Pelican Flyer
October 2002
A NEWSLETTER FACELIFT
We hope all of our members and friends like the new style of our newsletter. First change is the new title, "PELICAN FLYER". Your Board of Directors selected this name from the choices submitted by our readers and members.Also, the Board has decided to do the PELICAN FLYER quarterly, instead of (5) newsletters as we have in the past. Newsletters will be distributed in January, April, June and October. Note, too, the new PIPS logo. Our newsletters will be published approximately January 15, April 15, June 15, and October 15. If members and PIPS friends have any news, events, or even photos to include in our newsletters, please contact Ruth Davies at 772-589-3687 about (1) week before the publishing dates noted above. Space permitting, we will try to include your items in our newsletters. Ruth has agreed to continue as our newsletter editor.
Other changes will include news from the refuges, the use of recycled paper with a change in color and a list of new members in each issue.
Please call our Board members (phone numbers on page 4) or Ruth to let them know how YOU like the new format – or even if you don’t like it. Remember, this is YOUR organization and YOUR Board and they will welcome your comments, suggestions, and complaints.
Walt Stieglitz, President
LAND ACQUISITION FUNDING UPDATE
As mentioned in the June newsletter, approximately 13 acres of the Michael property remains to be acquired, with the Conservation Fund holding an option on this parcel. The Fish and Wildllife Service included $1.75 million in their budget request to cover this purchase. The House included the full amount, but the Senate did not. This means a Conference Committee will decide the fate of this funding. As you probably know, the Congress is far behind in the process of passing appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2003, which began on October 1st. A recent check with Congressional staff indicates that we should not expect to see action on Interior appropriations any time soon. So, we will have to wait a bit longer to learn whether or not the needed funding will become reality.Walt Stieglitz, President
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Refuge Ranger Joanna Taylor notes there will be many opportunities for volunteers once the new Pelican Island visitor facilities are open to the general public. In the meantime, The PIPS Board has decided to do (2) general events this fall – just getting ready for the big 2-day Pelican Island Wildlife Festival next March!!. The two events are the ever-popular and fun Party in the Park at the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, November 9, from 10 am to 4 pm. This is always a fun event and Mary Ann Krueger and Ruth will be there to pass out newsletters, flyers for the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival and other information. Give Mary Ann or Ruth a call if you are able to staff the PIPS exhibit for an hour or two.The second event is the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival at Titusville, November 13 to 17. Call Joanna Taylor at USF&WS, 772-562-3909 x 258 to see when she needs help.
AND speaking of events, remember the 1st annual Wet Fest to be held on Saturday, Nov. 16th, at Riverside Park in Vero Beach. This will be an all day event with many exhibits, music and just plain fun.
Oops! We goofed! The following list of new members, since the Wildlife Festival this past March was omitted from our June newsletter. Here it is plus additional new members:
Judith B. Anderson Jon Andrew
Lila & Joe Bartozek
Mgeborg Boulos
Lynn Brown
Debbie and Hoyt Ecker
Marti & Ozzie Garziglia
Charles & Cynthia Glover
Pat KennedyJerry & Pat Loll
Sue Emerson & Bob McKinley
Bob Montanaro
Michael & Louise Muller
Terry O’Toole
Francis Renzoni
John Rine
Len & Joyce StapfJohn Van Roden
Lew & Arlene Waggett
Peter Whidden
Ellie & George Winfield
Arthur R Wolfe
Ted & Carol ZyskWelcome to you all - and thanks to current members who have recently renewed their memberships.
Hope we can count on many of you to volunteer for the Pelican Island NWR Centennial Celebration, March 13 thru 16, 2003.
According to Joanna Taylor, Refuge Ranger for both Pelican Island and Archie Carr Refuges, there will be scads of opportunities for volunteers; such as, helping to make signs, assisting with children’s activities, flag bearers (over 500 people will be needed to carry refuge flags on March 14th – that’s right, 500+ people!!) We will need greeters to welcome people to the 2-day Wildlife Festival. Also, people to assist with check-in for the boat tours to Pelican Island and, of course, assisting with AM setup of exhibits and PM breakdown on Sunday, March 16. This is only a partial list of volunteer opportunities. Can we count on YOU to help????
NOTE THE CHANGE OF LOCATION FOR OUR GENERAL MEETINGS:
With the reopening of the enlarged and renovated North County Library, CR 512 (Sebastian Boulevard), Sebastian, our meetings will resume at that location, starting with our program on Monday, October 28th. The programs will begin at 7:30 pm and, of course, light refreshments will be served following the program.Paul Tritaik, Refuge Manager for Pelican Island and Archie Carr refuges, will be the speaker and he will update members and guests on the progress of the visitor facilities currently under construction on the barrier island. After March, we will no longer have to tell visitors that the only way to see Pelican Island is from a boat!! Hip! Hip! Hooray!! No doubt Paul will give some figures on the nesting activity at Pelican Island this year.
If you have not already been to the renovated North County Library, this is your chance to visit. The meeting room is twice the size that it was - and we hope all of you will invite your neighbors and friends to come to the October 28th program. Maybe we can fill the room??!!
The Nature Photography Contest will be a part of our 2-day Pelican Island Wildlife Festival. A new category has been added this year for student photographers. The contest is for amateur photographers only and subject matter will include nature and wildlife subjects indigenous to Florida. Bob Brown will chair this event and the entry forms are still being finalized as to wording and final dates to submit entries. In the meantime, if any of our readers want to enter and would like to receive an entry form, call Ruth Davies at 772-589-3687, leave your name and address to receive a form. Will there be prizes???? YES! YES!!
Rich Mermer is arranging for some great music at this year’s festival. What could be better than relaxing and listening to some great music and enjoying the great views of the Indian River Lagoon!
There will be the usual children’s programs and arts and crafts vendors and non-profit organizations that will exhibit plus some really special programs and seminars. Plus, wildlife presentations featuring Jack Hanna and Jim Fowler!
The Harbor Princess will feature boat tours to Pelican Island every 1/2 hour on March 15 and 16 (2 boats!). These tours will be at nominal cost of $5 per person. WHAT A BARGAIN!
Also Kayaks, Etc. will have special ecotours to Pelican Island both days, 2 tours per day. Cost $10 per person. Also kayaking demonstrations both days at no charge. Never tried kayaking?? Here’s your chance to see if you like it!
Our January newsletter will have more information on programs and planned events.
NEWS FROM THE REFUGE:
Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik has released the following turtle nesting statistics for the Archie Carr NWR. For 2002: 14,209 loggerhead nests; 2,970 green turtle nests; and 19 leatherback nests.Totals for 2001: 14,842 loggerhead nests; 197 green turtle nests; 48 leatherback nests.
Tritaik noted that green turtles tend to have nesting boom cycles every 2 years. While the green turtles had a great nesting season, he was somewhat disappointed by the leatherback and loggerhead figures. The leatherback turtles are the most endangered species among the three.
The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge has provided protection for nesting sea turtles and hatchlings since 1991. The refuge runs from Wabasso Beach to Melbourne Beach.
Here is my donation for the Pelican Island Centennial Wildlife Festival,
Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, 2003: (Please check box)A US Savings Bond for a First Place Winner in the Children’s Poster Contest.
Use this donation to sponsor another Program or Exhibit.