Author: Anne Reed

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Join us for our pop-up SSS: Prescribed Fire

THIS EVENT WAS CANCELLED due to humidity levels dropping too low for a permit to be issued.

Conditions are right, and the permits are issued!

On Thursday, January 10, join Joeseph Bozzo and Thaddeus Penfield, SFWMD land managers for the CREW Project, along with CREW Trust staff, for an informative working Strolling Science Seminar on the use of prescribed fire as a land management tool.

You will learn about the role of fire in Florida’s natural landscape and how fire is used within the watershed. Participants will also observe a prescribed burn in-progress.

CLOTHING: Participants must wear long pants, closed-toe shoes or boots (and socks) and 100% cotton shirts (no polyester). Leather work gloves are recommended as well. Please bring water with you (plenty of water).

Tickets are limited to 15 participants. Member tickets are $15; non-member tickets are $20.

To register, visit our eventbrite page.

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Know before you go: Holiday Hiking

Looking for some vitamin D therapy this holiday week? The trails are waiting and wild Florida is happy to see you!

But before you slip on those flip flops (please no) and head out to one of the CREW Trails, check out a few of the things you might want to know before you go. It will save you the pain of fire ant bites if you DO opt for flip flops (again, please please please no).

For trail conditions, click here.

CREW Marsh Trails

Address: 4600 CR 850 (Corkscrew Road), Immokalee, FL 34142

Hours: Open every day, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset

Cost: Free; donations accepted

Facilities: Port-o-potty in parking lot; no trash cans – please pack it in, and pack it out

Miles of trails: 5.5 combined miles of looped trails

Wear: Closed-toe shoes, socks; pants advised if grass is high (as of 12/24/2018 grass is only high along Alternative Marsh trail)

Pack: Water, bug spray (if desired), snack

Safety: Fire ants do nest in disturbed areas along the edges of the trails, so please walk in the middle of the trails.

Can’t Miss Spot: Head out to the Observation Tower, which overlooks the 5,000-acre sawgrass marsh. The marsh is a key part of the watershed and helps filter the water that eventually ends up in the aquifer (and then, in your glass!)

Notes: Do not trust Google maps! Instead, follow these directions:

From Naples/Bonita Springs/S. Fort Myers: Travel  I-75 N to exit 123 (Corkscrew Rd.).  Go 18 miles east on Corkscrew Rd.  You will pass the CREW Cypress Dome Trails.  Go another 4 miles and you will see the CREW Marsh Trails on your right.  Look for the brown road signs.

From N Ft. Myers/Charlotte County/Lehigh Acres: travel I-75 to exit 138 (the ML King/S.R. 82 exit).  Travel east on S.Rr 82 toward Immokalee for 20 miles.  Watch for a small blue C.R. 850 sign, then turn right on C.R. 850 (Corkscrew Rd.).  The Marsh Trails are apporximately 2 miles down the road on your left.  Look for the brown road signs.

Trail Map:

Cypress Dome Trails and Caracara Prairie Preserve

Address: 3980 CR 850 (Corkscrew Road), Immokalee, FL 34142

Hours: Open every day, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset

Cost: Free; donations accepted

Facilities: Port-o-potty located close to parking lot on the beginning of the green loop (head toward Jim’s Pavillion)

Miles of trails: The Cypress Dome Trails offer six combined miles of looped trails and connects to Caracara Prairie Preserve, which is owned and managed by Conservation Collier.

Wear: Closed-toe shoes, socks and long pants recommended, especially as there may be muddy conditions in the middle of the Wild Coffee Trail (the farthest part of the white trail).

Pack: Water, snacks, bug spray. Bring extra water if you plan on heading out to Caracara Prairie Preserve as well.

Safety: December is small game hunting season and there are hunters on the property; hunting is monitored by FWC. Fire ants nest in distrubed areas along the sides of the trails, so walking in the middle of the trail is advised.

Can’t Miss Spot: Head out on the green trail (turn right from the trailhead) and it will wind around, past the pavillion, and then meet up with the blue trail (a shortcut). This is marker 4 on the map, and in front of you will be a beautiful Cypress Dome. It is almost dry this time of year, and you can see the water level marks on the bark. Take a photo of yourself or a family member next to the cypress tree so you can see how high the water gets in that area during rainy season!

Notes: Again, don’t trust Google Maps. Follow these directions:

From Naples/Bonita Springs/S. Fort Myers – Travel I-75 N to exit 123 (Corkscrew Rd.). Travel 14 miles east on Corkscrew Rd. The Cypress Dome Trails will be on your right just past a big curve to the left (north). Look for the brown trail signs.

From N Ft. Myers/Charlotte Co./Lehigh Acres: Travel I-75 to exit 138 (the ML King/S.R. 82 exit). Turn left (east) off the ramp. Travel 20 miles toward Immokalee (east) on S.R. 82. Turn right on C.R. 850 (Corkscrew Rd.). You will pass the CREW Marsh Trails at the 2-mile mark. Continue for 4 more miles. The Cypress Dome Trails will be on your left. Look for the brown road signs.

Trail Map:

Flint Pen Strand Trails

Address: 15970 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Hours: Open every day, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset

Cost: Free; donations accepted

Facilities: One port-o-potty located in the parking lot. No trash cans; pack it in, pack it out.

Miles of trails:  At this early stage, there is one trail open – the Billy G. Cobb Memorial Trail (red trail). It is approximately 1.5 miles long with a blue shortcut trail.

Wear: Closed-toe shoes, socks. Long pants if grass is long but at this time the grass should be short.

Pack: Water, bug spray.

Safety: This trail is not flat and has a lot of terrain changes. Fire ants are a hazard as they like to nest in disturbed areas along the trail.

Can’t Miss Spot: The Melaleuca ghost forest, an area of invasive trees that were treated years ago and are now dead. This area shows what happens when you remove the invasives and allow the land to heal itself, and you will spot young slash pine that are growing and will eventually help this spot return to a hydric pine flatwood.

Notes: Park in the parking lot (and not along the side of Vincent Road). Stick to the marked trails at this time, as some of the surrounding area is privately owned.

Trail Map:

Bird Rookery Swamp Trails

Address: 1295 Shady Hollow Boulevard, Naples, FL 34120

Hours: Open every day, one hour before sunrise to one hour past sunset

Cost: Free; donations accepted

Facilities: Two port-o-potties in the parking lot; no trash cans – pack it in, pack it out

Miles of trails: One almost-13-mile loop. There are no shortcuts back to the parking lot, nor are there any vehicles to come get you if you go out too far and are too tired to walk back.

Wear: Closed-toe shoes, socks, bug spray.

Pack: Snacks and plenty of water, especially if you are going to do the full loop. The swamp is quite humid and you can get dehydrated quickly on a warm day.

Safety: Turn around before you feel tired. This is very important at this trail system, as we have had people head out too far, then decide they cannot walk back to the parking lot – and their only option is to call 911.

Also, this trail is home to numerous alligators. Read all alligator safety signs – you will pass several in the parking lot. Remember this is their home, and you are a visitor. Turn around and go the other way if an alligator is on the path. You may not throw rocks or harass the alligators; if you see someone doing this, call FWC law enforcement.

The walking of dogs/pets is NOT recommended at this trail due to the presence of alligators.

Can’t Miss Spot: The lake at the culvert, just past the boardwalk. You may see alligators, great white egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills and the occasional limpkin feeding in the water.

Notes: Please read all signs and safety information. For first time visitors, a short, easy walk is to head out to the short boardwalk, walk to the first pond, then turn around and head back. This will be around a mile and you will see cypress trees, red maple, wildflowers, ferns, air plants, migratory song birds, herons and more.

Trail Map:

 

BRS sign

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Check out what you might see at Bird Rookery Swamp this week!

Long-time CREW Trust volunteer naturalist Dick Brewer is a treasure-trove of information and brilliant citizen scientist. This week’s critter count includes a chicken turtle, almost 30 red-bellied woodpeckers and a great photo of two crested caracaras. Interested in making your own critter count during your next hike? Print out Dick’s BIRD ROOKERY SWAMP Wildlife Checklist and take it with you!

Bird Rookery Swamp

Wednesday, December 19 ~~ 7:05 AM – 1:00 PM

temperature: 54.0-76.0º ~~ RH 85.5-60.5%

sky: sun early, clouds late ~~ wind: calm at start, then 8-12 mph

BIRDS

Wood Duck – 2

Double-crested Cormorant – 5

Anhinga – 28

Great Blue Heron – 11

Great Egret – 10

Snowy Egret – 3

Little Blue Heron – 7

Tri-colored Heron – 3

Cattle Egret – 1

Green Heron – 4

Black-crowned Night Heron – 11

White Ibis – 22

Roseate Spoonbill – 1

Wood Stork – 2

Black Vulture – 12

Turkey Vulture – 26

Osprey – 1

Red-shouldered Hawk – 14

Crested Caracara – 2

American Kestrel – 1

Common Gallinule – 1

Killdeer – 5

Mourning Dove – 2

Barred Owl – 2

Belted Kingfisher – 8

Red-bellied Woodpecker – 28

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 4

Downy Woodpecker – 1

Pileated Woodpecker – 8

Great-crested Flycatcher – 1

Eastern Phoebe –  7

Carolina Wren – 13

House Wren – 1

Blue Jay – 1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 21

Northern Mockingbird – 2

Gray Catbird – 21

Common Yellowthroat – 1

Palm Warbler – 5

Pine Warbler – 1

Northern Cardinal – 4

Common Grackle – 77

BUTTERFLIES

White Peacock – 21

Phaon Crescent – 1

Barred Yellow – 16

Tropical Checker – 1

HERPS

Alligator – 11

Brown Anole – 1

Banded Water Snake – 1

Red-bellied Turtle – 5

Florida Chicken Turtle – 2

MAMMALS

River Otter – 2

Raccoon – 1

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Let CREW help YOU with your holiday gift ideas

If you are searching for the perfect gift idea for the nature-minded people in your life, we’re here to help!

Whether you’re looking for something for the new-to-nature person in your life or the trail veteran, check out a few of our recommendations.

For the New Birder

The Bird Watching Answer Book: Everything you need to know to enjoy birds in your backyard and beyond (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

“That is a really cute stocking-stuffer kind of book,” said volunteer Barbara Centola. “It is the kind of book you would put on your nightstand and read a couple of pages at night.” She purchased one and is planning on giving it to a friend who has shown interest in birding.

For the sentimental hiker

“I love a good walking stick,” said Brenda Brooks, executive director. “And I love to collect hiking medallions to remind me of where I’ve been. It’s an inexpensive way to remember your hike.”

CREW Hiking Medallions (available for Bird Rookery Swamp, CREW Marsh Trails and Cypress Dome Trails ($5 each; limited quantities for local pick-up only; email anne@crewtrust.org)

For the Trail Runner

Goodr Sunglasses

Tired of glasses that fall off your face when you’re out on a run – or even when you’re clearing Caesar weed? These no-slip, no-bounce glasses are the real deal and trail tested by Anne (hence the Caesar weed reference). And with frame names like “Frank’s Llama Land Ditty” and “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” they give the gift of a good chuckle, too.

For the four-legged hiker

“I love the water bottles with the drinking tray attached,” said Anne Reed, mom of two dogs, Brady (10.5 year old lab) and Sheila (2 year old chihuahua). “My dogs think it’s fun and it is easier than me carrying an extra water bottle and collapsible bowl in my pack.”

KONG H2O Stainless Steel Dog Water Bottle

For the Fun-Loving CREW Trust Friend

Stuff those stockings with tickets to the 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars! You’ll be giving the gift of a fabulous night out with live music, great food, craft beer from Momentum Brewhouse and our very unique silent eco-auction! AND, most importantly, supporting our Dr. David R. Cooper Education fund.

2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars tickets

For the inquisitive walker

We joke that there are two types of hikers – point to point hikers, who go go go; and those that move inches in an hour. Sometimes those exist all in the same family! This book is great for the slow-moving hiker who stops to take pictures of panther scat (ANNE) and for the speedy hiker who needs to stop and smell the paw-paw.

The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs

For the “I Don’t Know What I want” friend

Take them on a hike! Gift wrap this coupon for a free hike and then take your friend out on one of the CREW Trust trails. Whether you spend the hike identifying wildflowers, searching the sky for Caracaras, or just catching up, time spent together is the best gift of all. The trails are open every day, sunrise to sunset. Feel free to print one of these fun gift cards and use it to schedule time out in nature with your friends and family! Oh, and if you want to give the gift of a guided walk, register yourself and a friend for one of our upcoming free guided walks.

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#GivingTuesday

Our mission seems very simple – protect and preserve the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.

Originally we pursued this mission through assisting with land acquisition and funding. But that has slowly transitioned over time to teaching people about the importance of preserving and protecting our most valuable natural resource – water – through protecting the watershed.

We do not host a lot of fundraisers, and we are extremely transparent as an organization. Our members and donors contributed 41% of our funding in 2017. And for each dollar the CREW Trust spends, 88 cents of that dollar goes towards our programming, 8 cents is spent on fundraising, and only 4 cents is spent on administration.

Because we focus so much on providing quality environmental education programs, and many of those are free, your donation has a huge impact. Today, on #givingtuesday, we are so very thankful for the support our members and donors have given us over the years and the commitment you have to helping provide environmental education to the residents, students and visitors in Southwest Florida.

If you would like to donate to the CREW Trust on #givingtuesday, we have several options:

Facebook is matching donations today, and we do have a goal of raising $500. You can donate directly through Facebook.

You can make a donation through our website and designate it as a general donation OR as a donation to the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund.

You can become a member of the CREW Trust and receive discounted tickets for our seasonal education programs and invitations to members-only events.

Whether you choose to give today, on #givingtuesday, or at a later date – or are previous donor and supporter – please know that your support has a significant impact, and we appreciate you and your contributions.

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CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails

Physical Address: 15970 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Hours: One hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset

Trails/Facilities: Free – donations appreciated, Open to public

Click to Download: CREW FPS Trail Map

Map created by CREW Trust volunteer Wendy Richardson

FPS Wildlife Checklist 2023Download

 

 Activities:

*There are private properties near the CREW Flint Pen Strand Hiking Trails. The public should remain on marked trails and not enter areas marked as private property.

From Fort Myers: From I-75 S, take exit 116 and turn east on Bonita Beach Road. Travel approximately 3.8 miles and turn left onto Vincent Road. The trail head and main parking lot are on the left. Continue further down Vincent Road and make your first right for the Pine parking lot. A third parking option may be reached by making an immediate right after turning left off of Bonita Beach Road. 

From Naples: From I-75 N, take exit 116 and turn east on Bonita Beach Road. Travel approximately 3.8 miles and turn left onto Vincent Road. The trail head and main parking lot are on the left. Continue further down Vincent Road and make your first right for the Pine parking lot. A third parking option may be reached by making an immediate right after turning left off of Bonita Beach Road.

What you need to know about the Purple Trail

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Four reasons to add a hike to your Thanksgiving plans

Turkey. Pumpkin Pie. Apple Pie. Salted Caramel Pecan Pie.

Can you tell we really love pie?

We also like wearing normal pants to work and leaving our elastic waist pants at home, which means a little friendly exercise may be in order this weekend. And if you’ve got serious pie plans like us, we’ve got four reasons you should hit the trails this holiday weekend.

Reason #1: Burn, baby, burn

According to Livestrong.com, one hour of hiking burns between 430 and 460 calories if a person weighs 160 pounds. The amount of calories burned doesn’t just vary based on weight; it also varies based on terrain. Because most of Southwest Florida is flat, we probably burn less calories, but the article says nothing about how the high humidity makes us sweat buckets. And, since Americans consume between 3,000 and 4,000 calories during Thanksgiving Dinner, a few hours on the trail Thursday before turkey time might be a good idea.

Reason #2: Nature therapy

Trail running, forest bathing, communing with nature, hugging the trees – however it is that you enjoy the outdoors, you are getting actual benefits. Spending time outdoors can have significant positive impacts on your health – including reducing stress. Hit the trails and hike away the family drama or Black Friday shopping trauma – whatever you need to escape from, let the fresh air and warm Florida sun wash it all away.

photo credit: Bill Zaino

Reason #3: Make memories

We see it all too often during our education programs – today’s kids just don’t have the freedom and opportunity to run wild outside. Make some memories this weekend with your kids and grandkids and take a hike. Not sure what you’re doing? Grab a map at the kiosk and head out to the observation tower at the CREW Marsh trails – there and back is a very manageable (approximately) one mile hike. Your curious guests may ask a ton of questions but remember that, to enjoy nature, you don’t have to KNOW nature. Not sure what that purple wildlfower is? Download an app ahead of time to identify it OR just call it a PPW (pretty purple wildflower). Or completely make up a name because your six year old niece has no idea whether or not that flower is called a Pecanpie regretticus.

Reason #4: Florida fall

Yes, we actually do have fall here in Florida. It’s the tail end of our fall wildflower season and the red maples are turning glorious color and dropping their foliage. If you truly miss the smell of falling leaves, head out to the CREW Marsh Trails and scuff your feet through the thin layer of maple leaves that is collecting on the boardwalk. The cypress trees in Bird Rookery Swamp are changing colors as well and will soon briefly lose their needles. And don’t forget about the animals – the red-shouldered hawks are really active right now as they prepare for mating season. Unlike most animals on the trails, the noisy shrieks of the hawks completely overpowers any loud little children you’ve brought with you.

 

If you do hit the trails this weekend, please remember to do so safely – take water, wear closed-toe shoes (to protect against fire ants), grab a map from the kiosk and turn back towards the parking lot before you feel tired. And remember to practice the leave no trace principles – leave nothing but footprints.

 

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CREW Stanley Hole Golf Tournament raises $16,000 for environmental education

On Friday, October 26, 22 teams of golfers teed off to raise funds for the CREW Trust’s environmental education programs.


Thanks to the support of the golfers and our sponsors, the 2018 CREW Stanley Hole Golf Tournament raised $16,000. The proceeds will go towards purchasing supplies for our k-12 field trips, providing stipends for the leaders of our adults-only Strolling Science Seminars and so much more.

The success of this fundraiser year after year is due in part to the tremendous support we receive from area golf course superintendents and our generous sponsors. Thank you again to our sponsors and participants, and we look forward to seeing you next year!

2018 CREW Stanley Hole Golf Tournament Sponsors

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Become a sponsor of our 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars!

Brenda Brooks, executive director of CREW Land & Water Trust, with Kim Ruiz, CREW Trust Board of Trustees member and presenting sponsor of the 2018 CREW Concert.

Our concert is our biggest fundraiser each year and this year we hope is no exception. Proceeds help fund the CREW Trust’s environmental education programs but this year we’re changing things up a bit and all proceeds will go towards the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund.

Most of our sponsors have been supporting this event for years and we couldn’t have such a successful event without their support.

Sponsors enjoy special perks, including tickets to the VIP Cafe at the concert. This special area, exclusively for VIP ticket holders and their guests, offers table seating close to the stage at Riverside Park and a fully catered meal from Niko’s Kitchen.

For most of our sponsors, though, sponsoring this event is about so much more than great food and the atmosphere of the VIP Cafe.

“I originally sponsored the CREW concert to give back to the place where I first learned Southwest Florida wildflowers,” explained Kim Ruiz, CREW Trust member, Trustee, volunteer and member of the concert committee. In 2018, Kim’s company, EcoPlanz Inc, was the presenting sponsor for the CREW Concert. “I continue sponsoring to support the expanding educational programs so people of all ages can be immersed in the wonders of water, land, and wildlife.”

Brian Farrar, Vice-Chairman of the CREW Trust Board of Trustees, President of BCF Management Group, CREW Trust member and concert committee member, has also been a sponsor for many years. “Being a CREW Concert sponsor has afforded my wife and I the opportunity to give back to our Southwest Florida community in what we believe is one of the most important ways: educating our future leaders on the importance of water resources and environmental preservation. If we don’t explain this need and delicate balance, our wonderful way of life will be gone before we know it.”

If you are looking for a way to support the concert and help us build the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund, please consider becoming a concert sponsor and enjoy the event as a VIP! Download a 2019 CREW Concert Sponsor Flyer or email brenda@crewtrust.org for more information on becoming a sponsor.