Dear Friends,
Did you know that Labor Day was created when laborers clashed over the right to organize and use collective bargaining for the good of all workers? While now it is commonly viewed as the unofficial end of summer and a collective bargain to barbeque. I hope that you all enjoy the holiday safely however you choose!
The seashore has been very busy with turtles and rockets! We are hoping to see the historic Artemis I lift off from Kennedy Space Center and the beach is a great place to watch the launches. Playalinda Beach is sometimes closed for NASA mission launches, so check our social media and website for updates on closures before you head into the traffic.
We are looking at possibly surpassing our last record year of sea turtle nests with numbers heading over the 11,500 mark!
See you at the beach!
Laura Henning
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2022 Sea Turtle Nest Counts
As of 8/31/22
2022 Sea Turtle Nest Counts
• Loggerhead (Caretta caretta):
Apollo ( 2,970 ) .......... Playalinda ( 3,183 )
• Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas):
Apollo ( 2,473 ) .......... Playalinda ( 3,434 )
• Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea):
Apollo ( 8 ) .......... Playalinda ( 19 )
• Kemps Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii):
Apollo ( 0 ) .......... Playalinda ( 1 )
Total Sea Turtle Nest Counts: 12,088
Wilson's Plover Nest Counts:
Apollo ( 37 )..........Playalinda ( 17 )
Total: 54
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VOLUNTEERING AT THE SEASHORE
Upcoming Training
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Canaveral National Seashore, Tuesday Crew Volunteers at Seminole Rest
Photo Credit: NPS/V. Stanley)
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Have you ever wanted to volunteer, but didn't know where to start? Or maybe you're already a volunteer but wish you could grow in your role or try out a new one. Well, Canaveral National Seashore is now hosting monthly training sessions for our Volunteer-In-Parks (VIP) program. These sessions will help you find a volunteer role that fits you well, trains you for that role, serves the mission of the National Park Service, and helps you grow. There will be two types of sessions each month: VIP Jobs and V.O.L. (Volunteer Operational Leadership). Each session will last 2 hours, be engaging, participatory, and offer plenty of time for question-and-answer. The meeting location will vary depending on the session that is offered.
VIP Jobs will focus on one specific volunteer role each session (for example: working in the Visitor Center, hosting in the Eldora State House, or gardening). We will explore one job from start to finish. You will learn what is required, when to arrive, how to communicate the National Park Service mission, and you will get to meet other volunteers who have similar interests. These sessions are not a commitment to volunteer; they are for learning and training purposes. However, you will have the opportunity to sign on/start working, if you choose. Each month a different job will be highlighted.
V.O.L. (Volunteer Operational Leadership) is a FUN, monthly deep dive into how YOU - as a vital member of the Canaveral VIP team - can grow in regards to effective leadership, communication, situational awareness, decision-making, safety, risk management, and more! It'll be a great time to make new friends, connect with old friends, share your stories, experiences, "lessons learned", and ultimately make Canaveral National Seashore the SAFEST and BEST place to volunteer!
September Sessions: Mark your calendars!
VIP Jobs - Eldora State House Host
- Fri, Sept 16th, 10:00AM @ the Visitor Center
V.O.L. - Effective Leadership
- Fri, Sept 30th, 10:00AM @ the Visitor Center
MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND CALL TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY! (Seating is limited.)
Valerie Stanley
Volunteer and Youth Coordinator
386-428-3384 ext 222
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INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP (ICC) |
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The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is fast approaching on September 17th! This cleanup is essential for connecting people to the ocean and making it a better place for our marine animals and ourselves. It is a time when people across the world come together and make an impact on our world’s health. Canaveral National Seashore will be a host site where visitors will receive free entry into the park by letting the entrance station know they are there for the ICC. The first 100 visitors will receive a free event t-shirt. Sign in at Apollo Beach Visitor Center to receive your free shirt. Bring your reusable water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. We will provide cold water, reusable gloves (small/medium-sized), and bags. Feel free to bring your own gloves and trash pickers.
We look forward to sea-ing you help clean our ocean and lagoon at Canaveral National Seashore!
Ranger Makayla
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ANNUAL Day at the Beach
Local Boys & Girls Clubs
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Local Boys & Girls Clubs. Photo Credit: NPS |
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Friends of Canaveral assisting with lunch.
Photo credit: L. Scorfield
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Friends of Canaveral and Canaveral National Seashore Seashore hosted nearly sixty children on the annual Day at the Beach for the local Boys & Girls Clubs (the Oretha Bell/NSB Boys & Girls Club and the Jeep Beach/Edgewater Boys & Girls Club) on Thursday, August 4th.
The children created cosmic pinwheels as they learned about the James Webb telescope and explored their creative side as they made beach-themed jewelry and crafts. On the active side, kids competed in the Canaveral Olympics by jumping like a dolphin, staring like an owl, and standing on one leg like a heron. They played cornhole and even had the chance to dance and hula hoop just for fun!
Of course, the weather was hot but lemonade and ice water were available to keep the crowd healthy and hydrated. Lunch was generously provided and prepared by Friends of Canaveral. Everyone enjoyed sizzling hot dogs fresh off the grill. Potato chips, watermelon, and popsicles rounded out the summer menu.
A big thank you is extended to all the volunteers, Friends of Canaveral members, park staff, and others who made the day special by surrounding the children with smiles, laughter, encouragement, and FUN! If you missed it this year, plan to be part of Day at the Beach next summer!
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SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES AT THE SEASHORE |
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Participate in the International Coast Cleanup, learn about the endangered animals who call Canaveral National Seashore home, and join us for a discussion on nesting sea turtles.
To learn more, click the link below:
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DID YOU KNOW?
SEA TURTLE HATCHLINGS!
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Females nest every two to three years, laying several nests and depositing about 80-120 eggs.
Sea turtles are born with the instinct to move toward the brightest direction; on a natural beach, this direction is the light of the open horizon. The eyes form from tiny open cups that develop when the embryo is a few weeks old. Retinas, lenses, and corneas develop in a specific fashion over several weeks. When the turtle is ready to hatch, the eyes are fully developed, and they open within minutes of hatching.
Sea turtle eggs have an incubation period of about two months, after which they all dig out of their nest simultaneously. This process can take several days, and as a group, they leave their nest at night and head directly for the sea. This first trek "imprints" their home beach into the hatchlings. Once grown, the turtles will return to lay their nests on the same beach.
Only about one in 1,000 turtles survive to adulthood. Hatchlings die of dehydration if they don't get to the ocean fast enough. Birds, crabs, and other animals also prey on young turtles.
- What should I do if I find sea turtle hatchlings on the beach?
- Watch from a distance.
- Allow them to crawl to the water on their own.
- Leave them in their nest.
- Keep all lights off.
- Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement at 1-888-404-FWCC or *FWC from your cell phone.
FUN FACT:
Research shows that if a turtle's eggs incubate below 27.7° Celsius (81.86° Fahrenheit), the turtle hatchlings will be male.
If the eggs incubate above 31° Celsius (88.8° Fahrenheit), however, the hatchlings will be female.
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BECOME A FRIEND - 2022 Membership |
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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. |
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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
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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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Use Amazon Smile for all your purchases to support the Friends of Canaveral. |
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