April 2006 - Calusa Land Trust

Newsletter
www.calusalandtrust.org
Donation Adds Unique Preserve
April 2006
By Harold Bruner (464-2436)
The latest addition to our preserves was donated by Joan McMahan, who recently relocated from
Pine Island to the east coast of Florida. This preserve is 1.64 acres at 12216 Sherwood Street, off
Cubles Drive about two miles north of Pine Island Center. The west side of the property is
uplands that have been cleared and partially replanted with native trees. The east side borders a
small lake which is part of a 13-acre tract of preserved mangrove wetlands that adjoin Pine
Island Creek. Beyond the creek is Little Pine Island, a state-owned nature preserve.
This preserve is part of the Pine Island Creek Estates Homeowners’ Association. Their common
area includes the 13 acres of wetlands mentioned above. Near the north end of that preserve is a
boardwalk that extends over 600 feet through mangroves and into Pine Island Creek. The aerial
photo shows where you can park and hike the trail around the lake to the boardwalk.
On the trail around the lake you
will see native upland trees such as
the majestic gumbo limbo. Be on
the lookout for alligators since this
is a freshwater lake. From the
boardwalk the dominant trees are
beautiful black and red mangroves
and when you get to the open
water area walk quietly and look
for schools of mullet churning just
below the surface. In the coming
years, we hope to plant more native
trees and shrubs on the uplands
between the road and the lake,
restoring the site as much as
possible back to its native state.
As larger tracts of land become more costly and difficult to procure, smaller parcels like this one
will play an important role in our preservation efforts. We (as new owners) and any visitors (our
guests) need to respect the rules of the homeowners’ association. We can quietly walk the trail
and the boardwalk but cannot camp or picnic on the land nor fish or boat on the lake. If you
drive, please park just off the road; if the ground is soft after heavy rains, it would be best to visit
another time. Many thanks to Mrs. McMahan for her generous donation!
Please keep the Calusa Land Trust in mind if you appreciate the natural environment of Pine
Island. Your time, your help, your money and your donations of land all help to preserve our rich
natural heritage.
2006 Annual Meeting
By Bud House (283-3493)
As the morning sun peaked over the trees at Fritts Park on the morning of January 15, 2006,
dedicated volunteers were there again, contemplating their activities for the rest of this very
special day. It was to be the 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting of the Calusa Land Trust, which
ended up with the largest attendance of any previous annual meeting.
The very first meeting was held in 1976 where the four sole members sat on a small beach on
Calusa Island to discuss the future. They hoped they would one day expand their membership
and of course wanted to preserve more land. Little did they know! On January 16, three of the
original four members attended this celebration.
Hurricane Charley’s visit in August 2004 left Fritts Park in bad shape. By the end of 2005, most of
the brush and tree remnants had been cleared, but it still took several teams of volunteers to
finish the cleanup and prepare the 2½-acre park for the big day. One team of six, led by Roger
Wood, assembled a recently donated tent of an unusual pyramid design. At the meeting it
became a theater for our new video production on Trailhead Vista and a slide show created by
Brian Cotterill showcasing our preserves.
Another team of volunteers, led by Terry Clements, Harvey Ingelse, and Bill Mantis, rehabbed the
stage and backdrop. The hurricane had dismantled it along with the nine fiberglass shells, which
had been stored waiting to be reinstalled. By noon they had been reattached and on the
following Tuesday Bud House pressure cleaned them. Jo Anne Nivens and Fred Jamsen painted
them in pastel colors, lighting up the west end of Fritts Park.
Two new picnic tables were assembled and painted by Kim Spotts and the older donated tables
were painted by Jo Anne Nivens and Fred Jamsen. This resulted in five large tables and twenty
small tables with a total capacity of 110. The day before the meeting, the last team raised the
large tent under Ed Chapin’s direction.
An army of volunteers arrived on Sunday morning to arrange chairs under the big tent. J. D.
Hollway and his helper raised their tents and tables for lunch while Norm Gowan, Ron Wesorick,
and Alex Alexander assembled the new PA system. Pat Williams set up her famous
merchandising tent, Gloria Andrews began signing up new members, and Brenda Anderson
talked about our tours and trails to interested gatherers. Cathy House doled out door prize
tickets for a chance to win a Door County Adirondack chair designed and built by Roger and Patti
Wood. By the time the meeting began, a large crowd was chatting and enjoying the beautiful day
and surroundings.
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The formal meeting proceeded under the direction of President Bud House with the usual
business reports: minutes by Ruby Woodhead, treasurer’s report by Bill Spikowski, membership
and fundraising by Norm Gowan, land acquisition by Harold Bruner, and land stewardship by Ed
Chapin. Details can be found in the articles later in this newsletter.
The election of the Board of Directors then took place. The following directors are beginning the
second year of their two-year terms: James “Alex” Alexander, Ed Chapin, Joan Culver, Norm
Gowan, Bud House, Judy Ott, Donna Venesky, and Ron Wesorick. The nominating committee
recommended these current directors for another two-year term: Alison Ackerman, Brenda
Anderson, Harold Bruner, Brian Cotterill, Bill Spikowski, and Rubye Woodhead. Gene Tolman is
stepping down from the Board of Directors but luckily he will continue to volunteer his time on
behalf of the land trust and many other local organizations! In his place, the nominating
committee recommended Liz Donley. All of these nominations were approved unanimously. At
the conclusion of the business meeting, the Adirondack chair door prize was won by Gloria
Andrews – lucky Gloria!
To commemorate the accomplishments of the past 30 years, the board invited all past directors
to this meeting. We were thrilled that so many were able to join us! In attendance were the
following current and past directors (shown in the photograph beginning from the left:
UPPER ROW:
Rick Moore,
Phil Buchanan,
Pat Williams,
James Alexander,
Diane J. Ashworth,
Gloria Andrews,
Bill Spikowski,
Joan Culver,
Norm Gowan.
MIDDLE ROW:
Richard Little,
Alison Ackerman,
Judy Ott, Cathy
Valenti, Ed Chapin,
Gene Tolman,
Ellie Boyd,
Rubye Woodhead,
Harold Bruner.
LOWER ROW: Brenda Anderson, Bud House, Donna Venesky, Ron Wesorick, Brian Cotterill.
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Fred Johnson, Kate Fitzgerald, Jim Beever, Dick Holmes, Rich Larkin,
Virginia Miller, Bobbie Shanks, Gloria Sajgo, Don Shontz, Cindy Bear, Peter Ordway (deceased),
Helen McClary, Bill Workman, Jim Gray, Frank Valenti, Jack Worthington, and Anna De Meo.
At 2:00, about 145 attendees lined up for a delicious lunch under the direction of J. D. Hollway.
We squeezed together and some sat on the grass or just stood up but nobody seemed to mind.
Thank you to all those who donated to help defray the cost for this celebration meal.
At 3:00 the “Tropic Star” pontoon boat set sail from Jug Creek Marina to “re”discover Calusa
Island. The tide was just too low for access all the way to the island, so Ed Chapin filled in by
giving a running commentary to about 70 passengers about the island’s history. It was a
wonderful ride on a perfect wintery Florida day.
Page 3
Back Bay Hiking Trail
By Brenda Anderson (283-1878)
This hiking trail can only be reached by boat.
Walk it while exploring our Back Bay
Preserve by canoe or kayak!
There is a break in the mangroves about 100
feet west of the southern entrance to the Back
Bay Preserve in St. James City (visible on the
aerial photograph). When approaching the
landing you should be able to see a Calusa
Land Trust Preserve sign up on the sand ridge
with a park bench underneath it. Tie up your
boat and wade ashore! The primitive trail
follows the sand ridge to the west about a
quarter of a mile.
Many shore-loving critters
can been seen, including
mangrove crabs running
up and down the tree
limbs and fiddler crabs
sticking their large claws
out of their holes. Ibis,
black-crowned night
herons, and an occasional
great blue heron share the
shore.
Flora include red
mangroves with their long
walking roots hanging
down, black mangroves
with their pneumatophores
sticking up out of the mud,
yellow topped sea oxeye,
purple-pink sea purslane,
and tangles of nickerbean
with their thorny stems
and large brown seed
pods.
Further up the sand ridge
you can find tree-size sea
grape and some very large
gumbo limbo trees with
their red peeling bark,
giving them the nickname,
tourist tree. This trail
makes for an interesting
place to take a break off of
the water.
Page 4
Trailhead Vista Acquisition
By Bill Spikowski (334-8866)
We dedicated our entire November newsletter to our latest land acquisition, an expansion of one
of our flagship preserves, the St. James Creek Preserve. Our campaign to pay off our mortgage is
now past the halfway point in time, but not in funds raised.
We call this “Trailhead Vista” because it contains the trailhead to our St. Jude Nature Trail plus
3,750 feet of road frontage that has always separated this preserve from public streets. The aerial
photograph below shows the St. James Creek Preserve prior to this acquisition. The new land
comprises about 20 acres of salt marsh, mangrove forest, and pine uplands, some of it now
smothered with Australian pine trees whose removal will afford the public a beautiful vista of
this magnificent preserve.
In the past, visitors to the St. Jude Nature Trail have had to use an easement to reach the trail. By
owning the trailhead, we will be able to extend the trail all the way to Stabile Road, providing a
proper entrance to the trail and the entire preserve. The St. Jude Nature Trail is our most visited
property – a peaceful path dotted with memorial benches among the flora and fauna, ending
with a boardwalk and observation deck onto St. James Creek.
We advanced the initial payment of
$100,000 last September and
financed the remainder of the
$250,000 purchase price over
twelve months. Since announcing
our fundraising campaign in the
November newsletter, land trust
members and supporters have
contributed generously. Harold and
Deborah Bruner donated an
excellent building lot on Bonita
Road north of Pine Island Center
whose resale will help the land trust
greatly. We are also investigating
using mitigation funds if approval
can be obtained from state and
federal agencies.
However, we still have a long way
to go to complete this purchase and
only a short time remaining. Strong
financial support from members and
friends can make this possible
without hampering our ability to
maintain our other preserves and
remain alert for additional
acquisitions. We are asking all who
are able to make a special donation
today to help in this endeavor.
Your contribution to this worthy
cause is needed now - and is very
much appreciated.
St. James Creek Preserve prior to Trailhead Vista
acquisition
Page 5
Peter Ordway Memorial
By Donna Venesky (282-8407)
The large granite stone, framing the bronze relief of Peter Ordway’s handsome face rested
comfortably on the bow of the boat. Peter’s memorial stone was in transport to be placed within
the Kreie Preserve in honor of his conservation work with the Calusa Land Trust. The white 20-ft
center-console boat was riding deep in the water with the stone carefully lashed to the bow. Four
crew were on board to shepherd the stone to its waiting site. “Almost there,” said the Captain, as
the shallows of the Kreie Preserve grew close. “Where’s the scotch to christen the stone?”
With a staggering lurch the boat went hard aground. The crew re-acted, not to the shuddering
halt, but to the mention of scotch. Seems Peter wouldn’t touch the stuff, not even fine single malt.
He liked his bourbon. The crew was not at all surprised the boat had run aground. No pulling,
prodding, heaving and praying would get the boat to go any further, even though an old salt like
Ed Chapin had figured the tide would allow us access to the Preserve. The boat with its stone
cargo was only fifty yards from where she would have tied up, but it was back to the dock, with
the crew’s unanimous vow to try again the next day.
That evening, the crew was invited to Mrs. Pat Ordway’s house for a pre-Christmas celebration.
When Pat heard how the scotch had jinxed the stone’s delivery, she graciously disappeared,
reappearing with a smile and a small jar of Peter’s favorite bourbon. Now the crew had a
glimmer of hope that their mission could be successfully completed.
Next day, early Christmas Eve morning, the crew gently moved Peter’s stone to a smaller,
shallower draft boat and set off again. Peter’s bronze face shone in the early morning sun. The
bourbon was carefully stowed. It was a beautiful ride to the Kreie Preserve. Happy cries of birds
and the swirling of fish saluted the small flotilla as they slid easily into the shallows.
Planks appeared and bridges were quickly fashioned to walk the stone and crew over mud that
felt like quicksand. Peter’s stone was balanced tenuously on a dolly as crude plank roads were
quickly but methodically laid across the rough terrain of mud and mangrove roots. The planks
were moved behind the stone to the front, allowing slow progress toward the tropical hammock.
Some kids play with toy trains on Christmas morning; this crew was having a similar adventure,
with their groans and laughter echoing through the mangrove forest.
Once the stone arrived at the hammock,
the crew pondered the poignant question
of which direction would Peter wish to
gaze upon for the next millennium. Those
claiming to have known Peter best
suggested west so the stone was placed
looking onto Burgess Bay, Pine Island
Sound, and the never-ending sunsets. The
crew broke out the bourbon, poured a bit
on the stone, christening its placement
while speaking brief tributes, honoring,
remembering and thanking a great man.
(Some of the crew sipped the bourbon,
but this story is about Peter, not the
crew...)
Peter and Pat Ordway came to Pine Island from New Hampshire and Naples. Peter’s family had
wintered in the Naples area since 1898. Displeased with the beginnings of congestion in Naples,
Page 6
the Ordways visited Pine Island as their daughter had a roommate who had spoken fondly of it.
After one visit they were sold and built a lovely home in the pine flatwoods, surrounded by saw
palmetto, gopher tortoises, and all the treasures that Pine Island had to offer.
Peter had been a math teacher in New Hampshire. His friend, Ashton Hallett of the Forest
Society, had introduced him to hiking, backpacking, and canoeing, and Peter was soon smitten
with a love for the outdoors and a passion for environmental issues. On Pine Island, Peter found
a place to enjoy his passions and Pat had the opportunity to enjoy her love of art. In his paddling,
Peter met up with Ed Chapin, Alison and Bill Spikowski, and other Calusa Land Trust members.
Peter’s deep appreciation for conservation was a good fit with the land trust and thus began a 15year friendship and a great era for conservation on Pine Island.
Peter continued to teach. Not math, but a love of canoeing and conservation. He was bright,
thoughtful, raucous, and quick to laugh. He took up the project of mapping the Calusa Land
Trust’s preserves and canoe trails. He was ready to do whatever he could so to prevent the ruin
of “Mother Nature’s Plan.” One of Peter’s accomplishments was negotiating the acquisition of the
Kreie Preserve. The previous owners loved the land and intended to build their home there, but
began to understand its remoteness as a home site. Peter suggested they sell the land to the land
trust as a bargain sale, for preservation. Peter thought the tropical hammock vegetation on the
land to be quite unusual, environmentally valuable, and very beautiful. Rumor has it that the
twinkle in Peter’s eye was quite enchanting and persuasive. A deal was struck! In 1998, the 67
acres of the Kreie Preserve became another jewel of the Calusa Land Trust.
Those who were fortunate to have known Peter remember him with great fondness. From
captaining his handmade boat, the Calusa Maid, to Calusa Island, serving eggs Benedict and
champagne to the inhabitants, to his occasional reputation as Captain Bligh to those who sailed
with him, Peter left his mark. Tragically, he lost his battle with cancer on November 23, 2001.
As a tribute, Peter’s wife, Pat, his family and friends raised the necessary funds for the Calusa
Land Trust to acquire Peter’s beloved “picnic area” on Calusa Island, also known as the “Turtle
Home” for its resident gopher tortoise. The spot has a picture-perfect view of Charlotte Harbor
where Peter loved to sit under the coconut trees while catching up on his latest book.
The day after Christmas, 2006, members of the Land Trust escorted Pat Ordway and her family
to the Kreie Preserve to see Peter’s memorial. When one of Peter’s young grandchildren saw the
stone, sporting his grandfather’s
familiar face, he asked if this was
the “Peter Ordway National Park.”
Pat and her family were moved and
appreciative of this memorial to
Peter. They lost a husband, father,
and grandfather. Pine Island lost a
great conservationist and friend.
Chief Ranger Ed Chapin was a close
friend of Peter’s and continues to
honor his tradition of teaching by
leading the monthly “Peter Ordway
Mangrove Water Tours.” In
exposing new people to the
wonders of canoeing, kayaking and
conservation, Ed is carrying on
Peter’s work and passion.
Page 7
Ranger/Stewardship Report
by Ed Chapin (392-0090)
Peter Ordway Mangrove Water Tours: There was a record turnout of 25 people for the
January tour to Big Jim Creek. The low tide made it difficult to get out but almost everyone
finally made it. The February tour was launched from Don and Sandy Werner’s house on Galt
Island. Eighteen paddlers traveled south and explored Long Cut and the Coconut and York Island
Preserves. The participants on these two tours alone donated about $500 to the land trust –
many thanks for this generosity.
Native Plant Society: On Saturday, February 11, Brenda Anderson and I took the local
Cocolobo Chapter of the Native Plant Society on a tour of the Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve.
There was a good turn out of 18 people and some very nice weather.
Work Parties: January was indeed a month for records. On January 7, 25 volunteer rangers
reported for a single work party! Most fixed up Fritts Park while five others removed invasive
exotic plants at the Calusa Canal Preserve. Our February 4 work party was rained out and could
not be rescheduled. On March 4, a good turnout of 13 rangers worked at the Picnic Island
Preserve after being ferried out on Norm Gowan’s pontoon boat. We removed invasive exotics,
mostly Australian pines that had been blown over in Hurricane Wilma. We noticed that about
80% of our previous plantings survived the hurricanes and now have more light to grow which is
great news. We also managed to pick up only about five bags of trash; this is a good sign because
it means others are helping to keep the island clean. All in all, a very productive day’s work.
WORK PARTIES
Saturday, May 6
8 to 12
Dobbs, Eagle Preserve, and St. Jude Trail
Saturday, June 3
8 to 12
Pine Island Flatwoods and Galt Preserve
Saturday, July 1
8 to 12
St. Jude Trail and Vista (meet at the Vista
Saturday, September 2
8 to 12
Krei Preserve
(meet at St. Jude Trail)
(meet at Flatwoods Preserve)
trailhead)
PETER ORDWAY MANGROVE WATER TOURS
Saturday, April 22
Noon to 3:00
St. James Creek Preserve
Page 8
“Calusa Clothesline”
by Gloria Andrews 283-5020 or (888)301-5020
The Marketing Committee of Calusa Land Trust, headed by Pat Williams, has been responsible
for raising many thousands of dollars over the years by selling T-shirts, hats, shirts, and other
items, many of which have designs especially made for us. Some of you are probably wearing
one of these items right now.
In January of this year, Joyce Reed, a CLT friend who had started her own clothing line, donated
boxes and boxes of women’s casual wear to us in hopes we could sell them with our other Calusa
Land Trust merchandise. They all sport a “Fuzzy Mango” label and are designed with Florida’s
hot sticky climate in mind.
This gift was indeed incredible, but much work needed to be done to make each piece ready to
sell at a CLT event. Not to worry — a group a hard-working ladies who had already put together
a line of “ducky” items (earrings, flip flops, visors, bracelets, necklaces etc.) for our famous
Rubber Duck Race decided to take on this new challenge. They started sewing on tiny duck
emblems like crazy; before too long they had huge numbers of tops and bottoms ready to go.
On March 4, Rubber Duck race day, this new line of clothing that we call the Calusa Clothesline
was officially unveiled. I am happy to report that the items (along with everything else) went like
hotcakes. Total sales, including what has been sold since that day, totals over $1,600!
The success of the Calusa Clothesline is obviously due to the many hours put in by Pat Williams
and the entire marketing committee: Margo Allen, Gloria Andrews, Pat Cole, Marilyn Harding,
Jackie Kish, Andrea Menard, Nancy Rogge, Ruth Sofranko, and CLT friend Jeannie Adams.
Special help from husbands Andy Andrews and Chris Rogge, plus encouragement and support
from all the other husbands, helped us manage such a large undertaking. Thank you TEAM!
We are indeed off to a great start, but I still have so many boxes of clothes at my house that need
sewing it’s almost impossible to walk around. We really need more help and will graciously
accept any assistance from anyone who can spare some time. This is a long-range task, truly,
maybe even 3–4 years, and to be successful we will be needing MUCH more help with the
sewing. If you or your group can help, please call me at one of the above numbers and I will
explain what needs to be done and figure out a way to fit you into the plan. Thank you so much.
PURPOSE OF THE
CALUSA LAND TRUST:
“... to acquire, hold, and manage environmentally sensitive lands, archaeological and
historic sites, and other natural lands; to encourage education and research in the fields of
conservation and preservation; to establish nature preserves or other protected areas to be
used for scientific, educational, aesthetic, or passive recreational purposes; to cooperate
with other entities having similar or related objectives; and to engage in any other activity
relating to the furtherance of the foregoing objectives.”
— From the articles of incorporation
of the Calusa Land Trust (Article II)
Page 9
Fund Raising Events
by Norm Gowan (283-8203)
The 13th annual Poker Run on the water, sponsored by the Pine Island Boat Club, took place on
December 4 at the Double Nichol Pub in St. James City. The event was sold out; nearly $4,000
was raised for the Calusa Land Trust.
The annual rummage sale held at Fritts Park on January 21 netted over $1,000.
The 8th annual Rubber Duck Race was held March
4th at the Double Nichol Pub. It was a perfect day
with a used boat show in the morning and large
crowds in the afternoon to view the annual “swim” of
the ducks in Monroe Canal. Two thousand duck
tickets were sold! 50/50 raffles took in over $2,000
and there were golf shoots, beanbag tosses, face
paintings, and popcorn. There were 38 prizes (mostly
donated) awarded for the winning ducks and the
Trust realized a net profit of over $12,000 for the day
— this was our most successful event ever!
Proud parents launch the ducks!
Plank carvings are nearly caught up. Future memorials will now be done at Fritts Park since the
St. Jude Nature Trail has enough benches. Since this program’s inception, 719 names have been
carved, with twelve more on order. Gross income from this project has been over $36,000.
Trailhead Vista donations since we started have numbered 174 for $26,393 — excellent, but a
long, long way to go!
Swim of the ducks – 2006
Page 10
From the Ranger’s Hut
by Ed and Gracie (555-1212)
[a continuing column about rangering and stewardship of the Calusa Land Trust preserves]
Most writers would start with a philosophical discussion of conservation, but rangers and true
stewards don’t often have a lot of free time, so I’m just going to jump in with a rant about my pet
peeve: INVASIVE EXOTICS. Basically, these are greedy, opportunist pests that have overrun the
beautiful native flora and fauna of Old Florida.
What is considered a native on Pine Island? My definition is a plant
or animal species well established here prior to the colonization
period circa 1500. When Europeans started coming here, they
brought with them many “exotic” species, some of which had the
good manners to get along. However, others got out of control.
There are many but the top three contenders in my Pet Peeve
Invasive Plant List are the Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, and
melaleuca trees. By bullying their way into native areas, they crowd
out all other plants and virtually replace native habitat. What makes
matters worse is they are almost impossible to eradicate. So the key
word here is control. Complete eradication of these wretched
species, as wonderful a dream as that might be, is probably not
realistic.
So what’s a ranger to do? First, we systematically visit our preserves to watch what is going on.
We hunt out the exotics that dare to show up and we use various methods to do battle. The
easiest and least expensive method is to simply pull out the young plants by hand. If they are
mid-size we use chainsaws and/or appropriate herbicides. If they have gotten a strong foothold,
we will resort to bulldozers and heavy equipment to physically remove the established trees. But
using heavy equipment is costly; diligent monitoring and controlling invasives at a younger age is
much preferred.
The State of Florida has discovered a species of beetle which dines on melaleuca buds,
preventing the formation of seeds. After extensive research, these accommodating beetles were
released to study their effect. We are crossing our fingers this experiment works and can be used
everywhere.
Insects can be beneficial or destructive. The dreaded Argentine fire ant, the plague of the
southeastern United States, heads up my destructive list. Regardless of where these invading ants
came from or when they showed up, these critters have invaded and taken up residency
throughout our soils. Having really bad tempers and quite painful poisonous stings, they can be
dangerous to allergic humans and animals. Again, the problem with invasive exotics is you
cannot get rid of them. All we can do is to try and control them, but it is a herculean task. Having
up to six queens in a colony, if the little buggers get upset, the queens fly up really high (over a
thousand feet) and mate. Impressive acrobatics perhaps, but you end up with endless colonies of
the vile little things. If you try to kill an ant mound with chemicals, the critters just move over to
the side and pop up where you will be sure to step on them. Chemical controls have not been
effective, but there are some new generation chemicals on the horizon that might sterilize
colonies if large enough areas can be treated. Of course I maintain chemicals should be used with
the utmost discretion, and I am always looking for natural alternatives that work. Meanwhile,
watch where you are walking and especially sitting, or else the Argentine fire ants will get you!
Page 11
So from the Ranger Hut, I ask that you learn what Australian pine, melaleuca, and Brazilian
pepper look like. Visit the Florida Exotic Plant/Pest Council website to familiarize yourself with
these plants and critters at http://www.fleppc.org/.
Keep an eye out for invasive exotics wherever you go and GET RID OF THEM whenever
physically or legally possible. Educate your friends to get rid of their invasive exotic species too
and consider showing up for my work parties (we call them parties ‘cause they’re fun) to learn
the ropes of rangering and stewardship. The work party schedule is in the CLT Newsletter, on
our website at calusalandtrust.org or just call me on my beeper at 392-0090 and leave a return
number.
That’s all for now from the Ranger Hut.
— Ed Chapin and Gracie the Ghost Writing Gopher Tortoise
Note: Ed Chapin is Chief Ranger for the Calusa Land Trust. Gracie helps out because Ed can’t type for
beans.
Membership Report
by Norm Gowan (283-8203)
We currently have 867 members with 546 (63% current in their dues). Did you notice an asterisk
(*) after your name on the address label? If so, your membership is not just due, it is past due.
Even if there is no asterisk, please consider another donation anyway. If you wait until the
asterisk shows up, it will be 3 – 4 months later and our unpaid membership rate will continue to
climb. I would so love to have 100% of our members all paid up; 63% is about as high as we
have ever been.
We are working very hard to raise funds to pay off the Trailhead Vista loan and our members’
donations are our greatest source of income! Besides your membership dues, please consider
adding something extra to make this happen. This acquisition is one of our greatest and we
should all be proud in having a share in making it complete!
Many members are choosing to use credit cards (MasterCard or VISA only) to make their
donations. If this is more convenient for you then, by all means, do so. Records of card numbers
are shredded after posting.
Ellie Boyd
Rick Moore
Page 12
Richard Little
CALUSA LAND TRUST TREASURER'S REPORT
SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005
(October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005)
FUNDS ON HAND AS OF 10/1/04:
General Fund:
Emergency Fund:
Land Management Fund:
GPIWA Mitigation Fund:
Boardwalk Maintenance Fund:
Conservation 2020 Matching Fund:
Project X Fund:
Calusa Canal Fund:
Easement Defense Fund:
Endowment Fund:
TOTAL:
$4,947.06
$25,000.00
$38,529.49
$25,346.49
$4,542.01
$40,000.00
$129,966.96
$1,655.43
$500.00
$25,003.00
$295,490.44
Memberships and Donations:
Eagle Mitigation Donation:
Net Proceeds from Poker Run, Duck Race, and Rummage Sale:
Investment Income:
T-Shirt/Cap/Merchandise Sales:
TOTAL:
LAND MANAGEMENT & OTHER EXPENSES SINCE 10/1/04:
Fundraising Event Expenses:
Hurricane Charley Cleanup:
Other Land Stewardship Expenses:
T-Shirt/Cap/Merchandise Expenses:
Insurance:
Postage and Printing:
Other Administrative Expenses:
Babcock Ranch & Preservation Charlotte:
TOTAL:
LAND ACQUISITION COSTS SINCE 10/1/04:
Kreamer’s Avocado (closing costs):
Upper Captiva Beachfront Lots (closing costs):
Pine Island Flatwoods (closing costs):
Pine Island Flatwoods (contribution to Conservation 20/20):
Trailhead Vista Addition to St. James Creek Preserve (initial payment):
TOTAL:
FUNDS ON HAND AS OF 9/30/05:
General Fund:
Emergency Fund:
Land Management Fund:
GPIWA Mitigation Fund:
Boardwalk Maintenance Fund:
Conservation 2020 Matching Fund:
St. James Creek Preserve Trailhead Vista Fund:
Calusa Canal Fund:
Easement Defense Fund:
Eagle Mitigation Fund:
Endowment Fund:
TOTAL:
$46,051.00
$100,000.00
$14,442.29
$5,293.17
$2,983.00
$168,769.46
INCOME SINCE 10/1/04:
Page 13
$3,179.01
$48,875.23
$17,460.68
$2,130.12
$2,890.01
$2,926.33
$1,482.70
$2,513.29
$81,457.37
$233.59
$1,806.42
$225.50
$10,000.00
$100,969.25
$113,234.76
$4,525.48
$24,172.40
$38,529.49
$0.00
$5,109.37
$25,000.00
$22,532.90
$3,590.13
$850.00
$100,000.00
$45,258.00
$269,567.77
Memorials
Few tributes are so lasting as a memorial gift that helps preserve our island’s heritage for future
generations. We, in the Land Trust, are privileged to carry on our work in the memory of
individuals so honored. Memorials may consist of cash donations in the name of a departed loved
one, a memorial carving on a plank or even a memorial planting of a tree in one of our preserves.
Arlo Abraham
Edward J. Abramoske
Hildegard Abramowske
Martin Adamaszek *
Johan C. F. Andersen *
Josephine Anderson *
Melvin Atkin *
Arthur L. Augenstein *
Vesta Bailey *
William Webb Baker *
“Tootsie” Barnes *
John David Bawcom
Ralph & Ruby Beabout *
Larry Behrens *
James G. Beriault
Lyall Beving *
Frank Bopp
Marge Borton *
Barbara Bosley *
Marguerite Irene Bostrom
Betty B. Bouwes *
Ralph Brimacombe *
Don Burr *
Margaret L. Burman *
Richard R. & Ruth Callahan *
George Campbell
Jack Campbell
John M Campbell *
Ruth B. Campbell
Rev. Cam & Helen Carmichel *
“Hanni” Carver *
Terez “Terri” Carver *
Arnold S. Celmalnieks *
Antonette Cerny *
Tony Cerny *
Ray Cherry *
Alice M. Clark
C. F. “Chuck” Clark *
Jack Clyburn
Arthur Cohen *
John B. Cook *
Ben Counselman *
Sylvia & William Cyzewski Sr
George Darnell
Doyle Davison *
Jon Davison *
Nellwyn de Funiak *
Louis Del Signore *
Woodie Dillon *
George M. Elliott *
Dorthy R. English *
W.L. English Sr. *
C. Frank Estelle *
Dr. Ambrose C. Estes *
“Hap” Everdell *
Linwood T. Ford III *
Linwood T. Ford IV *
Margaret Foster
Michael David Fox
Bernice Francavilla *
Phil Freeman *
Carl H. Frost *
Lucille Frost *
Frederick O. “Pop” Gabriel *
Jack C. Gaddy *
Rob Gannon *
Joyce Gasow *
Jack Gates *
Carolyn George *
Nancy Gilmore
Loren “POP” Gowan *
Anne Grace *
Robert “Bob” Griest *
Dr. Carl W. Grosspietsch
Alfred Woodhull Guibord *
Kate Guthrie *
Betty Gutowski *
Richard J. Haberle Sr. *
Robert Hallen *
Ash Hallett *
Joe Hanson *
Bill Harmon *
Paul J. Haar *
Steven Patrick Hart *
Lois Havener *
Grace Heatherington
Raymond W. Heidorn *
Pamela Marie Heimann *
Charles J. Heimann II *
Mike Herbert *
R.E. “Pap-Pap” Hohing *
Jo Holmes *
Bennie R. Hook *
Wyatt Hooks *
Minnie & A.B. Hoover *
Earl Hord *
Allen Hougland *
Jack Houis *
Ken Houpt *
Robert Howell *
Earl R. Hunchberger *
Grace Hunchberger **
E.S. (Red) Ingram *
Lezlee Jean Ingram *
Dotty Jennings *
Hinda & J.B. Johnson *
Belmont Kappmeyer *
Walt Karkut *
Walter R. Kaune *
Janette King *
Jack Kirmer *
Therese Kirmer *
Jim Kiser *
Fredda Lashley *
George Lassanske
Edward J. & Amanda Lever
Roy F. Lippmann, Sr. *
Russell Little *
Hector Magnuson *
Doug Mac Elroy *
Neil & Ruthie MacIntyre *
James W. Mahaffey *
Dorothy M. Maloney *
Earl J. Maloney, Sr. *
Lewis W. McAllister *
Marie Maraviglia *
Gertrude C. Martin *
Stella Martin *
Jamie Martucci *
Joanne Dutcher Maxwell *
Ethel McDonough *
M. Kathleen Mellon *
Donald Meng *
Helene Mierendorf
Edwin Mierendorf
Robert H. Miller *
John Moran
Thelma Mufich *
Robert Musgrave
Donald N. Muske *
Jim Neer *
Arthur & Ida Newberg
Edward Newton
Frank Nine *
Marjorie Pray Nubel *
Mildred V. O’Brien *
Paul Olding *
Peter Ordway **
Earl Ott *
Richard Palmtag
Gertrud Palmtag
Sally Parisi *
Jane F. Pate *
C. Bertrem Pate *
Fred Patterson *
Anthony Pecora
Mary Grace Peloso *
Emily Perkins **
Charlie Perry *
Charles & Anna Perry *
Donald R. Peterson *
Mabel Phillipson *
Barbara Plourde *
Frank Polaski *
Pete Polverari *
Roscoe Query *
Jean Rafferty *
Yolanda Mae Reppa *
Jacob Henry Riehm
Stanley Rozycki IV *
Gertie Rudd *
Doc Salisbury
Mr & Mrs Sherwood Sampier *
Reese Sarda *
Larry & Nancy Savage *
Betty M. Schlosser *
Chevy Schutz *
Dorothy Seeling
Murray & Edith Seyler *
Phil Shaw *
Page 14
Susanne Shaw *
William Sherwood
Dan Shockley *
Carl H. Shupert *
Ronald L. Shupert *
William Sloane
Walter & “Rusty” Smith
Agnes Jane Snyder
Mike Sofranko
Michael Sofranko Sr. *
Eugene Spatz *
Todd Jeffrey “TJ” Speckman *
Florence Stark
David A. Stevig *
Raymond W. Stober *
Francis Sullivan
Barry Swanson *
Don Szuminski *
Frank Taugner, Sr. *
Kay Taugner *
Sharon Taugner
Gordon Teter *
Dave Thomas *
Jim Thomas *
Robert Tutza *
Glenn P. Twigg *
Doris C. Twigg *
Dan Tynan *
Joseph Venesky *
Mary Venesky *
Leonore M. Vondervor *
Patricia Ann “Pat” Waite *
Hazel Ward *
Harriet L. Watson *
William Webster *
Wayne Weeks *
Dorothy Welch
Bert & Mildred Wildman *
Edith Williams *
“Fishin” Bud Williams *
Richard Williams *
George Williams *
Bernard Willoughby *
Margaret L. Wilson, M.D.
Walt Woodhead *
Bruno & Theresa *
“Grandma Dot” *
AUNT EBBIE *
*Indicates name on the
St. Jude Trail Memorial
Observation Deck or
Memorial Bench or in
Fritts Park Memorial.
CALUSA LAND TRUST MEMBERSHIPS AND DONATIONS:
_____ $ 15
_____ $ 25
_____ $ 50
_____ $100
Individual Member
Family Member
Donor or Organization
Contributor
_____ $ ___ for Trailhead Vista Acquisition!
_____ $ ___ Endowment Fund
_____ $ ___ ______________________
_____ $ 50 Plunk–a–Plank
(fill in lettering below)
________________________
CREDIT CARD #:__________________________________ EXPIRATION DATE:_____________________
SIGNATURE (for credit card only):_________________________________________________________
Your Name____________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip ____________________________________ Today’s Date ______________
Second Address?________________________________________________________________
Second City, State, Zip? _________________________________________________________
Phone _________________ E-mail address ________________________________________
A COPY OF THE CALUSA LAND TRUST’S OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL
INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA’S DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-435-7352 (TOLL-FREE FROM WITHIN FLORIDA). OUR
REGISTRATION NUMBER IS SC-03439. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT,
APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. FULL FINANCIAL
DETAILS, INCLUDING FEDERAL TAX RETURNS, CAN BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE
LAND TRUST’S TREASURER AT 239-334-8866 DURING WORKING HOURS. THE CALUSA
LAND TRUST NEVER EMPLOYS PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISERS; 100% OF YOUR
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE RETAINED BY THE CALUSA LAND TRUST.
Calusa Land Trust & Nature Preserve
of Pine Island, Inc.
P.O. Box 216
Bokeelia, Florida 33922