tallahassee – In order to continue to provide high quality visitor services and affordable nature-based recreation, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service will implement a modest fee increase beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2009, in conjunction with the state’s fiscal calendar.

“Florida’s award-winning state parks provide inexpensive, high quality recreation in an unmatched natural setting,” said DEP Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation Bob Ballard. “This fee increase will help keep Florida’s state parks open for residents and visitors to experience while still proving to be one of the most affordable activities in the state.”

As the first fee update in five years, additional state park user fees will supplement current revenue sources used to maintain the state’s valuable natural and cultural resources within Florida’s 160 state parks. Nearly half of the $81 million used to operate the state park system is raised from entrance and usage fees. Some of the most common fees that will change include:

· Day-use entrance fee for vehicles with up to eight people: average increase of $1.00 - $3.00.

· Camping fees: average increase of $4.00 per night.

· Cabin rental fees: average increase of $10.00 per night.

· Annual Pass: $60.00 for individuals and $120.00 for families up to eight people.

o The Florida Park Service Annual Pass is good for day-use entrance into Florida’s state parks and a 33 percent discount for individual admission to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

“With state park attendance breaking records and still on the rise, we have heard overwhelming support to keep all state parks open and available to the public,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “Even with this fee increase, it is comforting to know a trip to a state park still remains affordable. Last year, more than 20 million visitors enjoyed Florida’s state parks for just a few dollars, contributing more than one billion dollars to Florida’s economy and creating more than 20,000 jobs.”

In addition to these increases, the Florida Park Service will lower the cost of admission at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Spring Hill to bring the cost of admission down to rates more consistent with Florida’s other state parks. The cost of admission for an adult will decrease from $26.57 to $13.00 and from $18.05 to $5.00 for children.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, which are open 365 days a year. Florida’s state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include more than 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages. Caladesi Island State Park, just off the coast of Pinellas County, was honored with the coveted Best Beach in the Nation award in 2008.

View a complete list of Florida State Park entry fees. All additional fees will be posted on the Florida State Parks Web site at www.floridastateparks.org on July 1, 2009.

Besides footpaths, they have overlooks, where visitors can glimpse wildlife; and there are boat launches, so people can paddle the many creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the 5.8 million, mostly undeveloped, acres of wildlife management areas (WMAs) and wildlife and environmental areas (WEAs).

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) manages these habitats that wildlife call home.

The Great Florida Birding Trail offers another unique approach to wildlife viewing.

Saturday is National Trails Day, so named by the American Hiking Association. While some people will take to more traditional park trails, the management areas and birding trail are often off the beaten path, thereby promising wilder experiences.

Jacksonville and St. Augustine sandwich Guana River WMA. This picturesque estuary is home to countless wading birds. Visitors are apt to spot the roseate spoonbill (look for a pink bird with a beak shaped like a big spoon) along the water’s edge. New sites await those who bring a kayak or canoe to launch along a river or on Lake Ponte Vedra.

“Deep in the southern section of the state is Fisheating Creek, a place that draws rave reviews from paddlers taking to the water trail,” said Jerrie Lindsey, director of FWC’s Office of Recreation Services.

This Lake Okeechobee tributary is home to alligators, not houses. Swallowtail kites fly over the tree-lined banks. Paddlers will like the cool shade too, Lindsey noted.

“Right now is the perfect time to hike here,” FWC biologist Grant Steelman said. “We just burned some acreage, so the hiking visibility is great. You can see turkey and deer.”

The best place to hike there is off State Road 78, south of Lakeport. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the FWC campground, off U.S. 27 in Palmdale. Steelman said the water level is good after the recent rains.

A trail in the middle of the state is the place to find butterflies. The FWC’s Chinsegut WEA features a butterfly garden and trail and an air-conditioned nature center. Visitors to this Brooksville Ridge spot can see sandhill cranes and wild turkeys up-close and personal, from the garden or from the center’s windows. Center hours Saturday are only from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, you can look for deer and hawks from the hiking trails through the WEA’s Big Pine and Chinsegut tracts during any daylight hours.

If these spots have not whetted your appetite for exploring faraway places, check out the stops along the Great Florida Birding Trail. Babcock-Webb WMA in Charlotte County still has plenty of red-cockaded woodpeckers and purple gallinules (marsh birds). This is one of the WMAs with horse trails.

“In the Panhandle is the famous Apalachicola River WEA, which contains the largest expanse of floodplains forest in Florida,” Lindsey said. “Its nationally recognized paddle trail has four segments. This time of year, Cash Bayou is good for paddling and birding.”

In Central Florida, Three Lakes WMA (lakes Jackson, Marian and Kissimmee) offers boating, while the area’s 29.4 miles of trails offer hiking.

“Either way, you stand a chance of seeing 15 of the top 40 birds in Florida,” said Mark Kiser, a biologist with the FWC’s Wildlife Viewing section. “There are 150 species of birds on the Three Lakes WMA bird checklist.”

Most of the trails are part of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Paths can be wet at times.

Check out one of the other 489 Great Florida Birding Trail sites if you want to stay close to home. Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County is a good place in the summer. Abundant trails lead away from the swimming beaches and picnic grounds to a variety of trails, paved and not. Summer is a good time to watch beach-nesting birds, but remember to watch your step for eggs, and do not disturb birds nesting in the dunes.

For more information on these and other sites, go to MyFWC.com/Recreation. Pick your wildlife trail adventure for Saturday. Happy trails.

According to a survey conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, half of the nation’s eight million RV owners travel with their pets. With these furry, winged or scaly family members in mind, the “Tails from the Road” contest asks contestants to create a positive, humorous video featuring a pet traveling in an RV. The video must be no more than 1 gigabyte (GB) in length and five minutes in length, and can even be shot from Fido’s or Polly’s perspective.

The Go RVing contest is designed to celebrate the fun, freedom and flexibility that some 30 million RVing Americans enjoy and is open to anyone with a video camera, access to an RV, a pet and an idea. Entries will be accepted from June 1 until July 10.

Selected video submissions will be posted on Go RVing’s Facebook page for thousands of RVing fans to see. Videos will be judged by the Go RVing Facebook community when voting begins on July 13 and continues through August 2.

The grand prize winner of the “Tails from the Road” contest will receive $1,000 and a Motorola Motonav GPS and will have his or her winning video featured on GoRVing.com, Go RVing’s Facebook fan page and YouTube. A second prize winner will receive $500. Prize winners will be announced August 5.

For complete contest details, visit GoRVing.com.

The Go RVing Coalition, formed in 1994, consists of RV manufacturers, component suppliers, dealers, and campgrounds. Go RVing works to provide the public and media with information about the benefits of RV travel and to foster customer satisfaction with the RV experience through customer research conducted by its Committee on Excellence. For more information, visit GoRVing.com.

The agenda for Wednesday, June 17, includes updates from FWC staff. In 2008, the Commission directed staff to develop a new imperiled species listing process. Commissioners will hear an update on the project’s progress and provide further direction.

Staff members also will present an update on the manatee management plan, showcasing the significant management tasks that are completed or in progress. FWC Commissioners approved the plan in December 2007. The FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement also will provide a progress report on its work plan regarding manatee harassment from human interaction.

Commissioners will consider a final action on rules concerning taking and possession of wild freshwater turtles and regulations governing establishment and operation of game farms.

Final rules to regulate captive wildlife also are on the agenda for Wednesday’s session. Proposed rules cover permitting, caging and other requirements for Class I, II and III wildlife and establish requirements for operation of wildlife sanctuaries.

Wednesday’s agenda also includes consideration of a final peregrine falcon management plan and a rule to remove the peregrine falcon from Florida’s list of endangered species.

On Thursday, June 18, the Commission will address marine fisheries issues, including a final public hearing on a proposed rule that would change the recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico state waters from June 1 through Sept. 30 to June 1 through Aug. 14. This is consistent with new federal regulations and is necessary because of recreational over-harvests of Gulf red snapper in 2008.

Another final public hearing will air proposed new rules for Gulf grouper to be generally consistent with new federal regulations. The rule proposal is to help reduce fishing pressure on Gulf grouper and improve fishing in the future. Proposed rules would decrease the daily recreational aggregate bag limit for grouper from five fish to four per person in Gulf state waters.

Another proposal would establish a Feb. 1 - March 31 closed spawning season for all recreational and commercial harvest of shallow-water groupers (gag, black, red, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind and red hind) in Gulf state waters. The proposed closed season would extend a current one-month commercial closed season for red, gag and black grouper in Gulf state waters. The proposal would allow commercial fishermen to transport their legal grouper catches from federal waters through state waters during the closed season.

In addition, proposed grouper rules would reduce the commercial minimum-size limit for Gulf red grouper, and for all importation and sale of red grouper, from 20 inches to 18 inches total length.

In other marine fisheries action, the Commission will consider proposed draft rule amendments to clarify that it is unlawful to buy or sell snook taken within or without the state, except as provided in snook special activity license provisions; that no person may harvest or possess any snook taken within or without the state during closed seasons; that snook possessed on state waters, whether landed within or without state waters, must be in a whole condition; and that anglers may temporarily possess snook only to determine compliance with size requirements.

Commissioners also will consider draft rule amendments that would automatically allow use of new designs of bycatch-reduction and turtle-exclusion devices in shrimp trawls in state waters, when new designs are certified for use in adjacent federal waters, and make technical changes to turtle-excluder device rules. Two bycatch reduction devices currently allowed in state waters would continue to be legal.

In addition, the Commission will review and discuss a recent red drum stock assessment and management of the bonefish fishery, consider various federal fisheries management issues and, on Friday, June 19, the FWC will conduct a workshop to discuss state and federal marine fisheries management coordination.

The June 17-18 meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days. The Plantation Inn is at 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River.

Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting should advise the FWC at least five days prior to June 17 by contacting the FWC’s Office of Human Resources at 850-488-6411. If you are hearing- or speech-impaired, contact the FWC using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice).

The full agenda is available online at MyFWC.com/COMMISSION/2009/Comm_09_AgendaJun.htm.

Rescuing the trapped turtle was no easy task. There is a 15-foot drop to the water’s edge within a small, concrete-enclosed compartment.

Officers worked closely with FPL plant operators to retrieve the turtle. Using a mechanical rake, normally used to lift trash out of the holding area, officers carefully lifted the sea turtle up to the working platform.

The sea turtle was not hurt. Officers brought the turtle to a waiting FWC patrol vessel, which transported it a couple of miles offshore for a successful release back into the ocean.

“It was a great feeling to end up saving the life of an endangered sea turtle,” Laubenberger said. “Usually we respond to calls where the situation is serious. But in this case, a bad scenario had a good outcome.”

Watch the coral reefs for effects of climate change

Images of red and purple coral with darting blue and orange fish dance in my imagination when I think of Florida’s coral reefs. My dreams turn to nightmares, however, when I study the forecasts for the precious and important habitat.

“The coral reefs are the sentinel for climate change,” said Patty Glick from the National Wildlife Federation and author of “Preparing for a Sea Change in Florida.” “And in the Caribbean and Florida we’re already seeing the signs.”

Coral reefs are called the “rain forests of the sea” because of the number of species they harbor. They cover only 0.07 percent of the ocean’s floor, but they are home to one-quarter of the world’s fish and marine species.

The creation of a coral reef is a complicated process and takes thousands of years. Yet with increasing sea temperatures a reality, coral bleaching could wipe them all out by the end of this century.

The vibrant colors of the corals are actually caused by algae that feed the coral. High temperatures create stress, and the coral expels the algae. When this “bleaching” occurs, the coral loses its color.

“Coral is highly sensitive to temperatures at higher thresholds,” Glick said. “When bleaching occurs, it means the coral is starving to death.”

So what do we do? Glick suggests we can begin by urging our elected officials to pass laws and regulations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Personally, we can do all those common-sense things that reduce pollution. And when enjoying the beauty of Florida’s reefs, we must view, not touch.

The most extensive living coral reef in the United States lies adjacent to the Florida Keys, serving as the first line of defense during storms, protecting our beaches from further erosion. They may offer a form of human protection, too. Corals may be home to medicines that hold the cure for today’s incurable diseases. The limestone deposits of the coral could become invaluable as a source for surgical bone replacements. The natural sunscreen of the coral is being studied by scientists around the world.

But for how long? One of the first effects of global warming may very well attack the sea before we see visible effects on the land. Rising sea temperatures are already having an impact.

“The Tropical Atlantic region’s temperatures have risen 1 degree Fahrenheit over the past three decades,” Glick said. “A full degree may not seem like a lot, but coral is highly sensitive, so it is very detrimental.”

Should we give up and rush out now to see a dying ecosystem? As we make our own personal sacrifices, rest assured there are groups doing something now. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Project monitors the condition of coral reefs annually throughout the Florida Keys, Southeast Florida and the Dry Tortugas.

“The focus of our monitoring is to observe changes in coral cover over time,” said Rob Ruzicka with the FWC’s coral reef program. “We document changes in status and trends of the coral reef sites we monitor for the managers at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the National Park Service.”

Places such as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary help educate the public about the importance of reefs. The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Reef Resiliency Program identifies the resilient areas of the reefs and studies why those areas have been able to survive and revive.

In 2008, the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute was one of the sponsors of the International Coral Reef Symposium, which brought together the world’s top scientists, conservationists, economists and educators to advance coral reef science, management and conservation. Gov. Charlie Crist signed a bill at the symposium that eliminated the use of ocean outfalls for wastewater disposal in Southeast Florida.

“Coral reefs are extraordinary living ecosystems that draw visitors, support our economy and protect our beaches and homes from erosion and storm surge,” Crist said in a press release. “Florida will continue to take steps, such as new legislation reducing nutrients and other pollutants in the ocean, which will protect these sensitive ecosystems for residents and visitors for generations to come,”

According to the FWC, reef-related expenditures generate billions of dollars in sales and provide thousands of jobs in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Environmentally and economically, we can not afford to lose our coral reefs.

The forecast for our coral reefs may seem bleak, but if we do our part to support the programs that pursue their conservation, we may find we’ve slowed things down just enough to ensure the coral reefs survive for our grandkids.

FWC law enforcement officers spotted the bear on Sunday morning and monitored its location until a wildlife biologist arrived to tranquilize it. It was then transported to the Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County for release Sunday afternoon.

Although this particular bear showed no sign of causing a conflict or posing a safety risk, it did not show signs of finding its way out of the area on its own either.

“A bear that wanders into a suburban area likely will retreat and find its way out on its own if there are no attractants available,” said Dave Telesco, FWC’s bear management coordinator. “But after a month of various sightings of this particular bear, it became apparent that we needed to help it get back to a more suitable area.”

There are between 2,500 and 3,000 black bears in Florida, and even though they remain listed as a threatened species, it is not uncommon to see bears as development encroaches upon their habitat. When a bear does appear in residential areas, it is very important for residents to remove or secure anything that might attract animals, such as garbage cans, pet food, birdseed, outdoor grills and compost bins.

“If a bear becomes used to humans, the risk increases for a negative human/bear encounter to occur,” Telesco said. “It is also important to note that it is illegal to intentionally place out food or garbage that attracts bears and causes conflicts. Remember, anything that attracts dogs, cats or raccoons will attract bears as well.”

Residents can call an FWC regional office to report bear sightings or to ask questions about bears. To report a potential wildlife law violation, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

If you plan to hunt on public land next season, you’ve probably heard that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) made some changes to its quota permit system.

Phase I of the application process for most hunt types has been extended from a 10-day period to a month, and takes place June 1-30. During this period, just like before, you may turn in only one worksheet for each type of quota hunt. Remember: Unless exempt, you must have an up-to-date management area permit when applying for a quota permit.

The old archery/muzzleloading worksheet has been broken into two separate worksheets – one for archery hunts and the other for muzzleloader hunts. There is a new wild hog worksheet, as well as the familiar general gun worksheet. So you now have the opportunity to receive four permits instead of just two.

All quota permit worksheets are available at MyFWC.com/Hunting by clicking under “Limited Entry Hunts” or at a tax collector’s office or license agent. As before, you may fill in your application with up to five hunt choices. During phases I and II, you may be drawn for no more than one quota permit per hunt type. During Phase III, you can submit additional worksheets and receive up to five quota permits per hunt type.

Submit completed worksheets to any license agent or tax collector’s office. Those with a valid Florida driver’s license can submit worksheets online at www.wildlifelicense.com/fl.

The drawings to decide who gets these coveted quota hunt permits are July 7-17. Results will be posted at MyFWC.com/Hunting. Those selected will receive quota permits in the mail.

Others get a preference point for next year’s drawing, which improves the chance of being selected. If you’re unable to use your quota permit, mail it back to Tallahassee so it can be reissued to someone else during Phase III. If it was issued in Phase I and it’s postmarked prior to the first day of the hunt, you’ll receive a preference point. Accumulated preference points under the old system apply to the new system.
Except for the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA) dog hunts and Holton Creek WMA mobility-impaired hunts, all quota permits are nontransferable. Only the person named on the permit can use it. This change makes the quota system fairer by spreading great hunting opportunities out to more folks. If you gave up on applying for quota hunts because you never drew the area you wanted, I urge you to try it this year.

There’s a new guest permit also. To many folks and me it’s more fun to go hunting with a buddy, so the FWC created a way for people to bring a friend on a quota hunt.

For every quota permit (excluding Blackwater WMA dog hunts and Holton Creek WMA mobility-impaired hunts), one nontransferable guest permit may be obtained, until the last day of the hunt, at tax collectors’ offices or license agents; use the quota permit holder’s customer ID number and hunt number. The guest must have a valid management area permit (unless exempt) and all other necessary permits and license for the specific hunt.

Some stipulations: Both permit holder and guest must enter and exit the WMA together, share the same vehicle and share a single person’s bag limit. The guest may hunt only when the quota permit holder is on the area. On WMAs that have zone tags, the permit holder and guest must hunt in the same zone.

On 37 of the WMAs, there’s a bag limit of one deer, so I suggest you and your guest set your cell phones on vibrate and text your buddy when you shoot a deer. That way, he’ll know you’ve filled the bag limit. In places without a signal, you could use inexpensive two-way radios to let each other know you got one.

If you’d like to apply for one or more of the FWC’s many fall quota hunt permits, you need to do so in June.

Tony Young is the media relations coordinator for the FWC’s Division of Hunting and Game Management. You can reach him with questions about quota permits or how to apply at Tony.Young@MyFWC.com.

We Floridians take our fishing seriously. The proof lies in the actions anglers take to ensure a bright fishing future. Between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, 695 active Florida anglers took a pledge to introduce fishing each year to at least one person who had not previously enjoyed the sport.

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) announced the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) received more Anglers’ Legacy pledges than any other state last year.

Fishing continues to be one of the most relaxing and satisfying ways for individuals to get outdoors, engage in a fun, active form of recreation and reconnect with nature. Getting outdoors and being active not only leads to a healthier lifestyle, but it also creates endless opportunities for social interactions that can be much more fulfilling when you are away from the television, phone and other interruptions.

In his recent commencement address at the University of Notre Dame, President Barack Obama related the story of Father Ted Hesburgh, president emeritus of Notre Dame, who, as a member of the Civil Rights Commission in 1964, helped recommend the 12 resolutions that would become the Civil Rights Act. Asked by President Dwight D. Eisenhower how Father Ted managed to lead the Commission to concurrence, his response was, “They discovered that they were all fishermen.” And so he quickly readied a boat for a twilight trip out on the lake. They fished, and they talked, and they changed the course of history. That is the power of time spent on the water away from other stresses, enjoying nature and communicating openly.

Beyond the benefits to the individual, RBFF research shows that each fulfilled pledge results, on average, in the purchase of 3.2 fishing licenses, which supports critical management and conservation efforts here in Florida and helps ensure the future of recreational fishing. Without those funds, especially in times as fiscally challenging as these, the state would have a difficult time ensuring safe and sustainable fishing opportunities for all of our residents and visitors. Fortunately, a resident license costs only $15.50, and an average angler uses that license for 17 trips a year, each averaging more than four-hours. Remember the Chinese proverb: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Each new angler who becomes an ambassador receives an Anglers’ Legacy decal and additional program communications. There is also a rewards program that includes tailored newsletters, special prizes and benefits to encourage ambassadors to keep on sharing the sport.

To take the Anglers’ Legacy Pledge yourself, go to www.takemefishing.org/community/anglers-legacy/take-the-pledge, and enter FLFWC09 in the Partner Code field.

The www.TakeMeFishing.org Web site, as well as MyFWC.com and www.GetOutdoorsFlorida.net, all provide resources for anglers to find the best times, places and ways to go fishing safely and ethically.

Some anglers also will be receiving a reminder in the mail to renew their fishing license. Anyone who renews their fishing license by Aug. 1, 2009, and then calls 866-967-5600, can receive a free six-month subscription to the popular Florida Wildlife magazine.

Historically, Americans have turned to nature to soothe their souls and find relaxation simply by casting a lure and letting their imaginations wander while awaiting the next bite.

“Who hears the rippling of rivers will not utterly despair of anything,” Henry David Thoreau said. Summer is upon us; maybe it’s time for you to renew your fishing license and make the pledge to take a child, friend or stranger fishing and see what history you can make.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). Report violators by calling *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or 888-404-3922. Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/ for more Fish Busters’ columns.

“We made several permit types available online in March,” said Deborah Burr, Gopher Tortoise Management Plan coordinator. “Then in April we went live with all of our gopher tortoise permits, including conservation permits for relocating gopher tortoises. It has been a tremendous success so far. The feedback from those who have used the new system has been positive.”

During the past year, an FWC team worked closely with a contractor to develop the gopher tortoise online permitting system. The team’s efforts will serve as the foundation for making all FWC permits available online. Along with the permitting system, the FWC launched an e-learning component to ensure the tortoises are properly handled and relocated. A new Google map feature helps to locate authorized agents and other gopher tortoise permitted locations.

“Very notable differences with the new system are the ease of reviewing applications,” Burr said, “and the time and resource savings in issuing permits.”

The FWC approved a management plan for gopher tortoises in September 2007, which provides guidelines for landowners whose property contains gopher tortoises. The plan also calls for development of the permitting guidelines finalized in April to ensure Florida meets the tortoise’s habitat needs now and in the future.

The new permitting framework strives for efficiency as well as for providing excellent customer service, which in turn achieves the management plan’s objective to decrease gopher tortoise deaths on lands proposed for development by facilitating successful relocations. The gopher tortoise is listed as a threatened species in Florida.

Before land-clearing begins, developers must arrange to move any gopher tortoises present out of harm’s way. Gopher tortoise relocation requires a permit from the FWC.

The FWC plans to add additional permits and licenses from other programs over the next year, making its online permitting system a leader in an environmentally friendly, efficient, cost-effective way to handle the permit process for the state.

For more information about the management plan go to MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise.