DECEMBER 2022
CHRISTMAS DAY OPERATING HOURS
The Park will be OPEN 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Visitor Center will be CLOSED on Christmas Day.
Dear Friends,

Happy Holidays! Come and support your communities and Canaveral National Seashore at the many Holiday events. We will be representing in the NSB Christmas Parade on Dec. 3rd at 4:00 pm and the Edgewater and Oak Hill Parades on Dec. 10th at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. 

Come one and all, and join in the fun! Join seashore staff and Friends of Canaveral for two-holiday open houses, Seminole Rest Dec. 10th, 12-4, and Eldora Dec. 11th, 1-4. Lots of crafts, games, and entertainment at both parties!


Stay Safe & See you at the beach!
Laura Henning 
Volunteer-In-Parks (VIP) Highlight

Recently eleven volunteers gathered to explore the VIP role of Environmental Education (EE) Assistant. They learned about the program that Canaveral's Interpretive team presents to visiting school groups. Together, staff and volunteers seined in the lagoon netting small shrimp, fish, and crabs. They also investigated the archaeological program, which focuses on Turtle Mound and the Timucua people. They shared some "best practices" and lessons learned from previous events. They encouraged and inspired each other to be flexible in managing time and expectations since every school group is different in size, energy level, and experience. 

This training session was intended to expose volunteers to the role of EE Assistant and to build a pool of enthusiastic, capable volunteers for the Interpretive team to call upon when school groups request field trips. If you are a current volunteer and wish to serve in this role, please reach out to Michell Woulard (avia_woulard@nps.gov) or Ashley Lord (ashley_lord@nps.gov). If you are new and would like to sign up as a volunteer, please connect with Valerie Stanley (valerie_stanley@nps.gov).
DECEMBER ACTIVITIES AT THE SEASHORE
To learn more, click the link below:
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
JOIN US ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 (1-4pm)
Eldora State House at Canaveral National Seashore
7611 South Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL

Enjoy live music, refreshments, entertainment & more. We will be having Plein Air Artist Patrick Rausch at Eldora painting.

You don't have to be a Friends of Canaveral Member to attend. If you wish to join us we will be signing up new members at this event.
HURRICANE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
Damage Assessments from Hurricane Nicole Continue
Park Operations and Visitor Access to be Affected

Canaveral National Seashore and the National Park Service’s Eastern Incident Management Team continue to assess damage to the national seashore from Hurricane Nicole. Preliminary reports show heavy impacts in the Playalinda District, with substantial damage to numerous boardwalks, parking lots, beach access points, and sand dunes.
Once condition assessments are complete, the park will work on a phased strategy to restore beach access and visitor services in the Playalinda District while providing for natural resource protection. No timetable for reopening or repairs is available at this time.
“Hurricane Nicole was a powerful storm that changed the landscape of Canaveral National Seashore. As we rebuild, we will be looking at ways to adapt National Park Service operations to better withstand powerful storms in the future,” said Superintendent Cinda Waldbuesser.
Hurricane Nicole made landfall on November 10th as a Category 1 storm south of Vero Beach, Florida, fueling major storm surge flooding along Florida’s east coast.
Parkwide, the following areas remain closed for visitor safety:
· Apollo (Boardwalks #1 & #6).
· Playalinda Beach

Visitors should obey all park closures and safety messaging. Surviving boardwalks have sustained structural damage and could collapse at any time. Sand dunes have become unstable due to erosion and may collapse, causing injury or entrapment. Use caution when recreating on open beaches as storm debris continues to wash ashore and may be buried in the surf.
DID YOU KNOW?
ATLANTIC SALT MARSH SNAKE
Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake

This snake is Federally-designated as threatened. Habitat loss and degradation have been the biggest threats to the Atlantic salt marsh snake. Habitat loss occurs from excessive filling and development in salt marshes. Pesticides and oil spills are additional threats to the species. Rising sea levels are not an immediate threat but may reduce the amount of habitat available to the Atlantic salt marsh snake in the long term. As sea levels rise, salinity in the estuaries will also rise correspondingly and possibly change the marsh's vegetation, eventually flooding the area and making it inhospitable for the snake.

The Atlantic salt marsh snake can reach a length of 24 inches. Atlantic salt marsh snakes have a grayish-tan dorsum (back) with dark brown and tan stripes running vertically down it and a reddish-brown belly with yellow spots along the belly's central row, 21-23 rows of keeled scales. The red pigmentation characteristic of mangrove water snakes is conspicuously lacking in Atlantic salt marsh snakes from Edgewater, Volusia County, and northward.

This species is ovoviviparous (producing young by means of eggs). Captive individuals have given birth to 3 to 9 young from August to October
The diet of the Atlantic salt marsh snake primarily consists of small fish, but they may also eat crabs and shrimp. It is most active at night, during periods of low tide.
BECOME A FRIEND - 2022 Membership
Friends of Canaveral consists of a small, but a mighty, group of members and volunteers who participate in the tradition of private philanthropy that is designed to enhance Canaveral’s’ federal support. 
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:

  • Membership card to Friends of Canaveral to use to receive a discount of 15% at the Canaveral Seashore Park Gift Shop.
  • Subscription to the Friends of Canaveral eNewsletter
  • Invitation to all fundraising events
  • Invitation to our annual membership meeting
  • Inclusion in all email announcements
  • Volunteer opportunities
REPORT VIOLATIONS
If you suspect a fish, wildlife, boating, or environmental law violation, report it to the FWC's Wildlife Alert Reward Program: 888-404-FWCC (3922).
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