Black Island Trail volunteers clean up!
Nine adults and fifteen local home-schoolers worked for 3 hours, contributing 72 total volunteer hours for their hard day's efforts. Many thanks to all who helped!
Hurricane Irma knocked down many trees in the park, especially on both of the park’s hiking/biking trails. Due to the fallen trees, the trails have been closed since the storm hit.
A group of volunteers came out to Lovers Key State Park on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 to help clean up after Hurricane Irma. The group headed down Black Island Trail with rakes and loppers, clearing debris and eliminating roots that could pose trip hazards to visitors.
Robert Hughes organizing volunteers for the Black Island Trail cleanup.
This volunteer work day was a big help in getting the trail reopened for the public. Lovers Key State Park would like to send out a big thank you to all of the volunteers who came out to clean up the Black Island Trail.
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Annual Great Outdoor Adventure Day set for December 2
Mark your calendars because Lovers Key State Park will host the Annual Great Outdoor Adventure Day on Saturday, December 2nd, 2017. This community-based event will be located at the Kayak Launch/Picnic Area of the park and is free with Park Entry.
Food, touch tanks, children’s activities, as well as Ranger-led programs will highlight the fun-filled day geared towards encouraging participants to recreate responsibly while enjoying the park’s unique habitats and wide variety of wildlife.
Park entry fees are $8.00 for vehicles with 2-8 people, $4.00 for single person in vehicle, and $2 per pedestrian or bicyclist. Guided Kayak tours will be $10/per person, kayak rental included.
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Songwriters at Sunset Free Acoustic Concert
Thursday, December 7, 2017 4:00 pm
Friends of Lovers Key (FOLKS) has once again joined with the Americana Community Music Association (ACMA), to offer a series of monthly Free Acoustic concerts of all original music this season.
The concerts take place in the gazebo on the beach; seating is available for the first 80 people. Bring a beach chair for additional seating on the sand.
The first scheduled concert will feature four Florida musicians. Hank Woji and Eileen Kozloff have performed regularly at festivals, concert venues, coffee houses and house concerts throughout the country. They combine their stellar individual skills into a duo that showcases the best of their talents into a seamless collaborative musical team.
They will be joined by The Reckless Saints who describe their original music as “blue twangled folk & roll.” This delightfully diverse blend ranges from bluesy to ballads, jazzy to folk, bluegrass to rock, while still comfortably fitting under the Americana umbrella. Roy Schneider is a singer-songwriter in the grandest tradition of Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Guy Clark, and Lyle Lovett, but his voice, songwriting skill, stagecraft, and instrumental talent are all his own. With duo partner Kim Mayfield, The Reckless Saints have been touring for years across America and abroad.
The ACMA is a Fort Myers based organization that promotes local artists who write and sing their own original songs. Come hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase. The show will finish with a fabulous Lovers Key Sunset.
Refreshments will be available by donation, and will benefit FOLKS.
Future Songwriters at Sunset concert dates are scheduled for 1-4-18, 2-1-18, 3-1-18, 4-5-18 .
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Santa on the Sand
Sunday, December 10, 2017, 1 – 4 pm
Hosted by the Friends of Lovers Key and the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs
Bring your children, grandchildren, and friends for an afternoon of lunch, games and prizes on the beach with Santa. This special event will take place on the beach next to the Gazebo at Lovers Key State Park.
We will be collecting unwrapped toys, which will later be distributed by the Rotary Club to local children. Each child, aged 8 and under, who donates an unwrapped toy to be put under the tree, will visit with Santa and receive a small gift. Bring your own camera or cell phone to take photos.
Lunch will be provided for the children and snacks for adults. There will be games and prizes as well. Each family in attendance will be given a chance to win a fully decorated Christmas Tree donated by the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs.
FEES:
For each child's event admission, donate one unwrapped toy to place underneath the Christmas tree. Pre-registration is required.
Park entry fees are $8 for vehicles (2-8 People), $4 for single person in vehicle, $2 for pedestrian/bicyclist.
CONTACT: For additional information and to RSVP please contact
Judy Greenwood at 708-359-0466 or email: events@friendsofloverskey.org
Space is limited to 100 children
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Lovers Key State Park 2018 Calendar is Now on Sale!
FEATURES:
Important dates and information about special park events
One FREE State Park entry pass ($8.00 value)
Special messages from select local businesses and more
Calendars may be purchased at the Ranger Station, FOLKS merchandise table at the Tram Stop, Gift Shop, on our website, the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, and at Dennis Goodman’s gallery where you can meet the photographer.
At $15 each, these make amazing holiday gifts!
Proceeds from the purchase of the FOLKS Calendar will be used to fund the highly anticipated Visitor Center!
www.friendsofloverskey.org
FOLKS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Citizen Support Organization (CSO) established to protect, preserve and support Lovers Key State Park.
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There's still time to sign up to volunteer with FOLKS
Dear FOLKS VOLUNTEERS,
You are invited to a volunteer meeting to be held at the shop at Lover's Key on Friday Nov. 10th at 10-11 am. We will be discussing all the great activities and events we have planned for the 2017-2018 season. You will have an opportunity to meet with park staff and board members of FOLKS. There is so much to learn about the park and the new Visitor Center. Staff and board members will be available to answer all your questions. This is an exciting time for you to become an active volunteer by sharing your time and talent with FOLKS. Please RSVP to sharondowney@comcast.net by Wednesday Nov. 8th. I look forward to meeting you next week!
Sharon L. Downey
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Record-breaking sea turtle season at Lovers Key
Each year the staff of Lovers Key State Park partners with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to monitor sea turtle nesting on Florida’s beaches. A qualified Park Ranger patrols the 2½ mile stretch of beach from May 1 to October 31 looking for evidence of sea turtle nesting activity. Nesting activity includes non-nesting emergences or “False Crawls” and nesting emergences or “Nests” with several variations in-between.
Each nest gets the protection of stakes, flagging tape, and a self-releasing cage, which helps keep predators out, as well as prevents visitors from accidentally disturbing the nest.
Park Rangers become detectives and figure out what each turtle does when she comes ashore. They fill out paperwork for every false crawl and nest found on the beach. Each nest gets the additional protection of stakes, flagging tape, and a self-releasing cage. This extra protection keeps predators out such as raccoons as well as keeping visitors from accidentally setting up camp on the nest.
The primary sea turtle that nests on the beach at Lovers Key State Park is the Loggerhead (Caretta caretta). The Loggerhead is considered a threatened species under the Environmental Species Act. Green (Chelonia mydas) and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles may also nest along the Park beach.
The 2017 turtle season was one for the records. Lovers Key State Park set a record with 70 nests, breaking the previous record of 60 nests in 1994. The 2016 season had 49 nests, 85 false crawls, 1051 hatchlings. This year there were 134 false crawls and, despite all the negative impacts, 1337 hatchlings that made it into the Gulf of Mexico.
This past season was unique and challenging. There were two storms, Tropical Storm Emily and Hurricane Irma, which had an impact on the nests. Some nests were lost to these storms, but the main impact on the success of nesting sea turtles is still predation by raccoons. The staff of Lovers Key State Park is honored to be part of such an integral part of protecting and preserving sea turtles in addition to the other flora and fauna of Florida. |
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Save the Dates!
Mark your Calendars!
2017/2018 Season of FOLKS Special Events
Check our website and upcoming E-News for more details as these events draw near.
Songwriters at Sunset Free Live Acoustic Musical Concerts in the Gazebo
First Thursday of the Month
Dec. 7, 2017
Jan. 4, 2018
Feb. 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
April 5, 2018
Dec. 6, 2018
Great Outdoor Adventure Day
Dec. 2, 2017
Santa on the Sand
Dec. 10, 2017
Tropical Beach Party on the Beach
Jan. 18, 2018
FOLKS Annual Membership Meeting
January 23, 2018
Nautical Market and Boat Show
Feb. 9-11, 2018
Valentines Vow Renewal on the Beach
Feb. 14, 2018
Wine Tasting on the Beach
March 21, 2018
Luau on the Beach
April 11, 2018
13th Annual Turtle Trot and Family Fun Day
May 12, 2018 |
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Lovers Key State Park Interpretive Events
November, 2017
Fri. Nov 3, 10 am
A Walk on the Wild Side
Fri. Nov 10, 10 am
Sea Turtle Talk
Fri. Nov 17, 10 am
Beginning Birding
Tues. Nov 21, 10 am
Lovers Key Fishing Clinic
Thurs. Nov 30, 10 am
Beach Walk and Estuary Tour
Space is limited – Call for Reservations: 239-463-4588
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Spotlight on our Sponsors
 Whether you are coming to Bonita Springs for the first time, or are a local looking for something fun to do for lunch or dinner, Sneaky Pete’s is the place for you!
Sneaky Pete’s is a tropical hideaway restaurant and full bar. Open 7 days a week, they serve a full menu and offer almost nightly entertainment from karaoke to live bands. Whether you're enjoying their tasty food, shooting a game of pool or playing a video game, you're sure to have a good time.
If you’re wondering how they got the name Sneaky Pete’s, they’ll be happy to tell you, but don’t ask too many questions about their famous drink, the Sneaky Pete! All they will tell you is it’s easy to drink and might sneak up on you!
Come in anytime between 11am-midnight on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, between 11am-1am on Wednesday and Thursday, or 11am-2am on Friday and Saturday! The kitchen is open until 1 hour before closing 7 days a week.
Sneaky Pete's
3465 Bonita Beach Rd.
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Phone: (239) 498-8887
Check out www.sneakypetesbonita.com for the entertainment schedule.
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 Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime?
Sweetwater Outfitters & Adventures offers guided jet ski tours, sunset cruises, and dolphin cruises in Bonita Springs, Estero, and Naples.
Looking for something at a little slower pace? Check out Sweetwater's newest addition, the M/V Good Vibes - Naples and Bonita Springs newest tour boat offering sunset tours, dolphin tours, weddings, group and private events. This is the area's newest and cleanest passenger boat offering seating for up to 36, and able to go out in the Gulf of Mexico.
Considered one of the top full-service watersports companies by Trip Advisor, Sweetwater has all of your on-the-water recreational needs covered. As a local company dedicated to watersports, Sweetwater is well equipped to ensure you get the most out of your time on the water. Sweetwater’s passion for the outdoors comes from a diverse background on the water, and a shared love for the environment.
All of the activities Sweetwater offers come with their passion for adventure, whether it be stand up paddleboard or boat rentals, jet ski tours, fishing charters, or their paddleboard lessons and yoga classes. At Sweetwater, they bring a commitment to increasing environmental awareness, while having fun out on the water.
With their competitive rates and local expertise, Sweetwater is sure to give you the best experience you can have on the water. Go ahead and call today to get started on making your own waves in the beautiful Southwest Florida waters!
4575 Bonita Beach Rd
Bonita Springs, Fl 34134
Phone: (239) 405-7155
http://sweetwateradventures.com
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FOLKS merchandise makes a great holiday gift!
The FOLKS merchandise sales are growing every month!
Merchandise sales account for the largest portion of our fundraising efforts.
 If you haven't yet purchased a FOLKS tee, tank,cap, calendar, or cookbook, consider one for yourself or for a friend, and you'll be contributing towards our fundraising efforts towards our future Visitors Center. All of these items make excellent gifts too!
FOLKS colored tees and tanks are always available on our website. To see all styles and colors visit http://friendsofloverskey.org/shop.html.
The sale of merchandise, shirts and cookbooks is an important fundraising activity. All proceeds go to the support of Lovers Key State Park. A primary goal of the Friends of Lovers Key is to help fund the development and construction of a Visitors Center at the Park.
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FOLKS would like to thank the following Business Sponsors for their support as we fund raise for the future Visitors Center. Please consider visiting their businesses and supporting them as well. Business Partners help support the environmental education mission of the Park.
Add your business to the list!
Contact Shelley-Sue Williams at (516) 381-3518.
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The Friends of Lovers Key, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed by the citizens of the community to support Lovers Key State Park and is registered as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, your Membership and Donations are tax-deductible.
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