Tag: CREW Trust

Posted on

Executive Director Brenda Brooks becomes an Ironman

brenda brooks before ironman

Crew Trust’s Executive Director, Brenda Brooks, traveled to Panama City Beach to participate in a full Ironman Triathlon on November 7th.

Thousands of cheering spectators formed the backdrop for what many consider one of the toughest endurance events in existence with nearly 3000 athletes competing from around the globe.

Brenda approached this difficult sporting event with the same enthusiasm and criteria that she feels is necessary for the success of the CREW Land & Water Trust, passion and enthusiasm for helping others and forming beneficial partnerships that work in cooperation to ironman award benefit all. Brenda participated in the Ironman Triathlon, constantly encouraging other athletes, stopping to lend assistance, and keeping an ever-present positive attitude built around having fun and enjoying the experience while testing her own resolve.

Lasting over 16 hours she swam 2.4 miles in rough seas with 4-5 foot breakers, biked 112 windy miles and finished by running a full marathon (26.2 miles) into the night, crossing the finish line in the rain for a total of 140.6 miles.brenda brooks after ironman 2

Smiling and elated she accomplished not only a difficult personal goal but in the process truly touched the lives of both athletes and spectators alike.

Congratulations Brenda on a job well done.

Brenda Brooks, YOU are an IRONMAN!

To read more about Brenda’s training leading up to her Ironman visit: http://www.naplesnews.com/community/outside-her-comfort-zone-crew-director-brenda-brooks-to-compete-in-her-first-ironman-ep-1290726433-331144341.html

Posted on

A View of Bird Rookery Swamp: Surprises on the tram

Water moccasin with mouth open

Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Saturday, November 14Tri colored heron at BRS
6:25 am-1:05 pm
“There were all sorts of surprises on the tram. The first was a small flock of Robins that flew into the trees to the west of the gravel path; it was good to see them back. Later, a visitor said he saw another larger flock near marker 5.

Another surprise was the huge number of White Ibis that flew into the trees around the parking lot pond a little before sunrise. They just
kept coming, wave after wave. The total number of individual ibis for the day was 261, and all but nine of those were in that pre-dawn arrival.

Ida at BRS One more surprise was how few gators were present, even into the early afternoon. Ida was in her pond in the afternoon, resting in the water by the culvert (left photo).

Water levels have dropped along the tram — there are only two spots between markers 6 and 3 where walking through the water is still necessary.

Nineteen species of butterflies was also a bit unusual considering the wind. Nine of those species were the little grass skippers who stayed very close to the ground or on Alligator Flag leaves when the sun hit them. One new butterfly species for me was a Fulvous Hairstreak.

The biggest surprise was when I almost stepped on a 3-12 to 4 foot
Water Moccasin in the thigh-high grasses. Each of us was startled and
retreated a bit. A photo of the snake showing his displeasure at being
disturbed is attached.
Water moccasin with mouth open

BIRDS
Pied-billed Grebe – 3
Anhinga – 15
Great Blue Heron – 7
Great Egret – 10
Little Blue Heron – 22
Tri-colored Heron – 3
Green Heron – 4
Black-crowned Night Heron – 8
White Ibis – 261
Wood Stork – 3
Black Vulture – 14
Turkey Vulture – 39
Red-shouldered Hawk – 14
American Kestrel – 1
Limpkin – 1
Belted Kingfisher – 12
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 16
Downy Woodpecker – 1
Pileated Woodpecker – 4
Eastern Phoebe – 10
Blue Jay – 2
American Crow – 5
Tufted Titmouse – 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 32
American Robin – 8
Gray Catbird – 13
Loggerhead Shrike – 1
Black-and-white Warbler – 1
Yellow-throated Warbler – 1
Palm Warbler – 8
Common Yellowthroat – 2
Northern Cardinal – 3
Common Grackle – 65

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 2
Tiger Swallowtail – 7
Spicebush Swallowtail – 1
Ruddy Daggerwing – 2
Gulf Fritillary – 1
White Peacock – 153
Red Admiral – 1
Viceroy – 2
Phaon Crescent – 4
Fulvous Hairstreak – 1
Barred Yellow – 74
Dorantes Longtail – 2
Brazilian Skipper – 23
Eufala Skipper – 3
Least Skipper – 1
Three-spotted Skipper – 3
Twin Spot Skipper – 5
Tropical Checker – 5
unknown skipper – 1

DRAGONFLIES/DAMSELFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 12
Needham’s Skimmer – 1
Blue Dasher – 2
Regal Darner – 1

MAMMALS
Gray Squirrel – 1
Raccoon – 1

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 21
Brown Anole – 2
Green Anole – 1
Water Moccasin – 1
Green Treefrog – 1

By Dick Brewer

http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

Posted on

Live Music, Kids Activities and CREW- October 24th

Riverfest picture

 

Riverfest pictureJoin CREW on “Saturday Oct. 24 at Riverside Park in the historic, downtown district of Bonita Springs on Old U.S. 41 and Pennsylvania Avenue. Hosted by the City of Bonita Springs,  the event will include live entertainment, a cornhole tournament, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and the popular fish fry. Festivities also include the traditional Imperial River Challenge featuring canoe and kayak races, pumpkin decorating contest, and the children’s rubber duck race. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and to pick their very own pumpkin from a pumpkin patch after a free hayride!

Admission to Riverfest is free to the entire community. Food and beverages will be available for purchase with proceeds donated to local area charities.

In keeping with RiverFest’s mission of eco-tourism and sustainability, local vendors will provide displays and demonstrations geared toward the environment. Water safety demonstrations will also be offered. Proceeds from RiverFest will benefit the Waterways Conservation Fund, Bonita Assistance Office and Bonita Nature Place

To register for the Imperial River Challenge, order tickets for the fish fry or for more information about RiverFest, contact the City of Bonita Springs 239.949.6262 or visit www.CityofBonitaSprings.org. ”

– For the full article visit http://www.cityofbonitasprings.org/events/riverfest-fall-festival/

Posted on

Come see CREW at the annual “Ding” Darling Days this Sunday Oct. 18

ding darling days icon

Free Family Fun Day kicks off ‘Ding’ Darling Days

ding darling days icon

“Ding” Darling Days weeklong birding and eco-festival kicks off at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island on Sunday Oct. 18, 2015 with a free Family Fun Day.

Family Fun Day features free activities such as narrated refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, kids nature crafts, a touch tank, a butterfly house, a photo-share kiosk, and archery lessons. Value is $75 for a family of four. Back for a third year, Heather Henson’s Ibex Puppetry out of Orlando will perform Wild Puppets with life-sized puppets portraying endangered and other refuge animals. CREW Land & Water Trust will have an outreach table and a fun track ID activity. Enjoy a day outside with the whole family.

 

Schedule for Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015

10:45am FREE Flag-raising ceremony, EC entrance

11am FREE All A-Flutter about Native Butterflies program with Gary & Alice Lavimoniere, followed by free bags giveaway, EC Auditorium

ALL DAY: 10% off all butterfly & bee gifts in the Refuge Nature Store

12noon FREE “Wild Puppets!” presentation by Heather Henson’s Ibex Puppetry, EC parking lot

1pm FREE Live Florida Animals program with Ranger Becky & CROW, EC parking lot

2pm FREE Snakes Alive! programwith Calusa Herpetological Society, EC parking lot

3pm FREE Live Florida Animals program with Ranger Becky & CROW, EC parking lot

– See more at: http://dingdarlingsociety.org/ddd-events#sthash.DdFM49mj.dpuf

For a full “Ding” Darling Days schedule, visit www.dingdarlingdays.com, or call 239-472-1100. To see the full Press Release, visit http://dingdarlingsociety.org/admin/media_upload/FREEFAMILYDAY15.pdf

Posted on

A View of Bird Rookery Swamp- Water on the Trails

Black and White Warbler
Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Saturday, September 5 ~ 7:15 am–1:15 pm
“Below are my observations from today at Bird Rookery Swamp (BRS). Not a bad day for birding, especially with more Barn Swallows over the meadow opposite the start of the boardwalk and a small “flock” of Eastern Kingbirds between markers 6 & 3. Attached is a photo of a Black-and-white Warbler that was prying little insects from bark crevices in a cypress near Ida’s Pond; it has one in its bill. Ida wasn’t visible while either going out or coming back. Several pairs of hikers armed with cameras were on the trails plus two bicyclers; the bikers turned back a little past marker 3 toward marker 6 when the mud got slippery and the water was flowing over the trail. Other than that, a nice day!

Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler

BIRDS
Anhinga – 1
Great Blue Heron – 2
Great Egret – 4
Snowy Egret – 9
Little Blue Heron – 11
Tri-colored Heron – 10
Green Heron – 8
White Ibis – 6
Black Vulture – 71
Turkey Vulture – 12
Red-shouldered Hawk – 7
Mourning Dove – 2
Common Ground Dove – 1
Belted Kingfisher – 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 13
Pileated Woodpecker – 5
Great-crested Flycatcher – 2
Eastern Kingbird – 7
Barn Swallow – 46
Blue Jay – 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 3
Tufted Titmouse – 10
Carolina Wren – 12
Northern Mockingbird – 1
White-eyed Vireo – 13
Prothonotary Warbler – 1
Northern Parula – 1
Black-and-white Warbler – 1
Ovenbird – 1
Louisiana Waterthrush – 1
Northern Cardinal – 12
Common Grackle – 7

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 11
Spicebush Swallowtail – 4
Ruddy Daggerwing – 8
Zebra Longwing – 1
White Peacock – 15
Gulf Fritillary – 1
Viceroy – 1
Common Buckeye – 1
Pearl Crescent – 1
Cloudless Sulphur – 3
Brazilian Skipper – 7
Silver-spotted Skipper – 1
Tropical Checker – 2

DRAGONFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 34
Eastern Amberwing – 2
Blue Dasher – 3

MAMMALS
Raccoon – 2
Cottontail Rabbit – 1

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 39
Brown Anole – 13
Red-bellied Turtle – 1
Pig Frog – 17
Greenhouse Frog – 2
Green Treefrog – 1
Cuban Treefrog – 1 “

By Dick Brewer
http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html
Related articles
Posted on

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Game Cameras at CREW

Wildlife at CREWdeer and baby

Tom Mortenson, CREW Volunteer

June 30, 2015

 

I operate five game cameras on trails, roads and edges at Cypress Dome and Caracara Prairie Preserve.  You may have seen one or more of them when hiking trails there.  They are tied to trees, often cabbage palms, or posts where they get a clear view of whatever walks past.

These cameras photograph anything that walks past them, day or night. Since these cameras were installed, they have photographed raccoons, deer, bobcats, wild hogs, panthers, raccoons, turkeys, sandhills, hikers, their dogs, horses, hawks, cows, raccoons, possums, vultures, and more raccoons.  Most of these pictures—at least for animals– were taken at night because that is when wildlife are most active and least likely to encounter humans.

Here are a very few of the many thousands of pictures.  I also share these with FWC and Collier County Conservation Collier in effort to help enhance the monitoring program they established years ago.  These are mostly daylight pictures to capture colors.  Remember that you share the hiking trails of Cypress Dome and Caracara Prairie Preserve with wildlife who call this home.

If you happen to see my game cameras while you are out enjoying the CREW trails please respect the ongoing research by not tampering with them. You can get involved with the CREW volunteer program, or report any suspicious activity by emailing crewtrust@crewtrus.mystagingwebsite.com or calling 239-657-2253.

 

This bobcat has appeared at this location on many occasions. His coloration is unusually dark.
This bobcat has appeared at this location on many occasions. His coloration is unusually dark.

cow kiss little deer pantherwild hog with babies

I understand that ranchers detest wild hogs because of the damage they do to pastures. But they are survivors, prey, and I admire their jaunty air.
I understand that ranchers detest wild hogs because of the damage they do to pastures. But they are survivors, prey, and I admire their jaunty air.

 

This panther has been photographed before, and my photos are mostly at night. He appears to be well fed.

 

 

 

Posted on

Wildfile Q & A: How old are the bigger slash pine trees?

pine_0604Q: How old are the bigger slash pine trees?

A: Slash Pine in South Florida lacks data, probably because there is not a local lumber industry.

However,  Roy DeLotelle, a researcher for Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat in Collier County, has collected data on the age of pine trees important for the woodpeckers. It comes from coring pines in the woodpecker’s habitat in Picayune Strand in Collier County.

Slash Pines grow a little larger in the drier pine/palmetto forests (mesic flatwoods) than in the wetter pine/grass forests (hydric flatwoods), and there is a good deal of difference between individual trees. Note the variations between the individual dots and the
“average” line in the graph, so a tree’s diameter in DeLotell’s graph below may not tell the precise age.

In the field, biologists use a different indicator of an “old” pine tree: a flat top shape to the pine canopy.

In DeLotells’ graph of his data, DBH is the Diameter at Breast Height. The R-squared values show how well the line fits the data points. R-squared ranges between 0 and 1 with the higher number showing the line is a good fit for the data.

Slash Pines can easily live past 200 years, and there are many that old in Collier County.

-By Dick Brewer
pine tree graph

Posted on

A View Of Bird Rookery Swamp- “A family of five Otters”

River otter

Below are first hand observations from our volunteer Dick Brewer. Who does weekly visits to Bird Rookery Swamp and very week sends us incredible stories of the magical 12 mile loop. If you would like to see more of his observations visit: http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

Otter
By Dick Brewer

Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Saturday, May 23 ~ 7:15 am–1:00 pm

“It was a so-so day for birds but a great day for butterflies and mammals, River Otters especially. I saw seven– a family of five and two other individuals in separate places. The family retreated into what was probably their den in two fallen tree trunks, a nice
two-story place. Once inside, there was some grunting and huffing, and two of the juveniles peeked out, one from the second story and one from the ground level (photo). Another young otter was on its own a little past Ida’s Pond and alternated between catching fish and
watching people watch it.

The Water Moccasin was between markers 6 and 3. It was small, perhaps three feet, but it was easily irritated because it was ready to shed its skin. The milky blue eyes meant it was close to sightless, so it over reacted to any movement, sound or vibration. A couple from South
America bicycled by as I was watching the snake; the husband stopped but when his wife heard the word “snake,” she put her head down and quickly pedaled on by. He said snakes were not on her favorite critter list.

Cotton Mouth
By Dick Brewer

The young Red-shouldered Hawk was low in a maple watching the world go by. Mullet and its sibling have fledged and are no longer at the nest near marker 3. ”

Red Shoulder Hawk
By Dick Brewer

BIRDS
Anhinga – 6
Great Blue Heron – 1
Great Egret – 14
Little Blue Heron – 2
Black-crowned Night Heron – 3
Black Vulture – 41
Turkey Vulture – 19
Red-shouldered Hawk – 26
Common Ground Dove – 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 16
Downy Woodpecker – 2
Pileated Woodpecker – 3
Great-crested Flycatcher – 9
Blue Jay – 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 3
American Crow – 1
Tufted Titmouse – 11
Carolina Wren – 6
White-eyed Vireo – 19
Red-eyed Vireo – 2
Northern Parula – 3
Northern Cardinal – 24

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 8
Spicebush Swallowtail – 2
Ruddy Daggerwing – 7
Zebra Longwing – 1
White Peacock – 67
Gulf Fritillary – 2
Viceroy – 3
Cloudless Sulphur – 1
Great Southern White – 6
Silver-spotted Skipper – 1
Three-spotted Skipper – 1
Dorantes Longtail – 1
Tropical Checker – 3
Southern Broken Dash – 1

DRAGONFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 49
Needham’s Skimmer – 2
Eastern Amberwing – 3

MAMMALS
River Otter – 7
Raccoon – 6
Cottontail Rabbit – 1

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 77
Brown Anole – 8
Green Anole – 1
Red-bellied Turtle – 5
Water Moccasin – 1
Green Treefrog – 42
Squirrel Treefrog – 1
Greenhouse Frog – 8

FISH
Gar – 61

By Dick Brewer

Posted on

Book Release by Bernard F. Master

Bernie Master

IN PURSUIT OF THE WORLD’S RAREST BIRDS

Author Bernard F. Master chronicles his adventures as a medical professional, businessman and legendary birder in No Finish Line.

Yellow-throated Warbler, BRS

Bernard Master is a avid hiker of the CREW Trails, a phenomenal birder, and a great educator. We have been lucky to have him as a leader in our Strolling Science Seminar series. He lead Birding with the Master at Bird Rookery Swamp in March 2015 and will be returning in our 2015-2016 series. Below details Dr. Master’s new book.

No Finish Line, Discovering the World’s Secrets One Bird at a Time, is one man’s epic journey through life as a successful doctor, businessman, lifelong birder and internationally recognized conservationist. Readers will be mesmerized with his travel adventures spanning six continents and 105 countries. He shares his most exciting adventures searching for the rarest birds in the world. He is the first American to see a representative from each of the 229 bird families in the world, as well as Vireo masteri, a bird in Colombia named after him.

Whether he is meeting Queen Noor of Jordan to discuss birds and world conservation or attending a special dinner in his honor with Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands to receive a commendation in recognition of his world conservation efforts, there is always an interesting story to tell. His forays take him to exotic locations including Venezuela where he rediscovered a bird that had been absent for fifty years. Additional adventures include a thwarted kidnapping in Brazil. His quest to see a representative from all the bird families takes him to Rwanda, the Arabian Peninsula, Cameroon and China, providing readers with photos of extraordinary birds and accounts of his 7,800 species to date.

In between birding trips, Dr. Master was busy building two thriving companies, Health Power, Inc. and its sister company, the MEDCenters. His thirty-five year medical career begins with a tour in Vietnam as a battalion surgeon in a combat unit and a year as post surgeon for the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence School. Obstacles and successes are the narratives he shares outlining the intricacies of founding a healthcare company and ultimately taking it public on the NASDAQ.

“My own life has been one amazing adventure after another with no finish line in sight.” Author Bernard F. Master currently resides in Worthington, Ohio.

No Finish Line, Discovering the World’s Secrets One Bird at a Time is available on amazon.com.

Bernie Master
Bernie Master
Posted on

2015 Southwest Florida Travel Rally

Join us at the 2015 Southwest Florida
Travel Rally in celebration of National
Travel & Tourism Week!

SWFL rally

All tourism businesses, hospitality employees, and local residents are invited to attend. Tourism partners, bring your staff to represent your company! Employees, bring your families, too, as there will be lots to do for children and adults. CREW Land & Water Trust donated a free private hike with their Environmental Education Specialist Jessi Drummond for a lucky prize winner. 

 
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
RSVP that you are attending: LeeVCB@leegov.com.
We will email you an admission and parking ticket.
You must have an admission ticket to be eligible for
prize drawings.
For more information, call Visitor Services
at 239.590.4855 or visit Leevcb.com
Join us at the 2015 Southwest Florida

ENJOY THE HILARIOUS TOURISM RACES
Kids Luggage Lug, Bellman’s Race, Waiters Race for
the Gold, and Make that Bed! Hotels, Attractions, and
Restaurants—have fun with your hospitality friends!
Contact: sbehr@leegov.com

 
OUTDOOR TRADE FAIR
Tourism businesses, sports groups, special exhibits
and more!
Contact: ccocco@leegov.com

 
KID’S KRAZINESS KORNER
Face painting, magic, cuddly critters, Railroad
Museum of South Florida miniature train rides,
and more.

 

For more information please click on the flyers below:

Travel Rally Flyer

Travel Rally flyer in Spanish