The first blue flag irises and other early spring wildflowers
A photo gallery
by Jean-Louis Dumaine
If there is a silver lining in the COVID pandemic it is the re-discovery of Sarasota County Natural Lands which offer safe opportunities for exercise, inspiration, creation and recreation.
Haiku and Photo by Janet Sharp
Painting by Bill Sharp
Deer Creek Prairie
fence
Innocuous it may seem
Bright burst of color
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
photo by Troy Franson
Crested Caracara in the Carlton Reserve
Photo by Art Smith
In the Carlton Reserve This Month
photos by Ernie Winn, Art Smith, Jean-Louis Dumaine, Sherm Stratton
"You are here" map kiosks (12) have been installed in the Carlton Reserve to assist trail users along 100 miles of trails crisscross 38 sq. miles.
12 UV resistant signs were designed by Debbie Blanco (retired 10/30/20), funded by Friends of the Carlton, printed by H&H Signs, and installed today by Russ Johnson and Art Smith.
A FRIEND IN NEED
Rick Storsberg's daughter has notified us that Rick's lung condition has deteriorated. He and Sally are staying in Orlando where Rick is in line for a lung transplant that will not be fully covered by medical insurance. Here is a link for more information and how to contribute.
https://helphopelive.org/campaign/3668/
Trail Camera Video
Friends of the Carlton Reserve
Trail camera team: Donna Day, Ernie Winn, Martin Siesta funded by Friends of the Carlton Reserve
Click on picture or here for video
Carlton Reserve Update
1. Volunteers in the Save Our Native Florida Bromeliads Program relocated a fourth cage in which to sequester select plants to protect them from an invasive Mexican weevil until they can produce seeds.
2. Ten wildlife monitoring trail cameras remain in service 24/7. Since 2001, over 14,000 images of animals have been entered into a database. Click here to view gallery
3. Sarasota, the name given to a swallow tail kite from the Carlton, was outfitted with a satellite tracking device and departed for Brazil in August and returned to the Reserve in March.
4. New YOU ARE HERE maps are being readied to assist bikers, hikers and riders. They will be located at key locations as soon as conditions permit placement.
5. Volunteers and Friends who contributed during the Patterson Giving Challenge earned the Friends of the Carlton an extra $675.
New Carlton Reserve history pages:
Surviving Fire: in Florida Scrub
16 min. film from Archbold Biological Research Station
Who knew?
The lowly palmetto (serenoa repens) may be as much as 10,000 years old!
Click here to read Florida Native Plant Society "Palmettos" issue
Latest and last of Darryl Saffer's Florida Field Journal films for the Education channel.
See what's coming to a park near you soon. Preview of coming attractions:
Sarasota County Parks Master Plan (download)
Click Bike Venice Florida for great regional biking information!
PETS
T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve, protects Sarasota County's water supply and habitat for wildlife. It does not permit pets. Pets are permitted elsewhere on leash in 71 parklands and off leash in 5 others. Click Here for list.
The FWC believes a female panther has crossed the Caloosahatchee River, the first in more than 40 years--great news for the long term prospects for the endangered animal's survival.
E.O. Wilson explains why parks and nature are really good for your brain: Washington Post
So when the Washington Post asked Wilson what he thought about the mechanism by which these environments relax, rejuvenate and restore people. His answer was simple but pretty sweeping at the same time.
“Instinctively, without understanding what’s happening, they know that in certain wild environments, they have come home.”
Darryl Saffer video news:
The Evil Weevil part 3 now airing on the Education Channel, You Tube
Wildlife Photography: second in a web series on You Tube.
Notebook sketch of Oscar Scherer State Park: Florida Field Journal
"Not Long Ago," a FL Field Journal video is being screened Feb. 14, 2016 in Gainesville: Cinema Verde Environmental Film Festival: schedule
Darryl Saffer has given voice to one of our own-- Grandmother Oak located in the Carlton Reserve
Darryl Saffer video essay on MRSP
Evil, The Weevil! part 2
Mexican invasive insect threatens bromeliads
see Darryl Saffer's latest FL Field Journal filmed in the Carlton Reserve
Starring Donna Day, Dr. Theresa Cooper and Mike Owen, click here
Photo by Darryl Saffer: Hummingbird Clearwing
You never know what's waiting for you in the forest. . .Check this out
Carlton Reserve featured in Harbor Style magazine: Seeking Serenity p. 78-88
(Excellent article overall but here are some corrections/clarifications)
Need a natural escape vacation? check out Florida's Coastal Dune Lakes
Teaching Cats To Dog Paddle? or Crossing the Caloosahatchee
Friends of Carlton members and staff recently attended a Symposium on the Florida panther hosted by UF College of Law Conservation Clinic, GreenLaw, Florida Sierra Club and the Center For Biological Diversity.
Florida Panthers May Move Farther North in State
We are a 501(C)3 community support organization whose mission is to support the parks and natural lands of Sarasota County, Florida.
With 24,565 acres on the state protected "wild and scenic" Myakka River, the Carlton Reserve has over 90 miles of trails and nearly 40 square miles for wilderness recreation:
The Carlton Reserve is wilderness habitat/environmentally sensitive land:
No pets No hunting
Ordinances, Resolutions and State Laws Protecting the Carlton
NEWS
Economic Benefits of Wilderness: US Fish&Wildlife Service
$4.87 economic benefit for each tax dollar spent on wilderness Click here
75% from passive recreation: hiking, biking, picnicking Click here
Global Forest Change Map: zoom in to view Florida and Carlton
Threatened Native Bromeliad Found in Carlton Reserve Picture here
Guide and Maps of Invasive Species Click here.
VIDEOS, OTHER RESOURCES
Florida Field Journal: Crowley Museum and Nature Center: video
Florida Field Journal: Selby Gardens 1, by Darryl Saffer video
FL Field Journal: Fire and Flood, Myakka RSP by Darryl Saffer video
Recommended streaming video: Great Plains Episode 1 Episode 2
Monitor Poaching in Africa, Sri Lanka on iPhone:Instant Wild
Photo of the Month: Stewards of the Land, the Next Generation
Leucistic Buck caught on cameras in Carlton over 5 years: click here
Nature Conservancy Buys Critical Panther Corridor: Click here.
Florida Field Journal: Baby Birds, Save Our Seabirds,by Darryl Saffer:video
Florida Field Journal: Celery Fields-Jeanne Dubi: by Darryl Saffer:video
Gators Gather at Deep Hole: video
Cornell Ornithology Lab Project Preview: BIRDS OF PARADISE
World Heritage Sites 360˚ aerial views
PantherTalk and Natural Lands
Panther Breeding Territory Expanding Northward? Herald Tribune, Oct.12
Panthers May be Moving North St. Pete Times Jan.04
Panther Habitat Facts Tampa Tribune
Panther Habitat Protection in Florida Sierra Club
Lawsuit Over Panther Habitat Protection Sierra Club
Friends of the Fakahatchee Trail Camera Gallery
The Wanderer, Panther No. 62 Craig Pittman
Paving Paradise Craig Pittman