Coastal Breeze News

By Nancy Richie Dozens of donated plants were replanted in the City of Marco Island’s Calusa Park Butterfly Garden by the city’s Beautification Advisory Committee members: Susan LaGrotta, Linda Colombo and Bob Kennedy. Joining them in their labor of love were Alex Dubicki, Paul Crain, and, loyal supporter and favorite dog, Barron. The Waterway Cove complex in “Old Marco” is currently giving its landscape a facelift. Via homeowner association president, Marianne Maniace, lirope and bromeliads were donated to the City’s promising Butterfly Garden. A generous gesture that was very appropriate for Earth Day. Tom Trombly of EarthCare removed the plants ... Read More »

PROTECTING & PRESERVING Nancy Richie [email protected] Snowbird Season – or as locals simply call it – “season,” is over. Or at least it has definitely slowed down. Our roads are quieter; that’s good. Restaurants are easier to get in; that’s good for locals (but not so good for owners). Publix aisles are navigable; that’s great! The beach has fewer people on it; nice. But now it is a different kind of “season.” It is one for Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) and nesting shorebirds, such as Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger), Least Terns (Sternula antillarum), and Wilson Plovers (Charadrius wilsonia). This ... Read More »

By Nancy Richie To celebrate the 43rd Earth Day (April 22, 2013) and the unique and beautiful flora and fauna of our home, the City of Marco Island and Coastal Breeze News held the 6th Annual City of Marco Island Amateur Native Wildlife Photo Contest. Residents sent their photos in and choosing the winners was no easy task, but the winners have been chosen. Coastal Breeze is proud to announce the winners. Participants had the choice to enter photos in four categories; color, black and white, enhanced and tree species. The photo subjects were to be of native Southwest Florida ... Read More »

Nancy Richie [email protected] The following are brief updates, “animal bites,” on the unique mammal populations that are monitored in and around Marco Island. All are locally, state and even federally protected. Please enjoy the wildlife life, but do not intrude in their space, feed, water, or harass them in any way – this is against the law. If wildlife acts startled, agitated, or leaves the site as you approach, it is considered harassment. Move away slowly and enjoy the animal and its natural behavior. Gopher Tortoises It is estimated that the Florida Gopher Tortoise population has decreased overall by 30% ... Read More »

By Linda Colombo Mother Nature cooperated for the beach clean-up sponsored by the Friends of Tigertail Beach on Saturday, April 13th. Over 40 people turned out to assist in picking up trash. Volunteers arrived at 8 AM to receive their trash bags, gloves and assignments. The areas to be picked up were: the parking lot, butterfly garden, the boardwalk areas, the playground and the beach along the lagoon in both directions. Sand Dollar Island was also scoured for trash. Sand Dollar is not county property or City of Marco Island property. It is owned and controlled by the State of ... Read More »

By Nancy Richie - [email protected] Photos by Jean Hall The following are brief updates, “animal bites,” on the unique bird life populations that are monitored in and around Marco Island. All are locally, state and even federally protected. Please enjoy the wildlife life, but do not intrude in their space, feed, water, or harass them in any way – this is against the law. If wildlife acts startled, agitated, or leaves the site as you approach, it is considered harassment. Move away slowly and enjoy the animal and its natural behavior. Burrowing Owls The popularity of the Marco Island Burrowing Owl ... Read More »

By Nancy Richie - [email protected] Photos by Jan Bergantz The Marco Island Burrowing Owl population is very popular this season. So popular, in fact, that many burrow sites on the main thorough fares are being invaded by visitors for drive-by photos and amateur tours. Some sites have people approaching all day long by car, bike, foot – even crawling under the flagging tape with cameras – time will tell if this owl population will tolerate and sustain this impact. Just a friendly reminder – please approach all wildlife sites quietly, if in a group, stay together, don’t surround the posted area ... Read More »

By Nancy Richie – [email protected] Florida, originally called “La Florida” or “flowery land” by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513, is home to an amazing and impressive array of wildflowers and butterflies. Florida is known for many unique characteristics such as having the longest contiguous coastline in the lower 50 states (1,197 miles), the only State to have two oceanic borders (Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean) and, of course, the famous Everglades. But it is the vast and diverse number of native plant and butterfly species that really are the most spectacular characteristics for year- round residents ... Read More »

By Nancy Richie [email protected] The 113th Audubon Christmas Bird Count was held nationwide between December 14th, 2012 and January 5th, 2013. For over one hundred years, citizen scientists gear up with binoculars, a favorite bird guide and checklists, and brave the elements to count birds in their backyards and neighborhoods. Generations of families have participated; from avid birders to students to scientists to folks who just enjoy the outdoors. The Christmas Bird Count is the longest running wildlife consensus of bird populations in our country. Audubon and many other organizations use the counts to monitor and assess the health and of ... Read More »

PROTECTING & PRESERVING Nancy Richie [email protected] It is common knowledge on Marco Island that Florida Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) are present, popular and so abundant that they are found in almost every neighborhood on the island. Not only do our residents enjoy these charismatic birds of prey, but people travel from all over the world to see them. Professional photographers charge top dollar to school the amateur how to photograph them in the “best light,” though any ol’ camera will do. One can’t go wrong when the subject has big yellow eyes, long downy legs and attitude that could take on ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder Major beachfront cities like Miami are banning them outright. The resort empire that is Walt Disney World in Orlando has replaced them with paper versions. The small bits of plastic straws and drinking cup lids discarded by people quickly accumulate into a giant toxic mess on beaches globally. The unsightly litter not only ruins the beauty of a pristine beach, but also strangles the birds, turtles and fish who mistake it for food. Straws and lids are the most widely and easily littered items along most beaches, but here on Marco cooperation will hopefully trump the need ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] “I was a killer,” admits Jeane Lefebvre, Grounds Supervisor at the Marco Island Marriott Resort and Spa. “I thought if there was a bad bug, let’s shoot it. Anything I could spray, I would.” Recalling his early years, Lefebvre laughs as he describes his “180 degree turn” when it comes to the use of pesticides. Under the Master Gardener eye of Lefebvre, the Marriott’s grounds have been pesticide-free for 20 years. As Lefebvre battles the biggest pest invasion of his career – the spiraling whitefly – he shares his secrets for a pesticide-free landscape. For 23 ... Read More »

PROTECTING & PRESERVING Nancy Richie [email protected] Something is going on. Razorbills, an alcid bird or a web-footed, diving seabird, have been seen all over Florida by avid birders and beach goers. A few have been reported on Marco Island’s Tigertail Beach as well as in Caxambas Pass. Being a peninsula with one of the longest coastlines in the country, Florida has seabirds, so why is it so unusual to see the Razorbills? Historically, there have only been 14 documented sightings of this species in Florida. But since early December, there have been over 20 reports from Jacksonville to Marco Island of ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] In an effort to develop a statewide trail and paddle system, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Division of Recreation and Parks recently updated the overall vision for the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS). The new five-year plan lists the River of Grass Greenway as a priority. In early fall, the Division of Recreation and Parks launched the new plan, calling for public comment on what specific trails and paddle ways should be considered areas of initial importance. After hosting six public meetings throughout the state, opportunity and priority maps were developed. This ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff There are those who like animals and then there are those who LIKE animals. Walking in the footsteps of Steve Irwin, the famous crocodile hunter known for declaring “CRIKEY” at every new challenge, Kevin Hennings has set up the non-profit, Florida Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG). “The primary principle of the Florida Wildlife Advisory Group is education and conservation. All revenue after operations will be structured into a scholarship fund for kids wanting to pursue a college degree in the science field,” said Kevin. Prepping for an official grand opening in January, Florida Wildlife Advisory Group ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  [email protected]  It is no secret that there is a serious problem with the mangroves that exist along San Marco Road leading to the Goodland Bridge. The problem has existed for decades. A sign has been erected explaining the issue in hopes of increasing public support. Scientists have been consistently studying the area and have come up with a solution to the devastation of what is known as Fruit Farm Creek. Now that one phase of the plan has been completed, monitoring the mangroves is more important than ever. Scientists from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida have been ... Read More »

By Patty Huff [email protected]  The planned River of Grass Greenway will be a safe, non-motorized transportation and recreation corridor across the Everglades between Naples and Miami. It will provide opportunities for education, stewardship, and preservation of the environmental, historic, and cultural assets of this unique area. It will offer activities such as bicycling, walking, bird-watching, photography, fishing, etc. Addressing the needs of citizens, local businesses, governmental and tribal officials is crucial to the development of this unique greenway. Currently, a Feasibility Study and a Master Plan are being developed, and a new interactive website is now available online for the ... Read More »

PROTECTING & PRESERVING  Nancy Richie  [email protected]  Did you attend the City’s Christmas Tree Lighting last weekend? Have you gone by Veterans’ Park to see this beautifully trimmed tree? If not yet, take a look and Merry Christmas! On our semi-tropical barrier island, there are predominantly three species of pine-like trees. None would make for a hearty Christmas tree, but all have a value in our community. So, put up your artificial tree or get one from a big tent; the pines on Marco Island are not your traditional Christmas trees. Southern Slash Pine  The Southern Slash Pine is a native tree ... Read More »

City of Marco Island  Marco Island has six miles of spectacular beaches, including a three-and-a-half mile crescent beach. From Tigertail Beach with its abundance of native flora and fauna, to South Beach, where a variety of beach experiences and activities are available, Marco Island offers a unique and fantastic beach experience to all of its visitors and residents. Tigertail Beach  Tigertail Beach, part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, is operated by the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department and hosts 60 species of migrating and resident coastal birds. The widest beach in Collier County opens up south of Tigertail ... Read More »

PROTECTING & PRESERVING  Nancy Richie  [email protected]  One the largest and oldest known birds in our nation, named by a German naturalist in 1789, is the White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. It migrates from the north to winter in south Florida, particularly Sarasota to south of Marco Island, giving the moniker, “snow bird,” real meaning. Once hunted as sport, the White Pelican is protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act of 1918 and is listed as a species of special concern in the State of Florida and several other states. This species of pelican, one of the two in the United States (the ... Read More »