Florida Keys Trip General Information
History:
When the first Spanish explorers approached the Florida shores in the 16th century searching for
rumored gold and eternal youth, a number of native Indian tribes were residing throughout the
peninsula and on its surrounding islands. The southernmost regions were dominated by the
Tequestas and the Calusas, who thrived on the abundance provided by the sea and the rich coastal
lands.
Like other early Florida tribes, the Tequestas and Calusas eventually disappeared with the coming of
Western civilization and its accompanying diseases and conquering spirit. Some of the void was filled,
though by other natives, Creek Indians who slowly moved into the southern states. They were neither
welcomed nor beloved by European and American settlers. They came to be known as "Seminoles", a
name perhaps corrupted from the Spanish word cimarron, meaning "wild" or from the Creek words
ishti semoli, meaning "wildmen" , "outlanders", or "separatists".
While observing the chain of islands on the horizon, one contemporary chronicler of exploration,
Ponce de Leon, said they appeared as men who were suffering; hence they were given the name Los
Martires or "the martyrs". No one knows exactly when the first European set foot on any of the
Florida Keys, but as exploration and shipping grew, the islands became prominent on nautical maps.
The nearby treacherous coral reefs claimed many seafaring "martyrs" from the time of early recorded
history. The chain was eventually called "keys", also attributed to the Spanish, from cayos, meaning
"small islands".
In 1763, the Spanish ceded Florida to the British in a trade for the port of Havana. The treaty was
unclear as to the status of the Keys. An agent of the King of Spain claimed that the islands - rich in
fish, turtles and mahogany for shipbuilding - were part of Cuba, in fear the English might build
fortresses and dominate the shipping lanes. The British also realized the treaty was ambiguous, but
declared that the Keys should be occupied and defended as part of Florida. The British claim was
never officially contested. Ironically, the British gave the islands back to Spain in 1783, to keep them
out of the hands of the United States, but in 1821 all of Florida, including the necklace of islands,
officially became American territory.
In the early 1900's travel between many of these islands was only possible by boat. A modern
pioneer, Henry Morrison Flagler, claims responsibility for providing the first civilized access to the
Keys. He dreamed of extending the Florida East Coast Railway from Homestead to Key West. His
dream was realized in 1912, after years of extreme physical hardship for the engineers and laborers
who designed and built it.
When the 1935 Labor Day hurricane destroyed the railroad, it was replaced by the Overseas Highway
completed in 1938. The highway has since been widened and modernized. More than 40 bridges now
connect these islands, like a Caribbean necklace, for more than 126 miles.
Though most of the Florida Keys remained remote and inaccessible until well into the 20th century
their history glitters with romantic tales of pirates, fortunes gleaned from unfortunate shipwrecks,
brief heydays for several island cities, struggling pioneer farmers and occasional military occupation.
It also holds its share of tragedy resulting from settlers' encounters with hostile Indians, yellow-fever
bearing mosquitoes, dangerous hurricanes and unpredictable seas.
Ecology of the Florida Keys:
Coral Reefs
The ecology of a Coral Reef is very unique from other ecosystems. The lagoon and the reef act very
much like a field and a forest edge with different animals in each one. The food web of the coral reef
is very complex and is still being discovered. Until recently it was thought that the classic pyramid
shape food web was inverted in coral reefs due to the lack of producers (plants).
This was clarified by the discovery of zooxanthellae in the live coral itself, as well as in the dead coral
skeleton. These algae also grow in the sand and in the shingles of the reef edge. While the
zooxanthellae provide most of the nutrition necessary for the coral polyps to live, coral polyps also
feed at night on zooplankton. Coral reefs are very dependent on this constant flow of nutrients from
the circulation of zooplankton from the "open ocean". It is this flow of nutrients in the form of
plankton that is the blood stream of coral reefs.
The constant flow of zooplankton into the coral reefs keeps the corals alive and growing, which keeps
the fish alive, which keeps the predators alive. The rest of the ocean is also dependent on the reefs.
The dead coral erodes into calcium carbonate which in turn helps to keep the pH of the water salty,
which keeps marine animals alive. Now we begin to explore the vast interdependence between coral
reefs and the surrounding environments. A common myth is that coral reefs are very stable
environments; the truth is that coral reefs (much like the other ecosystems in the Everglades) are
very fragile.
The sand around coral reef beaches and coral islands is very unstable and needs to be renewed and
replaced constantly. The source of this sand is broken or chewed skeletons from reef organism that
contain calcareous skeletons like coral, crabs and coralline algae.
The entire coral reef ecosystem can collapse if the zooxanthellae leave their symbiotic coral polyps.
When this happens the coral turns white, often referred to as coral bleaching, because the
zooxanthellae give the coral its vibrant colors. As previously mentioned, the symbiotic zooxanthellae
provide up to 85% of the nutrients for some coral species; so when the zooxanthellae leave the coral
polyps die. When the coral polyps die the fish lose their protective homes and their source of food.
This continues down the food chain affecting every organism in the coral reef.
The coral reef ecosystem in the Florida Keys is also dependent on the health of the Everglades. Many
of the fish and crustaceans use the protective branches of mangrove forests to spawn their young.
Most of these fish grow up and return to the coral reef to feed on coral and algae. These fish are
preyed upon by larger fish, which are preyed upon by the top predators like sharks and eels.
Human Impact
Unfortunately, human impact has been harmful for coral reefs. Although, not all damage to coral
reefs can be blamed on humans. Tropical storms cause substantial damage to coral reefs. Some take
up to 50 years to completely rebuild the damage and be fully restored.
Apart from overfishing, substantial damage to coral reefs is caused by pollution. Coral reefs can
tolerate a certain amount of foreign elements, but if no member of the reef can break it down, it
becomes pollution. Pollution dumped from boats or land sewage drains stimulate algae growth.
Algae overwhelm the coral reef not allowing enough light to pass through the water. Overfishing
reduces populations of herbivorous fish, which further promotes the algae bloom.
Farming and logging near coral reefs has also proven to be damaging. The silt runoff from cleared
land can cause coral to be substantially weakened or even die. Canals built to supply Miami and
surrounding cities with water has produced devastating effects to the Everglades (by draining the
water out of it) and the coral reefs around the Florida Keys (by producing increased amounts of silt
deposited in the reefs). The coral reefs around the Florida Keys are in great danger of being
completely destroyed if we do not take action.
Coral reefs are mined for construction material and fragments of coral are sold for aquariums and
souvenirs. Deep sea precious corals including pink, gold and black corals are harvested to make
jewelry. Even well intended visitors can break a tip off an Elkhorn coral with their fins, causing years
of damage. All of these stresses combined weaken the coral and make it very prone to diseases like
Aspergillosis and White plague II which have recently been discovered in the Florida Keys.
Even amongst the threats, preservation of the coral reef environment is still possible. Select coral reef
sanctuaries can be protected from exploitation by designating them underwater parks to be used for
research and better understanding of coral reef ecosystem. Scientists need time to study coral reefs
so they can further understand them, time they may not have if we are not careful. Even if you don’t
have the opportunity to visit a reef, you can still help protect them by practicing the three “Rs”:
reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Mangrove Swamps
A mangrove community, generally consisting entirely of red mangroves, begins as a seedling - nearly
a foot in length - is released by its parent plant into the sea. The long, thin seedling floats vertically in
the water; one end absorbing water and sinking due to the weight, while the opposite end,
surrounded by a waxy covering, repels water and floats. Leaves can sprout from the upper end, and
roots from the lower while floating. In this state, the seedling can survive for a year, drifting aimlessly
until it floats to a shoal or shallow. There it takes root, often far offshore, growing as the ocean
currents wash up sand, within a few centimeters of the water's surface. Within a year, the plant can
grow a meter in height; in three years, it will produce prop roots; and in five, assuming no natural
disasters have occurred, a small mangrove island will be established.
The prop roots sent down by a mangrove appear as pendulums growing vertically down until they
reach the water. There the roots branch, forming an intricately woven web that is continuously
expanding. In the ever-changing underwater habitat of ocean tides, prop roots of mangroves aid in
oxygen uptake while simultaneously creating a complex microhabitat. The dominant life forms among
the roots are a plethora of crabs, including the Spotted Mangrove Crab, or Tree Crab. There are a
variety of snails found in the mud beneath prop roots, as well as several that live on them. The
amount of time a zone on the prop root spends underwater determines what organisms will be found
there. For example, the uppermost animals are star barnacles, while larger barnacles are found
farther down, leading eventually to oysters in the midtidal zone. Mussels populate the mid and lower
intertidal zones. The subtidal zone is home to tunicates, sponges, fanworms and some anemones.
A variety of birds can be found above the maze of prop roots, in the thick boughs and heavy foliage of
the trees. Thickets of mangroves are sources of roosting and nesting sites for herons, egrets, White
Ibises, Brown Pelicans, and Magnificent Frigate birds. There are also several species of birds closely
associated with mangrove swamps. Among these are the golden race of the Yellow Warbler, the
Black-Whiskered Vireo and the secretive Mangrove Cuckoo.
Mangrove swamps produce tons of rich organic detritus each day, off of which bacteria, molds, tiny
crustaceans, larval shrimps and fishes feed. In fact, a single acre of red mangrove sheds more than
three tons of leaves each year. It is crucial to the swamp's survival that the daily flushing and
replenishment of the tides occur.
Mangrove trees are specially adapted for their unique environment. Because they are bathed in a
solution with higher salinity than themselves, water from within the trees would naturally seep out to
the surrounding ocean due to osmosis. Should this happen, the trees would dry out and die. Also,
should the mangrove intake too much salt, the same would happen. To prevent this from occurring,
mangroves either screen salt out of the water they absorb, or they absorb salt from the water and
water follows by osmosis. The mangrove then excretes the salt out through special glands in their
leaves, but water cannot follow out by osmosis this time as there is a thick waxy cuticle surrounding
the dark mangrove leaves.
Florida Bay and Shallow Water Ecosystems
Between the southern edge of the Everglades and the Florida Keys lies a large shallow subtropical
estuary called Florida Bay. This triangular shaped estuary, about 850 square miles, is the largest
estuary in Florida and the largest body of water within the Everglades National Park. Exposed at low
tide, the mud flats of Florida Bay provide a valuable feeding area for a number of birds. Plants such as
turtle grass, horned pondweed and manatee grass stabilize the mud flats. Because the average
depths of the mud flats of the bay are only about 3 feet, sunlight reaches the bottom and supports
the growth of sea grass beds. Sea grass beds serve as nursery areas, feeding grounds and refuges for
many species. A number of different species of algae also live there. These grass beds are an excellent
habitat for a wide variety of fish and shellfish.
The hard bottom areas of Florida Bay are home to a diversity of corals and sponges. The bay is also
the home of other wildlife including dolphins, manatees, American crocodiles, bald eagles, ospreys,
roseate spoonbills and many wading birds.
At least 22 commercially and/or recreationally important aquatic species are known to use Florida
Bay as a nursery ground. A guide boat industry in the Florida Keys operates within Florida Bay. Target
species of this industry include snook, tarpon, permit, bonefish, spotted sea trout and mangrove
snapper. The bay is also a nursery for young spiny lobsters and several species of snappers, grunts
and sparids. Florida Bay and nearby coastal embayments are the principal nursery habitat for pink
shrimp, which is the basis of a multimillion dollar fishery industry in the Tortugas. Pink shrimp are an
important species commercially and form a prey base for higher trophic level organisms.
Weather:
Islamorada weather: the lower Florida Keys have to be some of the sunniest and warmest places in
the United States year round. The climate in the winter maintains at around 75-80 degrees with
warmer days mixed in.
The weather is almost perfect every day with passing showers that do not last all day long like the
fronts experienced up north.
The Florida Keys are situated within the subtropical region of the Western hemisphere. Because of its
proximity to the Gulf Stream and the Gulf of Mexico, the Keys have a mild tropical-maritime climate
where the average summer and winter temperatures rarely differ more than 10 degrees.
Money:
There will be time for students to shop for souvenirs and snacks both at the local ships store and a
Keys souvenirs shop. We suggest that students bring from $25 to $75 dollars in spending money for
this adventure. Students are responsible for holding on to their money.
Transportation and Guide:
For the Florida Keys program, Appleseed Expeditions will provide motor-coach transportation.
Your Appleseed Expeditions guide will be with the group from the moment they arrive to the
moment the group leaves.
Health & Safety:
Because the Florida Keys program is a water-based program, all students are expected to participate
in a water swim test. This test will evaluate each student’s swimming capabilities to determine which
students need closer supervision by chaperones or trained staff. Additionally, students will wear swim
vests when snorkeling, life vests when kayaking and participate in a buddy system for accountability
safety.
Sun:
To protect you from excessive sun exposure you should wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen with
SPF 30 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection. Sunscreen should be generously applied to all
exposed parts of the body approximately 30 minutes before sun exposure and should be reapplied
after swimming or vigorous activity. Students should also drink plenty of fluids and avoid strenuous
exercise when the temperature is high.
Students will also be required to have/wear a swim shirt (rash guard).
Emergency Contacts:
Lead Guide – Josh Bartlum – 850-865-1685 (cell)
Appleseed Expeditions Office – 1-888-231-4775
Local Hospital – Mariner Hospital, Islamorada – 305-852-4418
Local Pharmacy – CVS- 82894 Overseas Hwy – 305-664-2576
Service Project Information:
RCMA Migrant Children of South Florida
In addition to the many burdens imposed on all children of poverty, migrant children face mobility,
language and cultural barriers. Thus, the children of migrant farm workers generally defined as
persons who cross a prescribed geographic boundary and stay away from their normal residences
overnight to perform farm work for wages. Additionally, they face increased challenges in obtaining
educational, health and social services.
South Florida Hispanic migrant worker children are considered by many as the ghost children of our
society. These children follow their parents in a transitional lifestyle where the parents move every
three to five months as work in agricultural crops becomes available. They are called ghost children
because they go to school for short periods of time and then disappear due to the movement of their
parents. According the Children’s Data Bank, these children have a school drop out rate that is often
higher than 24% in comparison to the national average of 16%. These higher dropout rates could be
due to a variety of reasons from the transient lifestyle of their family or due to the lack of
multicultural sensitive education programs within our schools.
Appleseed Expeditions Partnership with RCMA
Appleseed Expeditions has been involved with RCMA and helping migrant children for the last 10
years. This organization has coordinated efforts between schools and service projects with RCMA. We
work hand in hand with their volunteer director to implement structured mentoring and community
aid programs that benefit migrant children in need.
Packing List:
The weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for a variety of conditions. Pack comfortable,
lightweight clothes including the following items:
CLOTHING
 Clothes for daily activities, such as shorts, jeans, capris and t-shirts
 Swim shirt (rash guard) & board shorts
 Comfortable walking shoes
 Sandals/Flip-flops
 Water shoes
 Light jacket or sweatshirt
 Rain jacket
 Modest swimsuit (one piece or tank-style….more information to follow)
 and towel (recommend 2 each)
 Appleseed Expeditions t-shirt (to be worn on the 1st day of trip, may be provided upon arrival)
ACCESSORIES (A specific information letter will be sent next year)
 Pillow (None will be provided!)
 Sleeping Bag or blanket (students will sleep on bunk beds)
 Journal and pen
 Toiletries
 Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
 Bug spray
 Camera
 Extra batteries
 Flashlight
 Travel alarm clock and/or watch are also a good idea
 Games/activities/approved movies for bus rides
 Packaged snacks
 Re-usable water bottle
 Snorkel & Mask (optional)
 Spending money (Debit/Credit Card with a PIN for withdrawing cash)
 Necessary medications with proper labels – do not combine medications into one bottle. Be
sure to give your group leader a copy of your prescriptions. (Specific information will follow)
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS
Allow extra room to bring back any gifts or souvenirs you purchase. We also suggest that you write
your name and address on the inside of your suitcase. Make sure to keep your money secure or with
you (when possible) during the entire trip.