Key West Custom House Premieres New Flagler Exhibit
  

The signature image for the new Flagler exhibit is by artist Mario Sanchez, provided courtesy of the Key West Art and Historical Society Custom House Museum.

 
From Key Largo to Key West, there are a growing number of folks who deserve a big round of applause for helping maintain the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) as a clean, safe and attractive recreational venue. Even with a very dedicated and hardworking crew, the staff of the FKOHT is small relative to the maintenance needs of this developing 106-mile trail and its bridges which must be frequently monitored for removal of litter, debris, invasive plants and weeds. It makes all the difference when individual volunteers and organizations step up to assist with the Trail's ongoing maintenance needs and improvements.

 
The Adopt-A-Bridge and Adopt-A-Trail programs and volunteer work parties coordinated by FKOHT staff, Monica Woll and Cristina Lindley, have helped extend the state's resources during an especially critical economic period. In 2010, volunteer hours totaled 4,864, representing an economic value of $88,525. Not only are dedicated volunteers caring for a trail that serves the Keys residents, they are also helping preserve an amenity that attracts tourism. The FKOHT, though still in development, already welcomes an average of over one million visitors each year who enjoy this alternative way to explore the Keys' colorful island communities. Fortunately, we are proud to note that volunteer support for the FKOHT is steadily growing to meet the needs of this frequent trail use. Many thanks to each and every volunteer who works to ensure that the FKOHT stays safe and clean and helps uphold the reputation of the Florida Keys as a world class tourist destination. 

Sunshine Key Resort Hosts Volunteer Recruitment Program for the FKOHT

Sunshine Key Resort's Volunteer Coordinator, Karin Carlin, is assisting the FKOHT with volunteer recruitment efforts. The Resort recently adopted two historic bridges along the FKOHT.

Approximately 40 people gathered in the pool area of the Sunshine Key Resort on Friday, January 21, to learn about the recent progress in the development of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) and its volunteer program. Cristina Lindley, FKOHT Public Outreach Coordinator, described the volunteer activities involved with maintaining the FKOHT which incorporates the historic Flagler railroad bridges.

The recently re-opened Missouri/Ohio and Ohio/Bahia Honda historic bridges have been "adopted" by the Sunshine Key Resort for ongoing maintenance which involves helping keep the bridges free of trash and, in particular, discarded monofilament fishing line. Monofilament that is improperly disposed of presents a constant danger to marine life and birds which can become seriously entangled by this type of debris. Cristina explained that the bridges have been provided with bins where monofilament can be safely stored until it can be sorted and sent to the recycling center.

Noting the vital role that volunteers play in the maintenance of this developing 106-mile trail, Cristina encouraged interested members of the group to contact Karin Carlin, Sunshine Key Resort's volunteer coordinator. The FKOHT welcomes the support of the Sunshine Key Resort in its continuing efforts to develop and maintain the Trail as a safe, affordable and enjoyable way to explore the Florida Keys.

Marathon residents Brenda & Dan Denson have helped maintain the Knight's Key Historic Bridge (north end of the Seven Mile Bridge) for several years now. As their favorite place to exercise, they enjoyed taking care of this bridge and had been cleaning it of trash and fishing line all this time without recognition. The Densons' clean-up efforts now extend to the Knight's Key bridgehead area, which is part of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, and they have also agreed to monitor six monofilament recycling bins based at three other historic bridges. Monitoring the bins involves emptying the bins, collecting the monofilament and cleaning it of trash before sending it to "Pure Fishing" as the sponsor of the recycling program.

Brenda Denson and her son, Kyle Staley, proudly present the results of the family's efforts to clean the area surrounding the Bahia Honda Historic Bridge.

Many thanks to the Denson family for doing more than their fair share to keep the FKOHT and the Keys clean and attractive for both the community and for the tourists whose presence is so important to the local economy. What a gift and what a fine example of community spirit!

GWU students proudly left the Florida Keys cleaner than they found them!

Surely it's no surprise when college students choose to visit the Florida Keys for a winter break, but nine George Washington University students recently decided to make their winter holiday count for much more by giving "hands-on" support to environmental causes from Key Largo to Key West. As part of their mission to explore the Keys up close and "purposefully," the students spent the day of January 6, 2011 collecting trash around the Spanish Harbor boat ramp and historic bridge areas.

During their working tour, the students had the opportunity to learn about Henry Flagler's monumental railroad project and the role that its historic bridges now play in the developing Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, as well as learning to recognize some of the basic invasive exotic plants that can affect management of the Trail. The students took time out for a hike from the Spanish Harbor Horseshoe Lagoon to the Bahia Honda Bridge where they were able to view the end of the old trestle bridge and admire its architectural features. It was a beautiful day so the students enjoyed combining work and fun with a learning experience before moving on and leaving behind a cleaner Spanish Harbor Bridge.