Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department
Inside:
2
3
4
5
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in humidity, offering a safe haven for the
gopher tortoise and other ground-dwelling
animals from cold, heat, and dryness.
Pine Bark Beetles
of Florida
Ask a Naturalist
Clive Pinnock, Okeeheelee Nature Center
- What is Earth Day?
Get Outdoors! - A personal
viewpoint by Kelli Kirchofer
Alligator Crossword Puzzle
- Kids’ Corner
Wetland Food Chains
Word Search - Kids’ Corner
Ed Kawecki at Riverbend
Park - Volunteer Spotlight
Good health
The outdoors
provides numerous
mental and
physical health
benefits. Don’t
forget to get your
daily dose!
Two adult male gopher tortoises fight over a female
Gopher tortoises, classified as a species
of special concern, live in a variety of
habitats throughout South Florida. They
burrow in the ground in well-drained
sandy soils, usually within pine flatwoods,
live oak and red oak hammocks, sand
pine scrubs, dry prairies, and coastal
dune ecosystems.
As a species, they range throughout
the southeastern United States,
predominantly in North-central Florida
and southern Georgia. In other places
within their range, the populations have
diminished significantly due to habitat
destruction and fragmentation.
The sandy soil in which the gopher
tortoise makes its burrow affords
them the ability to dig up to forty feet
in length and ten feet deep where
possible, depending on the level of the
water table. The temperature within the
burrows remains fairly stable and high
The burrow of the tortoise also plays
a significant role in the lives of many
animals that share its habitat. Because
much of the tortoise’s habitat is
subjected to fires triggered by lightning
storms, many ground-dwelling animals,
including reptiles, mammals, amphibians
and insects, seek out the burrows as a
safe haven from the flames and heat.
Scientists have found over three hundred
different species of animals occupying
tortoise burrows during a fire.
Marked gopher tortoise entering its burrow
Tortoises, being herbivores, feed mostly
on low growing vegetation, allowing them
to reach the succulent leaves, flowers,
and fruit. Some of these plants are
blackberries, saw palmetto berries, gopher
apples, broad-leaf grasses, and legumes.
Water is drunk if available, but most of
the moisture required by the animals is
obtained from the foods they eat.
Breeding begins in April and May with
males roaming in larger areas than they
normally do when foraging for food. Their
See Animal Tracks on page 3
Pine Bark Beetles of Florida
Greg Atkinson, Natural Areas Program
Spring Break Camp Opportunity
It’s never too early to plan for
camp! A lottery system will
be implemented this year to
ensure equal access to camp
registration.
Spring Adventurers
► Fri, Mar 2 - Thurs, Mar 8:
Lottery registration begins
by mail, fax, or drop off at
9:00 am.
► Mon, Apr 2 - Fri, Apr 6:
Camp is from 9:00 am to
4:00 pm. Participants must
be between the ages of 9
and 12.
Visit us at www.pbcparks.com/
nature for registration forms and
mini-schedules or call the Camp
Director for more information at
(561) 488-9953.
Earth Day 2007
This is the nature center animals’ (and humans’) favorite
holiday! In honor of this, we will
celebrate on Saturday, April 14,
from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free
information will be available as
long as supplies last to help us
all do our part to make every
day Earth Day.
Pine bark beetles are insects that normally
attack stressed and dying pine trees. They
usually don’t 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 the
death 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 (Ips
calligraphus, 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 Beetles
The three common species in Florida
tend to infest different parts of a tree: I.
calligraphus infests large-diameter material
near the bottom of a mature tree,
There will be paper making demonstrations, crafts, and games,
as well as story time from our
friends at Pretend Party Productions and a reptile program from
Underground Reptiles.
I. grandicollis infests
the mid to upper
bole (or lower bole
of smaller trees), and
I. avulsus prefers the
small-diameter material
in or near the crown. A
healthy, vigorous pine tree is not likely to
be susceptible to attack by Ips beetles, and
they 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 (Dendroctonus
terebrans) is the largest of these pine bark
beetle species. It attacks near the base of
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 beetles
are attracted to stressed and injured
trees. BTB is not usually known to spread
aggressively or to kill healthy trees, and
trees can sometimes recover from a limited
number of attacks by this species.
Southern Pine Beetle (SPB)
Southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus
frontalis) is perhaps the best-known pest
of southern pines. Like Ips and black
turpentine beetles, SPB normally attacks
stressed and dying pine trees. Historically,
the range of SPB in the state has included
only North and Central Florida, and no SPB
activity has been recorded south of Orange
and Hernando Counties. Bark beetle
activity observed in South Florida can
most likely be attributed to Ips and black
turpentine beetles.
Source: http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_management/fh_insects_pbb_index.html
Join us for our annual release
of ladybugs into our gardens
or take them home and fight
aphids in your yard!
We hope you and your family
will join us for our annual
tradition. Call the Nature
Center at (561) 488-9953
for a schedule of activities or
log onto our website for more
information.
For links to more information about pine bark beetles, visit
www.pbcparks.com/nature and click on natural areas program.
See Daggerwing on page 3
2
pbcparks.com/nature
www.
Nature-alley Spring 2007
ask
Naturalist
“What is Earth Day?”
Jennifer Royce
Daggerwing Nature Center
Earth Day is celebrated each year on April
22. It’s 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, people
everywhere have taken the opportunity
each spring to educate themselves about
Volunteer helping with crafts, Daggerwing Earth Day 2006
issues that affect the earth and to commit
to 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 onto www.pbcparks.
com/nature to view the special events
your Nature Centers have planned for
Earth Day.
Storytelling from Pretend Party Productions,
Daggerwing Earth Day 2005
Although we celebrate Earth Day in April,
every day should be Earth Day!
From Animal Tracks on page 1
extensive roaming at this time of year
is induced by scents or pheromones
emitted by the females. Several weeks
after mating, female tortoises lay three
to fifteen eggs which hatch in seventy to
ninety days.
The hatching success rate and the
rate of survival for young tortoises is
very low in Florida and in Okeeheelee
Park. The major reason for this is due
to predation from raccoons, opossums,
armadillos, foxes, skunks, and fire
ants. These factors, in addition to the
already mentioned habitat loss due
to over development, have adversely
Nature-alley Spring 2007 impacted the gopher tortoise population
throughout Florida.
At Okeeheelee Nature Center, measures
such as monitoring and research are
being done to determine ways the
tortoises can be helped.
From Daggerwing on page 2
You are Needed
Do you have some spare
time on your hands? Need
volunteer credits for school?
Are you in the mood for a little
spring cleaning? Your services
are needed at Daggerwing
Nature Center.
We are looking for a few good
men and women to help us
with our daily activities. We
are in need of some green
thumbs to help out in our
butterfly garden. Do you love
animals? We could always
use some help caring for our
menagerie of critters. If you
prefer being inside, there
are desk attendant/greeter
positions available as well.
Whatever skills you possess,
we are sure we could use
them here. Volunteering is a
great way to gain experience
in a future field of study or to
meet people and make new
friends.
Sound interesting to you?
Please call Danica Walcutt,
our Volunteer Coordinator, at
(561) 488-9953. Volunteers
are needed Tuesday through
Sunday.
For more information about
Daggerwing Nature Center, visit
www.pbcparks.com/nature
and click on Daggerwing.
Respect for
nature
Parks are
great places
for today’s
youth
to connect
with the
environment–
pbcparks.com/nature
www.
3
Get Outdoors!
It’s better for you (and your children) than you may realize.
Membership & Animal Adoption
The Friends of Green Cay
Nature Center, Inc. is a
non-profit organization that
raises money to support the
Nature Center in its mission
to promote an understanding
and appreciation of the
natural world to the public.
You can show your support by
becoming a member, adopting
an animal, and visiting the
gift shop. Your tax-deductible
contribution will go directly
to benefit the Nature Center
in ways such as feeding our
animals, 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 & Barbara
Rosenblatt
We have a variety of animals
(such as alligators, frogs, turtles,
and snakes) to choose from
that are up for “adoption.” The
animal you adopt will remain at
the Nature Center to be cared
for by staff, but when you visit,
you can develop a bond with
your new friend while learning
more about the animal. Animal
adoption makes a great gift!
Animal Adoptions
(October 2006 - January 2007)
►Peninsula Cooter Turtle:
Vicki Brown, Lee Brown,
JoAnn Goldberger & Rachel
►Yellow-bellied Slider
Turtle: Robyn Halasz
►Florida Softshell Turtle:
The Reid Family
A Personal Viewpoint by Kelli Kirchofer,
Green Cay Nature Center
As a Naturalist at Green Cay Nature Center
and a Master’s student in Environmental
Education (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 and
educational 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 year’s conference was
Richard Louv’s compelling book Last
Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children
from Nature Deficit Disorder. The book
cites 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 disorder to
decreasing green spaces and access to
them, over-scheduled lives, technology
(including television, computers, and
electronic games), litigation, and fear.
If you’re interested in learning
more about becoming a
member or adopting an animal
and the benefits, please visit
our website.
See Green Cay on page 5
4
Kelli Kirchofer with Breanna and Griffin
pbcparks.com/nature
www.
Louv discusses these trends in depth, as
well as the side effects of the de-natured
child, the benefits of reconnecting children
with nature, and he provides practical
ideas for helping parents and educators to
re-create those connections.
Personally, I highly recommend Louv’s book
to everyone because I think nature deficit
disorder is 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 their
own children. If today’s parents missed out
on spending quality time in nature when
they were young, how can they pass on a
love and respect for it to their kids?
I was fortunate. I grew up in a family that
valued spending time outdoors. I used to
love camping with my family and walking
through the woods and fields hunting with
my dad. I took it all in and developed a
love for and curiosity about nature. I am in
the field of Environmental Education today
thanks to my parents.
Introducing Nature Through
Environmental Education
The 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 the
environment, 4) to provide learners with
needed skills for acting on behalf of the
environment, and 5) to encourage learners
to behave and act appropriately on behalf of
the environment.
Some of these goals can be pursued through
classroom and/or field trip activities, but
others cannot. For example, how can a
teacher cultivate an appropriate attitude
toward the environment, instilling a lifelong love for nature, unless students spend
time there? Louv argues that children need
to be given opportunities for unstructured
free play and individual exploration in the
outdoors to make a connection with nature.
As educators, many times we are not able to
Nature-alley Spring 2007
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 aren’t getting outdoors—at home
or at school.
Many studies have proven that children
in environmental education programs
primarily 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
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 fall’s 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 regardless
of 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. They’ll be making important
decisions that permanently impact our
ALLIGATORS!
See Get Outdoors on page 7
Green Cay Nature Center
Alligator
Crossword Puzzle
From Green Cay on page 4
Programs & Events
Green Cay has a variety of
upcoming programs and events:
►Boardwalk Tours
►Night Hikes
►Story and Craft Time
►Naturalist Programs
►Science for Seniors
We also offer programs for
groups such as schools, camps,
and clubs with a variety of topics
to choose from:
►Reptiles & Amphibians
►Birds
►Wetlands
►Insects
►Boardwalk Tours
For more information about
all of our opportunities, visit
our website or call the Nature
Center.
Calling All Kids!
For nature fun at home, go
to the Activity Page link of
the Green Cay Nature Center
website and print out the activity
of the month. After you finish the
puzzle, bring it to the front desk
of Green Cay Nature Center
and get a prize. Look for a new
puzzle and get a new prize each
month.
New Website Link
Visit our website and go to the
Mystery Animal link and see
if you can figure out what the
animal is by looking at only one
body part. Bring your answer
to the front desk at Green Cay
Nature Center, and if you are
correct, you win a prize. Look
for a new animal and get a new
prize every month.
Down
For more information about
Green Cay Nature Center, visit
www.pbcparks.com/nature
and click on Green Cay.
2. The area this animal digs out to hold water during
the dry season (two words).
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5. An animal that only eats meat, such as an
Alligator Crossword Puzzle
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Green Cay Nature Center
Wetland Food Chains
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Animal Adoption Program
Gain a special friend while
lending support to the entire
facility. Adoptions make excellent gifts and are good for
one year.
Adoption Packages Include:
► Photograph of your animal
► Fact sheet about your
animal
► Adoption certificate
► Recognition in newsletter
Naturalist Programs
►Animal Presentations
►Nature Walks
►Raptor Chapter
►Deer Walks
►Scout Programs
Volunteer Opportunities
►School Program Docent
►Front Desk Greeter
►Exhibit Docent
►Habitat Management
Assistant
►Animal Caretaker
►Nature Walk Guide
►Newsletter Assistant
►Butterfly Gardener
►Research Assistant
See Okeeheelee on page 7
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Nature-alley Spring 2007
Spotlight
Volunteer
For more information about
Okeeheelee Nature Center, visit
www.pbcparks.com/nature and
click on Okeeheelee Nature
Center.
Wetlands Food Chain
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Perhaps if we all make a renewed effort
to spend more time outdoors—walking
to the corner market instead of driving or
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Explore and Play With Your Children... Outdoors
sacrificing a half-hour of TV a day to go to a
nearby park—we 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
today’s youth. You’ll 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.
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From Get Outdoors! on page 5
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.
Marine Science Program for
Fifth Grade, Middle, and High
School - 2 hrs.
All programs are developed using
Florida’s Sunshine Standards.
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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. It’s
Ed’s 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.
Middle School Environmental
Education Program - 3 hrs.
The program is divided into four
sessions chosen from below:
►Nature Walk
►Insects
►Birds of Prey
►Ecosystems
►Pond-Microscopes
►Reptiles
►Nature Games
►Mammals
►Marine Science
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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.
Fourth Grade Trip
► S.W.A.M.P. Squishy Wetlands
and Marshy Ponds - 3 hrs.
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Ed continued participating in Audubon
counts on the County-managed property,
and he worked with John Street, Parks
Resource Superintendent, to schedule
more regular counts so a cumulative
listing of bird species seen in the park
would be available. Ed’s counts paid off—
the bird count stands at 127 species!
In Ed’s 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.”
Primary School Field Trips
► Kindergarten: “Birds, Butterflies, and Flowers” - 1½ hrs.
► First Grade: “Animal Homes
and Habitats” - 2 hrs.
► Second Grade: “Pine Flatwoods and Wetlands” 2 hrs.
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Ed Kawecki
Wherever they fly, roost
or 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.
become a great tool to use on his guided
birding programs through the natural
wetland communities.
School Programs
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Pamela Murfey, Riverbend Park
From Okeeheelee on page 6
7
Daggerwing Nature Center
Green Cay Nature Center
11200 Park Access Road
Boca Raton, FL 33498
(561) 488-9953
Okeeheelee Nature Center
12800 Hagen Ranch Road
Boynton Beach, FL 33437
(561) 966-7000
7715 Forest Hill Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33413
(561) 233-1400
BOARDWALKS / NATURE TRAILS OPEN DAILY SUNRISE TO SUNSET
EXHIBITS & NATURE CENTERS HOURS:
Mon: Closed; Tues-Fri: 1:00 - 4:30 pm; Sat: 8:15 am - 4:30 pm; Sun: 1:00 - 4:30 pm
(Closed Sundays during the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day)
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Loggerhead Marinelife Center
14200 U.S. Highway 1
Juno Beach, FL 33408
(561) 627-8280
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Palm Beach County
Parks & Recreation Department
Natural Areas Program
2700 Sixth Avenue South
Lake Worth, FL 33461
(561) 963-6736
County Administrator
Robert Weisman
Assistant County Administrator
Jon Van Arnam
2700 6th Avenue S., Lake Worth, FL 33461
Riverbend Park
9060 Indiantown Road
Jupiter, FL 33478
(561) 748-2028
2700 Sixth Avenue South
Lake Worth, Florida 33461
(561) 966-6600
www.pbcparks.com
Addie L. Greene, Chairperson
Jeff Koons, Vice Chair
Karen T. Marcus
Warren H. Newell
Mary McCarty
Burt Aaronson
Jess R. Santamaria
TH
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Palm Beach County
Parks and Recreation Department
Palm Beach County
Board of County Commissioners
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SPRING | 2007
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Nature-alley