The Marine Science Center's
|
|
On Saturday, April 19, 2008, the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet held its 6th Annual Turtle Day. The Marine Science Center, tucked away under the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, is an environmental learning center that rehabilitates sick and injured sea turtles and sea birds and teaches its visitors about a variety of marine life; however, this Saturday's event was just for the turtles.
It was the perfect 'weekend weather'. The sound of music drifted through the air. Nestled in a small clearing of trees, was a tiny 'village' of 10-15 assorted tents, informative booths and educational exhibits. The event was fully staffed with Marine Science Center employees and volunteers, who were very knowledgeable and happily answered visitor's questions. Activities included educational lectures, a live butterfly exhibit, kite flying demonstrations, face painting, and crafts for the kids. There were also food vendors and booths with Turtle Day souvenirs for sale. Students from a local elementary school made necklaces and other handmade crafts to sell to raise money for their school's 'Save the Turtles' campaign. There was a raffle with a grand prize of a Mad Dog surfboard, valued at $250.00; proceeds from the raffle went to The Friends of the Marine Science Center. Guests could visit the turtle viewing area, which overlooks several large basins holding rehabilitating turtles with names like, 'Twitchy' and 'Phoebe'. The Center gave its visitors free reign of their educational classroom lab, where visitors could see preserved insect specimens, a live coral reef, a salt water aquarium with mangrove exhibit, a informational video, and even check out microscope station with assorted items to examine, like a sand dollar, snake skin, and shark 'denticles'. Visitors could also enjoy the Marine Science Center's gift shop with tons of turtle 'treasures' and with live animal exhibits next door.
The festivities were finished off at Winterhaven Park, with the release of several pelicans and sea gulls, a green sea turtle and a 175 lbs. loggerhead sea turtle named, 'Old Boots', who was brought to the Marine Science Center last year after encountering red tide. There was a slew of on-lookers, some had attended Turtle Day at the Marine Science Center, while others were just enjoying day at the beach and noticed the crowd forming. The spectators formed two lines and made a V-shaped runway for the turtles and Marine Center staff. The crowd's anticipation grew as it got closer to the scheduled release time, and just as the clock struck 3 o'clock, a fleet of vehicles appeared in the distance. The vehicles parked and Marine Science Center staff and volunteers emerged to unload the precious cargo. First, the birds were released, then the star of the show, 'Old Boots', was carried down to the shore in a special turtle sling. The crowd took pictures and cheered as each animal was released back into its natural habitat. Most people were surprised when a Marine Center staff member announced, "We're not done yet", and returned to the trucks to get one more release-ee, a green turtle. The release was a complete success with all of the animals returning safely to the air and sea.
Turtle Day is an educational and informative event, and an unique experience. For more information on Turtle Day visit http://marinesciencecenter.com/turtleday08.htm, and if you would like more information on the Marine Science Center visit http://marinesciencecenter.com. The Marine Science Center is located at 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127, telephone number (386) 304-5545, and is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm, and they are closed Monday. Admission was free on Turtle Day, but regular admission runs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for kids 3-12, and free for kids under 3
Native Grass Planting - Flagler County
Posted on 04.18.08
Who: Anyone
What: Native planting project
When: Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 12:00 to 3:00 PM
Where: Gamble Rogers Park, Flagler County; Volunteers
will be meeting at the boat ramp by the river side.
Why: To help the folks of the Northern Coastal Basin Project
restore the precious coastline by planting native grasses.
For more information and to RSVP for this event, contact:
Will Hobson
Volusia County Watershed Action Volunteer Coordinator
St. John's River Water Management District
123 W. Indiana Avenue
DeLand, Florida 32720
Office: (386) 736-5927 x5823
Email: wavvolusia@sjrwmd.com
(Source: Environet, 2008)
20th Annual Halifax/Indian River Clean-up
Posted on 04.20.08
In conjunction with Join Hands Day, the 20th Annual Halifax/Indian River Cleanup will begin at 8am, Saturday, May 3, 2008, at 16 sites along the Halifax and Indian Rivers. Boaters, scouts, civic organizations, environmental groups, and business and individual volunteers are encouraged to help clean the waterways by removing trash and debris. A free t-shirt and lunch at Halifax Harbor Marina or Buena Vista Park will be available for those who pre-register by April 30, 2008. Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, work gloves and comfortable clothing. You can also bring rakes and canoes. The Halifax/Indian River Cleanup is hosted by Volusia County Environmental Management and is sponsored in part by the Florida Inland Navigational District.
Supplies may be picked up at:
Tomoka State Park, 2099 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach (entry fee waived for cleanup participants)
Cassen Park, 1 South Beach St., Ormond Beach
Sunrise Park North, 1135 Riverside Dr., Holly Hill
Tuscawilla Park, 1000 Orange Ave., Daytona Beach
Halifax Harbor Marina, 450 Basin St., Daytona Beach
Riverside Pavilion Park, 3431 S. Ridgewood Dr., Port Orange
Dunlawton Bridge boat ramp, west side of the bridge, Port Orange
Spruce Creek Park, 6250 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange
Ponce Inlet Town Hall, 4680 S. Peninsula Dr., Ponce Inlet
Turnbull Bay, west end of Willard St. at the bayshore, New Smyrna Beach
Buena Vista Park, DeSoto Dr., off the North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach
Riverside Park, under the S.R. 44 bridge, New Smyrna Beach
Mary McLeod Bethune Park, 640 Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd., Bethune Beach
JB s Fish Camp, 859 Pompano Ave., Bethune Beach
Kennedy Park public boat ramp, 101 N. Riverside Dr., Edgewater
Riverbreeze public boat ramp, 250 H.H. Burch Rd., Oak Hill
For more information on the event or to pre-register contact Tom Carey at 386-254-4612 x2073 or visit www.volusia.org/cleanup
