Annual Christmas Bird Count organizers seek volunteers
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nature Center is seeking volunteers to participate in the annual Jonathan Dickinson State Park Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 27th. Experienced and amateur birders are all welcomed, with assignments available from Juno Beach to Hobe Sound. Any commitment of time is appreciated. This count is a part of the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, which began over a century ago and is held throughout the western hemisphere. To volunteer for the Jonathan Dickinson Count, contact Lis at (772) 546-2067 or via www.hobesoundnaturecenter.com. Martin County Audubon’s Stuart Christmas Bird Count is Sunday, January 3. To volunteer for their event, contact Laurie Odlum at (772)486-2837, through Stuart CBC on Facebook or email lodlum@att.net, indicating the email is in regards to the CBC.
Full Moon Hike—Barley Barber Swamp
Join the Treasured Lands Foundation and the Nature Center staff as the full moon rises over this FPL preserve near Indiantown. Experience a cypress swamp and its wildlife at night-always a memorable evening! No flashlights needed. Reservations required, as numbers are limited. Carpools will leave the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge parking lot at 5:00 p.m. Hike will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. For reservations, call (772) 546-2067 or visit www.hobesoundnaturecenter.com.
Green sea turtles break record at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
The federally endangered green sea turtles have broken a record at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge! Monitoring for sea turtle nesting activity first began on the Refuge in 1972. This year 1,381 green sea turtle nests were recorded, breaking the previous record of 1,307 nests documented in 2013. Two other species of sea turtle also nest on the 3.5-mile stretch of Refuge beach; the endangered leatherback sea turtle and the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. In total, 3,094 nests were recorded on the beach between all three species occurring on the Refuge. If the nests were laid in a linear line along the Refuge beach there would be one sea turtle nest every six feet! Chances are, if you visited the Refuge beach over the summer you walked or sat on a sea turtle nest! But don’t worry;this does not harm the nest.
Nature Center internship position open
The Nature Center is pleased to offer an internship beginning in January 2016 for a local college student with field of interest in biology, wildlife, environmental education or related majors. The hours are variable, can range 15-20 hours per week, including
some Saturdays and evenings, at $10.00 per hour for approximately 3 – 4 months. This position has been made possible through a grant from the Hobe Sound Community Chest. Hobe Sound residents will be given the highest priority.
Responsibilities will include assisting with the Center’s nature-based programs for children and adults through school programs, evening lectures, trail hikes and special events. Care, maintenance and handling of educational animals, working with volunteers, visitor services, exhibit maintenance, office, computer and gift shop duties are included. Opportunities may also arise to work with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge staff on special projects.
For more information or to send a resume, contact Debbie Fritz-Quincy, Director, Hobe Sound Nature Center, Inc., P.O. Box 214, Hobe Sound, FL 33475 (772) 546-2067 or hsnature@aol.com. Be sure to indicate that your email is for the internship.
