spring 2007 Nature Alley Newsletter Daggerwing Nature Center

8/9/2019 spring 2007 Nature Alley Newsletter Daggerwing Nature Center

1/8

Clive Pinnock, Okeeheelee Nature Center

Gopher tortoises, classified as a species

of special concern, live in a variety ofhabitats throughout South Florida. Theyburrow in the ground in well-drainedsandy soils, usually within pine flatwoods,live oak and red oak hammocks, sandpine scrubs, dry prairies, and coastaldune ecosystems.

As a species, they range throughout

the southeastern United States,predominantly in North-central Floridaand southern Georgia. In other placeswithin their range, the populations havediminished significantly due to habitatdestruction and fragmentation.

The sandy soil in which the gophertortoise makes its burrow affords

them the ability to dig up to forty feetin length and ten feet deep wherepossible, depending on the level of thewater table. The temperature within the

burrows remains fairly stable and high SeeAnimal Tracks on page 3

Inside:

2PineBarkBeetles

ofFlorida

3Ask a Naturalist-WhatisEarthDay?

4Get Outdoors! -ApersonalviewpointbyKelliKirchofer

5AlligatorCrosswordPuzzle-KidsCorner

6WetlandFoodChains

WordSearch-KidsCorner

7Ed Kawecki at Riverbend

Park-VolunteerSpotlight

PalmBeachCountyParksandRecreationDepartme

Two adult male gopher tortoises ght over a female

Marked gopher tortoise entering its burrowGood health

The outdoorsprovides numerousmental andphysical healthbenefits. Dontforget to get yourdaily dose!

in humidity, offering a safe haven for th

gopher tortoise and other ground-dwelanimals from cold, heat, and dryness.

The burrow of the tortoise also playsa significant role in the lives of many

animals that share its habitat. Becausemuch of the tortoises habitat issubjected to fires triggered by lightningstorms, many ground-dwelling animalsincluding reptiles, mammals, amphibiaand insects, seek out the burrows as asafe haven from the flames and heat.Scientists have found over three hundr

different species of animals occupyingtortoise burrows during a fire.

Tortoises, being herbivores, feed mostlyon low growing vegetation, allowing theto reach the succulent leaves, flowers,and fruit. Some of these plants areblackberries, saw palmetto berries, gopapples, broad-leaf grasses, and legumeWater is drunk if available, but most of

the moisture required by the animals isobtained from the foods they eat.

Breeding begins in April and May withmales roaming in larger areas than thenormally do when foraging for food. Th


2/8

Spring Break Camp OpportunityIts never too early to plan for

camp! A lottery system willbe implemented this year toensure equal access to campregistration.

Spring Adventurers

Fri, Mar 2 - Thurs, Mar 8:Lottery registration beginsby mail, fax, or drop off at9:00 am.

Mon, Apr 2 - Fri, Apr 6:Camp is from 9:00 am to4:00 pm. Participants must

be between the ages of 9and 12.

Visit us atwww.pbcparks.com/nature for registration forms andmini-schedules or call the CampDirector for more information at(561) 488-9953.

Earth Day 2007This is the nature center ani-mals (and humans) favoriteholiday! In honor of this, we willcelebrate on Saturday, April 14,from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Freeinformation will be available aslong as supplies last to help usall do our part to make everyday Earth Day.

There will be paper making dem-onstrations, crafts, and games,as well as story time from ourfriends at Pretend Party Produc-tions and a reptile program fromUnderground Reptiles.

Join us for our annual release

of ladybugs into our gardensor take them home and fightaphids in your yard!

We hope you and your familywill join us for our annualtradition. Call the NatureCenter at (561) 488-9953for a schedule of activities orlog onto our website for moreinformation.

SeeDaggerwingon page 3

2 www.pbcparks.com/nature Nature-alleySpring200

Pine Bark Beetles of FloridaGreg Atkinson, Natural Areas Program

Pine bark beetles are insects that normally

attack stressed and dying pine trees. They

usually dont infest trees that are otherwise

healthy and vigorous. These native beetles

feed and breed in the inner bark of pine

trees and introduce blue-stain fungi into

the tree that often causes or hastens thedeath of the tree.

In natural forest settings, pine bark beetles

serve an important function. They weed

out weak trees and free up resources for

healthy ones. However, over the past fifteen

months, more trees in Palm Beach County

have become susceptible to the pine bark

beetle. In most cases this can be attributed

to the damage caused by recent hurricanes.

Feeder roots broke when the trees rocked

back and forth in the sustained winds, and

although the trees had enough resources

stored to look healthy for several months,

they eventually became stressed and died.

There are five native species of pine bark

beetles that are important in Florida:

three species of Ips engraver beetles (Ipscalligraphus, I. grandicollis, and I. avulsus)and two species of Dendroctonus, including

the southern pine beetle or SPB (D.frontalis) and the black turpentine beetle(D. terebrans).

Ips Pine Engraver BeetlesThe three common species in Florida

tend to infest different parts of a tree: I.calligraphus infests large-diameter materialnear the bottom of a mature tree,

I. grandicollis infeststhe mid to upper

bole (or lower bole

of smaller trees), and

I. avulsus prefers thesmall-diameter material

in or near the crown. A

healthy, vigorous pine tree is not likely tobe susceptible to attack byIps beetles, athey are normally restricted to colonizing

pines that are already very stressed,

damaged, or dead for other reasons.

Black Turpentine Beetle (BTB)The black turpentine beetle (Dendroctonterebrans) is the largest of these pine babeetle species. It attacks near the base

the tree where the inner bark is thickest

and may also infest fresh stumps. BTB

activity is often found in association with

Ips and SPB infestations, and the beetleare attracted to stressed and injured

trees. BTB is not usually known to sprea

aggressively or to kill healthy trees, and

trees can sometimes recover from a limi

number of attacks by this species.

Southern Pine Beetle (SPB)Southern pine beetle (Dendroctonusfrontalis) is perhaps the best-known pestof southern pines. Like Ips and blackturpentine beetles, SPB normally attacks

stressed and dying pine trees. Historicallthe range of SPB in the state has include

only North and Central Florida, and no S

activity has been recorded south of Oran

and Hernando Counties. Bark beetle

activity observed in South Florida can

most likely be attributed to Ips and blackturpentine beetles.

Source: http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_management/fh_insects_pbb_ind

For links to more information about pine bark beetles, visitwww.pbcparks.com/nature and click onnatural areas program.


3/8

FromDaggerwingon page 2

You are NeededDo you have some sptime on your hands? N volunteer credits for schoAre you in the mood for a lspring cleaning? Your serviare needed at DaggerwNature Center.

We are looking for a few gmen and women to helpwith our daily activities. are in need of some grthumbs to help out in butterfly garden. Do you lanimals? We could alwuse some help caring for menagerie of critters. If prefer being inside, thare desk attendant/greepositions available as well.

Whatever skills you posswe are sure we could them here. Volunteering igreat way to gain experiein a future field of study omeet people and make nfriends.

Sound interesting to yoPlease call Danica Walcour Volunteer Coordinator(561) 488-9953. Volunteare needed Tuesday throSunday.

For more information abDaggerwing Nature Center, v

www.pbcparks.com/natand click on Daggerwing.

ask

Naturalist

What is Earth Day?Jennifer RoyceDaggerwing Nature Center

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April

22. Its a time to rejoice in the beauty and

wonder of our amazing planet and to learn

how to preserve that natural splendor for

generations to come.

In 1962, former Wisconsin governor and

senator Gaylord Nelson came up with

the idea for Earth Day as a way to bring

attention to the many environmental

problems of the time. His idea became

reality in 1970, and since then, peopleeverywhere have taken the opportunity

each spring to educate themselves about

issues that affect the earth and to committo doing their part to protect and conserve

our natural resources. Global concerns

such as recycling, water conservation,

deforestation, and endangered animals are

just some of the many subjects brought

into the spotlight each April as millions of

people worldwide join together to help keep

the Earth clean and green.

There are several Earth Day celebrations

held in the month of April around Palm

Beach County. Log ontowww.pbcparks.

com/nature to view the special eventsyour Nature Centers have planned for

Earth Day.

Although we celebrate Earth Day in April,

every day should be Earth Day!

Nature-alleySpring2007 www.

pbcparks.com/nature

extensive roaming at this time of yearis induced by scents or pheromones

emitted by the females. Several weeksafter mating, female tortoises lay three

to fifteen eggs which hatch in seventy toninety days.

The hatching success rate and therate of survival for young tortoises isvery low in Florida and in OkeeheeleePark. The major reason for this is due

to predation from raccoons, opossums,armadillos, foxes, skunks, and fireants. These factors, in addition to thealready mentioned habitat loss dueto over development, have adversely

impacted the gopher tortoise populationthroughout Florida.

At Okeeheelee Nature Center, measuressuch as monitoring and research are

being done to determine ways thetortoises can be helped.

FromAnimal Tracks on page 1

Storytelling fromPretend Party Productions,Daggerwing Earth Day 2005

Volunteer helping with crafts, Daggerwing Earth Day 2006

Respect fornature

Parks are

greatplacesfor todays

youthto connectwith the

environment


4/8

Membership & Animal AdoptionThe Friends of Green Cay

Nature Center, Inc. is a

non-profit organization thatraises money to support theNature Center in its missionto promote an understandingand appreciation of thenatural world to the public.You can show your support bybecoming a member, adoptingan animal, and visiting thegift shop. Your tax-deductiblecontribution will go directlyto benefit the Nature Centerin ways such as feeding ouranimals, maintaining exhibits,and improving programs.

Memberships(October 2006 - January 2007)

Robert W. Smith

Maj. Edward Gurewitz

Leslie Goodman

Helen Lerman

Beck & Linda Wagshul

Dr. Alfred & BarbaraRosenblatt

We have a variety of animals

(such as alligators, frogs, turtles,and snakes) to choose fromthat are up for adoption. Theanimal you adopt will remain atthe Nature Center to be caredfor by staff, but when you visit,you can develop a bond withyour new friend while learningmore about the animal. Animaladoption makes a great gift!

Animal Adoptions(October 2006 - January 2007)

Peninsula Cooter Turtle:

Vicki Brown, Lee Brown,JoAnn Goldberger & Rachel

Yellow-bellied SliderTurtle: Robyn Halasz

Florida Softshell Turtle:The Reid Family

If youre interested in learningmore about becoming amember or adopting an animaland the benefits, please visitour website.


Louv discusses these trends in depth, a

well as the side effects of the de-nature

child, the benefits of reconnecting childr

with nature, and he provides practicalideas for helping parents and educators

re-create those connections.

Personally, I highly recommend Louvs b

to everyone because I thinknature deficdisorderis on the increase.

It was in my generation that TV and

electronic entertainment began to

dominate the attention of a significant

number of children. Less and less time

was spent outdoors. The kids of my

generation are now grown and having th

own children. If todays parents missed

on spending quality time in nature when

they were young, how can they pass on

love and respect for it to their kids?

I was fortunate. I grew up in a family tha

valued spending time outdoors. I used t

love camping with my family and walking

through the woods and fields hunting wi

my dad. I took it all in and developed a

love for and curiosity about nature. I am

the field of Environmental Education tod

thanks to my parents.

Introducing Nature ThroughEnvironmental EducationThe goals of Environmental Education are

1) to increase environmental awareness,

2) to help learners develop appropriate

attitudes towards the environment, 3) to

provide learners with knowledge about th

environment, 4) to provide learners with

needed skills for acting on behalf of the

environment, and 5) to encourage learne

to behave and act appropriately on beha

the environment.

Some of these goals can be pursued throclassroom and/or field trip activities, but

others cannot. For example, how can a

teacher cultivate an appropriate attitude

toward the environment, instilling a life-

long love for nature, unless students spen

time there? Louv argues that children nee

to be given opportunities for unstructured

free play and individual exploration in the

outdoors to make a connection with natur

As educators, many times we are not able

A Personal Viewpoint by Kelli Kirchofer,

Green Cay Nature Center

As a Naturalist at Green Cay Nature Center

and a Masters student in EnvironmentalEducation (EE) at Florida Atlantic

University, I traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota

this past October for the annual North

American Association for Environmental

Education (NAAEE) Conference.

I had the opportunity to present a paper

on the development of Green Cay Nature

Center and Wetland, and to describe its

unique, multi-faceted role as a man-made

wetland. Its primary purpose is to recycle

treated wastewater, but it also provides

habitat for wildlife and recreational andeducational opportunities for the public.

Palm Beach County is a leader

in water reclamation technology,

and I was privileged to share this

with conservationists, educators,

administrators, and numerous others

within the field from all over the country.

The buzz of this years conference was

Richard Louvs compelling bookLastChild in the Woods: Saving Our Childrenfrom Nature Deficit Disorder. The bookcites ten years of research studies and

anecdotal evidence showing a societal

trend of separating children from nature.

Louv presents a convincing argument

that this disconnection is having profound

psychological, health, social, spiritual,

and environmental effects on children.

He attributes nature deficit disordertodecreasing green spaces and access to

them, over-scheduled lives, technology

(including television, computers, and

electronic games), litigation, and fear.

Get Outdoors!Its better for you (and your children) than you may realize.

Kelli Kirchofer with Breanna and GrifnSee Green Cayon page 5


5/8

From Green Cayonpage4

Programs & EventsGreen Cay has a varietyupcoming programs and eve

Boardwalk Tours

Night Hikes

Story and Craft Time

Naturalist Programs

Science for Seniors

We also offer programsgroups such as schools, camand clubs with a variety of topto choose from:

Reptiles & Amphibians

Birds

Wetlands

Insects

Boardwalk Tours

For more information aball of our opportunities, vour website or call the Nat

Center.

Calling All Kids!For nature fun at home, to the Activity Page linkthe Green Cay Nature Cenwebsite and print out the actof the month. After you finishpuzzle, bring it to the front dof Green Cay Nature Ceand get a prize. Look for a npuzzle and get a new prize emonth.

New Website LinkVisit our website and go to Mystery Animal link and if you can figure out what animal is by looking at only body part. Bring your ansto the front desk at Green Nature Center, and if you correct, you win a prize. Lfor a new animal and get a nprize every month.

For more information ab

Green Cay Nature Center, vwww.pbcparks.com/natuand click on Green Cay.

provide these important experiences because

of the short time we have with children.

At least twelve states have either cut

recess time in half or have eliminated it

all together due to the call for increased

academic achievement, rigor of standards,

and testing among our children. Too many

children arent getting outdoorsat home

or at school.

Many studies have proven that children

in environmental education programsprimarily set in the outdoors have greatly

increased academic achievement for

learners at all levels. They have greater

understanding of concepts, are absent less

often, and have fewer behavioral problems.

The health benefits of spending time

outdoors include stress reduction;

mood enhancement; reduced risk of


pbcparks.com/nature

Across1. The part of an alligators body it swims with and

where it stores fat.

3. The roaring sound an adult alligator makes.

7. At 6 feet long, an alligator is considered to

be this...

11. A cousin to the alligator who in the US can only be

found in South Florida.

13. Animals, such as alligators, whose bodies cant

create or maintain their own heat are called this...

14. Alligators have 70-80 of these that keep replacing

themselves.

illnesses including some types of cancer,

osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis;

quicker recovery after illness; and

treatment options for disorders such

as ADHD.

I decided to write a paper for one of my

classes following last falls conference.

During my additional research, I learned

that schools in Denmark and Sweden

have programs in which students spend at

least 60% of the day outdoors regardlessof the weather. These children suffer from

80% less infectious diseases (colds, sore

throats, ear infections, etc.) than students

in traditional indoor programs. 80%!

Also, the kids of today will grow into

voting adults. Theyll be making important

decisions that permanently impact our

See Get Outdoors on page 7


AlligatorCrossword Puzzle

Alligator Crossword PuzzAnswer Key

ross

TailBellowAdultCrocodileColdBloodedTeeth

Down

2.AlligatorHole4.Wetlands5.Carnivore6.Webbed8.Predator9.Scales10.Yellow12Fresh

Down2. The area this animal digs out to hold water during

the dry season (two words).

4. Where alligators live.

5. An animal that only eats meat, such as an

alligator, is called this...

6. Alligators have this kind of feet.

8. An animal, such as an alligator, that hunts other

animals is called this...

9. The covering on an alligators body.

10. Baby alligators are black with stripes in this color.

12. Alligators like to live in this kind of water.

Answers to the right


6/8

Animal Adoption ProgramGain a special friend while

lending support to the entirefacility. Adoptions make ex-cellent gifts and are good forone year.

Adoption Packages Include:

Photograph of your animal

Fact sheet about youranimal

Adoption certificate

Recognition in newsletter

Naturalist ProgramsAnimal PresentationsNature Walks

Raptor Chapter

Deer Walks

Scout Programs

Volunteer OpportunitiesSchool Program Docent

Front Desk Greeter

Exhibit Docent

Habitat Management

AssistantAnimal Caretaker

Nature Walk Guide

Newsletter Assistant

Buttery Gardener

Research Assistant

See Okeeheelee on page 7



Wetland Food ChainsWord Search

Now, take the first 47 left over letters from the puzzle, anfill in the blanks for the hidden message!

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __!

D A R L D L E B I B G T A R P

T E O I R R O R U S I A O R RE N C T V B A T O B H T E C O

E O A O C E T G B V A P O E D

R R S A M E R A O G I N X T U

O E T N R P R O I N S N U P C

V H R F A H O L T U F R R E E

I D L A S K L S M T T L O A R

B Y T R O A E E E L E M Y R CR R A I N A R W E R N R A F H

E M F O O D C H A I N C F I A

H B E W D O O F V E C T R S W

L A N D F O O O D O C H O H K

A I N A V N R X O I M C G V Y

U H F Z F E M N Q D Z R N G N

ALLIGATOR BOBCAT BUTTECARNIVORE CONSUMER DECOMPOSER

DRAGONFLY FISH FOOD CHAIN

FOOD WEB FROG HAWK

HERBIVORE HERON MARSH RABBIT

OMNIVORE PRODUCER RACCOON

RIVER OTTER SNAKE TURTLE

Answer key on next page


7/8

SpotlightVolunteerFrom Okeeheelee on page 6

School ProgramsPrimary School Field Trips

Kindergarten: Birds, Buttflies, and Flowers - 1 h

First Grade: Animal Homand Habitats - 2 hrs.

Second Grade: Pine Flatwoods and Wetlands -

2 hrs.

Fourth Grade Trip

S.W.A.M.P. Squishy Wetlaand Marshy Ponds - 3 hrs

Middle School EnvironmenEducation Program - 3 hrs

The program is divided into fsessions chosen from below

Nature Walk

Insects

Birds of Prey

EcosystemsPond-Microscopes

Reptiles

Nature Games

Mammals

Marine Science

Marine Science Program Fifth Grade, Middle, and HSchool - 2 hrs.

All programs are developed usFloridas Sunshine Standard

For more information abOkeeheelee Nature Center, www.pbcparks.com/natureclick on Okeeheelee NatCenter.

Pamela Murfey, Riverbend Park

Wherever they fly, roostor nest, Ed Kawecki

can find them. An

avid birder, Ed began

conducting Audubon

bird counts on the old

Reese Groves property

before it became

Riverbend Park.

Ed continued participating in Audubon

counts on the County-managed property,

and he worked with John Street, ParksResource Superintendent, to schedule

more regular counts so a cumulative

listing of bird species seen in the park

would be available. Eds counts paid off

the bird count stands at 127 species!

Ed also created a photo album that

he donated to the park. It catalogues

almost one hundred of those species

seen at Riverbend. Visitors can view

some of his photographs displayed on

the park office walls.

In the summer of 2006, Ed became

an official volunteer for Riverbend Park.

During late fall and winter, Ed brings

the skills of birding alive. For the novice

birder, Ed developed a basic birding

program which gives visitors the tools

and techniques for birding. He created

a PowerPoint program on the Birds of

Riverbend. This summer he developed

a Birds of Riverbend Park checklist. Its

become a great tool to use on his guided

birding programs through the naturalwetland communities.

In Eds own words, I am a volunteer

to support the park as a local resource

for preserving natural areas and to

raise awareness of the tremendous

importance of the park to seasonal and

native bird populations. Maintaining bird

lists, conducting walks and providing

bird identification lists are my way of

supporting park initiatives within the

community. Birding has also been an

introduction to the many wonderful people

who share a deep appreciation for nature,

the environment and the need to preserve

it, as well as a continued opportunity to

enjoy the park.

Eds enthusiasm and passion for birding

has brought delight to those who have

participated on his walks. With a good pair

of binoculars and bird book in hand, Ed

keeps a vigilant eye on the sky and in the

bush to find the next bird to add to his list.


pbcparks.com/nature

Ed Kawecki

environment. What will we have taught

them and what will be the result? Will

they take an understanding and respect

for nature into the voting booth? Their

decisions will greatly affect our future.

Explore and Play With Your Children... OutdoorsPerhaps if we all make a renewed effort

to spend more time outdoorswalking

to the corner market instead of driving or

sacrificing a half-hour of TV a day to go to a

nearby parkwe can all enjoy more of the

benefits of being in nature.

Parents and grandparents, take your kids

outside! Explore. Play. Help instill important

attitudes and understanding about nature in

todays youth. Youll be contributing to the

mental and physical health of your kids. You

might also be helping to correct the course

of our threatened environmental future.

From Get Outdoors! on page 5

ALLIGATORSARETHEAPEX

PREDATORINAWETLAND

FOODCHAIN!

RLDLEBIBGTARP

OIRRORUSIAORR

CTVBATOBHTECO

AOCETGBVAPOED

SAMERAOGINXTU

TNRPROINSNUPC

RFAHOLTUFRREE

LASKLSMTTLOAR

TROAEEELEMYRC

AINARWERNRAFH

FOODCHAINCFIA

EWDOOFVECTRSW

NDFOOODOCHOHK

NAVNRXOIMCGVY

FZFEMNQDZRNGN

Wetlands Food ChainWord Search Answer Key

Wetlands Food ChainHidden Message

Did you hear it? Thats a Pileated Woodpecker.


8/8

N

FEDERA

LHIGH

WAY

95

95

95

BOYNTO

NBEA

CHBLVD.

ATLA

NTICA

VE.

GLA

DESRD.

FORESTH

ILLBLV

D.

SOUTH

ERNBLVD

.

INDIANTOWNRD.DONALDROSSRD.FLO

RIDAT

URNPIK

E

USHW

Y441

FLORID

ATU

RNPIK

E

Nature-alleySPRING | 2007

Palm Beach County

Parks and Recreation Department

2700 Sixth Avenue South

Lake Worth, Florida 33461

(561) 966-6600

www.pbcparks.com

Riverbend Park9060 Indiantown Road

Jupiter, FL 33478

(561) 748-2028

Natural Areas Program2700 Sixth Avenue South

Lake Worth, FL 33461

(561) 963-6736

Loggerhead Marinelife Center14200 U.S. Highway 1

Juno Beach, FL 33408

(561) 627-8280

PalmBeachCounty

BoardofCountyCommissioners

Addie L. Greene, Chairperson

Jeff Koons, Vice Chair

Karen T. Marcus

Warren H. Newell

Mary McCarty

Burt Aaronson

Jess R. Santamaria

CountyAdministratorRobert Weisman

AssistantCountyAdministrator

Jon Van Arnam

PalmBeachCounty

Parks&RecreationDepartment27006thAvenueS.,LakeWorth,FL33461

Daggerwing Nature Center11200 Park Access Road

Boca Raton, FL 33498

(561) 488-9953

Green Cay Nature Center12800 Hagen Ranch Road

Boynton Beach, FL 33437

(561) 966-7000

Okeeheelee Nature Center7715 Forest Hill Blvd.

West Palm Beach, FL 33413

(561) 233-1400

BOARDWALKS/NATURETRAILSOPENDAILYSUNRISETOSUNSET

EXHIBITS&NATURECENTERSHOURS:

Mon:Closed;Tues-Fri:1:00-4:30pm;Sat:8:15am-4:30pm;Sun:1:00-4:30pm(ClosedSundaysduringthesummerfromMemorialDaytoLaborDay)

PRINTEDONRECYCLEDPAPER

Date post:	29-May-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	daggerwing-nature-center
View:	216 times
Download:	0 times

spring 2007 Nature Alley Newsletter Daggerwing Nature Center

Documents