President s Message by Brian Cotterill ( )

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1 Annual Rubber Duck Race Saturday March 7 The Start The Finish Newsletter #62 February 2009 Founded President s Message by Brian Cotterill ( ) Welcoming in the New Year, 2009! I am honored to add my name to the list of distinguished individuals who have accepted the role of President of the Calusa Land Trust and Nature Preserve of Pine Island, Inc. As with any new task there was both good news and bad news. The good news is I have some experienced ex-presidents to fall back upon for guidance. The bad news is that at the same time, I also have big shoes to fill. In some ways, it might seem easier for me, were I not following in the footsteps of someone who has done such a great job as has outgoing President Harold Bruner. I would like to thank Harold for doing such an outstanding job in guiding the Land Trust for the last two challenging years. Having his experienced hand on the pulse of the Pine Island real estate scene has been a real boon for the Land Trust s acquisitions, and his natural leadership abilities has kept us all on task during his tenure. I am relieved that Harold will remain on the Land Trust s Board of Directors, so we can continue to take advantage of his abilities. In the coming year the Land Trust will continue to face the many common challenges of old, such as balancing land acquisitions and land maintenance goals, working with Lee County and their excellent 20/20 Program, and balancing the needs and wants of the membership. These are all daunting tasks that we will do our best to address. In addition we will strive to address an ever growing list of new challenges such as grant writing and volunteer stewardship. As the Land Trust continues to grow, so does the work load. I look forward to working with all the Board members to continue the excellent work of the Calusa Land Trust during the coming years. Thank you.

2 11th Annual Rubber Duck Race by Ron Wesorick ( ) T he 11th annual Rubber Duck Race will be held Saturday March 7 at Woody s Waterside Pub in St James City bright yellow rubber ducks, each with a number, will race down Monroe canal. As the ducks are plucked from the water, prizes will be awarded to the winning numbers. This event is Calusa Land Trust s biggest annual fundraiser, and is one of Pine Island s most popular activities. All proceeds from the race will go to the Land Trust to continue its program to purchase and maintain environmentally sensitive lands on Pine Island. This year, we would like to encourage EVERY Land Trust member, EVERY resident of Pine Island, and EVERY visitor to Pine Island to contribute to this important fundraiser by buying duck tickets. You do not have to be present to win. We will call you if you own one of the speedy ducks that wins a prize. Tickets are $5.00 each. They will be available at Woody s, from Pink Wesorick, and from other ticket sellers you will be seeing. Or you can call Pink at to purchase your 2009 tickets. As in previous years, this will be an all afternoon celebration while getting ready for the ducks to race about 3:30 pm. Music, games, auctions, raffles, food and drinks will be available all afternoon. This year s event will bigger than ever, with more race prizes and fantastic auction items. Here are some of the items. Golf Cart Kayak Bicycle Day with Sheriff Scott Carved fish from Jan Bailey Many Local Artist Paintings Certificates for overnight Lodging Certificates for Dining Adirondack Chairs Fishing Trips Fine Pottery Plus Many More Acquisition News by Harold Bruner ( ) 20/20 Adds to Flatwoods Preserve O ne of the last smaller parcels that Lee County 20/20 is likely to purchase for a year or more was right here on Pine Island. Several large tracts of environmentally sensitive lands have been offered to the county in the last few months. Late in 2008 the decision was made to place a moratorium on reviews of nominations that were not already in the queue. On December 11, 2008, the county announced the purchase of 10 acres of pristine pine palmetto forest adjacent to the Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve on the south end of the island. This brings the total of the Flatwoods Preserve to 729 acres. The purchase price was $250,000 which included a $5,000 contribution from the CLT. The sellers were John and Rachi Farrow. They are to be commended for their desire to see the land preserved, their patience and perseverance in dealing with the county, and their willingness to sell at current market value. The 20/20 program has not recently considered parcels this small unless they were 2

3 contiguous to land that was already preserved. This parcel was especially attractive since it adjoined the existing Flatwoods Preserve on two of its four sides. It used to be quick and easy to sell vacant land. The process of selling to the county is neither quick nor easy, but the sale was made and the land is preserved. Several owners on Pine Island have recently tried to resurrect older nominations and none has been successful. It may be a year or more before the county has enough tax revenues to begin reviewing nominations again. When they do, it is likely they will focus on parcels of 40 acres or more, or those that are adjacent to already preserved lands. For owners of smaller properties, and especially those with a high proportion of mangrove wetlands, a purchase by the CLT is still an option. We don t have a lot of funds, but we did purchase three tracts in Feel free to give me a call if you have an interest in selling your lands for conservation purposes Annual Meeting by Phil Rosenberg ( ) O n January 19th the Calusa Land Trust members about 100 strong assembled at Fritts Park for the Annual Meeting. The weather was glorious. President Harold Bruner moved through the agenda without delay. The nominating Committee headed by Brenda Anderson recommended the re-election of Board Members Ed Chapin, Joan Culver, Sonny Koutsoutis, Judy Ott, Phil Rosenberg, Ron Wesorick, Rubye Woodhead and Donna Venesky. All were re-elected. Robert (Bob) Hill was placed in nomination as a new Board Member and he was elected. Last year s minutes and the annual Treasurer s report were distributed and approved by the members present. Next the various Chairs of the standing Committees provided brief reports on 2008 activities and 2009 plans. The meeting was adjourned and Frank Tuma better known as Island Frank coaxed some great rhythms from his magical keyboard. J. D. Hollway of the Waterfront Restaurant fame served a sumptuous lunch to all. Meanwhile the new Board met and elected Brian J.D. Cotterrill as President for Other Officers continued in their present offices. Plunk-a-Plank As we proceed with improving the Norm Gowan Trailhead Vista and St. Jude trail, there are now more opportunities to install memorial planks along the trail. For a $50 donation, we will carve your requested name on a plank which will be permanently installed along the trail. The application is included on the last page of this newsletter. We are in the process of developing a complete database of memorial names and their location along the trail. When complete, you will be able to go to the Calusa Land Trust website and view the complete list. Hopefully everyone can make a trip out for an enjoyable walk and view their memorial. A couple of happy plank owners 3

4 Calusa Land Trust and Nature Preserve of Pine Island, Inc. The Board 2009 Bob Hill newest member Brian Cotterill President Harold Bruner Past President Phil Rosenberg Alison Ackerman Bill Spikowski Treasurer Ed Chapin Chief Ranger Brenda Anderson Donna Venesky Rubye Woodhead Secretary Joan Culver Sonny Koutsoutis Ron Wesorick Vice President Gloria Andres non board Merchandise Chair 4 Liz Donley Judy Ott

5 CALUSA LAND TRUST AND NATURE PRESERVE OF PINE ISLAND, INC Board of Directors Ackerman, Alison ( ) Anderson, Brenda J. ( ) Tours & Trails Chair Bruner, Harold ( ) Land Acquisition Chair Cell: Chapin, Ed ( ) Land Stewardship Chair Pager: ) Cotterill, Brian ( ) President Culver, Joan ( ) Annual Meeting Chair Cell: Donley, Liz ( ) Grant Chair Hill, Robert ( ) Koutsoutis, Sonja J. Sonny ( ) Membership Co-Chair Ott, Judy ( ) Rosenberg, Phil ( ) Membership Co-Chair Cell: Spikowski, Bill (( ) Treasurer/Business Manager Wesorick, Ron ( ) Vice President/Fund Raising Chair Cell: Woodhead, Rubye (( ) Secretary/Historian Venesky, Donna ( ) Cell: Non-Board Chairs Andrews, Gloria Merchandise Chair

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7 Photos of Our Calusa Land Trust Preserves Needed! The Calusa Land Trust and Nature Preserve invites you to explore all of our 20 preserves. Wander through the wonderful variety of habitats Pine Island has to offer: from pine flatwoods, to hardwood hammock to mangrove swamps. As you enjoy the relaxing sound of the breeze in the tree tops and ripples lapping on the shore, take your camera and photograph the large and small wonders of nature you discover. Send us those photos and we will add them to our new "Guide to Calusa Land Trust Preserves and their Flora and Fauna". We hope to have a good collection of photos by next spring and finish the preserve guide by next fall. It all depends on you and the other great folks of Pine Island opening the shutters on their camera lenses and capturing some of that beauty that makes Pine Island a truly special place to live. We're happy to help you identify any flowers, plants, insects or critters you come across. To find the locations of our preserves, look on our website at Please submit your photos to us by June 1, 2009 use at clt@calusalandtrust.org or by mail at P.O. Box 216 Bokeelia, FL Don't forget to include your name, the name of the preserve and date you took your photo. Here are two photos submitted by Mary and Earl Scott. They were taken at the 20/20 Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve. Yep, it is an Eaglet eating a turtle. $ 15 Individual Member $ 25 Family Member $ 50 Donor $100 Contributor $500 Patron $1000 Benefactor $ 50 Plunk a Plank (fill in lettering) CREDIT CARD #: Visa or MasterCard only EXPIRES: / Your Name: Sponsor: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: Alt Phone Second Address: Second City, State, Zip: address A COPY OF THE CALUSA LAND TRUST S OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA S DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING (TOLL-FREE FROM WITHIN FLORIDA). OUR REGISTRA- TION NUMBER IS SC REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. FULL FINANCIAL DETAILS, INCLUDING FEDERAL TAX RETURNS, CAN BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE LAND TRUST S TREASURER AT DURING WORKING HOURS. THE CALUSA LAND TRUST NEVER EMPLOYS PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISERS; 100% OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE RETAINED BY THE CALUSA LAND TRUST. 7 February 2009

8 Upcoming Work Parties 2009 Mark your Calendars Plan to Attend Saturday Mar noon - 3 pm Kreie Island Exotic Plant & Litter Clean Up Saturday Apr 11 9 am - 12 noon Calusa Canal Pres Exotic Plant & Litter Clean Up Saturday May 9 9 am - 12 noon Picnic Island Exotic Plant & Litter Clean Up Saturday Jun 13 9 am - 12 noon Dobbs Preserve Exotic Plant & Litter Clean Up Saturday Jul 11 9 am - 12 noon St James Cr Pres Native Plant Planting August No Work Day Summer Vacation Saturday Sep 12 9 am - 12 noon Big Jim Cr Exotic Plant & Litter Clean Up Saturday Oct 10 9 am - 12 noon Pine Island Flatwoods Exotic Plant & Litter Clean Up Saturday Nov 14 9 am - 12 noon Cayo Pelau Exotic Plant & Litter Clean Up Saturday Dec 12 9 am - 12 noon Back Bay Exotic Plant & Litter Clean Up For more information including where to meet contact Ranger Ed Chapin by calling his pager or check the Web Site Calusa Land Trust & Nature Preserve of Pine Island, Inc. P.O. Box 216 Bokeelia, Florida If the address label on this Newsletter is GREEN it is time to renew your membership. Use the enclosed envelope and the form on the last page to renew.