Category: Misc

We’re counting down to our concert and are very excited to share our 2017 Silent Eco-Auction items!

But, with 47 (YES! 47!) auction lots, we’re going to split the preview up into a few posts.

We know you, our members and friends, spend a lot of time outside, on the trails, in the water, slopping through mud and hiking under the sun. Take a look at the following items that will help you treat yourself off the trails.

Auction Lot #37 – A year of chocolate

From Norman Love Confections, the winner will receive a selection of Norman Love artisan chocolates once a month for a year. Chocolatiers will select fifteen artisan chocolates from Love’s signature line and deliver them, each box decorated for the season. Read more about one of the top chocolatiers in North America at normanloveconfections.com.

Auction Lot # 5 – Port of the Islands Everglades Package

The Naples, Marco, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau has assembled everything you need for an exciting Everglades vacation! Includes a 3-day, 2-night stay at the Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort, $100 Everglades Area Tour Voucher and a Paradise Coast cooler packed with goodies including a beach towel and sunscreen. For more information on Port of the Islands Everglades Resort, visit sunstream.com/everglades/port-islands.

Auction Lot #12-13 – Native Bird Boxes

These lots are the perfect way to pass the treats on to your feathered friends. Up for bid are a Wood Duck box and an Eastern Screech Owl box, both handcrafted locally in Estero by Native Bird Boxes. The boxes are designed to encourage nesting. You can find more information on Native Bird Boxes on their Facebook page.

Auction Lot #39 – Freshwater Pearl Choker

Looking for a little something to catch the moonlight on your next night hike?  Up for bid is a 16″ choker made of stunning freshwater pearls. This gorgeous set must be seen to be truly appreciated and you can see it in person on Feb. 18 at our concert.

Auction Lot # 36 – Casa Ybel Resort Experience

Ocean views and elegant dining await the winning bidder of this lot. Enjoy a 3-day 2-night stay in a 1-bedroom ocean-view suite plus an elegant dinner in the historic setting of Thistle Lodge Restaurant.

Want to see more? Get your tickets now for our 2017 CREW Concert & Silent Eco-Auction on Feb. 18 from 5-9 p.m. at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.

It’s prescribed burning season, and this week kicks off a series of posts on the topic. 

We’re entering a drier-than-normal season, and you, the residents that live on lands that border on the CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed) Management area, have likely seen a column of smoke during the day.

It’s not a wildfire; it’s a prescribed burn.

Prescribed fire is an important land management tool in Florida, an attempt to replicate the beneficial effects of natural fires under optimal weather condition and with trained personnel.

Dead leaves, palm fronds, needles, tree limbs and more accumulate on the ground and, as they dry, are a fuel source, just waiting to ignite from a natural source like lightning or a human-related cause such as a lit cigarette. That would create wildfire, which will burn hot and out of control.

A prescribed burn is managed by certified, trained professionals with a permit from the Florida Forest Service. Those permits are only issued when weather conditions are conducive to burning and issued the day of the burn once weather conditions are more predictable.

The prescribed burn benefits the land by removing dead vegetation and benefits wildlife by creating natural openings and stimulating fruit and seed production as food sources.

But how, exactly, does a prescribed burn affect you?

As a homeowner, a prescribed burn decreases the chances of a wildfire occurring near your home. Wildfires can cause damage to homes and personal property and, on occasion, loss of life. The benefits of prescribed burning far outweigh the temporary effects of the burn such as residual smoke and ash.

Most smoke and ash should be reduced within about 24 hours. Residents with medical conditions, such as respiratory issues, should take appropriate precautions by staying inside until the fire is extinguished. For residents concerned about ash from the prescribed burns, preventative measures can be taken, such as covering pools, bringing patio furniture inside and pulling vehicles into garages.

For more information on prescribed burns, visit myfwc.com/rxburn and floridaforestservice.com. If you would like more information on being a fire-wise homeowner and community, visit firewise.org.

This article was prepared for newsletters in communities that border the CREW Management area. If you would like to use this article in a community newsletter or request a presentation for your community on prescribed burns, contact Anne Reed (anne@crewtrus.mystagingwebsite.com). 

If you haven’t made it out to one of our free guided walks at Bird Rookery Swamp, located at 1295 Shady Hollow Blvd. in Naples, then you are in luck! We are adding more walks starting in February.

Chrissy Podos and Dr. Jack Shine will lead guided walks at our most popular trail system, which received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor in 2016.

Each guide will infuse their area of expertise into the walk and interpret the trail in their own style. These added walks will not only differ from each other, but also from the guided hikes currently led by our knowledgeable volunteers.

Dr. Jack Shine will lead walks February 9 and 23; March 9, 16, and 30; and April 13.

Chrissy Podos will lead walks on February 2 and 16; March 2 and 23; and April 6.

Pre-registration is required for each guided walk. To reserve your spot, visit eventbrite.com/o/crew-land-amp-water-trust-1047111831.

Now is the right time for you to join the ranks of the CREW Trust Volunteers. Not only will you help promote and protect the premiere watershed in Southwest Florida, you’ll also receive training that will launch you into the exciting upcoming season without any wait time.

Short, friendly training sessions will be held once each month during January, February and March. You’ll interact with seasoned naturalists and partner with veteran volunteers who share your passion and interests.

We’re searching for volunteers to act as trail stewards, make presentations, assist with environmental field trips and more. Tell us what interests you and we will try to match your talents and wishes with our needs. 

For a volunteer application, visit crewtrust.org/volunteer. Our first volunteer training session for 2017 is Jan. 12 and we’d love to see you there. If you have questions, please call our office at 239-657-2253 or email anne@crewtrus.mystagingwebsite.com.