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Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Trail Talk
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways & Trails |
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Welcome to the June 2010 Edition of Trail Talk!
In This Issue of Trail Talk: |
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From The Manager...
In this issue of Trail Talk, we spotlight several recent volunteer activities that have made a significant contribution to our ongoing clean-up campaign along the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT). Maintenance of a 106-mile trail and the 23 historic bridges included in this popular recreational corridor is a challenging task. The FKOHT has a small staff that is committed to hands-on, hard work, however, we welcome the presence of volunteers who help extend the state's resources at this critical time. Tourism is a vital aspect of the Keys economy and with more than 1.6 million visitors to the FKOHT this past year, such volunteer support can make all the difference in providing them with a quality experience.
We are grateful for the community spirit of the volunteers who come from many directions to lend a hand. Not only do they make a tremendous difference in helping keep the FKOHT clean and safe for trail users, but they also help educate residents and tourists about caring for these beautiful islands and turquoise waters, as well as the fish and the wildlife that share this amazing space with us. Here are some of the achievements of the dedicated volunteers who take great pride in the Keys and think of every day as Earth Day!
Sincerely,
Anthony (Tony) Knott Manager, Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail |
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__________________________________________________________________________________________ | Earth Day Accolades
Cheers to the volunteers who set the bar high in caring for their "adopted" bridge!
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The Dolphin Research Center staff were pleased to see their "Adopt-A-Bridge" sign posted at Tom's Harbor Channel.
Dolphin Research Center (DRC) celebrated Earth Day with a very successful cleanup at their "adopted bridge," Tom's Harbor Channel. The event had the biggest turnout ever with at least half their staff of 75 participating--many of whom worked all day!
DRC cleans the Bridge twice a year--around Earth Day and again during the annual International Coastal Cleanup in September. They take care of both bridgeheads and the Bridge, which they proudly reported is so much cleaner than it used to be! They even put a boat on the water in order to reach the mangroves and collected the recyclable items which they brought back to their facility for recycling. Also, the cups they brought for drinking water were made from sugar cane. This group truly sets an example for reducing plastic in the environment!
Dolphin Research Center was the first group to volunteer for the FKOHT's "Adopt-A-Bridge" program which continues to grow and enhance the cleanliness and safety of the Trail's bridges. For information on how to join the "Adopt-A-Bridge" or "Adopt-A-Trail" programs, please contact Monica Woll, (305) 853-3571 or Monica.Woll@dep.state.fl.us. To learn more about the Dolphin Research Center, visit dolphins.org. |
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__________________________________________________________________________________________ | Volunteers Join Together to Spruce-Up Spanish Harbor
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A tired, but proud group of volunteers stand behind a great day's work!
Maya Totman and volunteers with Florida Keys Wildlife Rescue joined forces with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) "Team Ocean," led by Robert Keeley, to cleanup the FKOHT's Spanish Harbor Lagoon rest area and the nearby mangrove shoreline on March 28, 2010. They collected an amazing 2,437 pounds of trash! Thanks to their hard work, trail users now have a much more enjoyable place to stop off and take a break.
During this cleanup effort, the volunteers, sadly, also found quite a few dead birds, a number of which had died as a result of ingesting or becoming entangled in marine debris. |
Protecting Keys Wildlife from Marine Debris
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While working with the volunteers to cleanup Spanish Harbor, Maya Totman found a number of birds that had been harmed as a result of marine debris.
In her role with Florida Keys Wildlife Rescue, Maya Totman, works tirelessly to rescue birds from a needless and often painful death caused by marine debris and to educate the public about responsible disposal of trash, especially in marine environments. It's not just unsightly--it hurts innocent creatures. "With so much trash and litter entering our ocean every year, the problem of preventing and reducing marine debris is an urgent challenge that we must meet," said Maya. "The Florida Keys are a unique place and everyone should be able to enjoy bridges that are free of discarded fishing line and litter." Maya shared these notes for practicing responsible marine recreation:
- Plastic bottles, caps, bags, 6-pack rings and food wrappers are just some types of the floating debris that threaten marine life. Birds that ingest these items regurgitate them to their young and can actually die of starvation even though their stomachs are full--of plastics!
- Be careful with baited hooks, which tempt hungry birds but fish hooks and monofilament line can wound them or entangle their bodies.
- Dispose of all monofilament and plastics in a safe receptacle-never throw them in the water! (Receptacles are provided at the ends of the FKOHT bridges.)
- A bird's digestive system isn't designed to deal with large bones-a point to keep in mind when you clean fish and toss out unwanted parts.
- Cast with care! Survey the area before you cast your fishing line to avoid trees, utility lines, bridges, reefs, wildlife and other anglers.
- Retrieve trash encountered in the water or on shore, whenever possible. Share your concern with others and encourage them to become part of the solution.
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A Fresh, Clean Look for the South Pine Channel Bridge
It's not every day that we actually mow a bridge, but it gets the weeds out of the pavement! Thanks to the help of local volunteers Larry Holder & Ramona Marshall, who spent many hours helping with this project and have now "adopted" the Bridge for regular cleanups, the historic South Pine Channel Bridge is looking good and ready for trail users to enjoy!
FKOHT Ranger Scott Patton prepares to "mow" the South Pine Channel Bridge. |
South Pine Channel Bridge after its "makeover!" | |
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Volunteer Support for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is Growing!
The FKOHT staff welcomes the many individuals and groups who have recently come from all directions to lend a hand and support the Trail in a variety of areas:
Jimmy Anderson (paddling trail - Upper Keys); Jolene Barrett (Key Largo); Mary & Bill Burnham (paddling trail - all Keys); Burton Memorial Methodist Church (Tavernier); Carolyn Catanuto (Key West); Christina Celano (Cudjoe paddling trail); Clinton Curry (Key West); Toye Drewry (Key West); Don & Marty Fritch (Key Largo); Green Parrot Kayak Society (Key West); Larry Holder & Ramona Marshall (Big Pine Key); Laura Lynn Kennedy & Tom Barken (Islamorada); Janet Lehnert (Key West); Wendy Leonard (Tavernier); Diane Lundy (Ramrod Trail); Bridget McDonald (Saddlebunch Keys); Larry Ogonowski (West Palm); Don & Joanne Prince (Long Key); Bob Weinshenker (Islamorada) |
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National Trails DayŽ Pedal-Paddle at Long Key
June 5, 2010
Celebrate National Trails DayŽ with a biking and/or paddling excursion. Meet at Long Key State Park at 10:00 a.m. for a bike ride across the historic Long Key Bridge. At noon, the group will paddle out to Long Key Point. Participants may choose to do only the "pedal," only the "paddle," or both. Bring your own bike & helmet or kayak & PFD. Contact Monica Woll at (305) 360-0846 or Monica.Woll@dep.state.fl.us; or Cristina Lindley at (305) 360-2532 or Cristina.Lindley@dep.state.fl.us. |
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__________________________________________________________________________________________ | Paddle Florida Scouts the Florida Keys
By Monica Woll
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(l to r) FKOHT Trail Specialist Monica Woll; Paddle Florida leader Bill Richards; Curry Hammock volunteer Paula Garrett; Paddle Florida staff Whitney Sanford and Kevin Veach
Paddle Florida works to promote paddling throughout the state, in close cooperation with Visit Florida and Florida State Parks. From April 22-24, I had the opportunity to accompany leader Bill Richards and staff, Kevin Veach and Whitney Sanford, as they scouted a possible Florida Keys trip for their 2011 program. I served as their local "guide" and a Curry Hammock State Park volunteer, Paula Garrett, who is an American Canoe Association certified paddler, joined us for the first two days.
State parks are beautiful places and often include camping facilities so they feature prominently in Paddle Florida trips. These trips are fully supported with vehicles to carry gear and catered meals. They also set up extra showers and portable toilets where necessary.
Beginning at Long Key State Park, we paddled about 11 miles to Curry Hammock State Park, in sunny weather with a light breeze. On Day Two, the conditions were a little more windy as we paddled about 10 miles from Curry Hammock to the north end of the Seven Mile Bridge. We paddled another 12 miles on Day Three, which included the Seven Mile Bridge crossing, to end at Bahia Honda State Park. In spite of the challenges of paddling across open water between islands, Bill Richards and staff concluded the scouting trip with very positive impressions.
Along with the interesting sea life we saw along the way--a bonnethead shark, a leaping eagle ray, dolphins, at least six sea turtles, and a couple of Bahama sea stars--the views of the railroad bridges from the water can't be beat! Paddle Florida is enthusiastic about offering this trip for up to 100 people over Presidents Day weekend in February, 2011! We look forward to assisting with on-site interpretation and welcome the visibility such a statewide trip would bring to the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. For more information, visit the Paddle Florida website. |
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Key West Preschool Co-op Tricycle Safety Rodeo
By Cristina Lindley
It was a beautiful, sunny day in Key West on March 16 and the perfect weather for an outdoor event--a tricycle/bicycle safety rodeo for about 50 preschool children (ages two to five). I enjoyed the opportunity to represent the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) and provide extra bicycle helmets as needed, courtesy of the DEP Office of Greenways & Trails. Having recently become certified in this area, I worked with the children to fit their helmets correctly. It really helps to teach children how to wear them properly when they are so young and just beginning to learn all the skills of bike and "trike" riding.
The children were fearless in the modified tricycle rodeo safety course and learned how to stop, make turns and stay in their lanes. They had a great time practicing their new skills and it was a treat for me to get to know some of the future FKOHT trail users! |
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 Special thanks to Phil Jones of Washington, DC for a generous donation to the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation, Inc. He and his wife very much enjoyed a week-long hike from Key Largo to Key West in November 2009, staying at motels along the way. To express their appreciation for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) as a recreational resource, they contributed to the Foundation that supports the efforts of the managing agency of the FKOHT, which is the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways & Trails. The Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation, Inc. exists to support the mission and programs of the DEP Office of Greenways & Trails as they work toward establishing a statewide system of greenways and trails for recreation, conservation and alternative transportation. For more information on the Foundation and how to make a donation, see fgtf.org. |
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Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Participates in Bahia Honda Earth Day Celebration
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FKOHT Public Outreach Coordinator Cristina Lindley and Trail Specialist Monica Woll were "all smiles" in sharing information about the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
The DEP Office of Greenways & Trails staff hosted a booth representing the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) for an early Earth Day celebration on March 10 at the beautiful Bahia Honda State Park.
The event featured a wide range of fun and informative activities for both children and adults, including puppet shows, touch tanks, compost bins, wild birds, fish printing on recycled bags and more. The FKOHT supplied water from a cooler to promote the use of paper cups rather than plastic bottles, and better yet, reusable water bottles. It was a beautiful day at the beach and a great way to celebrate Earth Day. |
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__________________________________________________________________________________________ | Good things are happening on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail!
In early May, construction activities began on a section of the FKOHT in Marathon, within the Florida Department of Transportation's Right-of-Way. The 7-mile project, which runs from MM 47-MM 54, will implement numerous safety improvements and is targeted for completion in approximately six months. Sections within this project will be reopened as they are completed.
For details on the Marathon project and a look at the Trail's overall Construction and Design project status, see the Highlights menu of the FKOHT homepage. |
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