WHATS NEW?

Recent changes to pages on this site, and other notices are:

  • 5/26/08  Message from Anne Morkill, Refuge Manager (see below)
  • 5/26/08 New hot link on that page to look up where to recycle toxic materials
  • 4/22/08 READ THIS.  Go to the "wastewater" page to read John Nazzaro's letter to the editoron the wastewater crisis in the Lower Keys.
  • 3/12/08 FREE!  Sign a "License & Waiver of Liability" form and have your invasive non-native vegitation ( e.g., FL Holly, Aust. Pines, etc) removed by The Nature Conservency at no charge.  Call Mike Sforza (872-0012) or Dick Janisch ( 515-0189) for the form --hurry if you want to get on the list.
  • 3/28/08 Wastwater news update -- go to the wastewater page

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MESSAGE FROM ANNE MORKILL, REFUGE MANAGER

The Lower Keys marsh rabbit is endemic to the Lower Florida Keys; and
> consequently, their narrow geographic range causes it to be more
> susceptible to extinction. A majority of marsh rabbit habitat is located
> within the National Key Deer Refuge. Although habitat loss is responsible
> for the original decline of the Lower Keys marsh rabbit, predation may be
> the greatest current threat to the persistence of the species. The Refuge
> has been conducting a series of public and agency input meetings to
> address
> issues of feral and free-roaming cat populations in the Lower Keys and
> suggested strategies for the Refuge, State, County and other public and
> private groups and citizens.  The goal is to develop a practical,
> coordinated strategy that will address the interests of all stakeholders.
> Summary reports of completed meetings and other related materials are
> available by request from the Refuge or on-line at
> http://consensus.fsu.edu/LKMR/index.html. The final stakeholder workshop
> will be held on Thursday July 24th.
>
> The National Key Deer Refuge is planning to conduct two small (10 acres or
> less) controlled burns on Big Pine Key during this summer in cooperation
> with the National Fire Laboratory of Missoula, Montana. The Fire Lab will
> use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to observe fire behavior in
> order
> to develop a fuel model that is specific to the Keys environment. The fuel
> model will consequently be used by the Refuge to more effectively design
> and safely implement controlled fires to benefit wildlife and their
> habitats. Pine rocklands are a fire-dependent community consisting of an
> open canopy of slash pines with a patchy groundcover of tropical and
> temperate shrubs, palms, grasses, and herbs.  Pine rocklands have the
> highest plant diversity of all plant communities in the Florida Keys, and
> it harbors a number of rare or endemic plant (e.g., Big Pine partridge
> pea,
> wedge spurge, sand flax) and animal taxa (e.g., Big Pine Key ringneck
> snake), including two rare butterfly species – Bartram’s hairstreak and
> Florida leafwing.  Without periodic controlled fires to halt the growth of
> competing hardwood species, pine rocklands will succeed to hardwood
> hammock
> and these unique taxa would be lost.  The Refuge will issue press releases
> to notify the public when and where these controlled burns will take
> place.




> Anne Morkill
> Refuge Manager
> Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex
> 28950 Watson Blvd.
> Big Pine Key, FL 33043
> (305) 872-2239 Office
> (305) 872-2154 Fax
> (305) 304-4907 Cell

SUCCESSFUL CLEAN-UP!

Many thanks to our 30 neighbors and The Eden Pines Colony Property Owners Association who helped with Eden Pines neighborhood clean-up.  Heavy duty trash bags, grabbers and bottles of water were provided as we ascended upon our Subdivision and collected a gigantic trailer of trash on Saturday morning. 
The garbage was much less than last year, good work residents!  Yet we found an abandoned scooter, two toilet tanks, an outboard motor, lots of wood, six tires, cushions, couches and insulation.  Additionally, we cleared abandoned trailers, hundreds of beer bottles and cans, plastic bags and bottles, LP records, a TV set, a plastic lawn chair and broken nautical decor. Many thanks to Robert Keeley from National Marine Sanctuary for loaning us the trailer and the trash grabbers! 
After hotdogs and hamburgers (both veggie and beef) chips and soda we planted a Jamaican Caper tree at the corner by the sign in honor r of Mrs. Jean Bell, the lady who is often seen picking up trash on Key Deer Boulevard and Watson for the last fourteen years.  She is a grandmother from Long Island married to Mr. Jim Bell from the Key Deer Refuge.  It was a successful and productive clean-up / meet-up with our neighbors who all want to keep our neighborhood cleaner and friendlier.  A ladies wristwatch and a set of keys were left at our Command Post by the subdivision sign, please call 872.0012 to describe.  Thanks again for keeping Eden Pine ship shape!   
                                                                         
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2008 dues are now due and should be sent to EPPOA, P.O. Box 430196, Big Pine Key, FL 33043

    Eden Pines Owners AssociationDues are $10 per person, maximum $20 per address.  Additional donations will be gratefully accepted and carefully used to benefit your Eden Pines.

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    CONTACT  OFFICIALS

    County Commissioner George Neugent -- Click here

    Ron Saunders  EMail:   Ron.Saunders@Myfloridahouse.gov , tel 305-853-1947, mail PO Box 699 Tavernier FL 33070

    James Reynolds FKAA EMail jreynolds@fkaa.com, 305-296-2454 x242

    Charlie Crist   Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com