Sarasota County Recognizes Volunteers

(including Friends of the Carlton Reserve)

for contributing in kind services worth over $6.2 million

(click photo for video link)

 

 

 

 Barred Owl hunting along south border of Carlton Reserve

 

video by Kevin Walgreen

 

(click photo for link)

 

 

Alligators (excerpts)

Presentation by FWC Officer Andy Polaszek

March 18, 2024

(click on picture for link)

 

 

Juvenile Gator on Mother's Back

Photo by Kevin Walgreen

 

TAMPA MOCK VERVAIN, Glandularia tampensis
photo by Sherm
Native, Endemic, Endangered-Florida
A species of plants native to the state that are in imminent danger of extinction within the state, the survival of which is unlikely if the causes of a decline in the number of plants continue, and includes all species determined to be endangered or threatened pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Both male and females make these calls which carry long distances and frequently inspire other gators to join the competition.

 

video captured by Kevin Walgreen in the Carlton Reserve

Download the Guide now and check out Carlton Reserve activities on pages 44-45. https://bit.ly/41Krb5z

RECENT TRAIL CAMERA PICTURES-- multiple locations

CARLTON RESERVE WILDLIFE

May to December 2024

click on picture for video on YouTube

Ban on Fossil Collecting on Myakka River
Florida Museum of Natural History
"One of the most impacted of these is the Myakka River and its tributaries and we have been advised to take immediate action to protect not only sensitve environmental and archaeological sites, but also our fossil collecting community from inadvertently breaking the law.
As such, the Florida Fossil Permit no longer covers the Myakka River and its tributaries.
The FWCLE will be enforcing this shut down."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Gallery

by Dave Cottrill

Frog Concert in the Carlton Reserve

video by Terri Roberts

 

(Sound on)

 

 

Carlton Reserve is on ABC7 WWSB

Discovering the Suncoast

with Mike Modrick

 

Click image to view

 

 

The Carlton segment is about 9 minutes into the broadcast and covers the law enforcement search, Hurricane damage, flooding, the Memorial Day 2021 wildfire and Fire Fest 2023

 

Recent Trail Camera images from before Hurricane Ian

Mesic hammock (central Carton Reserve)

 Pine flatwoods (north Carlton Reserve)

Turkey Flock filmed by Harvey Thomas, Feb 2023--turn sound up

 

 

 

 

 

ABC7:  Mike Modrick interviews  Joyce Adams and Sherm Stratton

in the Carlton Reserve

Click here

Friends of the Carlton Summer of 2022 Update

A Day In the Life of a Slough

Carlton Reserve Monday, April 11, 2022

It's all good:
9 months after the Memorial Day wildfire set by lightning, wildflowers are springing up within sight of the cabin:

Spring in the Carlton Reserve

Swallow Tail Kites Return and Wildflowers Blooming Today

Photos by Art Smith

 

 

Despite closures due to COVID, wildfire, flooding, and a month-long manhunt, the Carlton Reserve's priceless serenity is a sanctuary, reminding us of nature's ability to renew itself and us.

 

Click on picture or here to view 4 minute video using trail cam captures.

 

 

Excellent video on Alligators

Sarasota County Play on FaceBook

 filmed in the Carlton Reserve

https://fb.watch/7jDfm7ZjgG/

 

Amazing half hour video

 

captured by Jacob Klasinski documents not only the dynamic Carlton Reserve environment as it transitions from drought to flood, but also its rich biodiversity of wildlife and habitats: coyotes, owls, bobcats, alligators, herons, egrets, hogs, deer, otter, vultures, raccoons--even crayfish and fish! Click on video  

Resilience and Rejuvenation at The Carlton Reserve
Photos by Jean-Louis Dumaine on reopening day, one month after Memorial Day 2021 fire.

 

 

"Queen of the Marsh"

new trail camera video

 

alligator and other wildlife from the Carlton Reserve

 

by Jacob Klasinski

 

 

More great trail camera video

 

from the Carlton Reserve and Big Slough

 

by Jacob Klasinski

Click on photo

 

 

New trail camera video footage 

 

from Jacob Klasinski

 

Carlton Reserve Wildlife:

coyotes, deer, turkey, bobcat, feral hogs, etc.

 

Click here or on photo

"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.

 

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

 

 

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 

See what's coming to a park near you soon. Preview of coming attractions:

Sarasota County Parks Master Plan (download)

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.

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.” 

Click here for latest additions to 

The Florida Field Journal

by Darryl Saffer

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

 CLICK HERE

 

Darryl Saffer video essay on MRSP

 Not Long Ago

Dr. Mary Jelks on Myakka River State Park

oral history project   Slideshow

 

 

 

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 

 

     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:

 

 

  • hiking
  • biking
  • paddling
  • horseback riding
  • reserved camping on a limited basis at designated sites.

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

 

 

Use top bar to navigate this site.

President: Linda@carltonreserve.org

 

Treasurer: Dan@carltonreserve.org

 

Website & Info: Sherm@carltonreserve.org

  

Park Naturalist

 Meghan Harris Meyer 

mmmeyer@scgov.net

  

Anyplace America.com

Link to searchable U.S. map resources with parks, trails, campgrounds, historical sites, marinas, etc.

 

 

Sarasota County

Field Guide

to Conservation Lands

(download 64pp. PDF)

Field Guide.pdf
Adobe Acrobat Document 3.8 MB

SARASOTA WEATHER

 

Friends of Carlton Reserve

is a chapter of  FOSCP   

not for profit corp.