Next Meeting of the FSSR

Our meetings are bi-monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the odd numbered months (except July) and are held at the North Indian River County Library on CR 512 (Sebastian Blvd.) in Sebastian. They are free and everyone is welcome.

The following is the meeting schedule for the upcoming 2009-2010 season, with the presentations we have scheduled at this time:

Events

Gopher Tortoise Coalition

The Gopher Tortoise Coalition is a group of concerned citizens that was recently formed with the change in the status of the gopher tortoise in Florida, by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This summer the FWC took the action to upgrade the status of the gopher tortoise to "threatened" and just recently has changed the requirements for relocating tortoises out of the way of development.

The gopher tortoise suffers from an "upper respiratory tract" disease and the FWC has always required that tortoises being relocated off-site from areas being developed, need to be tested for the disease before they can be relocated. In lieu of that, developers were allowed to apply for an "incidental take permit", which allowed them to pay a mitigation fee and entomb any gopher tortoises on-site as a result of the development work. This has historically been the easiest and most expeditious process for developers. With the recent change of policy by the FWC, tortoises can now be relocated off-site without the testing and many developers seem eager to do that. One logistical problem is having the time and man-power, if you will, to actually do the work of relocation. That's where you, the public and the Gopher Tortoise Coalition come in. If you are interested in helping out, please attend this meeting, or call Ilka Daniel, Director of Outreach Services with the Humane Society at 772-388-3331, ext. 28 or 772-473-6889.

Coastal Preserves Alliance Volunteer Day

The Coastal Preserves Alliance, a Citizen Support Organization, for the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park (SSRPSP), Indian River Lagoon PSP, and the East Central Florida Aquatic Preserves, hosts a Volunteer Days event on the third Saturday of each month. Members of the CPA, ECAFP volunteers, and other interested individuals are invited to join us at the Park every third Saturday of the month at 9:00 am to work on projects to enhance the Park. Projects will vary each month and more information, including project location, can be had by calling or e-mailing Patti Fuchs at 772-643-4925 or treasurecoasttrailriders@hotmail.com.

If you are looking for a good reason to volunteer besides the immediate improvement to the Park, we have another reason for you. Every volunteer man-hour is recorded. Each of those hours is worth money in terms of matching funds for grants. Grants pay for a lot of the good work that is done in the Park especially in regards to researching and protecting the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Scrub Jay, and Gopher Tortoise. Come out to Volunteer Day and not only will your hard work enhance the Park today but it will continue to do so in the future.

America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day (ARD), November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. ...it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. Through America Recycles Day, the National Recycling Coalition supports local communities and raises awareness by educating citizens about the benefits of recycling.

On November 15 each year, millions of people become better informed about the importance of daily recycling and buying recycled products. The purpose of America Recycles Day is to continue to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encourage more people to join the movement toward creating a better natural environment.

Please visit the America Recycles Day website for more information.

Pelican Island Audubon Society

Whooping Cranes - John Canter - Learn about North America's tallest bird and conservation efforts to save it from extinction.

For more information, you can visit the PIAS website at www.pelicanislandaudubon.org.

Florida Native Plant Society - Eugenia Chapter

November 19 - "Yard Art", Susan yount & Jocye Roske

Star Party

Join the Indian River Astronomy Society for a Star Party. Telecscopes will be provided, or bring your own. Meet at the day use area 1/2 mile south of the bridge. The is event is free and for more information, please visit the Sebastian Inlet State Park website or call 321-984-4852.

Saturday, November 21, 6 PM

Saturday, January 23, 6:30 PM

Saturday, March 20, 8 PM

Saturday, April 24, 8:30 PM

Up a Creek

Enjoy a peaceful and scenic pontoon boat trip up the South Prong of the beautifully wild St. Sebastian River - one of the few undeveloped coastal rivers. Learn about its relationship to the Indian River Lagoon and to the land as you spot alligators, wading birds and manatee. Truly an adventure.

Departure dates

There is a fee and reservations are required. Please call the ELC at 772-589-5050 for the next available trip.

There are always numerous activities going on at the ELC for children, families and adults too, so please stop by (closed Mondays) or check out their website at: www.discoverelc.org.

13th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival

Presented by the Brevard Nature Alliance. For more information, please visit their website at: www.nbbd.com/fly.

18th Annual Pelican Island Wildlife Festival

Annual celebration of the anniversary of the establishment of Pelican Island as the nation's first National Wildlife Refuge (1903). For more information, please visit the Pelican Island Preservation Society website.

MarineQuest 2010

MarineQuest is the annual open house of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). During this event the public is invited to visit our facility and experience first-hand the exciting research conducted in the field of marine science. There are activities for kids and adults alike. FWRI researchers conduct seminars throughout the day, and you are invited to learn about current research on fish and wildlife species. Kids will have fun exploring the critters of Tampa Bay at our touch tank, making marine animal origami, and learning the art of 'gyotaku' (fish printing). There is something for the entire family, so join us for the next MarineQuest!

For more information, please visit the FWC MarineQuest website.

Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area (ORCA)

First Saturday of the month, 9:00 A.M.
Nature Walks or "Adventures"
Oslo Road, Vero Beach
info, call 772-778-7200, or http://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/orca/

Greens Market, Downtown Vero Beach

The weekly Greens Market, located on the grounds of the beautifully manicured Heritage Center, is sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association and Vero Heritage, Inc. Over 16 vendors participate every Tuesday and local residents enjoy the vast array of fruits, vegetables, teas, pastries, plants, and seafood. The Heritage Center also offers Blue Grass music simultaneously, with free admission.

For more information, please visit the Main Street, Vero Beach website or call 772-563-0620.

Marine Resources Council "Brown Bag" Lunch Series

Lagoon House - 3275 Dixie Hwy (US 1), NE Palm Bay
every Tuesday, 12 noon

Sebastian - Riverview Park gazebo, between US 1 and Indian River Drive
last Friday of the month, 12 noon

Grant - Fisherman's Landing Park, US 1
first and third Friday, 12 noon

Cocoa Beach - Lori Wilson Park, 1320 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 12 noon

Rockledge - Riverwalk Family Park, 5355 US 1 Rockledge
1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 12 noon