Volunteers  painting entrance/exit road posts and  finishing painting public area totems

End of 2023-24 Season Update

Volunteer Activities 

1. Raked and cleared public area to prepare for annual Cub Crawl
2. Deployed permanent signs for CubCrawl (donated by FCR)
3. Helped publicize, setup, conduct, dismantle and store Cub Crawl obstacle course
4. Repainted restrooms
5. Cleaned and repainted yellow gates (ongoing)
6. Cleaned signs: entrance, interpretive, kiosks, etc.
7. Repainted PUF totem arrows 
8. Lubricated locks in public area, reported locks being tampered with to staff and LE
9. Greeted and assisted campers
10. Assisted with gate locks for special events
11. Marked access points along river for law enforcement and staff
12. Monitored undesignated campsites and fossiling sites on river
13. Assisted law enforcement by documenting and relocating poached rescued endangered bromeliads
14. Organized a program on Prescribed Fire: Jay Bailey
15. Organized a program on Wild and Scenic River : Chris Oliver
16. Organized program on alligators: FWC Officer Andy Polaszek
17. Renovated kiosk in front of cabin, renovated a 2nd time using 6 County panels 
18. Posted notices in kiosks: cabin, parking, Boldly Go, and Sleeping Turtles
19. Picked up trash at kayak launch and along Border Road
20. Repainted white posts on exit/entrance roads and parking lot (ongoing)
21. Repaired and cleaned metal interpretive signs
22. Serviced entry signs: added fill to support posts, repainted, cleaned (ongoing)
23. Moved  60+ blocks  for shed entry
24. Added lockable storage to shed 
25. Added flammable paint storage container to shed
26. Added storage shelves to shed (ongoing)
27. Sorted and created storage bins for FireFest and other County signage
28. Assisted at FireFest with counting, setup, takedown and parking
29. Recruited, coordinated  and publicized guided electric bike rides
30. Recruited, coordinated  and publicized guided family bike rides
31. Recruited, coordinated  and publicized guided birding/photography hikes in Carlton
32. Recruited, coordinated  and publicized guided birding/photography hikes in Sleeping Turtles - North
33. Recruited, coordinated and publicized guided hikes in Carlton
34. Trimmed and tossed vegetation from PUF area, including all color trails (removed as much fire load as possible via Kubota)
35. GPS located stumps in trail for removal by staff (estimated 40 locations)
36. GPS located and reported invasive plants: cogon, pepper, melaleuca, lygodium: 106 locations
37. Weedwhacked and GPSed all accessible well monitoring sites (est 30-50)
38. Weedwhacked and GPSed all accessible Carlton trail markers, totems, walk-thrus, gates, signs, benches, tables, (est. 150)
39. Repainted all named trail signs (white)
40. Archived  (photo and spreadsheet) all trail and well monitor locations: dates of clearing, repainting
41. Manned visitor cabin (log attached) to provide information and water (8-10 cases donated by FCR)
42. Cleared cabin AC fence and restroom perimeters
43. Cleaned off Windy Sawgrass roofs and cleared around buildings to remove fireload 
44. Deployed and serviced 6 trail cameras and publicized select photos on social media 
45. Maintained two websites: www.carltonreserve.org and FCR FaceBook page
46. Presented a tribute event for retiring staff(4), FCR paid for and presented glass framed photos
47. Produced multiple videos and posted on YouTube (FireFest, CubCrawl, Keepers of the Land, Retirement Tribute, Trail Camera and Wildflower Collections, etc.)
48. Recruited, interviewed and trained multiple new volunteers
49. Continued to rescue endangered bromeliads and spread seeds to repopulate the Carlton, Deer Prairie and other natural lands
50. Assisted SCSO and EMTs with gate access and trail information in a heart attack incident
51. Assisted lost hikers and bicyclists plus bicyclist with equipment failure.
52. Captured and released over 50 mice from the cabin
53. Notified staff of downed trees blocking trails with GPS coordinates  
54. Assisted, coordinated with land manager, and documented work by Carlton volunteer who cleared all 99 markers in Deer Prairie Creek Preserve 
55. Assisted in checking report of possible fire re-ignition in Doe Hammock
56. Obtained and laminated maps, educational posters, program notices posters  (ongoing)
57. Developed a list of “talking points” for cabin docents and guides
58. Developed a consolidated volunteer/public information site for SC natural lands www.walkaboutflorida.org using materials from public resources (ongoing)
59. Purchased and installed curtains for public programs in the cabin
60. Purchased HD TV for program presentations in the cabin
61. Purchased correct materials and re-chinked cabin with elastomeric caulking to help stop water leaks
62. Represented the Carlton at FireFest and the Giving Challenge: info table and maps
63. Monitored and reported gray and black water overflow tanks in restroom
64. Recruited, trained and acted as trail ambassadors
65. Cleaned up campsites in Cabbage Loop
66. Moved picnic tables to pavilion and shady locations as needed
67. Refilled map kiosks as needed
68. Posted SC public service notices on FB and website
69. Provided support for USDA feral hog program
70. Assisted with gate security at Carlton and Deer Prairie Creek
71. Cleared path for FireFest haywagons
72. Organized tour of water treatment plant (ongoing)
73. Provided toilet paper when supply ran out in restroom
74. Met FWC officers to locate illegal fossiling equipment and operations sites
75. Trimmed sides of entrance and exit roads (ongoing)
76. Developed slideshow of volunteers for website, FB and email distribution (ongoing)
77. Logged Kubota usage mileage and fuel, reinflated tires as needed
78. Cleaned and rearranged cabin (ongoing)
79. Removed old fence wires around markers to prevent entanglement in equipment
80. Raked and flattened (Kubota) feral hog damage

Websites Statistics

FaceBook

followers        1220

last 28 days post views        852

Most popular posts

June 5 regarding low flow, no flow levels on the Myakka River:      479 views

May 2 photo of alligator on Boldly Go:        612 views

www. carltonreserve.org

Visits since Mar 2015 186,255

AVERAGE VISITS PER YEAR 15,521

visits last 28 days 365

Cub Crawl

With funding from the Friends of Carlton and help from our volunteers,  Cub Crawl was expanded this year. Despite heavy rains on the day of the event, children ages 3-9 completed 11 stations to learn about animal methods of locomotion, receive a certificate of completion and choose stuffed animal.

Programs

Friends of the Carlton invited the public to join them for Q and A sessions with invited speakers: Boyce Blackmon's anecdotes from his personal history in the Carlton during a 35 year hunt lease: Jay Bailey's role in using prescribed fire as a land management tool; Chris Oliver's discussion of the Myakka River's  "Wild and Scenic" designation. 

Cabin Docents and Visitor Services 

--Docents have been in the cabin an average of 5 days per week, meeting an average of 10-12 visitors on weekdays, and 20+ on weekends. They provide free maps and free water, advice on trail conditions, destinations and duration as well as flora, fauna, history, camping, paddling, and biking opportunities.

—They also reported and monitored a bat colony and rodent infestation and provided a bat house option on the perimeter of the wetland. 

—A new vacuum helped keep the floors and cabinets swept. 

—Volunteers also washed windows and cleaned glass surfaces. When staff replaced the AC ductwork, volunteers disposed of a leaking case of maple syrup stored in the attic.

—Volunteers also monitor the gray and black water tanks in the Clivus self-composting restroom,  report general conditions, supply shortages, prepare the bathroom for pressure washing by sweeping down cobwebs, clean ventilation screens, repaint walls, floors, and ceilings. 

Markers, Signs and Kiosks

—Volunteers reported missing or damaged  trail markers.

—Ten+ “Named Trail” signs with routed lettering were removed/replaced and repainted by hand after staff pressure washed them.  

—Metal signs informational and the two entrance signs were scrubbed to remove mold and dirt. —Volunteers prepared a template and repainted the routed arrows after staff replaced a routed trail marker.

—The tops of security posts on entrance/exit roads were painted (white) for better visibility.

—Traffic stops were repainted (yellow and blue) in main parking lot.

—Funded by Friends of the Carlton, volunteers constructed and placed a dozen “You Are Here” map kiosks at remote locations.

—All the map kiosks were scrubbed.

—The kiosk in the main parking lot was reframed with wood.

—The 6 sided kiosks in front of the cabin (funded by Friends of the Carlton) was cleaned, re-padded and refilled with freshly laminated posters and maps.and parking stops being 

Trails

—Hog damage was rake-smoothed on portions of the loop trails as well as in front of the cabin.

—Volunteers helped staff remove charred brush from paver block and loop trails after the wildfire. 

—They used a rolling magnet to pick up screws and nails that were causing bike tire flats where a footbridge had burned. 

—Volunteers used rocks to bolster culvert north of the cabin.

—GPSed, inspected and informed staff of bench and table locations for disposal, repair, pressure washing

—GPSed and reported instances of culvert collapse, compromised gates, fencing and other hazards.

--GPSed replaced/repaired/weedwhacked all markers, walkthroughs, benches, tables, You Are Here signs, and well monitoring stations in the Carlton and Big Slough.

--Repainted all totems and  in the PUF area as wells as all named trail signs, marker posts and routed numbers.

Fire Fest

—Volunteers helped exhibitors set up chairs and tables.

—They assisted with parking.

—Greeted, counted, and directed visitors and provided visitor feedback to staff after the event.

—Provided narration on the hayride (hay wagon purchased by Friends of the Carlton).

—Manned an information booth with maps and information 

—Assisted in the “knockdown” at the end of the day.

—Provided a photographer and posted 135 event photos on the website.s

Invasives

—Volunteers continued to gather and sequester endangered bromeliads from weevils in cages (funded by Friends of the Carlton)

—Placed seeds, seedlings and fallen plants in protected locations.

—Shared seeds for germination and storage by researchers at Selby Gardens.

—Posted on iNaturalist instances of weevil infestation.

—Photographed and geo-located for staff over 75 locations of  cogon grass, pepper tree, melaleuca and lygodium to be treated.

—Shared trail camera information with feral hog program staff member from the U.S.D.A.

Flora and Fauna

—Maintained and shared on websites trail camera pictures of wildlife (website and cameras funded by Friends of the Carlton).

—Shared pictures of wildflowers currently in bloom, with common and botanical names.

—Posted on iNaturalist unusual or endangered species such as a night blooming water lily.

—Assisted resource protection by reporting poachers and collectors.

 Wild and Scenic River  

—Helped monitor border along the Myakka River for undesignated camping, illegal hunting, chainsawing of trees, illegal collection and poaching. 

—Assisted law enforcement with time, best access path and exact location—(multiple campers were directed to bag their garbage for removal by staff).

—Cleaned up undesignated campsites, deconstruct sleeping and fish cleaning platforms.

—Restored river passage by removing makeshift dam constructed from (chainsawed) palm logs and limestone boulders. 

—Posted biodegradable “Leave No Trace” cards at sites.

—Monitored and reported kayak launch vandalism, overnight use