Indian River Chapter

Newsletter

 April – June 2008

 

Monthly Meetings

 

            Monthly meetings are  conducted at the Melbourne Public Library located on Fee Avenue in Melbourne.  Socializing begins about 6:45 p.m. and the program starts at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments and a  short business meeting follow the program.

 

           

April 3rd Meeting:

 

            Doug Sphar, Section leader for Tosohatchee, will  present a program focused on the changes at Tosohatchee since it has been under the management of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

 

May 1, 2008:

                        Program  will be presented by Paul and Jennifer Sipen from  the Wildlife Care Center of Florida.

 

            June 5, 2008:

                        Program to be announced. Check newsletter updates on the chapter web page. Go to www.floridatrail.org , then select Chapters and Indian River Chapter. Click on Newsletter on the right side of the screen. .

 

 

 

Sep 4th  Meeting: (Tentative)

 

Maureen Phillips, Water Resources Coordinator  for Titusville, will present a program on the sources of contamination of lakes, streams and ground water and how to avoid  contaminating our water resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forest Funday for children

Come join us for a Springtime hike.

We will look for the signs of Spring,

wildflowers, wildlife and

the sights and sounds of the Forest.

All children will receive a plant for their own garden.

To reserve your place,

call 264-5185.

Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program

Brevard County Parks & Recreation

The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary is located at 444 Columbia Blvd. (S.R. 405),

½ mile west of U.S. 1 in Titusville, Florida. (321) 264-5185.

The needs of the hearing or visually impaired persons shall be met, if the department sponsoring the event

is contacted at least 48 hours prior to the event by any person wishing assistance.

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

Management & Education Center

Sunday, May 18th

2:00 pm

 

 

 

 

 

Taste of Tosohatchee

Saturday ,April 19th

 

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Try your hand at:

· Archery range

· Casting for fish

· Using a map and compass

· Geocaching 101

· Hiking the Florida Trail with an expert guide

· Identifying native plants on a guided hike

Learn about:

· Survival skills and wilderness tips from experts

· Fly-fishing

· Local plants at the ‘Incredible Edibles’ booth

· Birding on an early morning hike (also offered in Spanish) by

reservation only (850) 922-6160.

· Muzzleloading

· Sustainable living from dynamic hands-on displays

· FWC’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman program

· FWC’s Youth Hunter Education program

Get to Know Tosohatchee

· Take a hayride with a biologist to learn how they manage the

area with prescribed fire and big machinery

· Visit a helicopter and see how it helps spread fire

· Watch FWC’s K9 team at work

· Meet some of Tosohatchee’s wild animals up close

 

Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is located 20 miles east of Orlando off SR 50 on Taylor

Creek Road.

Joiin iin tthe

Fun!

Exciittiing

Acttiiviittiies ffor

the Whole

Famiilly!!

 

ENVIRONMENTAL EXHIBITORS

LIVE ANIMALS

Avian Reconditioning

Friends’ Fauna Works

GUIDED HIKES

Available 10:30 to 2:30

Meet you at the Welcome Center

LIVE MUSIC

Crystal Woman

Indian River Flute Circle

Janine & Ronnie

Surfside Johnny

Men of the House

Sisters of the Earth

HOT STUFF CATERING

(food available for purchase)

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Cart Tours will be conducted for the hearing, visually, mobility impaired persons.

Additional needs of the hearing, visually, mobility impaired persons shall be met

if we are contacted 48 hours before this event.

Brevard County Parks & Recreation

 

 

 

 

EarthDay EarthDay 2008 2008

at the at the

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

444 Columbia Blvd.

1/2 mile west of US1 on SR405 , South Titusville

(321) 264-5185

Saturday April 19th, 10am-4pm;

 

 

 

New Membership Chair:

 

            We welcome Sherry Chycota as the new Membership Chair for the IRC. If you know of someone who enjoys the wonders of nature  but who is not a member of FTA, please send their contact information to Sherry. E-mail:   dchycota@cfl.rr.com

 

 

 

           

 

 

ACTIVITIES

Indian River Chapter, Florida Trail Association

P.O. Box 0924, Melbourne, Florida 32902

  

     Activity participants please note: Contact the Activity Leader well in advance for more information and/or to reserve your place. (Space is limited.) Unless instructed otherwise by the Activity Leader, each participant should bring the following items: day pack, plenty of water (recommended  minimum: 2 quarts), sun protection (hat, glasses, screen), insect repellent, lunch and/or snacks, adequate clothing for the forecast, and comfortable sturdy closed-toed shoes with socks. Long pants, work gloves, and extra water are recommended for maintenance hikes. Activity Leaders reserve the right to deny participation to anyone who is inadequately prepared or who shows up unannounced.

 

 

Indian River Chapter activities for April – June 2008

 

 

04/02 Wed

Day Hike – Ulumay Preserve – Meet at McDonalds parking lot at I-95 and HWY 520 at 8:30 a.m. –  Jim and Nancy Escoffier 321-453-1586    IR   P/L

 

04/05 Sat

Trail Maintenance Hike at Three Lakes – Meet at 7:30 AM at Sam’s Club at 4255 West New Haven in Melbourne.  Dale Weddle 321-729-9162    IR   P/M

 

04/09 Wed

Day Hike – Micco Scrub – Meet at Sam’s Discount Club at 4255 West New Haven in Melbourne at 8:30 a.m. –Jim and Nancy Escoffier 321-453-1586    IR   P/L

 

04/11-04/13 Fri-Sun

Annual camping/paddling along the beautiful Suwannee River - Stay at Dale’s property on the Suwannee and take paddling trips during the day. (hot showers!)  Call leader for details and directions. Dale Weddle 321-729-9162    IR   P/M

 

04/16 Wed

Day Hike – Enchanted Forest – Meet at  west entrance of Lowe’s parking lot at I-95 and HWY 50 in Titusville at 8:30 a.m. –Jim and Nancy Escoffier 321-453-1586    IR   P/L

 

 

04/19 Sat

Taste of Tosohatchee – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, SR 520 – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will demonstrate management techniques used to restore natural communities and  recreational opportunities  available in the area will be highlighted – fun for the entire family. -  Liz Sparks, FWC Recreation Planner, 850-922-6160 – liz.sparks@myfwc.com

 

4/23 Wed

Day Hike – South Beaches – Meet at Sam’s Discount Club at 4255 West New Haven in Melbourne at 8:30 a.m. - Jim and Nancy Escoffier 321-453-1586    IR   P/L

 

 

04/26 Sat

Princess Place Preserve Day Hike - Meet at 8:00 AM at Lowes in Titusville on SR 50. See 1887 hunting lodge and oldest in-ground swimming pool while hiking along Pellicer Creek. Distance: 5 miles Shawn Riley 321-267-0102   IR   P/L

For more information see: http://www.floridahikes.com/north/princess-place.html

 

 

6/5 – Thursday

June Chapter Meeting  - 7:00 p.m. at the Melbourne Public Library, Fee Ave, Melbourne – Richard Louden, Chapter Chair, 321-638-8804- IR - P/L

5/1 – Thursday

May Chapter Meeting – 7:00 p.m. at the Melbourne Public Library, Fee Ave, Melbourne – Richard Louden, Chapter Chair, 321-638-8804- IR - P/L

 

5/3 – Saturday

Trail Maintenance Hike – Bull Creek – Meet at 7:30 a.m.  in parking lot of Sam’s Club, 4255 W New Haven, Melbourne – Mick Karolick, 321-254-0453- IR - P/M

 

5/10 – Saturday

Canoe/Kayak down Shingles Creek and Hike Makinson Island – Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Sam’s Club, 4255, W New Haven, Melbourne – See big horn sheep and possibly eagles – distance 8 miles – Shawn Riley, 321-267-0102 – IR -  P/M

 

5/17 – Saturday

Canoe/Kayak – Thousand Islands off Cocoa Beach – Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Ramp Road Park, Cocoa Beach – Richard Louden, 321-638-8804 –IR - P/M

 

5/24 – Saturday

Canoe/Kayak down Turnbull and Coot Creek to the Indian River Lagoon – Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Lowes in Titusville on SR-50 – Distance 5 miles – Shawn Riley, 321-267-0102 – IR - P/M

 

5/31 – Saturday

Day Hike – South Tosohatchee – Meet 6:30 a.m. at Viera McDonalds, North Wickham Rd near I-95 exit -  Tony Flohre, 321-723-6339 – IR – P/M

 

 

6/7 – Saturday

Trail Maintenance Hike – Three-Lakes – Meet at 7:30 a.m.  in parking lot of Sam’s Club, 4255 W New Haven, Melbourne – Dale Weddle, 321-729-9162, e-mail:  daleweddle@msn.com  – IR – P/M

 

6/21 – Saturday

7th Annual Turkey Creek Canoe/Kayak Event & Picnic – Meet at Dale’s at  8:00 a.m. – Call Dale Weddle for directions321-729-9162, e-mail:  daleweddle@msn.com:  –  IR – M/L

 

6/28 – Saturday

Day Hike – Little Econ – Meet at 6:30  a.m. at  Viera McDonalds, North Wickham Rd near I-95 exit  - Tony Flohre, 321-723-6339 – IR – P/M

 

 

 

Report  From The Trail by Donna Stowe:

 

Donna  is a member of the Indian River Chapter  who began  a hike of the entire Florida trail  early in 2008. She and her partner, Lolly Tharp,  plan to complete their journey in early April.

Donna has also hiked the entire AT.

 

 

Hi All, 3/30/08

We went from freezing weather (ice in the water bottle and heavy frost on the tent) to nice warm dry weather. Spring has really sprouted out. Some road walks - people have stopped to ask if we wanted a ride. A nice family invited us to their house to do laundry and a spaghetti supper. Others stop out of curiosity and ask where we are going. One invited us to spend the night in their spare room. Easter was a nice day spending it in the Econfina Creek Wildlife Mgmt Area. We have a couple more days skirting Eglin AFB. Will be anxious to hike along the beach the last couple of days. 100 more miles to go.

We will finish up our adventure on April 5th or 6th. Lolly's husband will come up from Sebring and take us back. My son Rick is coming down to help celebrate the end of the trail!!

Take care all and thanks!

Love, Mosey

 

 

 

 

 

 

Near the Beginning:

 

     Depicted in the photo  to the right are (left to right) Lolly Tharp, Larry Myers, and Donna Stowe. The photo was taken near the beginning of Donna and Lolly’s complete hike of the Florida Trail.  Larry is a member of the Central Florida Chapter, but he contributes much hard work on maintenance  hikes with the IRC

 

Annual Picnic:

 

     For those who were expecting to find the annul picnic listed among the June activities, but didn’t,  don’t despair. The Annual Chapter Picnic will be moved to a cooler, less humid, more pleasant date in the autumn. Watch the newsletter for the new date and location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Hours for

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

 

Starting October 1, 2007, the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary will be closed on Mondays.  We will continue to be open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  This change is being implemented as a result of the changes in the County budget. 

If you have any questions, please call us at 264-5185

 

 

 



 

 

Work! Work! Work!

 

     Not all  is fun and games in the Indian River Chapter. Volunteer  work hours are

reported to FTA State Headquarters in Gainesville  monthly. The U. S. Forest Service provides  matching funds for the work hours reported. Those funds are then used  for materials and equipment to maintain and improve the Florida Trail.  Most of the  volunteer work hours are accumulated  by performing trail maintenance; however,  some are earned  via administrative  chores.

     More volunteers are always needed. Check the Chapter activity calendar and  come out for a trail maintenance hike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trail Conditions:

  The loop trails in Prairie Lakes  and Three-Lakes are in generally good condition. Check out the new boardwalk through the cypress dome on the North Loop.

             The trails in Bull Creek are in fair condition. Plans are being made to replace the bridges across Jane Creek.

            The trails in Triple-N are in fair  condition. There are now three loop trails: a 7.5 mile orange loop, a 2.0 mile white loop, and a 2.5 mile yellow loop. All trails begin at the entrance to Triple N.

            The trails in Tosohatchee are in good to fair condition

      

            If you have recently hiked on the FT in any area maintained by our Chapter, please report the condition of the trail to your newsletter editor. (e-mail: cjallen@digital.net )

 

 

 

MISSION

 

The Florida Trail Association’s mission is to develop, maintain, promote, and protect a continuous public hiking trail the length of the State of Florida called the Florida National Scenic Trail and other side and loop trails, together called the Florida Trail system; and to educate the public by teaching appreciation for and conservation of the natural beauty of Florida; and to provide opportunities to hike and camp.

 

 

 

 

 

Link  To Hunting Schedules:

Thanks to Tom Choma for the following link to hunting schedules for various areas.

 

http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=dGVjbWlzY0BnbWFpbC5jb20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hunting Schedules

2007 - 2008

 

            Toso-              Bull                  Three              Prairie                        Triple N

            hatchee          Creek             Lakes             Lakes

 

Sep     27-30              22-30              22-30              28-30             

 

Oct      4-7                  1-21                1-21                5-7                  27-31

            11-14              26-28              26-28              26-28

            18-21                                                             

           

 

Nov     15-18              10-30              2-4                  16-18              1-2, 10-16 HO

            23-25                                      10-30              23-25              24-30 sg

                                                                                    30

 

Dec                             1-31                1-31                1-2                  1-31 sg

                                                                                    8-30 sg

 

Jan      11-17              1-6                  1-6                  4-6                  1-20 sg

                                    7-31 sg           7-31 sg                                   25-27

                                                                                                           

 

Feb     8-14                1-28 sg           1-28 sg                                   1-3

                                                                                                            8-10

 

Mar     15-17              1-2 sg             1-2 sg             15-17              15-21

            28-30              15-31              15-31              28-30              29-31

 

Apr      11-13              1-20                1-20                11-13              1-4

                                                                                                            12-18 HO

 

sg means small game hunting only

HO means Hunters Only

 

For more information visit the web site:  www.myfwc.com

 

Although we have no published schedule, the Mormon Ranch hunting season  ranges from September until around March. Hiking is rarely permitted on the property during hunting season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Camp

            The  Base Camp Outlet for  camping and skiing supplies is located at 908 US 1 in Rockledge. Base Camp assists in the distribution of the FOOTLOG.

 

 

 

 

HELP WANTED-NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED

FREE TRAINING—RAPID PROMOTION POTENTIAL

 

Salaries are low ($0), but the rewards are priceless. Immediate Openings are available for the following positions:

 

ACTIVITY LEADERS—Helps fulfill the mission of the FTA by planning and leading activities through which others, both members and  the public, will be able to learn the skills and knowledge which will help them enjoy and appreciate the natural world that surrounds them, and by instilling in them the desire to preserve it.

 

TRAILMASTERS– Responsible to Section Leader for the detailed development and/or maintenance of a segment of the FTA trail. Schedules and leads trail maintenance activities on a periodic basis to ensure good conditions of the trail all year.

 

TRAIL MAINTAINERS—Participates in the regular maintenance hikes performed by the Chapter Trail Coordinator, Section Leaders and Trailmasters.

 

INTERESTED?- Contact Dale Weddle at 321-266-0738 (e-mail: daleweddle@msn.com) or attend the semi-monthly planning meeting held the third Monday of the even months at the Melbourne Public Library at 7:00 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

Media Support

             The media organizations below provide free publicity for FTA Indian River Chapter events.

            Florida Today Newspaper                       Press Journal

            FIT Radio                                          WAVW 101.7 FM Radio

            WMMB Radio                                               WQCS Radio

            WGYL 93.7 Radio                           WMEL Radio

            WTMS Radio                                    Hometown News                           

 

Thanks and a tip of the hat to these generous media organizations for the contributions they make to the success of FTA events.

 

            If you know of other media organizations that report public events, please contact one of the Chapter Officers.

 

 

 

The Secret is Out!!!

            On the 3rd Monday of each even month, officers, sections leaders, activity leaders, etc. meet  at the Melbourne Library  to plan the activities for the next two months. This must have been a well-kept secret because the planning group is usually small. More participation is needed. If you are interested in becoming more involved in Chapter activities, please attend the next planning meeting.

 

 

 

Sunset Ranch:

            The self-guiding interpretative trail from the parking area at Sunset Ranch on Canoe Creek Road to Lake Marian has recently been re-marked with new brown, fiberglass trail markers. Sunset Ranch is a part of the Three Lakes/Prairie Lakes WMA. The entrance is just a short distance east of the entrance to Prairie Lakes on Canoe Creek Road. Check it out!

 

 

 

The East Coast Greenway:

 

            Have you ever heard of it? The East Coast Greenway is a trail system linking together scores of local, firm-surface trails into a unified, 3000-mile route. It spans 15 states plus the District of Columbia between Maine and Florida. This urban version of the Appalachian Trail will provide safe, traffic-free travel, exercise, recreation, and tourism opportunities to 30 million Americans who live near it and millions more to visitors  to the region.  The mission of the East Coast Greenway Alliance is to partner with local, state and national agencies and organizations to promote the establishment, stewardship and public enjoyment of a traffic-free multi-user trail linking cities from Maine to Florida.

            For more information contact  East Coast Greenway at info@greenway.org or visit their web site at www.greenway.org.*

 

*This information taken from the East Cost Greenway News, Spring 2007 issue

 

 

Outdoor News Needed:

 

            Have you been bitten by a rattle snake, chased by a bear, or  wrestled an alligator recently?  Got pictures?  Contact Robert Hughes of Florida Today, sehguh55@aol.com. Actually, your outdoor adventure need not be that exciting, but you  if do have photos of a recent hike or canoe/kayaking  trip  or some other outdoor event,  Mr. Hughes might like to use them in articles he is contributing to the Outdoor Page of Florida Today.