in natural resources and today’s agreement will help protect important wildlife habitat and at the same time enhance recreational opportunities.”

Paynes Prairie stretches out across 21,000 acres and is a natural resource of national importance.  In 1971, Paynes Prairie was designated a national landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior because it possesses exceptional value in illustrating U.S. heritage and is one of only 600 designations nationwide.  Paynes Prairie contains more than 800 plants and a large variety of wildlife including bison, cracker horses and more than 270 species of birds.

Since a significant portion of the Paynes Prairie basin is located on this property, it is important for Floridians to possess ownership.  As part of the recreational planning process a trail hub to connect Prairie Creek Preserve to the east and Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is being explored. Acquiring the land will protect the amount and quality of water that feeds Paynes Prairie, help conserve wildlife habitat, increase recreational activities and provide better park management.

An Alternate Opinion on SeaWorld Death

ORLANDO - So today, we have a trainer who died at the hands of killer whale of stage-name Shamu, whose actual name is Tilikum aka Tilly.

There’s a reason why they call the breed a killer whale. Its because, well, they’ve got a bit of a streak in ‘em. They get that streak from being in the ocean, where they kind of rule the joint.

Apparently, Tilly was “was thrashing her around pretty good” and killed the trainer just before the start of a small-group public performance, the Orlando Sentinel newspaper said.

The Sentinel reported that SeaWorld President Dan Brown made a statement on the issue, saying that he had “initiated an investigation to determine, to the extent possible, what occurred.”

There will, of course, be an investigation. But looking back at the last time we were at the show, it was quite far from the quiet, respectful shows of old. The music was loud, deafening, almost angry. It was very tribal, with heavy bass. Creepy, in fact.

Believe, they said! They give the kid a necklace. Loud music. Screams. Bring the animal out! So loud music, a small, contained area, a large killer whale and age, and you have the recipe for a mess.

Frankly, we didn’t like it. And we can see while Tilly, who is getting old and crotchety, would not like it either. Sad to say that the trainer died.

Animals get bored. The animals get old. And these whales are wild. But the Shamu show, we think, had to play a part in it.

Love for some other thoughts on the issue.

See Lu, Daktari Star, At Homosassa Springs

TALLAHASSEE- Lu, resident hippopotamus at Homosassa Springs, last week celebrated his 50th birthday with park staff, visitors and Homosassa Elementary School students who presented the hippo with his own birthday cake.

A fixture at Homosassa Springs since 1964, Lu’s claim to fame is his role as a former movie and television star with the Ivan Tors Animal Actors troupe, which wintered at the park while in private ownership. He is credited in the 1960s movies Daktari and Cowboy in Africa, and in television specials such as Jack Linkletter Show and Herb Alpert Special.

“This year marks a special milestone for both Homosassa Springs and the state park system as a whole,” said Homosassa Springs Manager Art Yerian in a press release. “Both a 50th birthday and the 75th anniversary of Florida State Parks makes this a great time for residents and guests to experience the fascinating wildlife and affordable fun at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.”

Lu, an African Hippopotamus, was born at the San Diego Zoo on January 26, 1960.  He weighed 90 pounds at birth and now weighs more than 6,000 pounds.  As a vegetarian, Lu consumes 15 pounds of alfalfa hay, four scoops of herbivore diet and a five gallon bucket of vegetables and fruit every day.

Although Lu’s fame has remained steady for more than four decades, his state park habitat was once jeopardized.  When the Florida Park Service purchased the attraction in 1989, the state planned to shift the emphasis of the park to native Florida wildlife and find homes for all the exotic species, including Lu.  Public support, however, led Governor Lawton Chiles to grant Lu an exemption in 1991.  Special Florida citizenship has allowed Lu to stay at the park, and his fans to continue to display their appreciation annually at his birthday celebration.

Located 20 miles north of Florida’s newest state park Weeki Wachee Springs, Homosassa Springs is one of the region’s most popular attractions. An underwater manatee observatory provides a unique view of Florida’s famed sea cows. In addition, a 1,600-foot Wildlife Walk showcases the natural habitats of bobcats, cougars, otters, bears and hundreds of birds. The state park also offers boat tours, trails, picnicking and an interactive Children’s Education Center and Museum. To learn more about Homosassa Springs and Lu the hippo, visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings/default.cfm.

Washington Oaks Named to National Register

FLAGLER - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Washington Oaks Gardens State Park was recently listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. The designation includes the homes, gardens and groves of Louise P. and Owen D. Young and is only the second Historic place to be listed in Flagler County.

“Florida’s state parks protect a number of federal and state designated historic landmarks, demonstrating our commitment to preserving Florida’s heritage,” said Florida State Parks Director, Mike Bullock in a press release.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is the 39th Florida state park to receive designation on the National Register of Historic Places. In order to be on the list, a property must pass the National Register criteria. This criteria includes age, integrity and historical significance and is coordinated through State Historic Preservation Offices.

General Joseph Hernandez, a Floridian of Minorcan descent, purchased the land that now comprises the park in 1818 and named it “Bella Vista,” meaning “beautiful view” in Spanish. Hernandez was a militia general who commanded troops in north Florida during the Second Seminole War. On his many land holdings, Hernandez raised cotton, sugar and crops to feed his family and staff.

Much of what remains in the park today was left by Mr. Owen D. Young and his wife Louise, who bought the property in 1936 as a winter retreat. Mr. Young helped found Radio Corporation of America and became Chairman of the Board of the General Electric Company in 1922. Mrs. Young donated the property to the state of Florida in 1964 following the death of Mr. Young.

Today’s visitors to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park can enjoy hiking and biking, nature trails, wildlife viewing, beaches, fishing and interpretive exhibits in addition to the park’s gardens.

The National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. The national program, authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, coordinates and supports public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. To learn more about the National Register of Historic Places, visit www.nps.gov/nr.

To follow Florida’s state parks on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/FLStateParks. For more information about Florida’s state parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.

Florida Hunting Season, 2009-10

TALLAHASSEE - Below are official hunting dates from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Seasons and dates are not applicable to wildlife management areas.

Season                        Northwest Zone            Central Zone            South Zone

Archery                        Oct. 17 – Nov. 15         Sept. 26 – Oct. 25    Sept. 12 – Oct. 11

Deer-dog training        Oct. 31 – Nov. 19         Oct. 3-22                Oct. 3-22

Crossbow                     Nov. 30 – Dec. 6          Oct. 26-30              Oct. 12-16

Muzzleloading gun       Nov. 20-22                 Oct. 31 – Nov. 8       Oct. 17-25 Feb. 18-28

General gun                  Nov. 26-29                 Nov. 14 – Jan. 24     Oct. 31 – Jan. 10, Dec. 12 – Feb. 17

Antlerless deer              Dec. 19-25                  Nov. 21-27            Nov. 7-13

Fall turkey*                   Nov. 26-29                  Nov. 14 – Jan. 10    Nov. 14 – Jan. 10, Dec. 12 – Jan. 17

Quail and gray squirrel  Nov. 14 – March 7        Nov. 14 – March 7   Nov. 14 – March 7

Bobcat and otter            Dec. 1 – March 1         Dec. 1 – March 1      Dec. 1 – March 1

Spring turkey                 March 20 – April 25**  March 20 – April 25  March 6 – April 11

Wild hogs, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, skunks, nutrias, beavers and coyotes may be taken year-round.

* No fall harvest of turkeys allowed in Holmes County.
** Spring turkey season is limited to March 20 – April 4 in Holmes County.

Coral Parties off Fort Lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH -The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP), the Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department (EPGMD), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) announced today that staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), a federally designated threatened coral species, is thriving off the coast of Broward County. Read more

Naples Botanical Garden Opens in November

NAPLES – Naples Botanical Garden’s 170-acre tropical garden will open to the public in November 2009. Designed by what the Miami Herald dubbed a “dream team” of internationally renowned landscape architects, Naples Botanical Garden will also include a unique 90-acre nature sanctuary with seven different ecosystems that is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Visit www.naplesgarden.org for more details.

New Board for Friends of Florida State Parks

TALLAHASSEE - The Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. today announced its new officers and board members for the 2009-10 fiscal year. FFSP is the statewide citizen support organization for the Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service.

“The Friends of Florida State Parks is a non-profit support group dedicated to enhancing and promoting Florida’s state parks,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “I would like to welcome the new additions to the Board, who I am confident will play a vital role in preserving Florida’s natural and cultural resources.”

The unanimously elected FFSP members include:

• President - Elaine McLaughlin, Bokeelia, Florida, University of Florida, Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sports Management
• President-Elect - Virgie Thompson, Freeport, Florida, Retired
• Secretary - Tammy Gustafson, Orlando, Florida, Universal Orlando Resort
• Treasurer - Don Jung, Winter Park, Florida, Retired CPA
• Board Member - Harvey Campbell, Lake City, Florida, Columbia County Tourist Development Council
• Board Member - Jon Friedrichs, Jupiter, Florida, JLA Geosciences, Inc.
• Board Member - Sally Hess, Dunedin, Florida, Retired
• Board Member - Liza McFadden, Tallahassee, Florida, Volunteer USA Foundation

“The mission of the Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. is to preserve nature based recreation opportunities for future generations,” said President Elaine McLaughlin. “We are all truly proud to be serving as board members for such a commendable organization.”

For more information and a complete list of board members, or to join the FFSP, see www.friendsoffloridastateparks.com.

Hunting for White Ibis in Orange Lake

ALACHUA COUNTY - One of the great pleasures of Florida birdwatching is the white ibis (Guara alba). In the evening, they tend to pick insects in lawns and fields, and in most cases are not afraid of humans, and so come in close enough so you can get a good look. Often, they are in groups; if you are lucky,  you can spy a mother and her young. Read more

Tarpon DNA Sought From Sport Fisherman

Anglers from across the state are helping biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the Mote Marine Laboratory gather valuable information about tarpon. Results from the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study yield new insight into how tarpon can survive catch-and-release angling and how tarpon move throughout Florida waters.

FWRI biologists analyze tarpon DNA samples submitted by anglers. Each sample identifies a tarpon’s genetic “fingerprint,” providing a unique and natural tag for that individual fish. Scientists compare new tarpon DNA samples with cataloged samples to determine if someone caught and sampled the tarpon previously.

Using DNA as a tag is a cost-effective, less-invasive way to identify individual tarpon. Because a genetic code never changes, it is a permanent way to identify fish; conventional tags tend to break or dislodge.

So far, anglers have provided more than 3,000 DNA samples. Biologists have recorded 23 recaptured tarpon from locations across the state, including Miami, the Florida Keys, Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and the Indian River Lagoon. Biologists welcome samples from tarpon caught regardless of capture location or fish size.

Anglers who would like to participate in this study can obtain a free, easy-to-use tarpon DNA sampling kit by e-mailing TarponGenetics@MyFWC.com or by calling 800-367-4461.

Biologists will send participating anglers an annual newsletter with updates on the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study. Anglers will also receive additional information about specific fish they caught as it becomes available.

Anglers who submit a tarpon DNA sample to this program are entered into random drawings for various prizes.

For more information on the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study, visit http://research.MyFWC.com.

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