Nature Calls

Lemon Bay Conservancy is hosting a free talk Wednesday, May 8th on coastal water quality. University of Florida professor Dr. Mary Lusk will discuss how different water sources can influence coastal water. The seminar will cover septic systems: friend or foe; advanced wastewater treatment; reclaimed water; stormwater ponds; and a discussion on recent findings regarding red tide bloom rapid growth when exposed to nutrients from reclaimed water and stormwater. The seminar will be held at the Cape Haze Community Center, 180 Spyglass Alley in Placida. Refreshments will be served at 5:30pm and the seminar starts at 6pm. The public is welcome. Whether you’re a homeowner, government official or simply a concerned citizen, this seminar is for you. For more information, contact Rob at [email protected].

Water Quality Monitors Needed
Volunteers are still needed for the year-round monthly water testing with Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network. Citizen scientists assist government scientists in gathering data crucial to managing the health of quality of regional waters. Training is provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. If you would like to learn more, please email [email protected].

Parks That Teach Tour
Take a leisurely walk along Punta Gorda’s Parks That Teach corridor on Saturday, May 4, 9:30 to 11am. The guided tour departs from the Punta Gorda Library, 401 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda, and is led by UF/UFAS Master Gardeners. The tour lasts about 90 minutes, and you will view the unique ecosystems of the mangroves, identify trees and shrubs, and learn how these plants can fit into your home landscape. You will also experience the habitats that support many different Florida creatures. The tour will also be offered on Wednesday, May 15th. For questions, call 941•833•5460.

Shamrock Park EcoWalk
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is offering a guided walk on Friday, May 9, 9 to 11am, at Shamrock Park, 3900 Shamrock Drive in Venice. This leisurely stroll will educate you about the plant and animal ecosystems and how to be watershed wise. Open to ages 12 through adult. You must register at ufsarasotaext.eventbrite.com. For questions, call 941•861•5000.

Mangrove Chapter FNPS Activities
 The mission of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. The Mangrove Chapter serves Charlotte County and southern Sarasota County. Visit them online at mangrove.fnpschapters.org. For more information, contact them at [email protected].

Shamrock Park Walk
Join the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, and Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society on Friday, May 10, 9 to 11am, as member Dr. Mary Davis leads a walk at Shamrock Park and Nature Center, located at 3099 Shamrock Drive, Venice. Mary will talk about coastal scrub habitat, the ecology of plants and animals living in this harsh environment, and management challenges of maintaining habitat for the Florida endemic Scrub Jay in today’s landscape. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free, and all are welcome. For additional information, contact [email protected].

Chapter Meeting
The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will host an “iNaturalist Demonstration and Practice” program led by club president, Dr. Ava Lasseter, during the Chapter meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 1pm, at Lemon Bay Park, 570 Bay Park Blvd. Bring your smart phones and portable devices, as time will be offered for an in-field experience. BYOPicnic social at 12:15pm. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact [email protected].

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) Activities
 On these casual walks with CHEC volunteers, you will search for and learn about plants, animals, fungi and more, that live in Charlotte County preserves. Prepare for each walk with plenty of water, insect repellent, sunscreen, and clothing that will protect you from insects and plants. Advance registration is required. Go to CHECflorida.org for a complete program calendar and registration links. For more information on programs, please call 941•475•0769 or email [email protected].

Guided Hike at Cedar Point
Join CHEC for a free guided tour of the beautiful 115-acre Cedar Point Environmental Park on Saturday, May 4 at 8am. Meet outside the Cedar Point Visitor Center at 2300 Placida Road. To register, fill out the online form at checflorida.org or call 941•475•0769. Also offered on Saturday, June 1st at 8am.

Tippecanoe Guided Walk
CHEC will lead a guided walk at the 380-acre Tippecanoe Environmental Park on Wednesday, May 8 at 8am. This Charlotte County park includes habitats such as scrub, pine flatwoods, marsh and wetlands. Meet behind the Charlotte County Sports Park at 2400 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte.

Tippecanoe II Preserve Walk
Join CHEC for a guided walk through Tippecanoe II Mitigation Preserve on Wednesday, May 15 at 8am. This 182-acre preserve is home to several families of the threatened Florida scrub jay. Meet in the parking lot at 16259 Joppa Avenue, Port Charlotte. To register, fill out the form online at checflorida.org or call 941•475•0769. 

Seagrass Wading Trip
Join CHEC for a free wading adventure through the seagrass beds of Lemon Bay on Saturday, May 18, 9 to 11am. Participants will walk approximately one-half mile to the wading site where they will collect and view creatures of the bay. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that may get wet. Also recommended are sunscreen, insect repellent and water. Advance registration is required. Call 941•475•0769 or email [email protected].

Bayshore Live Oak Park
Join CHEC on a guided walk through the 80-acre Bayshore Live Oak Park on Wednesday, May 22 at 8am. Historical figures and beautiful views characterize this park located along the Charlotte Harbor at 23157 Bayshore Road, Port Charlotte. Meet in the parking lot by the playground. To register, fill out the form online at checflorida.org or call 941•475•0769. 

Guided Kayak EcoTour
CHEC and Biotica EcoTours are offering a guided kayak tour of Lemon Bay around Cedar Point Environmental Park and the surrounding mangrove habitats, including the nearby bird rookery on Friday, May 24, 10:30am to 1pm. The tour is perfect for all skill levels and wonderful for nature lovers. The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and is easy-paced paddling. The fee is $60 per person which includes your kayak and all other equipment for the day. Meet at the kiosk by the visitor center at Cedar Point Park, 2300 Placida Road. Registration is required by calling Biotica EcoTours at 941•350•4905 or at bioticatours.com/eco-tours.

Amberjack Environmental Park
Join CHEC on a guided walk through the scrub and pine flatwoods of 225-acre Amberjack Environmental Park on Wednesday, May 29 at 8am. Meet at 6250 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., where the street dead ends. To register, fill out the form online at checflorida.org or call 941•475•0769. 

Lemon Bay Conservancy News
The free guided nature walks and activities shown below are sponsored by Lemon Bay Conservancy and will be held at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood. Please come prepared for a hike. The preserve can be “buggy” this time of year. Consider wearing long sleeves and long pants. Water, a hat, sunscreen, bug spray and hiking shoes are recommended. Some people like to bring a walking pole. Binoculars are useful for observing more distant birds and other animals. Website: lemonbayconservancy.org.

Wildflower Preserve Walk
The public is invited to join LBC for a guided walk on Friday, May 3, 8:30-10:30am, through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd. Participants will be fully immersed as they learn and encounter the ever-changing natural sights at the preserve. Organizer: Susy d’Hont. Please wear closed toe walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, water, camera and binoculars. No reservations needed.

Venice Audubon Society News
 The Venice Area Audubon Society serves south Sarasota County and offers activities, educational programs, birding field trips, and provides support for birds and wildlife with a pollinator garden & native plants at the Venice Area Audubon Rookery Park, located at 4002 S. Tamiami Trail via Annex Road, Venice. New members are welcome. Learn more at veniceaudubon.org or email [email protected].

Venice Area Audubon Society currently has not scheduled any activities for the summer months.

Peace River Audubon Society
 The Peace River Audubon Society (PRAS) was founded in 1977 and their mission is to foster an awareness of Florida birds and other wildlife through education, exploration and conservation. They offer walks, educational programs, and promote conservation. PRAS collaborates with Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) for volunteer activities as well as to maintain the native plant nursery, bird blind and purple martin gourd array at the CHEC Punta Gorda location. You can find information about bird identification, birding hotspots, yard certification and more on their website. Annual memberships are $20 for a family. Learn more at peaceriveraudubonsociety.org or visit them on Facebook.

Peace River Wildlife Center Walk
Barb Taylor will guide a walkabout in the 16-acre park at the Peace River Wildlife Center on Tuesday, May 7, 9:30am. The walk will follow the mangrove boardwalk to the beach and then over to the Wildlife Center for animal tales. The public is invited to join the walk. Meet in the parking lot at 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy in Punta Gorda. The park surrounds the expanse of Charlotte Harbor and is effectively buffered from the surrounding neighborhoods by a portion of the Charlotte Harbor State Buffer Reserve. Barb is a Florida Master Naturalist and often takes Bella the Great Horned Owl on presentations for the Wildlife Center.

Society Speaker Meeting
The Peace River Audubon Society speaker meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 16, 6:30pm, at the Regional Realtor Education Center at 3320 Loveland Blvd. in Port Charlotte. Dan E. Roberts, Jr of FWC & FWRI will speak about the Western Florida Marine Shelf and on the Diverse Ecosystem, as well as Commercial Fishing and the Mounting Problems. The public is welcome to attend. There will be a quick meeting where refreshments will be available.

Ding Darling Refuge Walk
PRAS will guide a Shorebird Car Caravan on Saturday, May 18th at the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, One Wildlife Drive, on Sanibel Island. Meet at the Bailey Tract (parking lot kiosk) at 9am. It will be exciting to see the birds from air-conditioned cars! Each car in the caravan will have a fee of $10 per car to get into the refuge plus there is a fee for the Sanibel Causeway of $6 (but if you don’t have a FL toll transponder, it will cost $9). Plan to stay for brunch at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille at 2500 Island Inn Rd. Carpools are encouraged at the Kings Hwy Walmart parking lot near Culvers in Port Charlotte. RSVP at the website or call 615•477•9067.

The items appearing in this column are as accurate as possible. Please call the listed numbers for confirmation and further information. If you have an upcoming event you would like to have considered for Nature Calls, please send info and/or photo to The Englewood Review, 370 W Dearborn St, Suite B, Englewood, FL 34223, or email: [email protected].