Several Instructors have scheduled FMNP courses for targetaudiences with success. Two target audiences that have showninterest are ecotour operators and teachers (see "In-servicecredit info" link on the FMNP web site for school district contactinformation). "Friends of" volunteer groups may also be goodtarget audiences.

Closed registration (i.e., not open to the public) should beconsidered for target audiences so that training can focus onspecific audience needs. To organize a course with closedregistration, contact Shelby Tatlock by email and outline dates,target audience, anticipated class size, and how you plan toorganize registration and payment. Shelby will provide a coursecode for registration.

Closed courses are not listed on the web site. Obtain registrationforms via any open course and under Comments type -"Registering for course __." Submit the registration form onlineor print and fax to Shelby. Instructors may also collectregistration forms and fax to Shelby with company credit cardnumber or check to pay for all participants simultaneously. Thisis an excellent strategy if you obtain a grant to cover tuition fees.Registration questions? Ask Shelby, our FMNP conferencecoordinator!TEL: 352-392-5930FAX 352-392-9734,EMAIL: mktatlock@ifas.ufl.edu

Dr. Martin B. MainFMNP Program LeaderUF Associate Professor and EcologistSouthwest Florida Research and Education CenterImmokalee, Florida

Volume 4, No. 2 April 2004

Florida Master Naturalist ProgramFMNP Training for Target Audiences

Program Update .............................................. 1Education/Conservation Events .................... 2Wild Eye ............................................................ 3Interpretive Tracks .......................................... 3Class Information............................................ 4Contacts ............................................................. 4

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FMNP Instructor Serena Rinker assists Carolyn Saft'sPalm Beach Class.

Dr. Main rounds up Florida Grasshopper SparrowsPhoto by: Bill Combs

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Spring Environmental Education and Conservation EventsSubmit educational events or conservation project needs by e-mail to info@masternaturalist.org

Call to Artists, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the United Arts Council of Collier CountyTheme: "Natural Elements: earth, air, fire & water," Reception: May 6, 2004 5-7pm Exhibition: May 6 -August 29Art Contest: Open to Collier/Lee County residents. Artworks: address theme, two-dimensional artwork. Not to exceed6' and 80 lbs. Submission Deadline: rcv'd by April 15th. Details: http://www.rookerybay.org/pdf/call_to_artists.pdf

Saturday, April 17, Earth Day Celebration at Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation: noon to 4 pm.Partners: Tarpon Bay Explorers, Ding Darling Refuge, The Shell Museum , and Sanibel Inn

Saturday, April 24, Earth Day Celebration at the SW FL Conservancy: Dozens of local environmental groups, a kids eco-carnival, native plant sale, organic farmers market and an Eco-Auction. All Conservancy attractions are included.Festivities run from 9 a.m-3 p.m. Cost is only $1. Call 239-403-4236. http://www.conservancy.org

Pinellas County "Family EarthFest" April 17, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.This annual celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day combined will be fun-filled with activities about nature and theenvironment for families, children, and adults. Some of the activities include: nature tours, a bird house workshop,butterfly display and caterpillar petting, environmental programs, free native plants, wildlife shows, and live music.Address: 12175 125th St. N., Largo, Florida Phone: (727) 582-2100

Celebrate Arbor Day, April 24 and 25, Green Thumb Festival in Walter Fuller Park, 7891 26th Avenue North in St.Petersburg from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This Festival includes environmental, horticultural, and gardening exhibits,presentations, and demonstrations, Flower Show, Children's Plant Fair, trees for $3, free butterfly plants, and freemulch. For additional information, call 727-893-7335.

Earth Day Tampa Bay- Lowry Park, Tampa, April 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Theme: Water For Life. Water issues, marine, wildlife and conservation organizations involved, (FMNP too).Festivities: canoes and kayaks, children's craft and activity area, guided family nature walks, live entertainment and aplant fair. One-hour documentary video "Water's Journey: The Hidden Rivers of Florida'' at the Florida Aquarium.

Animal Fair, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, April 24, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Come face to face with a variety of creatures, from canines to felines and rodents to reptiles.Representatives from local organizations will be on-hand to answer questions. Phone: 352-846-2000

Pond management workshop, April 29, Crestview/Okaloosa Extension Office, 2-9:00 p.m.Workshop for North Florida homeowners with ponds. Water quality, algae control, fish habitat, etc. to be discussed.Contact: Extension Office 850-689-5850

April 29 & April 30-8:00a.m.-1:00 p.m., May 1 & 2, 10:00-4:00 p.m.Farm and Forest Festival School Days- Morningside Nature Center, Gainesville. Celebrating North Florida History!The Living History Farm includes traditional craft demonstrators, re-enactors, entertainers and Southern food. Fee:. $5.00 adults, $3.00 kids 3-12, free kids 0-2 For more information, call 352/334-2170, www.natureoperations.org.

Florida Scrub Jay Encounter, May 7, 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. $7/adult $6/adult member ~ $3/child $2/child member Joinan experienced scrub jay researcher on an outing in the St. Sebastian River State Buffer PreserveExcursion includes ride on a tractor-pulled wagon; Contact info: 772.589.5050 Other events: http://www.elcweb.org

Florida Marine Aquarium Society 48th Annual Show, Date: 05/20 to 05/23Where: IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum Dania Beach, FL What: Over 100 salt water tanks with tropical fish,corals and plants. Seminars, experts, and museum admission included $10.00 fee. Call 954-922-4212, www.igfa.org

National Association for Interpretation, Certified Interpretive Guide Workshop, May 20-23, Hillsborough CommunityCollege's English Creek Environmental Center, Plant City, Instructors: Kris Whipple & Bruce Nolan Communication,Interpretive philosophy, principles, and techniques for program delivery will be covered. Participants attend the 32-hour training, take an open-book exam, complete a presentation outline and deliver a presentation.Class size is limited to 25, at least 16 years old. Cost: $345 for non-members, $300 for NAI members. Registrationmust be received or confirmed by May 1st. Contact Bruce Nolan at 863-965-7233 or animalbrother@hotmail.com

North Central Florida Bat Workshop, Sat 15 May, 1:45pm-9pm. Lubee Bat Center, 10 miles north of GainesvilleJoin bat biologists at an inaugral bat group meeting and bat survey techniques training workshop. Learn bat ecologyand identification. Lectures and practical demonstrations using bat detectors, mist nets and harp traps led by Dr sWalsh and Hood. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Bring mosquito repellant, flashlight, picnic dinner. Refreshmentswill be provided. Cost : $20, optional $10 to join the bat watchers group with Florida Bats Workbook.Reservations & Directions: Contact Allyson Walsh, awalsh@batconservancy.org, Tel:352-4851250

Featured Web Site: UF/IFAS Wetlands Extension Page summarizes Florida wetland programs, research,locations, and information - http://wetlandextension.ifas.ufl.edu

Wild Eye Watch on:

Audubon's Crested Caracara,(Caracara plancus audubonii)Identifiers: dark body 20-22", black cap, bare red face,neck/base of tail white, black band tail tipAdaptations: long-legged walker, semi-bare faceStatus: federal/state threatenedRange: central/south FloridaReproduction: 2-3 white/brown eggs, tree nestHabitat: prairies, savannas, agricultural fieldsDiet: carrion, small fish, turtles, snakes, rodentsFun Facts:- most varied diet of any bird of prey- can displace vultures at a carcassCaracaras (Caracara plancus syn= Polyborus cheriway, P. plancus), also known as the "Mexican eagle," belong to the falconfamily (Falconidae). Unlike true falcons, Caracaras build their own nests, have rounded wings, walking feet, and a semi-bare face - an adaptation that represents convergent evolution with other scavenging birds.Audubon's Crested Caracara is characteristic of the grassland ecosystems, including cattle ranches, in south-centralFlorida. The Florida population is threatened and isolated from the primary US population (Louisiana, Texas, Arizona).These birds need open country, and the conversion of habitat to citrus, pine plantations, and urban development hascaused their numbers to drop. Although they breed earlier than true falcons, Caracaras are slow reproducers andrebound slowly.

Interpretive TracksNature Photography

We can express nature in many ways, and one of them is through art. Naturephotography is all about being a part of nature and capturing the facets ofnature's wonders. Photographers usually take workshops to learn camera andphotography techniques and then they must experience nature to see thepossibilities of composition. Composition is a personal discovery and form ofexpression for each photographer and by far the hardest part of photography toteach. Expressed throughout his career (1902-1984), Ansel Adams' work reflectsthe interaction with nature on a human scale. Many others have followed in hisfootsteps, including Florida resident landscape photographer Clyde Butcher.Nature photographers strive to capture nature's most intimate details, thoseaspects of form and texture, as realized through light and shadow, which parallelactual nature experiences and provide appreciation of what is close enough totouch and smell. Photographs are the result of aesthetic, social, political,personal, and cultural influences on the artist. These affect and help direct theconstruction and content of the image. By carefully analyzing naturephotographs, students of nature can develop and improve observational skills,increase their vocabulary of expression, and sharpen their interpretive skills.

FMNP graduates and Instructors -- we wish to showcase your artistic work onthe Uplands Video Jacket. The video jacket needs to be a portrait (vertical)image of an Upland Forest, Hammock, Scrub, Sandhill, Pine Flatwoods or DryPrairie (animals can be part of the scene). The back of the video jacket requires3-4 images of Florida Upland wildlife. To submit your hardcopy slides andphotos, send them to FMNP Photo Contest, UF/IFAS, 2686 SR 29 N,Immokalee, FL. Digital images must be taken by at least a 5 megapixel camera,be 300 dpi, and saved as Tiff or Jpg files. Digital images can be saved on a CDand mailed or sent as attachment files to info@MasterNaturalist.org. All photoentries will become the property of the FMNP and will be used in educationaland promotional materials.

Entry deadline is June 11, 2004. Winners will be credited and announced in theJuly 2004 FMNP Newsletter. Remember to use your interpretation skills andimagination, but please do not send us your entire photo collection! (Thanks!)

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Jointed Spikerush (Eleocharis equisetoides)Emergent Aquatic plant. Unbranched with terminalspikes. Plant sections used for beads by SeminoleIndians.

© Drawing by Ann Murray, Center for Aquatic & InvasivePlants, University of Florida, Gainesville

Lee County, D.O.E.

Current Course Offerings

Freshwater Wetlands Classes:May 1-26, 2004 (Glades County)May 17-June 4, 2004 (Lake County)June 11-26, 2004 (Pasco County)October 1-November 5, 2004 (Volusia County)October 5-23, 2004 (Pasco County)October 7-30, 2004 (St. Johns County)

Coastal Systems Classes:April 16-May 21, 2004 (Volusia County)May 8-23, 2004 (Brevard County)June 3-25, 2004 (Duval County)June 4-July 30, 2004 (Palm Beach County)

Upland Habitats Classes:TBA Jan 2005

Go to www.MasterNaturalist.orgClick on "Course Offerings" for locations and timeschedules. After you have chosen your course,follow the prompts to register online.

For program details: Click on "Information"

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Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Roundup 2/14/04By Alice Rowe

Melody, Carol, Bruce, Don, and I drove from Vero Beach in thepursuit of an itty bitty bird that was named for its grasshopper sound.We arrived during the early morning fog only able to see thesilhouettes of sable palms and the edges of the large expanse of theKissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. Paul Miller, park biologist,described the history of the park and the Florida GrasshopperSparrow. With 22,000 acres of dry prairie, it's the largest dry prairie inthe U.S.! Burning occurs on a 2-year rotation to enhance grass growthand keep trees out. The sparrows need dry prairies lacking tallstructures where predators could perch. The sparrow nests on theground, making an arch of wire grass. In 2002, the sparrow'spopulation was estimated at less than 1,000 (<Scrub jays) labelingthem one of our most endangered species. We gathered in a long-termstudy area just off the side of the road to undertake the roundup. Ourgoal was to capture birds and observe Paul collecting statistical data.The fine mesh 'mist' nets are 100 feet long and over 6 feet high. Toorchestrate a roundup, 2 people held the end of a 100-foot rope about100 yards out from the net. Everyone else lined up behind the rope.We had about 10 graduates, 3 instructors, the program leader andcoordinator, and 5 guests participating. The rope holders dragged therope through the vegetation, and the rest of the group walked behindthe rope clapping loudly. A bird spooked up but disappeared into agopher tortoise burrow. We didn't capture any Florida GrasshopperSparrows, but we did round up a Sedge wren, Bachman's sparrow anda Rainbow scarab beetle (very colorful). Two members of our groupwho stumbled in gopher tortoise burrows found out why they callthose shrubs saw palmettos. The wind hindered our progress, so weexamined carnivorous plants, a Blue stripe garter snake, a Florida boxturtle, and a pile of grass clippings that turned out to be an armadilloburrow. We're glad Paul (former Yankee) found Florida and shared hislove of the Kissimmee prairie with us. We all had a very good day andloved every minute. The total enthusiasm of everyone involved wasawesome. Thanks to all of you in the group who made it so!

FMNP Wetlands Module funding provided by:-Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,Advisory Council on Environmental Education (ACEE)-Southwest Florida Council for Environment Education,Inc. (SWFCEE)

FMNP Coastal Module funding provided by:-Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida, IFAS-Florida Marine Research Institute,Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute

Florida Master Naturalist Program

Leader: Dr. Martin Main, Associate ProfessorCoordinator: Ginger Allen, Senior Biological Scientist

Southwest Florida Research & Education Center2686 State Road 29 NorthImmokalee, FL 34142-9515Phone: 239-658-3400; Fax: 239-658-3469E-Mail: info@masternaturalist.orgWeb: www.MasterNaturalist.org www.MasterNaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu

FMNP Newsletter Staff

Editor: Dr. Martin MainManaging Editor: Ginger AllenContributing Editor: Julie CarsonWeb Coordinator: Buddy Walker