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Past News & Other Items:
1) On Tuesday, May 1st a NWFLEC social and cookout was held at Karl Studenroth's house. Twelve
people attended and everyone had a chance to see Karl's home zoo and some of the animals for the future nature center.
Thanks to everyone who attended and helped out, especially Dennis and Christine Gilbert!
(Below) Pictured from left to right, front row: Sandi Chapman, Christine Gilbert, Mrs. Boothe, Royce Reagan, Sally
Waxgiser, Rochelle Bearwood & Lois Jones. 2nd row: Dennis Gilbert, Cyndi Stewart, Billy Boothe & Brian Bearwood.
It appears that Royce Reagan is conducting an orchestra!
2) On Tuesday, April 17th Karl Studenroth filmed a new episode of "Outdoors with the Northwest Florida
Environmental Conservancy". This new episode is on turtles of northwest Florida.
Turtles within the Florida Panhandle are among the most diverse in the entire nation and at least
25 species are found here. Panhandle turtle diversity ranges from sea turtles, snapping turtles, soft-shelled turtles,
aquatic turtles, box turtles, gopher tortoises, plus many other species.
Dr. Dale Jackson, from the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, appeared on this program, and
numerous turtle species were discussed and shown.
This program has already aired a few times, and it will air again on Wednesday, April
25th, at 7pm CST, on Marianna Comcast cable channel 4.
Additionally, a special airing of this program is available on
the internet, from Chipola College at the same time and date above. To watch this program online follow the two
instructions below.
Special thanks to Sandi Chapman and Royce Reagan who were behind the scenes filming and
editing these programs. We also thank Dr. Dale Jackson for being our special guest star and turtle expert.
Dale is a NWFLEC scientific advisor.
Many people have a unique fondness and love for turles, and they are very ancient and incredible
animals! Be sure to tune in for this upcoming program!
Internet
Viewing Instructions:
3) On Wednesday, February 14th Karl Studenroth filmed two new episodes of "Outdoors with the
NW FL Environmental Conservancy". These episodes focused on Sandhills of Jackson County Florida. The first
episode was on Upland Sandhill Ecology, Plants & Fire; and the second episode was on Upland Animals and Conservation.
These programs aired several times throughout February and
March and will air again occassionally on Marianna, FL Comcast cable channel 4.
Special thanks to Sandi Chapman and Royce Reagan who were behind the scenes filming
and editing these programs.
These
programs shed light on the incredible diversity and importance of Upland Sandhill ecosystems. I hope these programs
will encourage future new members and support of NWFLEC.
4) In August of 2006 officials from Waste Management's Springhill landfill donated a new
water pump, water filter and a large cattle tank to temporarily house "Tommy", the large Alligator snapping turtle NWFLEC
has for a future nature center exhibit.
(Above) Karl Studenroth accepts a water pump and filter from
Mr. Achaya Kelapanda that Waste management purchased for NWFLEC for "Tommy" the Alligator snapping turtle!
5) NWFLEC received some exciting and unexpected publicity
recently! A new book on Bats of Florida has just come out by our advisors, Cyndi and George
Marks. On the back cover of the book NWFLEC is mentioned! Thanks a lot Cyndi & George!
(Below) NWFLEC was recently mentioned on the back cover of
the new Bats of Florida book!
6) Friday, November 17th, 2006 at Chipola College, Marianna,
FL. Royce Reagan and Karl Studenroth filmed a new local cable TV show on "Caves and cave life
of the Jackson County area".
The new program on "Caves and Karst of the Jackson County Area" will first air Wednesday
night, November 22nd, at 7pm CST, on the local Marianna Comcast cable channel 4. This show will air again,
periodically at different times, in the days and weeks to come.
This show is part of a new series of at least five upcoming shows on the biodiversity of Jackson
County and the surrounding region. Past shows were done on bats, snakes, carnivorous plants, and various aspects
of local biodiversity. The upcoming shows will be on 1) Caves of the Jackson County Area; 2) Springs of the Jackson County Area; 3) Rivers,
Streams & Wetlands of Jackson County; 4) Sandhills of
Jackson County; and 5) Biodiversity and the Ecological Importance of the Jackson County Area.
7) A great deal of material was covered at the NWFLEC Board meeting on September 12th, 2006. One
of the items was the temporary appoinment and approval of new NWFLEC officers and positions. These new positions
and individuals are listed below.
Also, after 21 months, Dr. Steve Shimmel stepped down from the NWFLEC Board to pursue numerous other conservation
activies and a full teaching load as a professor at Chipola College. We sincerely thank Dr. Shimmel for all his
help and support of NWFLEC, and for being a lifetime member!
Lastly, Royce Reagan, of Chipola College has volunteered to serve on the NWFLEC Board! Royce is Director
of TV & Video Productions at Chipola College and brings a great deal of experience and expertise to the NWFLEC Board.
We wish to extend a special thanks and welcome to Royce reagan!
Administrative Director - Dennis Gilbert
Education & Conservation Director - Karl Studenroth
Secretary - Sandi Chapman
Treasurer - Christine Gilbert
Another Board meeting was held October 16th. Additional progress was made at this meeting. Details
of that meeting will be posted soon.
8) Karl Studenroth has started
a list of caves of Jackson
County and the surrounding regions (the Marianna Lowlands & Doughtery
Karst Plain). In this inventory I want to document: the status of each cave, ownership; what history is known of
it; what wildlife utilizes each cave with emphasis on rare and endangered species. So far we've documented 79 caves!
If anyone has any information on caves of the FL Panhandle or adjacent Alabama or Georgia, please contact us!
9)
A natural history and ecological library has now been established for NWFLEC work, research and members.
We now have 100+ books, brochures, papers and maps. If anyone has any extra natural history books or materials,
feel free to donate them to the NWFLEC library.
10) The
Marianna Optimist Club has made a generous donation of $1,000
to aid in obtaining our State
non-profit status, and becoming NWFLEC lifetime members!
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Past Events
Wildlife & Environmental Day
was held for Jackson County Middle
& High School Students
and the general public
at Florida Caverns State Park
Friday, March 31st,, 2006
9am – 2 pm
Sponsored by the
Chipola River
Partnership
in conjunction with
Florida Caverns State Park
Organized by the
Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy
Educational
Booths & Wildlife Presentations by:
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Northwest Florida Water Management District
Jackson County Master Gardeners
Brian Bearwood (David Melvin Engineering, Inc.)
Chipola College
Science Club
Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy
Chipola River Partnership (Gary Latham)
(Above) Jackson County High School students attend a wildlife
presentation at the Wildlife Day.
(Below) A Jackson County High School student holds a large
Corn snake (Corn Dog)!
Additionally, presentations were also given through May at Blountstown Middle
School, Wewahitchka High School and at the "I Can Grow" National Youth Service Day, in Cottondale, FL.
Wildlife Day and all of these presentations were made possible by a grant from the Florida Fish
& Wildlife Conservation Commission, provided by the Chipola River Partnership & Gary Latham.
Many individuals made these events and presentations possible, and special thanks goes out to: Gary Latham, Brian
& Rochelle Bearwood, Brain Fugate and the staff of FL Caverns State Park, Sandi Chapman & Justin Hulsey, Dr. Jeff
Bodart & students of the Chipola College Science Club, Brian Branciforte (FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission),
John Valenta (Northwest Florida Water Management District), Sally Waxgiser (Jackson County Master Gardeners), Donna Peacock,
Chad Taylor & Dr. Steve Shimmel!
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On April 7th, 2006 a NWFLEC booth was set up at the "FINE SWINE & DINE Festival" at Citizens Lodge Park, in Marianna, FL.
(Below) The NWFLEC booth at the "FINE SWINE & DINE Festival".
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