You’ve seen them. You may have even heard them bellow. But how much do you really know about the science of the American Alligator? Here’s your chance to learn what makes this amazing animal tick, how it helps other species, and what it does to impact the functioning of wetlands in south Florida.
Sign up today for the last CREW Strolling Science Seminar of this season, The American Alligator: Engineers of the Everglades led by Ian Bartoszek, biologist with The Conservancy of SWFL. This walking seminar will be held at the Bird Rookery Swamp Trails on Saturday, March 29th, 9 AM to noon. Registration is required. Register today by clicking here ( http://goo.gl/VTX8lR ).
This past weekend Boy Scout Troop 11 got a real surprise while hiking the CREW Marsh Trails. Here’s what troop leader Jeff Dodd shared:
My group was out at CREW on Saturday backpacking. We stayed at the gate 3 campsite Saturday night. On the way to camp we were hiking along the Pop Ash Slough Trail and we came across a fawn standing in the trail. As it saw us approach it went into “stealth” mode crouching to get as flat as possible to the ground. Of course this little fella was right in the middle of the trail but I’m sure it thought it was hiding.
CrouchingFawn by JeffDodd
Fawns less than two weeks old usually crouch in place, rather than bolt away. It’s their way of “disappearing in place” because they are not quick enough yet to escape most predators. What a great sighting for this troop of scouts. Thanks to Jeff for sharing the story and the photo with us. And thanks for respecting the fawn and leaving it alone and safe!
If you have CREW wildlife sightings you’d like to share, please let us know so we can post them here for all to see.
Visitors and volunteers to CREW’s Bird Rookery Swamp got a shock on Wednesday, March 5th, when they discovered two resident water moccasins had been killed – heads smashed – and left by the side of the trail. The two moccasins had been visible sunning themselves on a log or by the base of a tree for weeks in the same spot near the old railroad tie exhibit along the south tram. They had become regular sightings as well as a good teaching tool for guided walks. Then, suddenly, they were dead – killed on purpose by humans.
It is beyond our comprehension that any visitor who cares at all about the environment and the wildlife of Bird Rookery Swamp would think it OK to take the lives of two creatures who make their home there. While snakes are often the objects of fear for many humans, they rarely strike at people who keep their distance and respect their space. These two snakes belonged in Bird Rookery Swamp, maintaining the balance of nature and acting in the role they were born to play. Now, they are gone.
The primary purpose of the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) project is to protect the land, water, and wildlife resources within the watershed. Recreation and public access is a secondary goal. Water and wildlife come first – always. So, it is the responsibility of each visitor to be respectful and to give all wildlife (and plants) the space they need to go about their business with the least stress possible. That means giving the alligators a wide berth (and NOT throwing sticks at them), being careful not to step on snakes crossing the trail, keeping dogs on leash and children under control, and taking photographs from a respectful distance. Our personal safety and the safety and well-being of all the animals which reside there is the responsibility of each and and every person who visits the trails. Educate your friends and family. Do your part. Be respectful. Leave the animals to live their lives in relative peace.
FWC law enforcement officers do patrol the CREW trails, but they can’t be there at all times, so it is up to each visitor to honor the place and the animals and show the respect they deserve. If you see anyone harming plants or animals within CREW, please report the violation immediately to the FWC Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). Information leading to an arrest can make you eligible for up to a $1000 reward.
Let’s make sure the trails remain open to the public by protecting the animals that live there and share their space with us!
We are happy to announce an additional Spring Wildflower Walk has been added to our spring schedule. Local authors and wildflower experts, Glen Stacell and Dr. Gary Schmelz have agreed to lead a walk at the CREW Marsh Trails on Friday, April 4th. Register today for this one-time walk. Click the link below to register…
There are still tickets available for this CREW Strolling Science Seminar, Paleo-Plants that the Dinosaurs Ate – Ferns of CREW. Jack Berninger, teacher and naturalist, will lead this in-depth strolling seminar to help you learn to identify ferns and their relatives and discuss the natural history and science related to these primitive plants. Register today for this popular seminar.
Brian Beckner, owner of Native Bird Boxes, has generously donated four new hand-crafted bluebird boxes to the CREW project and is installing them today at the CREW Cypress Dome Trails with the assistance of FWC biologist Kathleen Smith and CREW Trust Executive Director Brenda Brooks. These boxes will enhance habitat and encourage bluebird nesting on CREW properties. If you’re hiking at the Cypress Dome Trails, keep your eyes open for bluebirds in the coming seasons and report any activity you see to us here or via email to crewtrust@crewtrus.mystagingwebsite.com.
Brian Beckner and Kathleen Smith place a new bluebird box on CREW lands
Check out the article on Florida Black Bears by CREW’s environmental education specialist, Deb Hanson, in the current issue of Southwest Florida Spotlight magazine (p. 43) – on shelves and online now. Deb is writing this monthly column for Spotlight to highlight interesting wildlife and plants that can be seen at CREW.
What topics would you like to see covered in future columns?
Small Game Hunting Season at CREW opens December 7th and runs through January 4th, 2014 at the CREW Cypress Dome Trails, Caracara Prairie Preserve, and in portions of the Flint Pen Strand unit of CREW. Specific Small Game season regulations for CREW are listed below. Complete regs can be accessed at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
The Cypress Dome Trails will remain open to other users – hikers, bikers, geocachers, campers and horseback riders – during hunting seasons. Trail hikers are encouraged to wear bright colors (hunter orange) when hiking during hunting seasons. No hunting is allowed at the CREW Marsh Trails or at the Bird Rookery Swamp Trails.
Small Game Season:December 7 through January 4.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements – Hunting license, management area permit, migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl).
Legal to Hunt – Gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria and migratory birds in season.
Regulations Unique to Small Game Season-
Hunting with bird dogs and retrievers is allowed.
Hunting with centerfire and rimfire rifles is prohibited.
The CREW lands are open to a variety of public recreational use activities. One of the most historical and storied recreational uses of CREW is hunting. Hunting is an important wildlife management tool and provides many sportsmen and sportswomen a way to enjoy the outdoors and put food on their tables. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has designated CREW as a Wildlife & Environmental Area (WEA) and regulates the hunting rules and seasons on CREW lands. FWC law enforcement officers patrol CREW lands all year long.
General Gun Hunting Season at CREW opens November 23 and runs through December 1, 2013 at the CREW Cypress Dome Trails, Caracara Prairie Preserve, and in portions of the Flint Pen Strand unit of CREW. Specific General Gun season regulations for CREW are listed below. Complete regs can be accessed at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
The Cypress Dome Trails will remain open to other users – hikers, bikers, geocachers – during hunting seasons. However, camping and horseback permits will not be issued during this hunt season. Hikers and bikers are encouraged to wear bright colors (hunter orange) when hiking during hunting seasons. No hunting is allowed at the CREW Marsh Trails or at the Bird Rookery Swamp Trails.
General Gun Season: November 23 through December 1 Regulations
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements – Quota permit, hunting license, management area permit, deer permit (if hunting deer) migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl).
Legal to Hunt – Deer with at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length, wild hog, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria and migratory birds in season.
Regulations Unique to General Gun Season –
Hunting deer is prohibited in the Corkscrew Marsh Unit.
Hunting with bird dogs or retrievers is allowed.
Hunting with centerfire or rimfire rifles is prohibited.
The CREW lands are open to a variety of public recreational use activities. One of the most historical and storied recreational uses of CREW is hunting. Hunting is an important wildlife management tool and provides many sportsmen and sportswomen a way to enjoy the outdoors and put food on their tables. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has designated CREW as a Wildlife & Environmental Area (WEA) and regulates the hunting rules and seasons on CREW lands. FWC law enforcement officers patrol CREW lands all year long.
On Friday, November 15, 2013, Kathleen Smith, biologist with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), will lead a CREW Strolling Science Seminar at the CREW Marsh Trails. In this strolling session, she shares the natural history of Florida’s black bears, information about human-bear interactions, and how you can help protect the species here in SWFL. You can register for this seminar here.
In addition, Kathleen has shared the following additional resources to help us all learn more about Florida’s ursine inhabitants:
Book:Living With Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country by Linda Masterson
