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# Lemon Bay Conservancy

Dedicated to the protection & preservation of Lemon Bay & Charlotte Harbor

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [A Renewed Appreciation of the Passage of Time](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-renewed-appreciation-of-the-passage-of-time/) - Humans tend to live as if time was of no concern and assume that conditions around them will stay rather constant. Living on a barrier island (or a volcano or a seismic fault) will teach you otherwise since the environment can and will change somewhat unpredictably and interfere with human activities. Those of us
- [Fall 2024 LBC Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2024-lbc-newsletter/) - News from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives, tarpon research, volunteer needs and more!
- [Fall 2025 LBC Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2025-lbc-newsletter/) - News from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives, tarpon research, volunteer needs and more!
- [Protecting Our Burrowing Owl Neighbors](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/protecting-burrowing-owls/) - Protecting Our Burrowing Owl Neighbors - You Can Help!
- [Protecting Our Burrowing Owl Neighbors](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/protecting-our-burrowing-owl-neighbors/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is taking a lead role in a recently launched initiative to help protect a small colony of Florida Burrowing Owls living in a developing area off Gasparilla Road. Our plans include a $100,000 fundraising goal to purchase and maintain properties for permanent Burrowing Owl Habitat Protection. These charismatic little owls live in
- [Maintaining Burrowing Owl Burrows](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/maintaining-burrowing-owl-burrows/) - Thanks to all the volunteers from Lemon Bay Conservancy, Peace River Audubon, and local birding groups who came out today to help with trimming around the burrows of the Burrowing Owl colony in Placida! We had 14 volunteers total, so we're missing a few in the photo above. Florida Fish & Wildlife recommends keeping
- [FWC Report on Tarpon Research - November 2025](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fwc-tarpon-report/) - Juvenile tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) use coastal marsh ponds, like those found in Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, as important nursery habitats. Such nurseries provide ample food, room for fish to grow, and allow for movement into the open estuary. However, prior to restoration of Wildflower Preserve that occurred in 2020, the habitat was found to be
- [Mid-November Nature Rambles in SW FL](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mid-november-nature-rambles-in-sw-fl/) - Middle November seems to be a "halfway house" for weather. One day it will be cool in the morning and moderate in the afternoon then it will be very hot and humid for a day. So it can be a time for a lot of fluctuations which require adjustments in behavior by animals and humans.
- [Fall Cooler Temperatures Arrive as a Shock](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-cooler-temperatures-arrive-as-a-shock/) - By the end of October air temperatures start to drop in a noticeable fashion and I turn off my air conditioner. You no longer have to limit your outdoor activities to the morning to escape the afternoon heat. Yet the human "snowbirds" are still relatively scarce and you can enjoy a morning sunrise and walk
- [Call for Volunteers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/call-for-volunteers/) - Englewood Beach Waterfest 2025 will be October 10 – 12, 2025. Volunteers from LBC will staff our exhibit in the Conservation Tent, which will be open October 11 and 12, 2025. We are planning a fun and educational exhibit, including the “Lucky Ducky Conservation Game” where participants will spin a wheel, answer a conservation-based question,
- [Seeking a Dynamic Executive Director](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/executive-director/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC), a well-established nonprofit (founded 1971) dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural lands and waters of the Lemon Bay aquatic system, seeks a dynamic Executive Director. This is a hands-on, chief executive role reporting to the Board. You'll lead all operations, strategic initiatives, and growth, working closely with our dedicated volunteer
- [The End of Growing Season is Near](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-end-of-growing-season-is-near/) - As I write this in the last week of September there is certainly a decline in butterflies, the appearance of some new flowers and loss of others, and leaves are falling in some numbers, especially tulip poplars. There is no doubt that the growing season is winding down and you have the feeling that another
- [Water Quality Presentation Video](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/water-quality-presentation-video/) - On May 8th, as part of our Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, Dr. Mary Lusk from the University of Florida spoke to a full house at the Cape Haze Community Center on the topic of “Coastal Water Quality: The Role of Septic Systems, Advanced Water Treatment, Reclaimed Water and Storm Water”. Dr. Lusk is Dr.
- [A Nature Extravaganza in May Along the Haw River](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-nature-extravaganza-in-may-along-the-haw-river/) - I continue to be intrigued and intellectually challenged by the natural events transpiring in our 48 acres of woodlands along the Haw River in the Piedmont region of NC. The middle lot of three I bought was kept uncut for at least 50 years by the previous owner for which I am eternally grateful. It
- [Scout Work Morning at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/scout-work-morning-at-the-preserve/) - On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve volunteers hosted a visit from Englewood’s Scout Troop 26B. Seven scouts, accompanied by Scout Master Randy Cantrell and two able assistants, were there to work on conservation and community service requirements for their individual ranks in the scouts. Their group project for the day was to
- [Nature in June Along the Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-in-june-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - June is somewhat of a transition between Spring and Summer. Here in the Piedmont of NC the nights are still cool and the midafternoons can be hot, but as the sun sets the temperature is cool again. As I sit at my computer around 5:30 am with my window open I can hear a beautiful
- [Summer Heat Settles In Along the Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-heat-settles-in-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - Well the heat and humidity are really settling in now that June is over and summer is here for real. Outdoor activities are best carried out in early morning and early evening but the oppressive weather does not seem to affect the critters too much. Phenology or the cycles of flowering/fruiting continue so that different
- [An Aerial View of the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/an-aerial-view-of-the-preserve/) - Capt. Josh Olive, LBC member and publisher of Waterline Weekly Magazine, sent this interesting drone shot of the preserve and surrounding areas, taken in early May. This was in the midst of the drought and you can see by the brown coloration how dry higher areas of the preserve were! The water areas in the
- [What if a Golf Course Were Returned to Nature?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/what-if-a-golf-course-were-returned-to-nature/) - “What if a Golf Course Were Returned to Nature?” That’s the title of a major feature article on the transformation of Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve written by Corky Dalton and published in late June 2024 in print and online editions of the Venice Gondolier, the Englewood Sun, and the Charlotte Sun newspapers. You can read
- [Clam Research Pilot Project Underway](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/clam-research-pilot-project-underway/) - On June 30, 2024, Lemon Bay Conservancy launched a pilot study to determine if the once abundant southern hardshell clam (Mercenaria campechiensis) can be restored to Lemon Bay. Clams play an important role in the management of marine ecosystems. Adult clams can filter about 2 gallons of water an hour and remove suspended particles, viruses,
- [A Steamy July Along the Haw River](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-steamy-july-along-the-haw-river/) - I always tell people on my nature walks that they should strive for two things in studying the overwhelming biodiversity of our complex habitats. First they should attempt to learn the basic species of plants and animals (a difficult job given the myriads of species present), and then most importantly take that knowledge and look
- [A Huge Flood in August Along the  Haw River NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-huge-flood-in-august-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - When you live on the banks of a sizeable river the paramount determining factors in its local flow are generally the upstream river height stage and seasonal factors that influence it. Recently a tropical storm (Debbie) came roaring out of the NE Gulf of Mexico and slammed into eastern NC. The river stage upstream of
- [Early Fall Weather and Ecological Changes Along the Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-fall-weather-and-ecological-changes-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - After a massive flood following tropical storm Debbie in early August, it has been a relief to have the river return to its base flow level around 2-3 feet. But the mud and debris extending far up into the flood plain remind us of the impact of that very high water level. There are of
- [A Fall Goodbye to Nature Along the Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-fall-goodbye-to-nature-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - Although some people prefer not to revisit a place they have been before I find that repeated visits to the same natural areas are almost always interesting. Weather conditions vary as do the seasons, and animals and plants undergo phenological changes that reveal themselves in a sometimes unpredictable pattern. So when I went down
- [LBC Office Closed due to Flooding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-office-closed-due-to-flooding/) - Our thoughts go out to everyone who is suffering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The recovery from this storm will be a long and difficult challenge. Please stay safe as you work to recover! Like so many locations in the path of the storm, our Englewood area received major storm surge. Over 2.5'
- [The Magic of Fall Migration Along the Haw River](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-magic-of-fall-migration-along-the-haw-river/) - In late September many interesting changes in natural history are underway signaling the end to summer and the upcoming fall and winter. The fancy word for such changes with plants is "phenology," the seasonal variation in flower and fruit production. If you look at a view of my backyard you can observe
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Closed! Oct. 14 WALK Cancelled](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-closed-oct-14-walk-cancelled/) - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is closed indefinitely due to extensive flooding from Hurricane Milton storm surge. We will post an update as soon as assessments have been completed and we have determined trail conditions are safe. The Social Birding walk scheduled for Monday, October 14, is cancelled. We know many are suffering from the Milton's
- [Preserve is Open!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/preserve-is-open/) - We’re pleased to announce that, while severely battered by storm surge, Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve has reopened for daily LBC members access. The beautiful sunset at the preserve reminds us of the beauty around us! We have a public birding walk coming up on Saturday, October 19, at 8:00 am. Open to everyone! And, a
- [Hurricane Impacts and the Days Ahead](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/hurricane-impacts-and-the-days-ahead/) - Misery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton Hurricanes Helene and Milton have brought incredible destruction to our area. Our hearts are with everyone who is dealing with the flooding and destruction from the storms. While LBC has suffered damages from the storms, our issues are minor when compared to the enormous challenges for everyone dealing with
- [An Irresistible Natural Force: Hurricane Milton](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/an-irresistible-natural-force-hurricane-milton/) - As I began to make preparations to drive from my NC Haw River Preserve to FL, ominous reports about hurricane Milton hitting SW FL on Oct. 9, 2024, were in the news. The predominant natural event at our NC place at this time was the occurrence of rose breasted grosbeaks at our bird feeder
- [Preserve Water Quality Report](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/preserve-water-quality-report/) - A Report on LakeWatch Water Quality Studies at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve
- [Life Recovers After the Storm](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/life-recovers-after-the-storm/) - As I write this 40 days after hurricane Milton devastated my home on Manasota Key, FL, the long difficult job of recovery among the human population is well underway but will continue for years. The animals and plants living here have also had a major shock from which some will never recover. The
- [Nature Achieves a "New Balance" After Hurricane Milton](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-achieves-a-new-balance-after-hurricane-milton/) - As I write this in the first week of December it has been about 7 1/2 weeks since hurricane Milton sent a devastating salt water storm surge across our beautiful barrier island of Manasota Key. Of course we take a chance by living in such a location in a very old ground level CBS
- [Florida Arbor Day, January 17th:  Free Tree Giveaway!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2025-free-tree/) - Many local trees were lost during the hurricanes of the past three years. Lemon Bay Conservancy, in partnership with the Florida Forest Service, is happy to help our community in its recovery efforts by distributing 100 native trees to the public, free of charge, as part of Florida Arbor Day, January 17, 2025.
- [Nature is in a Holiday Mood!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-is-in-a-holiday-mood/) - I am writing this between Christmas and New Years so all is very much in a holiday mood. But of course here in SW FL our weather is definitely not in the traditional winter mode. Yet my one son in Salt Lake City Utah is able to
- [Feb. 8, 2025 "Exploration Day" at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2025openhouse/) - The free, public Open House at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, scheduled for February 24, 2024, will include guided trail walks, displays by local environmental groups and hands-on environmental activities. Come for a visit!
- [Winter is Here For Sure](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-is-here-for-sure/) - The weather in middle January in SW Florida can be periodically cool even down into the 40's F at night but generally is sunny and warm by midday. A view of my beloved Haw River in NC shows a very different picture with a light covering of snow/ice and high temperatures near our FL
- [Are There Flowers in Wintertime in SW Florida?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/are-there-flowers-in-wintertime-in-sw-florida/) - You might think that winter would be brown and bleak but such is not the case in SW Florida. Aside from the coastal damage to many plants caused by hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024, and the generally dry weather in winter, plants continue to thrive. Not many are in bloom and insect pollinators are
- [A Mild Winter Raises Thoughts of Spring](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-mild-winter-raises-thoughts-of-spring/) - After some very cold weather in January, conditions have warmed up considerably in February. A great blue heron observing a sunrise from Chadwick Park on Manasota Key seems to be contemplating the upcoming day and opportunities to catch fish. A view of a newly created salt marsh at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve illustrates a
- [Exploration Day 2025 Excitement!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/exploration-day-2025-excitement/) - The 2025 Lemon Creek Wildlife Preserve "Exploration Day" was a fun-filled event with nature walks, informational talks, educational displays, and golf cart tours.
- [Spring is Very Close in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-is-very-close-in-sw-florida/) - As I write this on March 5, official Spring is just a few days away on March 20. We see very little ecological indicators of Spring here in SW FL since the rains are still about two+ months away and little growth of plants will occur this late in the dry season without that rain.
- [Early Spring Along the Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-spring-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - This is my fourth spring in the Piedmont of N Carolina but due to a family event is the earliest I have returned from winter in FL. Middle March is still early enough to enjoy the spring ephemeral flowers but as a consequence night time temperatures can be quite cool. Once I adjusted to the
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Celebrates Preserve Volunteers!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-celebrates-preserve-volunteers/) - On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Lemon Bay Conservancy held a celebration for our Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve volunteers at the Cape Haze Community Center. Volunteers and their guests enjoyed a social period followed by dinner, awards and presentations. Our preserve volunteers are an amazingly dedicated group, with many returning year-after-year. Recognizing their contributions was a
- [Mid-Springtime 2025 Along the Haw River in NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mid-springtime-2025-along-the-haw-river-in-nc/) - Nights are getting warmer and daytime highs are definitely increasing so we are in that time of year when spring is beginning to transition towards summer. Spring ephemeral wildflowers are almost finished blooming as the tree leaves are out, blocking the penetration of most sunlight to the forest floor. Bird migrants are here in force,
- [Six Weeks Until Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/six-weeks-until-summer/) - Now in the second week of May it is about six weeks before the official start of summer. It remains cool at night often near 50 F, and warm after midday in the middle 70's F. Plants are growing at "light speed" but biting insects have not yet become a problem. So what could be
- [Eyes on Seagrass Training for Charlotte County](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/eyes-on-seagrass-training-for-charlotte-county/)
- [Those Fantastic Butterflies Are Back!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/those-fantastic-butterflies-are-back/) - Monumental changes are underway in my backyard as I suddenly start seeing many species of butterflies that were not previously present. Is this due to my finding a 4 leafed clover and getting lucky? I do not think so since there are several plants now blooming that attract many insects- especially butterfly bush (Buddleia CranRazz; https://www.monrovia.com/cranrazz-butterfly-bush.html ).
- [Seeking Part-time Preserve Manager - POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/seeking-part-time-preserve-manager/) - Note: This position has been filled. Lemon Bay Conservancy seeks to hire a part-time Preserve Manager to lead ongoing maintenance and improvement work at LBC’s 80-acre Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve in Grove City, Florida. The position is an outdoor, field-based position that will require work in preserve upland and wetland habitats, including physical work in
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research: Focus on Tagging](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/juvenile-tarpon-research-focus-on-tagging/) - Our last monthly juvenile tarpon net pull of the 2024/2025 season took place on Saturday, April 19, 2025. We had a good turnout of volunteers, as pictured above. At the March and April net pulls, our focus, working with the Florida Fish & Wildlife (FWC) research team, was on tagging tarpon and snook, ideally over
- [Late Spring Nature is Bursting Out All Over](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/late-spring-nature-is-bursting-out-all-over/) - As Spring comes to an end I continue to see more and more butterflies as additional flowers bloom and the weather warms. One of the "bioindicators" of an approaching summer is the fabulous great spangled fritillary which is distinguished by its large size and the light band on the outer edge of the hindwing. The
- [Early Summer Rains Bring Out Flowers and Wildlife](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-summer-rains-bring-out-flowers-and-wildlife/) - I came to Englewood FL in early summer to experience the beauties of the season and I was not disappointed. The parched Spring landscape has begun to receive heavy afternoon rains. A view from my back porch of an afternoon storm over Lemon Bay shows the ominous black clouds with frequent thunder. One of
- [Post Milton Replanting in the Preserve Butterfly Habitat](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/post-milton-replanting-in-the-preserve-butterfly-habitat/) - Not long after Milton’s storm surge receded, Ann Weaver and Maura Qualls (pictured below), Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve volunteers, began to notice that many of the butterfly nectar and host plants in the Butterfly Habitat failed to return due to the hurricane damage. Porterweed and Scarlet Salvia were missing. There were large empty spaces in
- [1000 Seedlings Pine Planting Project](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/1000-seedlings-pine-planting-project/) - Last summer, Dana Houkal, LBC volunteer and professional environmental consultant, suggested that LBC consider planting pine tree seedlings at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve using a reforestation program sponsored by the Florida Forestry Service. The program allows landowners to order a variety of bare root and containerized tree seedlings with very reasonable pricing. LBC placed an order
- ["Tropical" Storm Chantal Produces Extreme Flooding in July Along the Haw River NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tropical-storm-chantal-produces-extreme-flooding-in-july-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - There is an old saying, "you can run but you cannot hide!" I had just returned July 5 from a short trip to FL to continue to clean up after the devastating hurricane Milton which had a huge storm surge of sea water which flooded my house there. A tropical storm named Chantal had just
- [Summer Arrives With a Vengance](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-arrives-with-a-vengance/) - Although the weather had been unsettled previously in July with much rainfall and a huge storm, this did not prepare me for the onset of true summer weather as August approaches . The oppressively hot and humid afternoons and nights have arrived and we humans have to cope with
- [Seagrass Monitoring](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/seagrass-monitoring/)
- [Eagle Scout Project](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/eagle-scout-project/) - Wesley Cantrell, who is working to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, selected Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve for his Eagle Service Project. On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Wesley led a group of scouts from Troop 26 in building a new information kiosk in the southwestern area of the preserve, near special interest point “T” on
- [Middle August is not a Time for Doldrums](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/middle-august-is-not-a-time-for-doldrums/) - So far this summer has been quite wet and warm but we have entered a somewhat cooler although still wet period. It has been a pleasure to be able to go outside with high temperatures only near 80 F. Rapid drying of ephemeral pools has also decreased the number of mosquitos and ticks have
- [End of Summer is Bittersweet](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/end-of-summer-is-bittersweet/) - In late August, natural events make it clear that Summer is coming to an end. Not only are daily high temperatures diminishing significantly but we are seeing the appearance of typical ecological occurrences that signify the end of hot weather. The appearance of certain flowers and fruits and particular insects tell us as certainly as
- [Fall Comes Rushing In Yet Butterflies Persist](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-comes-rushing-in-yet-butterflies-persist/) - As the early Fall season continues you might think there would be a significant abatement of life as temperatures cool and leaves begin to fall. Such is not yet the case in early September as there seems to be a reasonable if somewhat less abundance of life including the "flying
- [The Elsie Bracken Scholarship Is Awarded](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-elsie-bracken-scholarship-is-awarded/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy awards STEM scholarship Lemon Bay Conservancy was pleased to award graduating senior Bryn Atherholt the LBC Elsie Bracken Environmental Science Scholarship at the 2023 Lemon Bay High School Senior Awards Night. This scholarship is awarded to a Senior who demonstrates interest in conservation and the environment, and who plans to pursue a degree
- [Charlotte Community Foundation Grant](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/charlotte-community-foundation-grant/) - Thank you to the Charlotte Community Foundation for providing a $6,800 Hurricane Ian Relief Grant to rebuild our maintenance equipment shed at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve! Our old shed was completely destroyed by the hurricane, leaving our volunteers no place to store our trail mower, trimmers, and other maintenance tools. Under the leadership of Lary
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Homeschool Field Trip](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-homeschool-field-trip/)
- [World Wide Labyrinth Day at the Labyrinth on the Hill](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/world-wide-labyrinth-day-at-the-labyrinth-on-the-hill/) - On May 6, 2023, the Big Connection 3.0 research team continued their study on how a collective of world labyrinth day walkers with a heart centered intention, manifest change. The Labyrinth on the Hill walkers joined two hundred and sixty-six labyrinth walkers from 16 countries that registered for the Big Connection 3.0. The Legacy Labyrinth Project is
- [New Native Butterfly Plantings](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/new-native-butterfly-plantings/) - With funding provided by Lemon Bay Conservancy donors and a $100 grant from the Mangrove chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, LBC volunteers have replanted Florida native plants in the butterfly habitat at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The new plants now occupy a large section of the habitat that was severely damaged by Hurricane Ian. LBC volunteers
- [Honeybee - Friend or Foe?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/honeybee-friend-or-foe/) - The honeybee Apis mellifera is native to Europe and was brought to N America in the 1600's by colonists. In southern areas this European bee has intergraded with a "killer bee" or Africanized bee which is a hybrid of two other subspecies. The Africanized bees which entered via a release in Brazil and
- [Celebrating National Pollinator Week at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/celebrating-national-pollinator-week-at-wildflower-preserve/) - Our team is building and installing pollinator houses in the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat in observation of National Pollinator Week June 19 -25 this year. Pollinator homes support solitary bees, providing a cozy nesting site.The US has around 4,000 species of native bees. Ninety percent of them are solitary nesters using reeds, hollow
- [Finding Rest at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/finding-rest-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - You’ve probably seen them scattered along the trails and vista points, at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve; simple-looking benches with small plaques engraved with quotes, the name of the person the bench is dedicated to, and significant dates. These are the memorial and tribute benches of Lemon Bay Conservancy. The benches are typically dedicated as
- [Upcoming Guided Walk: Everyone is Welcome](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-guided-walk-everyone-is-welcome/) - Guided Tour: On Sunday June 25th from 9:00 am to 10:00 am Tonya and Steve Bramlage will guide a short walk through the heart of Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. Come along to discover the aquatic and upland plants growing in this compact, dense, and unique ecological
- [A Random Nature Walk in Early Summer Along the Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-random-nature-walk-in-early-summer-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - There is much to see during a nature walk along the Haw River in middle to late June and early July. River flow and depth of course vary with rainfall but the river is highly "flashy" and rapidly returns to a base flow below 3 feet when the rain stops. Our ancient aboriginal
- [Atala Butterflies Have Arrived](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/atala-butterflies-have-arrived/) - On June 12th, Maura Qualls and Suzanne Bayley traveled to Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota to pick up 100 Atala caterpillars and crysalides. Forest Hecker with UF/IFAS Extension has established a thriving colony of the Atala butterfly and offered to share with us in the hopes that we can establish our own colony in the Butterfly Habitat at LCWP. We
- [Can We Improve Lemon Bay's Water Quality?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/can-we-improve-lemon-bays-water-quality/) - A team of Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers took to the local waterways last week searching for bivalves in our aquatic backyard. Our Lemon BayWatch objective was to find suitable sites that will support clam habitat. The group scouted the soft substrate in and around Lemon Bay that is not covered in seagrass, in order to
- [Eagle Service Project](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/eagle-service-project/) - As part of his work toward attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, James Ash, from Scout Troop 26 in Englewood, recently placed a new turtle basking platform in Hosman Pond at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The new platform will allow turtles to climb out of the water and bask in the sun. It will also
- [Bat House Installation](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/bat-house-installation/) - The newly installed bat house at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is a three chamber nursery house that can house up to three hundred bats. The house was built according to specs from Bat Conservation International by Dave Flynn, a wood smith and LBC friend. The pivot-pole Bat House Mounting System specs came from Bat Belfrys
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Participates in Eyes on Seagrass](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-participates-in-eyes-on-seagrass/) - A group of LBC volunteers recently completed surveying 3 sites in Lemon Bay as part of the growing Eyes on Seagrass program organized by Florida Sea Grant. The program which began in Charlotte County is growing and now spreading among other communities. Areas for survey are assigned and surveys are conducted two times each year to
- [New Plantings at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/new-plantings-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - Major restoration plantings at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserver were done from September 2020 through January 2021. In the summer of 2022, an additional 340 plantings were added. This summer 2023, another 277 plantings are being added. The 2023 plantings target relatively small areas that lack sufficient vegetation. We time the planting to the start of the
- [Upcoming Events...](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-events/) - Labyrinth Walk: The Labyrinth on the Hill monthly guided walk is Wednesday, July 19th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. Located on top of a berm that overlooks all four directions of the Preserve, the labyrinth offers walkers a flat, circular, path that winds
- [Staking Windblown Trees after Hurricane Ian](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/staking-windblown-trees-after-hurricane-ian/) - The amazing volunteer effort to stake and raise windblown trees at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian
- [EarthEcho Water Testing Training](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/earthecho-water-testing-training/) - On Saturday July 22, 2023, in partnership with Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, a team of Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers attended the EarthEcho Water Challenge water quality monitoring training. The training session trained and informed LBC citizen scientists on the
- [Lemon Baywatch Vertical Oyster Gardening Program](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch-vertical-oyster-gardening-program/) - Lemon Baywatch Vertical Oyster Gardening Program Sue Wills attended the first Vertical Oyster Garden Alliance meeting on July 21,2023. This new Alliance organized by Megan Barry, Public Outreach Manager of the Sarasota
- [The Flying Flowers of a NC Piedmont Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-flying-flowers-of-a-nc-piedmont-summer/) - July is a peak season for perennial flowers and flowering shrubs and is thus a great time to observe butterflies. I refer to butterflies as "flying flowers" since that is what they most resemble. Indeed many species are totally dependent on flowers for nectar (and pollen for bees) so that without a flower garden you
- [Englewood Dive Club Donation](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/englewood-dive-club-donation/) - Eva Furner, Lemon Bay Conservancy board member, accepts a donation from Stephanie Chlebowski, owner of Gaspar's Dive Shop. Stephanie presented the check on behalf of the Englewood Dive Club for use in LBC's Lemon BayWatch water quality initiatives which include sea grass monitoring, oyster gardens, and clam research. Thank you Englewood Dive Club for your
- [Sights and Signs of Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sights-and-signs-of-summer/) - Walking sticks, or stick insects, are a group of highly camouflaged insects. They typically escape predation by blending into plant material, but that was not the case as seen here on a bench at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. As their name suggests, they look just like sticks, and may even sway back and forth to
- [Continuing Hurricane Ian Recovery](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/continuing-hurricane-ian-recovery/) - We continue to work on Hurricane Ian recovery projects at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve.Thanks to persistent follow-up by volunteer Coke Wilson, we were able to get a fencing company onsite in July to complete repairs to the parking lot gates and fencing that were seriously damaged by the hurricane. Earlier this month, professional tree trimmers spent
- [Upcoming Events](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-events-2/) - Rock Painting Workshop: You are invited to join us for our ongoing rock painting series on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. This workshop will be held at the Sanctuary at Cape Haze Condominiums Clubhouse, located at 6610 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL throughout the summer months. We will provide paint,
- [The Labyrinth on the Hill - Gasparilla Magazine](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-labyrinth-on-the-hill-gasparilla-magazine/) - Source: Gasparilla Magazine, September/October 2023, Pages 66-67
- [Monitoring Report on 2022 Turtle Mound Plantings](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/monitoring-report-on-2022-turtle-mound-plantings/) - One year monitoring report on the 2022 plantings at Turtle Mound in Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve.
- [Water Quality Testing at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/water-quality-testing-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - In July, Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers marked the completion of our 12th year of water quality testing in the ponds and creek system at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Each month, conditions permitting, volunteers launch kayaks and collect water samples at 14 locations within 6 different freshwater ponds and 3 sites in the brackish waters of
- [Firebush Is A Prolific Pollinator](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/firebush-is-a-prolific-pollinator/) - Firebush is a perennial or semi-woody shrub that is known scientifically as Hamelia patens. The bright red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, including the zebra longwing and gulf fritillary butterflies, making it one of the most prolific pollinators at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. We love firebush because it produces flowers from late spring until the first
- [Butterfly and Wildlife Habitat Family Explore](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/butterfly-and-wildlife-habitat-family-explore/) - You are invited to join us as we launch the first session in a new series of "Family Explore" events on September 9th, 9 am at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood. September's program focuses on creating a habitat that supports butterflies and pollinators. We will be learning about “Pollinators” and why
- [Family Explore Program Begins at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/family-explore-program-begins-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - On Saturday September 9, 2023 the first session of the new "Family Explore" series was held at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. September's program focused on creating a habitat that supports butterflies and pollinators. Attendees gathered together to learn about “Pollinators” and why they are so vitally important. Participants created pollinator houses by using recycled tin
- [Beautyberry Season](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beautyberry-season/) - Though not very palatable to humans in their raw form, as they tend to be bitter, they can be cooked and sweetened to make jellies, sauces and even wines. Farmers and outdoor enthusiasts alike have been known to crush the leaves in order to repel mosquitoes and other biting bugs. Native American tribes
- [Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Training Session ](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/charlotte-harbor-estuaries-volunteer-water-quality-monitoring-training-session/) - The Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network is looking for volunteers to perform water testing at various sites within the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve. This monitoring project provides important data to state and local agencies regarding the health and safety of our local waters. Begun in 1996, the project is a cooperative effort
- [Rock Painting Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/rock-painting-workshop/) - You are invited to join us for our ongoing rock painting series on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please note: This workshop will be moving back to the outdoor classroom area in the meadow at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. We will
- [Labyrinth on the Hill Guided Monthly Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/labyrinth-on-the-hill-guided-monthly-walk/) - The Labyrinth on the Hill monthly guided walk is Wednesday September 20th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. Located at the top of a berm overlooking all four directions of the Preserve, the labyrinth offers walkers a winding, circular, path that leads participants to
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Volunteer Opportunities](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-volunteer-opportunities/) - Volunteer help is needed at LBC for a variety of ongoing projects. The Lemon Baywatch Committee is actively seeking volunteers for the vertical oyster garden and clam restoration projects. We need help soliciting restaurants, picking up oyster shells and delivering them to our designated curing area, drilling holes in the oyster shells for use
- [End of Summer Wonders of Nature, Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/end-of-summer-wonders-of-nature-haw-river-nc/) - The end of Summer is a bittersweet time for the naturalist. Most animals have stopped breeding, birds are hardly singing, many plants have finished blooming and are setting seeds, leaves are starting to drop, and the natural world is making the transition to Fall. But this is of course not a time to be gloomy
- [Video Redirect](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/video-redirect/) - Our apologies, the video for this special interest point is not yet available. If you'd like to see videos for other special interest points in this series, please go to: youtube.com/user/lemonbayconservancy or scan the QR code below.
- [Initial Report on 2023 Preserve Plantings](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/initial-report-on-2023-preserve-plantings/) - Volunteer Dana Houkal has prepared an initial draft report on the 2023 field plantings at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Twenty native species were planted in seven planting areas at the preserve at sites with varying soil moisture levels, from very dry conditions on Duckweed Mound to very moist conditions near Lemon Creek. Plantings were completed
- [Outdoor Classroom Bench Maintenance Project](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/outdoor-classroom-bench-maintenance-project/) - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Work Crew volunteers Lary Stuhlmiller and Dana Houkal cleaned the outdoor upper classroom area benches this past Saturday morning leaving them laid over on wooden 6x6s to dry out in preparation for a final staining to be completed later on this week. This task will take two to three, 2
- [Bird Feeder Monitoring At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/bird-feeder-monitoring-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - LBC volunteer Carolyn Presley is busy setting up the bird viewing area for the winter season. She has graciously volunteered to take the lead on filling the feeders, watering and general maintenance of the area as our birds begin actively using the feeder stations from October through May. Good quality feeders save not only
- [Volunteer Needs At Lemon Bay Conservancy](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/volunteer-needs-at-lemon-bay-conservancy/) - Volunteer help is needed at LBC for a variety of ongoing projects. Currently, the Butterfly Habitat at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is seeking volunteers to assist with planting, pruning, guided tours, educational outreach programming, lepidopterist duties, and native plant landscape design. If you would like to know more about becoming involved with these or any
- [General Guided Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/general-guided-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - You are invited to join Susy D'Hont for a guided walk on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 8:00 am. Participants will become fully immersed as they learn and encounter the ever changing natural sights at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. This is an ideal walk for everyone who is interested in becoming familiar with the various
- [A Last Look at Nature in Early Fall Along the Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-last-look-at-nature-in-early-fall-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - We are getting ready to migrate to FL along with some of the birds on Oct. 14. Since it is 42F outside at 7 AM as I write this on Oct. 9, I regret not leaving the Piedmont of NC earlier! Of course it can still be fairly warm in the early afternoon on
- [Purple Martin Monitors Needed](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/purple-martin-monitors-needed/) - In an effort to expand our purple martin colony at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve we are considering replacing some older materials, updating predator guards, and adding a new 24-gourd pole. Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteer Joe Gallagher has agreed to lead this effort and he is collaborating with Venice Area Audubon Society on the procedures that
- [LBC Joins The Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-joins-the-charlotte-harbor-estuaries-volunteer-water-quality-monitoring-network/) - Protecting and monitoring water quality for health ecosystems is a top priority for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which manages Florida's 42 aquatic preserves. Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves staff routinely monitors its living waters to ensure they will always be home for bird rookeries, fish nurseries, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests. Charlotte Harbor
- [Upcoming Free, Public Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve  Butterfly and Plant Tour ](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-free-public-events-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-butterfly-and-plant-tour/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden.
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Membership Making A Difference](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-membership-making-a-difference/) - Your ongoing support of Lemon Bay Conservancy through membership, donations and grant partnering directly funds our important environmental programs such as our new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, Point of Interest Sign Sponsors, The Friends of Purple Martins Project, and Giving Tuesday. When you become a member today, your membership will be valid until
- [Fall 2023 LBC Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2023-lbc-newsletter/) - News from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve hurricane recovery and news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives, tarpon research, volunteer profiles and more!
- [Lemon BayWatch News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch-news/) - Lemon BayWatch Guided Paddle Tours For LBC Members These dates mark the beginning of our new guided paddle series. They will be offered November 6th and November 13th, 2023 at Indian Mound Park in Englewood. Launch is scheduled for 9:30 am prompt, please be sure to arrive on time. These paddles are the first in
- [Upcoming Free Public Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-free-public-events-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. Rock Painting Workshop You are invited to join us for a rock garden painting session on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm at the outdoor classroom area in the meadow. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage, and
- [LBC Tarpon Program Partner FWC Awarded NOAA RESTORE Grant ](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-tarpon-program-partner-fwc-awarded-noaa-restore-grant/) - For a number of years Lemon Bay Conservancy has partnered with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) in juvenile tarpon research efforts. Our monthly net pulls take place during the winter months in the small tidal ponds on the western side of the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. We are delighted to share the news that
- [Renew Your Lemon Bay Conservancy Membership Today](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/renew-your-lemon-bay-conservancy-membership-today/) - Not yet a member? It’s a great time to join. Lemon Bay Conservancy membership renewal for the 2023/2024 season is now underway. Please be sure that your membership is up to date. If you are unsure of your current status, please contact the office at 941-830-8922 and Debbie will be glad to assist you. Through
- [Lemon BayWatch News And Review](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch-news-and-review/) - LBC Members Attend Mangrove Management Class LBC Lemon BayWatch team members Jane Collingwood, Beth McKinley and Janda Hefner were among the many interested citizens who attended the mangrove management training program sponsored by UF/IFAS Sea Grant Charlotte County Extension at the Cedar Point Environmental Center on October 23rd. Sea Grant agents Armando Ubeda and Ayssa
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Guided Kayak Tour News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-guided-kayak-tour-news/) - LBC Guided Kayak Tours Are Now Underway On November 6th, LBC kayakers had a great day out on the water in Lemon Bay. Volunteer tour guide Charlie Woodruff expertly scouted out both migratory and shore birds along the route. Paddlers collaborated together on their experience with Sea Grant and the Eyes on Seagrass program creating
- [Upcoming Free Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-free-events-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - Upcoming Free, Public Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. Butterfly and Plant Tour Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat on Thursday, November 9 , 2023 at 9:00 am meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us
- [Returning to Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/returning-to-florida/) - After we have been away from our Florida property for six months, it with some uncertainty that we return to a place which we have ignored for so long. Although the grass gets cut occasionally, little else has been done to this yard which had suffered so much damage from the recent hurricane. But
- [The Nature of November in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-nature-of-november-in-sw-florida/) - Rainbows are ephemeral and rarely seen, especially during the dry season, so this double circular rainbow seen on Nov. 15 to the east from our dock was a special treat. Hurricanes are more of a "trick" than a treat and can of course be very destructive. The latest hurricane Idalia which passed us by off
- [Lemon BayWatch WaterFest Wrap-Up](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch-waterfest-wrap-up/) - The Lemon BayWatch team spent Saturday and Sunday Nov. 18-19 at the Family Conservation Center at Englewood Beach WaterFest promoting Lemon Bay Conservancy’s four major water quality initiatives. Our display featured the “One Dock at a Time” oyster gardening program, water quality monitoring training for citizen scientists, the “Eyes on Seagrass” program, and
- [Results Are In From The First Juvenile Tarpon Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/results-are-in-from-the-first-juvenile-tarpon-pull/) - Fourteen LBC Juvenile Tarpon Pull volunteers met at the small pond at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve on Saturday November 18, 2023 where the team netted and counted a total of 20 tarpon. The second net pull at the big pond yielded quite a bit less - a small snook, some mullet and a
- [Upcoming Guided Kayak Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-guided-kayak-tour/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy invites all LBC members and accompanying guest to join our paddle team for the next guided paddle tour in Lemon Bay. This guided paddle will be on December 4, 2023 at Oyster Creek Boat Ramp Placida Road. Launch is scheduled for 9:30 am prompt, please be sure to arrive on time.
- [2024 LBC Membership Renewal](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2024-lbc-membership-renewal/) - In addition to the special donation opportunity above, we continue to ask everyone to join or renew your LBC membership for 2024! As you've seen in past emails and newsletters, and as described in news updates below, our volunteer run organization is involved in many important environmental projects. We need your help to
- [Upcoming Free Public Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-free-public-events-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-2/) - Rock Painting Workshop You are invited to join us for a rock garden painting session on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm at the outdoor classroom area in the meadow at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge
- [Giving Tuesday Special Donation Challenge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/giving-tuesday-special-donation-challenge/) - Giving Tuesday is a worldwide giving day on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. An anonymous LBC donor has issued a special matching challenge for this year's Giving Tuesday to help us fund three special LBC projects: the Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series facility and speaker expenses, 25 new educational signs for Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, and new purple martin colony poles and
- [The Nature of Florida as Winter Approaches](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-nature-of-florida-as-winter-approaches/) - Although the first day of Winter is not until Dec. 21, we have had some very warm and some very cool days and nights in November. This must be a shock to our local plants and animals although it is fairly normal for this time of year. It may explain why so few native
- [LBC Giving Tuesday Donation Results](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-giving-tuesday-donation-results/) - We started Giving Tuesday with $725 in donations and ended the day at $4,880, with our matching donor agreeing to raise their original commitment and match every dollar 1:1! Thanks to you and your fellow LBC supporters, the grand total for this special campaign is $9,760. These donations will fund three special LBC projects: the Lemon
- [Lemon BayWatch Volunteer Water Monitoring Training Session](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch-volunteer-water-monitoring-training-session/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers who are wishing to take part in the Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Water Quality Monitoring Program managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are invited to attend a basic training program to be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at Cedar Point Environmental Center, 2300
- [December Juvenile Tarpon Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/december-juvenile-tarpon-pull/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, we will conduct our next Tarpon pull event on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 8:00 am. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located
- [2024 Annual LBC Membership Renewal](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2024-annual-lbc-membership-renewal/) - We continue to ask everyone to join or renew your LBC membership for 2024! As you've seen in past emails and newsletters, and as described in current news updates, our volunteer run organization is involved in many important environmental projects. We need your support to continue our work! If you haven't already done so, please
- [Upcoming Guided Kayak Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-guided-kayak-tour-2/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy invites all LBC members and accompanying guests to join our paddle team for a guided paddle tour in Lemon Bay. This guided paddle will be on December 18, 2023 at Oyster Creek Boat Ramp on Placida Road. Launch is scheduled for 9:30 am prompt, please be sure to arrive on time. This kayak
- [Upcoming Free, Public Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-free-public-events-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-3/) - Upcoming Free, Public Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. Butterfly and Plant Tour Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat on Thursday, December 14 , 2023 at 9:00 am meeting at the Members entrance area at the
- ["World Wide Labyrinth Day" - Baylor University Research Study](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/world-wide-labyrinth-day-baylor-university-research-study/) - Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1232784/full
- [Nature Shines Just as Fall Expires](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-shines-just-as-fall-expires/) - Late Fall is a time of minimal wild flowers in bloom perhaps due to the relative lack of pollinators available. But I did recently find a few flowers of considerable beauty enhanced by their scarcity. Yellow buttons aka Balduina are fairly abundant in Oyster Creek/Ann Dever Park in areas where long leaf
- [New Freshwater Wetland Plants Video](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/new-freshwater-wetland-plants-video/) - The latest video installment in our Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve special interest point series is on freshwater wetland plants. Improving water quality in the wetlands at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve was a major objective of the preserve restoration project completed by LBC, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and NOAA. Our volunteer team has created a
- [Mangrove Chapter Native Plant Society Presentation](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mangrove-chapter-native-plant-society-presentation/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy and select other 2022-23 grant recipients presented their completed projects at the Mangrove Chapter FNPS membership meeting on December 12, 2023, detailing implementation of the awarded grant funds. Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver highlighted the improvements made with the native plantings grant at the Lemon Creek Wildflower
- [Congratulations To James Ash On Becoming An Eagle Scout](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/congratulations-to-james-ash-on-becoming-an-eagle-scout/) - As his Eagle Service Project toward attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, James Ash, from Scout Troup 26 in Englewood, placed a turtle basking platform in Hosman Pond at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The platform allows turtles to climb out of the water and bask in the sun. It also provides preserve visitors opportunities
- [2024 Annual LBC Membership Renewal Reminder](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2024-annual-lbc-membership-renewal-reminder/) - As you have seen in past emails and newsletters, and as described in our current news updates, our volunteer run organization is involved in many important environmental projects. We rely on your support to continue our work! If you haven't already done so, please check to be sure that your membership is up to date.
- [Nature Notes By Bill Dunson](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-notes-by-bill-dunson/) - Dr. Bill Dunson is a long-time member of our LBC volunteer family. His volunteer roles include leading guided walks, providing project planning recommendations, and writing "Nature Notes" articles for our website. Bill is Professor Emeritus of Pennsylvania State University thanks to a career spent entirely at that institution, teaching and doing research on the
- [Upcoming Free Public Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-free-public-events-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-4/) - Rock Painting Workshop You are invited to join us for a rock garden painting session on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm at the outdoor classroom area in the meadow at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage, and several different types of acrylic pens for group
- [LBC Members Kayak Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-members-kayak-tour/) - Free eco-kayak tours for Lemon Bay Conservancy members will resume in January. Join paddle team members Charlie Woodruff, Jayne Dean and Beth McKinley as they explore the ecology of Lemon Bay and its fascinating shoreline habitats. The next tour is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, beginning at 9:30 a.m., departing from Lemon Bay Park and Environment
- [SW Florida Nature in December 2023](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sw-florida-nature-in-december-2023/) - With all the talk about global warming and sea level rise it was interesting to have a very high tide on the morning of Dec. 17, 2023. The photos of our backyard and dock underwater and a flooded street on the southern end of Manasota Key were not taken at the extreme upper
- [Vertical Oyster Gardening Workshops](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/vertical-oyster-gardening-workshops/) - The LBC Lemon BayWatch “One Dock at a Time” program to promote vertical oyster gardening is gearing up to begin assembling oyster strands that will be hung from docks on the Lemon Bay waterfront. Oyster team coordinator Sue Wills will present an oyster gardening information session on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Lemon Creek Wildflower
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Heron Auction](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-heron-auction/) - You can enjoy this handsome Great Blue Heron at your home for an entire year! Each year since 2008, this statue of the Conservancy mascot has been made available to migrate from home to home. Our heron can nest with you starting in February 2024! All it takes is a significant donation! This beautiful sculpture is
- [Water Quality Monitoring News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/water-quality-monitoring-news/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is participating in the Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network (CHEVWQMN) that is sponsored by the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection. Lemon Bay is situated within the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve, one of a network of six aquatic preserves in SW Florida that fall under state and federal protection.
- [LBC Members Eco Kayak Tour News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-members-eco-kayak-tour-news/)
- [Upcoming Free, Public Events At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/upcoming-free-public-events-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-5/) - Be sure to check our website calendar for more details on January programs and events or simply click the links here: Guided Walk On January 5, 2024 Oyster Gardening Workshop January 6, 2024 Butterfly Habitat Walk January 11, 2024 Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 101 Walking Tour January 16, 2024 Guided Tour On Succession At Wildflower
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Volunteer Opportunities](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-volunteer-opportunities-2/) - We are excited to announce that the Lemon Bay Conservancy is growing, and we are pleased to invite you to join one or more of our volunteer groups. If you are looking for a rewarding and fulfilling volunteer opportunity, please consider joining us. As a team member you will be part of a group of
- [One Charlotte One Water](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/one-charlotte-one-water/) - Charlotte County staff are hosting a town hall meeting on January 31st . Your input and voice as an individual stakeholder, along with others, has immense power to influence decisions, policies, and initiatives that can spark real change towards cleaner water throughout and beyond the coastlines of Charlotte County and Lemon Bay. County staff will
- [VOGs Installed At Farlows On The Water](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/vogs-installed-at-farlows-on-the-water/) - Thank you to Keith and Laurie Farlow for supporting our Vertical Oyster Garden water quality initiative with the placement of VOGs along the Farlows restaurant dock. The oyster gardens join mini-reefs previously placed under the docks to help sustain and protect our ecosystems, and continue the Farlows' long standing commitment to our beautiful environment!
- [VOG Installation Request](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/vog-request/) - Please click on this link to request vertical oyster gardens for your dock: LBC Oyster Garden Request Form
- [Oyster Gardening is coming to Englewood!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/oyster-gardening-is-coming-to-englewood/) - Free Vertical Oyster Gardens that can help improve water quality in Lemon Bay are now available.
- [Host The LBC Heron Auction-You Can Bid Even if You Can't Attend the Live Auction!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/host-the-lbc-heron-auction-you-can-bid-even-if-you-cant-attend-the-live-auction/) - You can enjoy this handsome Great Blue Heron at your home for an entire year! Each year since 2008, this statue of the Conservancy mascot has been made available to migrate from home to home. Our heron can nest with you starting in February 2024! All it takes is a significant donation! The heron will find it's
- [Join Us For Our Annual Meeting & Coastal Seminar Series Kickoff](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/join-us-for-our-annual-meeting-coastal-seminar-series-kickoff/) - Please mark your calendars to join us on Thursday, January 25th, as we hold our Annual Meeting and kickoff the 2024 Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series with a presentation by Tonya Wiley, from Havenworth Coastal Conservation, on “The Endangered Sawfish of Florida: Past, Present, and Future”. The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. with refreshments and opportunities to talk with
- [Winter Tightens its Grip on Nature in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-tightens-its-grip-on-nature-in-sw-florida/) - In middle January we have had some very cool nights and windy days as weather fronts approach and pass by. This has a significant effect on animals that must be warm to forage such as most butterflies, and on the flowering of native plants. Some exceptions are willows which are now in flower and
- [February Oyster Workshop at LCWP](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/february-oyster-workshop-at-lcwp/) - LBC members and friends are invited to join Vertical Oyster Garden team leader Sue Wills and her oyster shell volunteers at 9:00 am. Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve for an informative program on the science of oyster gardening, the history of the shellfish in Lemon Bay and how the “One Dock
- [Annual Meeting & Coastal Seminar Series Kickoff Recap](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/annual-meeting-coastal-seminar-series-kickoff-recap/) - On Thursday, January 25th, as we held our Annual Meeting and launched the 2024 Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series. LBC members voted to elect five new board members: Allen Richards, Barbara LaCorte, Rob Robbins, Diane Coll, and Lary Stuhlmiller to serve on the board. Long term LBC president Jim Cooper has moved on to serve
- [Purple Martin Project Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/purple-martin-project-update/)
- [Rookery Island Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/rookery-island-update/)
- [Mid-Winter Nature Dazzles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mid-winter-nature-dazzles/) - Sunrises are each different and I never tire of watching the sun come up across Lemon Bay beyond our dock. A complex combination of clouds/weather and atmospheric dust determine the colors and intensity, but do not blink or you might miss the best part! Our dock is also a great place to study mangroves.
- [Our New 2024 Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/announcing-our-new-2024-lemon-bay-coastal-seminar-series/)
- [Feb. 24 "Open House" at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2024openhouse/) - The free, public Open House at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, scheduled for February 24, 2024, will include guided trail walks, displays by local environmental groups and hands-on environmental activities. Come for a visit!
- [Winter Doldrums Not a Problem for Nature Lovers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-doldrums-not-a-problem-for-nature-lovers/) - You might think that mid-winter in SW FL would be rather bleak but such is not the case. Although few native flowers are blooming, insect pollinators are scarce, and birds are limited to permanent and winter residents, there are still plenty of interesting natural events to witness. An extreme example is shown of camellias in
- [AquaLab Tours At Lemon Bay High School](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/aqualab-tours-at-lemon-bay-high-school/) - Dive into Lemon Bay! Explore the hidden wonders of our coast at an exclusive open house of the AquaLab at Lemon Bay High School on Friday March 15th with afternoon tours available at 1, 1:30, and 2 PM. AquaLab is a one-of-a-kind living laboratory that serves as the centerpiece of Lemon Bay High School’s marine
- [Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series: Blooms of Blue-green Algae and Red Tide in South Florida ](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-coastal-seminar-series-blooms-of-blue-green-algae-and-red-tide-in-south-florida/) - Join us for a free talk featuring Dr. Larry Brand, a distinguished researcher and professor at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School, as he discusses "Blooms of Blue-green Algae and Red Tide in South Florida" on Thursday, March 14th at the Cape Haze Community Center. Southwest Florida's beautiful waters are our lifeblood. But red tide
- [Recent LBC Events Recap](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/recent-lbc-events-recap/) - Our Annual Open House at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve was held on February 24th. LBC hosted close to 200 visitors at this year's event, which included walks, talks, and displays by local environmental groups. Attendees stopped by to enjoy learning about our environment and enjoying the beauty of the preserve on a beautiful February
- [March Eco-Kayak Tours for LBC Members](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/march-eco-kayak-tours-for-lbc-members/) - LBC members and your accompanying guests are invited to join our March paddle tours! All paddle tours will take place on Mondays. They will be conducted at a moderate pace and take approximately 2-2.5 hours. Please arrive 30 minutes before launch time to register. March 4: 9:30 a.m. Don Pedro State Park, 8450 Placida
- [Spring Creeps in Gradually in SW FL](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-creeps-in-gradually-in-sw-fl/) - Spring is of course an astronomical phenomenon but in eastern N America we think of it more as an event announced by the flowering of certain woodland ephemeral plants or the calls of breeding frogs. But of course it is not a single event but a process spread out over many weeks. In Florida we
- [Eyes On Seagrass - April 13th](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/eyes-on-seagrass-april-13th/) - LEMON BAYWATCH UF/IFAS Extension SEA GRANT Program Eyes On Seagrass Invites You To Become a citizen Scientist for a Day! 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024 Cedar Point Environmental Center 2300 Placida Rd., Englewood, FL 34224 Sea grass is essential for a healthy marine environment. It is the food source and habitat
- [The Roles of Fire and Water As Major Determinants of Habitat Types in SW FL](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-roles-of-fire-and-water-as-major-determinants-of-habitat-types-in-sw-fl/) - In many parts of Florida fire is considered to be the major factor that determines the types of habitats that county, state and federal land managers hope to maintain. While there is some truth to this notion, what many fail to acknowledge is that fire dominated habitats are not the natural climax
- [J.McLaughlin Sip & Shop for LBC on March 28th](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/j-mclaughlin-sip-shop-for-lbc-on-march-28th/) - On Thursday, March 28th, from noon to 4, enjoy light sips and bites while you shop. 15% of Sales will benefit The Lemon Bay Conservancy. J. McLaughlin's is located at 360 Park Avenue, Boca Grande, FL. Check out the spring fashions and support LBC!
- [Late March & April Eco-Kayak Tours for LBC Members](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/late-march-april-eco-kayak-tours-for-lbc-members/) - LBC members and your accompanying guests are invited to join our March paddle tours! The tours will be conducted at a moderate pace and take approximately 2-2.5 hours. Please arrive 30 minutes before launch time to register. March 25: 9:30 a.m. Indian Mound Park, 210 Winson Ave., Englewood, FL Explore the mangroves and seagrass areas
- [Free Vertical Oyster Gardens Available](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/free-vertical-oyster-gardens-available/) - The Lemon BayWatch Team of Lemon Bay Conservancy is pursuing their goal of improving the water quality of Lemon Bay through the use of vertical oyster gardens. The Lemon BayWatch “Oyster Ambassadors” will be on site at WATERWAYS Paddlesports, 501 W. Dearborn Street, Englewood, FL 34223 every Thursday, through April, 25, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
- [Presentation: "Roseate Spoonbills In Florida Bay – A Pink Canary in a Coal Mine"](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/presentation-roseate-spoonbills-in-florida-bay-a-pink-canary-in-a-coal-mine/) - “Roseate Spoonbills In Florida Bay – A Pink Canary in a Coal Mine” – Dr. Jerry Lorenz, State Director of Research, Florida Audubon is our featured speaker for the month of April. On April 11th, Dr. Jerry Lorenz, State Research Director for Audubon Florida presents Roseate spoonbill effect of water management practices on Florida Bay by
- [Springtime Nature in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/springtime-nature-in-sw-florida/) - Now that we are clearly into springtime (I am writing this on March 26 with spring arriving March 19), various new natural events are occurring that mark the warming temperatures. The blooming of lupines and tar flowers in scrubby pine flatwoods habitat is a momentous occasion for these are beautiful and interesting
- [Arbor Day, April 26th:  50 Free Trees Distributed!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/arbor-day-free-tree/) - Update: We are delighted to report that all of the 50 free trees that were available for Arbor Day planting have been picked up! If you were no the wait list and did not receive a call, unfortunately we cannot accommodate your request this year. We hope to repeat the free tree giveaway again next
- [The 2024 Giving Challenge:  Thank You To All Our Contributors!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-2024-giving-challenge-support-lbc-and-triple-your-gift/) - Support LBC during the 2024 Giving Challenge on April 9-10 and triple the value of your gift!
- [The Avian Trans-Gulf Migrants Are Here!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-avian-trans-gulf-migrants-are-here/) - We continue to have some very beautiful sunrises and this was the view April 6 from my bedroom window. It is hard to get up on the "wrong side of bed" when this panorama is in front of you! One beautiful spring flower is the prickly pear cactus which has a very
- [Coastal Water Quality: The Roles of Septic Systems, Advanced Water Treatment, Reclaimed Water, and Stormwater](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/safeguarding-our-coastal-waters-understanding-how-septic-systems-advanced-water-treatment-plants-and-reclaimed-water-can-impact-water-quality/) - Join us for a free talk on May 8th as University of Florida professor Dr. Mary Lusk discusses how different water sources can influence our coastal water quality. The seminar will cover: Septic systems: Friend or foe? Unveiling the hidden impacts on our coastal waters. Advanced Wastewater Treatment: Exploring innovative solutions for cleaner, healthier ecosystems.
- [Plein Air Painters Visit the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/plein-air-painters-visit-the-preserve/) - With coordination by LBC member Susan Hoffman, the Peace River Painters visited Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve on April 29th and enjoyed a beautiful morning painting in the delightful spring weather. The artists shared three of their paintings, shown below, for us to enjoy. If you'd like to know more about the group, you can reach
- [LBC Awards Environmental Scholarship](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-awards-environmental-scholarship/) - At the 2024 Lemon Bay High School Senior Scholarship Night, Lemon Bay Conservancy President Irene Slattery was pleased to award the LBC Elsie Bracken Environmental Science Scholarship to graduating senior Leandra Allbrook. This scholarship is awarded annually to an LBHS senior who demonstrates interest in conservation and the environment, and who plans to pursue a
- [A Return to Haw River in May, 2024](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-return-to-haw-river-in-may-2024/) - We arrived back in NC from our six months stay in SW FL the end of April. Early Spring nature happenings are long finished but there are many interesting ecological events in process. The river itself at a low base flow level can be very serene and beautiful. Yet rainfall in the watershed can turn
- [Our New Office Manager:  Cyndi Fredricks](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/our-new-office-manager-cyndi-fredricks/) - We are pleased to announce that Cyndi Fredricks has joined LBC as our new Office Manager. A native of western New York, Cyndi has lived in Englewood for the past 9 years and prior to that time was a frequent visitor, having family living here. Before moving to Englewood, Cyndi was the Director of The
- [Seagrass Monitoring is Underway](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/seagrass-monitoring-is-underway/) - The Lemon Bay Conservancy seagrass monitoring teams, LBC SEAGRASS and Happy Manatees 3, have recently completed their spring monitoring assignments. Each team was responsible for monitoring the health of the seagrass at three of six sites in Lemon Bay. The teams collected samples of the seagrasses, biotica (the marine growth clinging to the grasses) and
- [Paddling to the LBC islands](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/paddling-to-the-lbc-islands/) - On April 21st, Lemon Bay Conservancy paddlers Charlie Woodruff and Beth McKinley led a tour to Buttonwood and Rookery Islands to visit the first properties to be conserved by LBC over 50 years ago. Paddlers were treated to close-up encounters with a young manatee, several dolphins, and a green heron. Observing numerous sheepshead and snook
- [Earth Day Oyster Gardeners](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/earth-day-oyster-gardeners/) - On April 22nd, Lemon BayWatch Committee members Jane Collingwood and Sue Wills presented oyster gardening to attendees at the Earth Day celebration at Cedar Point Environmental Center. Participants were invited to string oyster shells on marine wire to create vertical oyster gardens that can be attached to docks along the waterfront to help grow new
- [The Labyrinth on the Hill - Englewood Review](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-labyrinth-on-the-hill-englewood-review/) - Source: Englewood Review, May 5, 2023, Cover and pages 18-19
- [World Labyrinth Day Big Connection 3.0 (May 6, 2023)](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/world-labyrinth-day-big-connection/) - On World Labyrinth Day, May 6th, 2023, labyrinth walkers all over the world will be participating in a research study to explore the collective power of heart centered energy with focused intention.
- [Nature in Late Spring Along the Haw River NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-in-late-spring-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - Spring comes in many guises in the Piedmont lowlands of NC. It may be the passage of migratory birds, or the calling of frogs of different species, or the awakening of many life histories of animals and plants quiescent during the winter. But in stark contrast to our SW Florida winter home (where April is
- [Calling All LBC Citizen Scientists](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calling-all-lbc-citizen-scientists/) - The Florida Sea Grant program “Eyes On Seagrass” is gearing up for the summer seagrass monitoring period. Volunteers are needed for the important task of observing and documenting seagrass conditions in Charlotte County waters and Lemon Bay. Volunteers and volunteer boat captains are encouraged to attend the seagrass monitoring training program on June 24, 2023
- [Oyster Gardens at Manasota Beach Club](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/11178-2/) - Manasota Beach Club's oyster garden installation As part of our “One Dock at a Time” campaign to improve water quality, on May 3, 2023, LBC Lemon BayWatch team completed the installation of a vertical oyster garden at the Manasota Beach Club on Manasota Key. An oyster garden installation includes strands of oyster shells threaded on stainless wire and suspended
- [Finger Labyrinth Designs](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/finger-labyrinth-designs/) - These finger labyrinth designs can be printed for your use at home.
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/volunteer-work-crew/) - You are invited to join our volunteer work crew at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Volunteers are needed for planting, watering, mowing, general maintenance tasks, and participation in various ongoing projects. During the summer, crew members will meet on Tuesday/Thursday from 7am to 10am now through the end of August. For further information contact our office
- [Wildlife Gardening in May Along the Haw River, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildlife-gardening-in-may-along-the-haw-river-nc/) - My philosophy of gardening has gradually morphed over the years from selecting plants that primarily please me to instead selecting almost entirely those plants that benefit wildlife, specifically birds and pollinating insects (especially butterflies and bees). I initially try to find native plants that will supply nectar, pollen, fruit and leaves (for larval butterflies) for
- [FWC Reminds Boaters: Use Caution after Hurricane Ian](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fwc-reminds-boaters-use-caution-after-hurricane-ian/) - In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the focus of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) remains on search and rescue, cleanup, and the safety of Florida’s residents and visitors. The FWC reminds boaters across the state that the scope of the storm was large and affected both coastal and inland waterways. Some areas
- [Hurricane Clean-up Morning - December 10th](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/hurricane-clean-up-morning-december-10th/) - Please help! Volunteer Hurricane Cleanup Morning, Saturday, December 10, at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve.
- [Tarpon Net Pull set for December 17th](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-net-pull/) - Hi, Tarpon net pull volunteers. We have been active in assessing the state of the tarpon ponds at the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Last week a small group visited the ponds along with Kelly Chase, a representative from Florida Fish & Wildlife. We launched the Jon boat in the larger of the two ponds to
- [Local environmental groups help clear waterways of Hurricane Ian debris in Englewood and Lemon Bay](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/local-environmental-groups-help-clear-waterways-of-hurricane-ian-debris-in-englewood-and-lemon-bay/) - ENGLEWOOD, Fla. - When Hurricane Ian destroyed homes along Florida's gulf coast, all that debris went everywhere, including into the water. In Englewood, scrap metal, parts of roofs and so much more are still visible in the water.
- [Fall 2022 LBC Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2022-newsletter/) - News from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Hurricane Ian recovery updates.
- [POST IAN WATERWAYS CLEAN-UP](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/post-ian-waterways-clean-up/) - AGENDA & INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cleanup Assignments 2. Geotagging items using #EyesontheSuncoast 3. Safety & Grab Supplies 9:30- 12:30 CLEAN UP ASSISGNMENTS Jon boat - Receive canal assignment. Pick up trash and shuttle trash from kayaks to canal specific trash drop -off location. Kayaks - Receive canal assignment. Pick up trash and pass off bulky
- [Life Endures After the Storm](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/life-endures-after-the-storm/) - Life in our area of SW Florida changed dramatically on Sept. 28, 2022, when hurricane Ian passed though (slowly). It came from the Gulf into Charlotte Harbor and moved to the interior. It was listed as a category four but winds were even higher. Fortunately for our Englewood area the eye of the hurricane
- [Walk the walk - two new labyrinths in southwest Florida await you](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/walk-the-walk-two-new-labyrinths-in-southwest-florida-await-you/) - Source: Lucy Tobias, Wednesday Notes, January 18, 2023
- [Preserve Reopening for LBC Members: January 28](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/preserve-reopening-for-lbc-members-january-28/) - Our LBC volunteers continue to do incredible work on hurricane clean-up at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. While we still have more to do, we are excited to announce that the Preserve is reopening for LBC member access on Saturday, January 28th! Beginning on the 28th, 2023 LBC members and your accompanying guests may visit the
- [Feb. 11 "Open House" at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2023openhouse/) - Open House: Saturday – February 11, 2023, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to join us for a free, public "Open House" at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, February 11th. The Preserve is an 80-acre former golf course that has been restored as a nature preserve. Come explore the preserve
- [LBC Annual Meeting:  Protecting Water Quality in Our Bays](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-annual-meeting-protecting-water-quality-in-our-bays/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy will hold our Annual Meeting on Monday, January 30th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Cape Haze Community Center located at 155 Spaniards Rd., Cape Haze, FL 33946. After a short business meeting and LBC news updates, we’ll introduce our guest speaker, Ronda Ryan, Executive Director of Sarasota Bay Watch. Ronda will
- [LBC Named Non-Profit of the Year!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-named-non-profit-of-the-year/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy has been named the Englewood Chamber of Commerce's 2022 Nonprofit of the Year!
- [Wildflower Preserve Blooms Again](https://www.yoursun.com/englewood/news/wildflower-preserve-blooms-again/article_89470874-a65e-11ed-bf27-abeeb59f11ba.html) - (For subscribers) Lemon Creek Wildlife Preserve volunteers Dana Houkal and Lucia Schatteleyn stake up recently planted trees blown over by Hurricane Ian.
- [A Great Day at the Open House!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-great-day-at-the-open-house/) - The Lemon Creek Wildlife Preserve "Open House" was a fun-filled event for more than 250 visitors.
- [Early Spring on the Haw River in North Carolina](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-spring-on-the-haw-river-in-north-carolina/) - We spend most of our winters in SW FL, but this year we were at our new nature preserve along the Haw River in Graham, NC, Feb. 7-16, 2023. We were attending a "white coat ceremony" for our grandson Blake at Wake Forest Medical School and closing on an additional piece of property purchased that
- [Fire and Drought Affect Nature in SW FL During the Dry Season](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fire-and-drought-affect-nature-in-sw-fl-during-the-dry-season/) - In middle to late March weather conditions in SW FL are becoming very dry. There is very little rain (April is the driest month) and the temperatures are rising into the 80's regularly during the daytime. This causes obvious desiccation stress to plants and animals under natural conditions. There are also the
- [Paddling News 3/27/23](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/paddling-news-3-27-23/) - Calling All Kayakers! In partnership with Keep Charlotte Beautiful’s Great American Clean-Up Campaign, Lemon BayWatch Committee members Beth McKinley, Charlie Woodruff and Jayne Dean will be spearheading another kayak clean-up effort this Friday, March 31st at Butterford Waterways Park, 13555 Marathon Boulevard, Port Charlotte, FL 33981. Boats will launch at 8:00 a.m. and finish at
- [Earth Day Kayak Ecotour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/earth-day-kayak-ecotour/) - Calling all LBC Kayakers and Friends! Celebrate an early Earth Day on April 21st with a guided tour to Buttonwood and Rookery Islands -- the first properties to be acquired and protected by Lemon Bay Conservancy in 1971. These mangrove islands are located to the north of Whidden Key in the Intracoastal Waterway. Your guides
- [Seafood Safety from the Florida Department of Health](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/seafood-safety-from-the-florida-department-of-health/) - Know the few precautions you should take while enjoying the best Florida has to offer. Check local Fish Advisories and monitor the local shellfish harvesting statuses to get the latest information concerning the health and safety of Florida seafood.
- [We’re Cleaning Up Again!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/were-cleaning-up-again/) - The Lemon BayWatch Committee is joining Keep Charlotte Beautiful and Volunteers of Stump Pass in a beach and water clean-up event on Saturday, April 29th from 8:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. at Stump Pass Beach Park, 900 Gulf Blvd, Englewood. We will need volunteers both in the water and on the shore to help remove
- [Ongoing Tarpon Research April Results](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/ongoing-tarpon-research-april-results/) - We concluded our monthly, seasonal tarpon research on April 15 with a very exciting morning. Once each month since November, we've had up to 40 volunteers come out on Saturday mornings to assist with this interesting research, including 4 scientists from Florida Fish & Wildlife (FWC). On the 15th, we had 19 volunteers and they
- [POST HURRICANE GUIDED WALK – THROUGH THE EYE OF THE STORM –](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/post-hurricane-guided-walk-through-the-eye-of-the-storm/) - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is currently closed due to damage and debris from Hurricane Ian. However, we are offering a special opportunity on November 12th and November 26th to join a guided nature walk to explore the Preserve and witness the ecological impact of a category 4 hurricane on our subtropical environment. Trail conditions are rough.
- [The Realm of the Golden Leather Fern- Myakka Islands Pt](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-realm-of-the-golden-leather-fern-myakka-islands-pt/) - Myakka Islands Point is a 100 acre park that is just over the border from Charlotte County in Sarasota County FL along the eastern bank of the Myakka River. It is a very interesting mixture of distinctly different terrestrial, brackish, and salt water habitats. The salt and brackish water marshes are maintained by periodic
- [Spring Wildflowers on the Gordon Smith Trail](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-wildflowers-on-the-gordon-smith-trail/) - If you are familiar with the annual spring wildflower extravaganza in the eastern US, which is especially prominent in the mountains of the Blue Ridge, you may have enjoyed the remarkable displays of dogwoods, rhododendrons, azaleas, and amazingly beautiful flowers that bloom every year. Now while Florida is a land of many flowers, it does
- [Halophytes Galore at Don Pedro Island State Park/Mainland](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/halophytes-galore-at-don-pedro-island-state-park-mainland/) - Don Pedro Island State Park on the Cape Haze Peninsula, Charlotte County, FL, is not a high profile natural area. If people know anything about it they would think that it is simply a mainland gateway to the island park and a convenient place to rent and launch kayaks. However it is much more as
- [Red Bug Slough: An Urban Cornucopia of Dragonflies and Nature](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/red-bug-slough-an-urban-cornucopia-of-dragonflies-and-nature/) - If you must be in the city of Sarasota for some reason and need to find an escape from the traffic and the built environment, try stopping at a park named Red Bug Slough which is on Beneva between Clark and Proctor Roads. This urban park is remarkable for the number of wild
- [Some Natural Wonders of Bass Lake/Heart Pond, Blue Ridge Parkway](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/some-natural-wonders-of-bass-lake-heart-pond-blue-ridge-parkway/) - Bass Lake (and adjacent Heart Pond and an extensive network of trails) are part of Moses Cone Memorial Park within the Blue Ridge Parkway. As such it receives numerous visitors who walk, often with their dogs, ride horses in places, fish, picnic, and generally do what people do at a popular park near Blowing Rock,
- [Elsie Bracken Environmental Science Scholarship](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/elsie-bracken-environmental-science-scholarship/) - The Lemon Bay Conservancy is proud to award our 2021 LBC Elsie Bracken Environmental Science Scholarship to Lemon Bay High School graduating senior Talon Bottenfield! Talon met the required award criteria of participating in local environmental projects, demonstrate an interest in conservation and the environment, and who plans to pursue a degree and career in
- [Net Pull for Juvenile Tarpon](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/net-pull-for-juvenile-tarpon/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) is proud and happy to report that our May 15, 2021 Net Pull for Juvenile Tarpon was a surprisingly great success. We measured, counted and safely returned 46 healthy Juvenile Tarpon. Which according to our professional scientific research partners at Florida Fish and Wildlife means there were most likely in excess
- [The Butterflies are Back in the Blue Ridge Mountains in middle June](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-butterflies-are-back-in-the-blue-ridge-mountains-in-middle-june/) - In middle June in the area near Boone NC the butterflies have suddenly been appearing in larger numbers when the weather is suitable (warm and sunny). The most common large butterfly near our house at about 3400 feet elevation is the great spangled fritillary. It is very active seeking out flowers of many different
- [Sea turtles rushing the beaches](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sea-turtles-rushing-the-beaches/) - ENGLEWOOD — The numbers suggest this year might be a robust year for sea turtle nesting on local barrier islands.“We’re just in peak nesting season now,” Zoe Bass said. She and Wilma Katz are the state primary permit holders overseeing Coastal Wildlife Club sea turtle nesting volunteers on Manasota Key. As of June 18, the
- [Wildlife Gardening in a NC Yard](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildlife-gardening-in-a-nc-yard/) - We have lived for long periods in State College, PA, Chincoteague, VA, Englewood, FL, Galax, VA, and now Boone, NC (in our 4th summer). Planting for the benefit of wildlife (especially birds, butterflies and bees) has become a passion which provides many hours of pleasure and is designed to benefit animals which are
- [The Flying Flowers of Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-flying-flowers-of-summer/) - Summer is a time of many pleasures, among which flowers and butterflies are at the top of my list of natural wonders. Indeed you might even say that butterflies are "flying flowers." The abundance and types of butterflies varies considerably over the summer months. These observations were made between July 13-16 in our yard
- [Late Summer Eclectic Nature Adventures in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/late-summer-eclectic-nature-adventures-in-the-blue-ridge/) - As Summer progresses you may expect to see different natural events that change with the seasons. Birds sing less after many of them complete reproduction, some reptiles reproduce, there are changes in flowering (phenology) and some butterflies and dragonflies emerge that were not present or were very rare earlier. One bird that
- [Time Marches On- How Much Summer is Left?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/time-marches-on-how-much-summer-is-left/) - As the end of summer approaches, some things change and some do not. Every morning when I look out the back window I now often see fog in the New River valley due to the cool moisture laden air. This burns off quickly when the sun comes out but you can see that there are
- [Green, loggerhead turtles break nesting record on Manasota Key  By STEVE REILLY Staff Writer for YOURSUN Newspaper and Coastal Wildlife’s Brenda Bossman](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/green-loggerhead-turtles-break-nesting-record-on-manasota-key-by-steve-reilly-staff-writer/) - ENGLEWOOD — Manasota Key is having a record-breaking population boom. Sea turtles have been nesting on the barrier island like never before — at least since people have been counting. As of Aug. 27, Coastal Wildlife Club sea turtle patrols recorded 326 green turtle nests this season. That exceeds the previous record of 319 nests,
- [A Visit to Alleghany Access, New River State Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-visit-to-alleghany-access-new-river-state-park/) - Our groups (bird and native plant clubs) recently had the opportunity to visit one of the least known state parks in NC, which is virtually in VA up near the tiny crossroads of Mouth of Wilson. This park, Alleghany Access (named for the county) is primarily used as a stopover for kayakers and
- [2021 Preserve Management & Improvement](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2021-preserve-campaign/) - Now that our major habitat restoration project at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is complete, responsibility for ongoing management, maintenance and enhancement of the preserve has shifted fully to our Lemon Bay Conservancy team. One major challenge will be continuing to control the regrowth of invasive species from the seed banks that are present in the
- [Creating a Rookery Island at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/rookery/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is seeking volunteers and donations to create a rookery island at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve
- [Haw River Explorations- a New Beginning](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/haw-river-explorations-a-new-beginning/) - My wife Margaret and I are embarking on a new adventure in our elder years. In a desire to be closer to our son who lives in Durham NC, we have purchased an 18 acre property and old ranch house (built in 1973) on the banks of the Haw River in NC. This is an
- [Fall 2021 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2021-newsletter/) - Our 2021 LBC Newsletter is now available. Articles include: New Office Location & New Office Manager 2021 LBC Scholarship Award Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Restoration Juvenile Tarpon Research Findings & Plans Call for Net Pull Volunteers Volunteer Profile: Maura Qualls The Butterfly Habitat at LCWP Volunteer Profile: Lary Stuhmiller LBC Baywatch Committee Eyes on Seagrass Upcoming
- [Butterflies and More at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/butterflies-and-more-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - A recent walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve (LCWP) near Englewood, FL, in the third week of November with members of the Peace River Butterfly Society was notable for the interesting butterflies seen in addition to other animals. Thanks to Mike Weisensee for supplying six of the photos. In the butterfly garden, cloudless sulphur butterflies
- [Tarpon Pull Scheduled for Saturday December 18, 2021 - Volunteers Welcome!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-pull-scheduled-for-saturday-december-18-2021-volunteers-welcome/) - Tarpon “Net Pull” Research December 18, 2021 We are still looking for volunteers to assist with the Lemon Bay Tarpon Pull event scheduled for Saturday December 18th. We are planning our events for the third Saturday of each month from November through April. Representatives from Florida Fish & Wildlife will continue to work with us
- [Nesting Platforms and the LCWP Rookery Island Experiment](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nesting-platforms-and-the-lcwp-rookery-island-experiment/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is working to create a rookery island at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve
- [A Random Nature Walk in SW FL](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-random-nature-walk-in-sw-fl/) - Our chosen place for escaping the winter climate of eastern N America has been the SW FL coast around Englewood for more than 26 years. Not only is it warmer here than up north but you can continue to enjoy observing nature which is for the most part frozen in time at higher latitudes. So
- [Oyster Restoration in the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/oyster-restoration-in-the-lemon-bay-aquatic-preserve/) - Since LBC’s first water quality symposium in 2019, we have focused on educating the public on ways to improve water quality in their own backyards and neighborhoods. The Lemon Bay Watch Committee, with the help of our partner agencies—Coastal Heartland National Estuary Program (CHNEP), the Boy Scouts, local homeowners’ associations and local restaurant owners Tim
- [Loving Lemon Bay!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/loving-lemon-bay/) - Support Lemon Bay Conservancy as we work to protect our beautiful waters, lands and wildlife! We’re offering a limited selection of unique design printed tops from Bonfire. This is a short fundraiser and purchases are only available here. The campaign opens on February 14 and closes March 6, 2022 Show you love Lemon Bay too!
- [Backyard Nature in SW FL in Late Winter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/backyard-nature-in-sw-fl-in-late-winter/) - Winter definitely slows down nature watching in terms of total species to be seen, but there is still a good variety of exotic and native kinds of fauna and flora to be enjoyed. One of the very best times to observe is during the sunny days just after a winter cold front. We can only
- [2022 Annual Meeting Report](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2022-annual-meeting-report/) - Our 2022 LBC annual meeting focused on Lemon Bay Conservancy water quality initiatives and actions to improve water quality.
- [Florida Master Naturalist Program Overview](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/florida-master-naturalist-program/) - The Florida Master Naturalist Program - an overview by William "Woody" Woodworth For 20 years, the University of Florida has offered Master Naturalist classes for those interested in Florida and nature. The stated mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program is “to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and
- [Here Come the Pollinators](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/here-come-the-pollinators/) - Finding butterflies and other pollinators is slim pickings in January and February in SW FL with recurring cold fronts and strong winds. But as March approached this year (2022) we have had a stretch of quite warm weather with mild nights. As a result I am seeing many butterflies, moths, bees and wasps coming to
- [LBC Oyster Gardens](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/oystergardens/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy announces our Oyster Gardens program to help restore oysters and help water quality in Lemon Bay.
- [Birding Bonanza at Drying Lemon Lake](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/birding-bonanza-at-drying-lemon-lake/) - Although the exact dates are unpredictable, it is certain that Lemon Lake will dry up possibly several times of year generally in April and in summer. This happens when the balance between rainfall, tidal heights and evaporation are such that the lake level falls concentrating the fish prey in a much diminished pool of water.
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Volunteer Appreciation Party](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-volunteer-appreciation-party/) - On March 30th, Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) volunteers gathered for a volunteer appreciation dinner at the Cape Haze Community Center. The party recognized LBC’s incredible group of volunteers for their efforts in maintaining and enhancing Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, creating and distributing “oyster gardens” to help improve water quality in Lemon Bay, participating in sea
- [The Giving Challenge:  Support LBC and Triple Your Gift!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/support-lbc-giving-challenge/) - Support LBC during the Giving Challenge on April 26-27 and triple the value of your gift!
- [2022 LBC Elsie Bracken Environmental Science Scholarship](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2022-lbc-elsie-bracken-environmental-science-scholarship/) - The Lemon Bay Conservancy is proud to award our 2022 LBC Elsie Bracken Environmental Science Scholarship to Lemon Bay High School graduating senior Jessica Lince. Irene Slattery representing Lemon Bay Conservancy presented the Scholarship to Jessica May 16th, 2022, at the Senior Awards Night. Congratulations to Jessica from Lemon Bay Conservancy! Jessica met the required
- [Springtime Along the Haw River](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/springtime-along-the-haw-river/) - We drove from FL to NC on April 9 planning to enjoy some of the natural pleasures of springtime at our new home on 36 acres along the Haw River in Alamance County, NC. It is difficult to leave FL in Spring when there may be some amazing fallouts of migrant birds to come, but
- [Summer Insects Astonish at my Haw River Wildlife Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-insects-astonish-at-my-haw-river-wildlife-preserve/) - In middle to late June insects become abundant and butterflies are probably the most exciting to observe and try to identify. Here at our new summer home in the Piedmont of NC I have planted some native and exotic species
- [Aquatic Life in Our Haw River Backyard](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/aquatic-life-in-our-haw-river-backyard/) - At our new 36 acre private nature preserve along the Haw River near Graham, NC, there are a surprising variety of aquatic habitats and terrestrial communities affected by animals that live part of their lives in wetlands. Aside from the river itself, there are shallow sweet gum swamps, deep gullies, shallow creeks, spring runs and
- [LEMON CREEK WILDFLOWER PRESERVE IS CLOSED](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-is-closed/) - - LEMON CREEK WILDFLOWER PRESERVE IS CLOSED - In the interest of safety, Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is closed until further notice. Many trees are down blocking trails and there are large areas where metal, styrofoam and other construction debris have blown into preserve uplands and ponds. One of our maintenance sheds is destroyed and
- [Church Volunteers Boost Clean-up Efforts](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/church-volunteers-boost-clean-up-efforts/) - This past weekend, our Hurricane Ian recovery efforts for Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve got an enormous boost from Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints volunteers. More than 25 volunteers spent their day Saturday helping remove vegetation and construction debris on the northeast side of the preserve. And 40 volunteers turned out on Sunday
- [A Nature Walk in our New NC Haw River Backyard](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-nature-walk-in-our-new-nc-haw-river-backyard/) - My wife and I recently purchased two parcels of 36 acres total adjacent to the beautiful Haw River in Alamance County, NC. Our intent was not only to retire near our son in Durham, but to have a small oasis of nature in the larger whirlwind of development that swirls around so many areas. Such
- [Post-Ian Waterways Cleanup](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-watch-news-for-november/) - Lemon Baywatch notes: 11/15 Committee members Jane Collingwood, Sue Wills and Hilary Dahms met with members of the Suncoast Waterkeeper and Sarasota Bay Watch on Monday, November 13 at the LBC office on Manor Road, Englewood to survey the area and take water samples to assess the damage from Hurricane Ian to local creeks flowing
- [It's a Bug's Life at Manasota Scrub Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/its-a-bugs-life-at-manasota-scrub-preserve/) - One of my favorite local coastal natural areas is one that you may never have heard about, Manasota Scrub Preserve: https://www.scgov.net/Home/ShowDocument?id=30028 The trails west of Bridge St are off limits to dogs and you will encounter very few people, which explains why I find it a great place to both study and commune with nature.
- [LBC Water Quality Symposium at Manasota Beach Club](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-water-quality-symposium-at-manasota-beach-club/) - LEMON BAY CONSERVANCY'S SYMPOSIUM ON COASTAL WATER QUALITY “OUR WATER: OUR FUTURE” On Saturday, April 6th, 2019 over 70 gathered at Manasota Beach Club for a day of special speakers, workshops, field trips and a beautiful buffet lunch. The event, sponsored by Manasota Beach Club and Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program,
- [Join Lemon Bay Conservancy at Englewood's Earth Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/join-lemon-bay-conservancy-at-englewoods-earth-day/) - Join us for the annual Englewood Earth Day Festival on April 28th 11-4 at Bucan Airport Community Park! Learn about local non-profit groups who will share their missions including Barrier Island Parks Society, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Florida State Parks, Friends of Stump Pass Beach State Park (a division of BIPS), Peace River Wildlife,
- [A Floridian Visits Assateague Island](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-floridian-visits-assateague-island/) - Floridians could learn a lot from a visit to Assateague Island. This barrier island is a 37 mile long sliver of sand along the Virginia portion of the Delmarva Peninsula. It has wide beaches that much of the Gulf coast of Florida can only dream about. To some extent this is due to
- [A Rare Natural Wetland Attracts Birds in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-rare-natural-wetland-attracts-birds-in-sw-florida/) - We are very fortunate in Charlotte County FL to have a natural tidal wetland (Lemon Lake). It can be a bonanza for birds during times when the water level has declined (due to low rainfall, elevated evaporation, and less tidal flow). Under these conditions fish are concentrated and predatory birds can capture them more easily.
- [](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/8075-2/) - Here are some examples of toxic moths and butterflies that birds in my Florida yard must deal with. The polka dot moth or oleander moth feeds as a larva on exotic oleanders and picks up toxins which are passed on to the adult, where this is advertised by bright colors. However the shape of the
- [Critters Lurking in the Litter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/critters-lurking-in-the-litter/) - One of the most important but least appreciated aspects of a good three dimensional yard wildlife habitat is the ground surface. Most people would consider this the proper place for grass or to be swept clean of debris. However to have healthy wildlife habitat in your yard you must have a substantial and natural litter layer.
- [Summer Nature Extravaganza](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-nature-extravaganza/) - To the uninitiated, summer in Florida might be perceived as just a hot sweaty dash from one air conditioned space to another. This is an unfortunate misunderstanding of the ability of the human body to adapt to the summer climate as those of us who grew up in the south prior to the advent
- [Late Summer Nature: Caterpillars, Barracuda, Black-Bellies and More](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/late-summer-nature-caterpillars-barracuda-black-bellies-and-more/) - In late August in Florida, humans begin to wilt under the prolonged heat, humidity and rainfall and start thinking about the upcoming Fall season. But this is a time of intense animal and plant activity and is a prime time to enjoy nature. Here is just a small sample from my yard on Manasota Key
- [Rain Gardens- Good For Water Quality and Wildlife](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/rain-gardens-good-for-water-quality-and-wildlife/) - After prolonged periods of red tide in the Gulf and blue green bacteria and green slime in bays and creeks, people are wondering what they can do to solve these problems. Although one might think that these "harmful blooms" are at a scale beyond our immediate help, such is not the
- [Are You Arachnophobic or Arachnophilic?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/are-you-arachnophobic-or-arachnophilic/) - Of all the creatures in natures' menagerie, spiders and their relatives probably evoke more fear and loathing than any others, even including snakes. There is just something about all those legs and the fear related to the cryptic nature of spiders, their venom, and their abundance in nature and our houses. One
- [Wildflower November 2019 Project Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-november-2019-project-update/) - Work was suspended on our Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration Project in October 2018, when soil tests conducted by the contractor, in preparation for selling excess excavated soil offsite, identified what were believed to be elevated concentrations of arsenic in some soil samples. Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC), as the property owner, was responsible for assessing site
- [Snowbirds of a Different Kind](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/snowbirds-of-a-different-kind/) - In late October as many human "Snowbirds" return to Florida from their northern summer retreats, a massive movement of birds also occurs, often without much notice from people other than bird watchers. This is the seasonal shift of millions of neotropical migrants moving from their summer breeding areas in northern/eastern N America to the
- [Fall 2019 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2019-lbc-newsletter/) - Our 2019 LBC Newsletter is now available. Articles include: Our Water, Our Future Upcoming Nature Walks & Special Events Mini-Reefs: Artificial Marine Habitats Wildflower Preserve Restoration Project Update Plants & Pathways: Fundraising Special Appeal Volunteer Profile: Joe Gallagher Escape of the Mother-in-Law's Tongue LBC Volunteer Profiles: Coke Wilson and Laurie Brenning Rain Gardens: Good for Water
- [Mini-Reefs:  Artificial Marine Habitats](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mini-reefs-artificial-marine-habitats/) - Last year’s extended red tide seriously depleted fish stocks and marine vegetation in our bays and waterways. A non-profit organization called Ocean Habitats builds a product designed to help marine life recover and to improve water quality. Their “mini-reefs” are designed to serve as a habitat for creatures like mussels, sea squirts and oysters and
- [The Nature of Babcock Webb](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-nature-of-babcock-webb/) - I attended a recent field trip led by expert naturalist Jean Evoy to the Babcock Webb Wildlife Management Area ( https://myfwc.com/recreation/lead/babcockwebb/ ). It was organized by the Peace River Butterfly Society (President Steve Scott, sfscott2011@hotmail.com ). This enormous (65,770 acres) preserve in southern Charlotte County is an astonishing place. While likely designed for consumptive users (hunting, fishing,
- [Plants & Pathways Campaign for Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/plants-pathways/) - In late September 2018, we learned of a new and unexpected challenge at Wildflower Preserve in the form of soil contamination issues. We ask your help in addressing this challenge and continuing our important habitat restoration work at the preserve!
- [Why Do They Do That? - Strange things seen on nature walkabouts](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/why-do-they-do-that-strange-things-seen-on-nature-walkabouts-2/) - There are many ways to enjoy nature. You might be simply awed by the beauty of scenery or the colors, shapes, interactions or behaviors of plants and animals. Or you might choose to take a more analytical look at natural events. These photos represent a variety of situations I have recently encountered in my daily
- [Natures Colors and Shapes Are Amazing](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natures-colors-and-shapes-are-amazing/) - As an older person who grew up with black and white TV, in my youth I could always look outside to find bright colors and bizarre shapes. Nature/evolution seems to have unlimited imagination in designing life. We are fortunate that unlike most mammals we primates have color vision so that we can appreciate
- [2020 Toast to the Coast](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2020-toast-to-the-coast/) - A great time was had by all at our annual fundraising gala, "Toast to the Coast". We would like to express our gratitude to all of the volunteers, the Toast Committee, our gracious sponsors and all of our attendees. The event was very successful and more importantly, it was fun! Special thanks to Don Kerr
- [Space Coast Nature](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/space-coast-nature/) - I recently attended a birding field trip to the Merritt Island area expertly organized by Abbie Banks and guided by Deb Johnson. The so-called "space coast" is a remarkable mixture of NASA facilities, wildlife refuges and sewage treatment wetlands that attract many types of wildlife. As we approached the entrance to Merritt Island National Wildlife
- [2020 LBC Annual Meeting](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2020-lbc-annual-meeting/) - It was a great turnout at the LBC Annual Meeting. The featured speaker, Dr. Mary Lusk, gave an informative and educational talk on Water Quality.
- [2020 Sip and Shop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2020-sip-and-shop/) - Please join us for the annual Sip n Shop at J. McLaughlin in support of our Lemon Bay Conservancy. Thursday, February 20th from 1:00pm -5:00pm. At 360 Park Avenue Boca Grade, FL
- [Baby Tarpon Nurtured at Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/baby-tarpon-nurtured-at-wildflower/) - The Englewood Sun ran a nice article on Lemon Bay Conservancy's Tarpon Project. Please click the link below for the full Article: https://www.yoursun.com/englewood/baby-tarpon-nurtured-at-wildflower/article_4bcd2bea-58b4-11ea-9640-d3ac1e3dd5f8.html
- ["LBC Volunteers excel at Tarpon Research"](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-volunteers-excel-at-tarpon-research/) - Tarpon Net Pull 2.15.20 Report: Regarding Ongoing Juvenile Tarpon Protected Habitat Research “Helping Solve the Great Fledgling Tarpon Mystery” by Jim Cooper, President, Lemon Bay Conservancy Saturday, February 15th this winter dawned on a beautiful, sunny morning at Wildflower Preserve for the Lemon Bay Conservancy’s (LBC’s) monthly juvenile Tarpon sampling. Which directly
- [Sea Birds with Bling Love Our Beaches](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sea-birds-with-bling-love-our-beaches/) - At Englewood FL beach there is often a large group of gulls and terns resting on the beach early in the morning. Most are rather tame so you can walk near them in a non-threatening manner and admire them up close and personal which is quite unusual for wild animals. One thing you may notice is
- [The Giving Challenge 2020](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-giving-challenge-2020/) - The Giving Challenge is a 24-hour giving event that brings together more than 700 local nonprofit organizations listed on The Giving Partner with their passionate donors and community members to support causes and missions they care about while creating transformative impact. Lemon Bay Conservancy will be participating in this event. Donations will be matched at 100% up
- [The Beauty Around Us: White Pelicans](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-beauty-around-us-white-pelicans/) - In this time of great concern and uncertainty for all of us, nature can provide a welcome respite from the issues of the day. Here in Southwest Florida, we are blessed with incredible natural surroundings and as spring arrives, we thought you might enjoy a series of posts to remind us of the beauty around
- [The Beauty Around Us: Lemon Lake](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-beauty-that-surrounds-us-lemon-lake/) - Here's the second in our series of posts to remind us of the beauty that surrounds us: Lemon Lake. Use the right arrow to view all the pictures. As often happens in spring, water levels in our area lakes and ponds drop significantly due to the lack of rain. At Lemon Lake, in Charlotte County's
- [The Beauty Around Us: Dragonflies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beauty-around-us-dragonflies/) - Here’s the third post in our series on the Beauty Around Us: Dragonflies Dragonflies and damselflies (the “Odonata” scientific order) are fantastic inhabitants of our ponds, creeks and meadows. Odonata are both beautiful and beneficial, eating large quantities of mosquitos and other insects. Damselflies can generally be distinguished from dragonflies by their slender abdomens and
- [The Beauty Around Us: Babcock/Webb](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beauty-around-us-babcock-webb/) - Here's the fourth in our series of posts on the beauty around us: Babcock / Webb The vast Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area is located east of I-75 and south of Punta Gorda near I-75 Exit 158 (Tuckers Grade). Although it shares the Babcock name with nearby Babcock Ranch, it is a separate natural area managed by
- [The Beauty Around Us: Southwest Florida Clouds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-beauty-around-us-southwest-florida-clouds/) - This is the fifth post in our series: The Beauty Around Us: Southwest Florida Clouds As we all know Florida is flat, very flat. Along with our glorious weather, beaches, birdlife, fishing and a relaxing outdoor lifestyle we have something special that is often overlooked. Our clouds. The clouds are our “mountains", framing the landscape,
- [Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-habitat-restoration-update/) - Diversified Professional Services (DPS), the general contractor selected by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, has resumed work on the Wildflower Preserve Restoration Project! Governor DeSantis’ “Safer at Home” executive order allows construction projects to continue during this month’s limited activities period. DPS is working with a small crew and maintaining all appropriate safety measures
- [The Beauty Around Us: Alligators](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-beauty-around-us-alligators/) - Here's the 6th post in our Beauty Around Us series: Alligators. Some of us might not think of Alligators as fitting into the Beauty Around Us theme of this post series, but they are an amazing part of our ecosystem and beautiful in their own way. American alligators live in fresh water environments - ponds,
- [Enjoying Backyard Nature During Quarantine](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/enjoying-backyard-nature-during-quarantine/) - The restriction of our movements caused by the COVID 19 pandemic has led to a serious problem in occupying our minds in a productive fashion without suffering from an overload of computer and TV screen time. One solution I have found is to observe nature within our yard. We are fortunate to have a
- [The Beauty Around Us: Ospreys](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-beauty-around-us-ospreys/) - This is the seventh in our series, The Beauty Around Us: Ospreys. A common bird sound in Southwest Florida is a distinctive cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep. This is the sound of our Ospreys. Any activity near a nest results in a frenzied cheereek cry. The Osprey - also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk - is a fish-eating bird
- [The Beauty Around Us: "Royal" Butterflies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-beauty-around-us-royal-butterflies/) - Here is our eighth post in our series, The Beauty Around Us: "Royal" Butterflies. Southwest Florida is home to many beautiful butterflies. Three of them have similar coloration and "royal" names: Monarch, Queen and Viceroy. Monarchs and Queens both use plants in the milkweed family as hosts for their caterpillars, while Viceroys lay their eggs
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/juvenile-tarpon-research-and-the-giving-challenge/) - Environmental Education - Juvenile Tarpon Research Tarpon can live up to 80 years. They start their life many miles off-shore, where adult males and females spawn. After the eggs hatch, the tarpon larvae, looking like minuscule eels, make their way to estuaries and thrive in back country bays, creeks, and protected estuarine environments where they
- [2020 Giving Challenge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2020-giving-challenge/) - The 2020 Giving Challenge: April 28-29, noon to noon On April 28 and 29, you have a wonderful opportunity to double the value of your donations to local non-profits! Over 700 non-profit organizations in Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties are participating in the 2020 Giving Challenge sponsored by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Thanks
- [Improving Water Quality at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/improving-water-quality-at-wildflower-preserve/) - Improving Water Quality at Wildflower Preserve In July 2011, Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers at Wildflower Preserve began testing six freshwater ponds and three locations in Lemon Creek to understand the quality of the water flowing out from the old golf course into Lemon Bay. Our volunteers adopted water sampling protocols designed by the University of
- [Spring in the Blue Ridge 2020](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-in-the-blue-ridge-2020/) - As I write this in late April we have just recently migrated from FL to NC. So we find ourselves in our summer home in Boone, NC, which is at an altitude of 3400 feet. You can see from the photo that dogwoods, azaleas and viburnums are bursting into blossom. We have planted these on
- [2020 Giving Challenge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2020-giving-challenge-2/) - Double Your Donations with the 24-hour Giving Challenge! On April 28 and 29, from noon-to-noon, Lemon Bay Conservancy is joining other area non-profits in the 2020 Giving Challenge sponsored by The Community Foundation of Sarasota County. During this 24-hour online giving event, you have a special opportunity to support Southwest Florida non-profits. Every $ you donate, up to $100
- [The Beauty Around Us: Nesting Shorebirds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-beauty-around-us-nesting-shorebirds/) - Here is the ninth in our series, "The Beauty Around Us": Nesting Shorebirds.
- [Beauty Around Us: Swallowtails & Brushfoots](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beauty-around-us-swallowtails-brushfoots/) - Here’s the 10th post in our series on the Beauty Around Us: Swallowtails & Brushfoots. In Southwest Florida, we are lucky to be able to see butterflies year-round. Among the most conspicuous butterflies in our area are two families known as Swallowtails and Brushfoots. The Swallowtails are some of our biggest butterflies, with the Giant
- [Wildflower Preserve Project Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-project-update/) - Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration Project Update. Diversified Professional Services (DPS), Southwest Florida Water Management District’s prime contractor for the habitat restoration project at Wildflower Preserve, reports that work is progressing well. In this recent aerial photo (looking east), preparation work on the future estuarine wetlands near Lemon Creek is visible, along with the new observation
- [Early Summer Flowers and Insects in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-summer-flowers-and-insects-in-the-blue-ridge/) - Once the famous early spring ephemeral flowers have finished blooming, there are still some spectacular flowers yet to come in late May and early June. One of the most beautiful is the flame azalea (genus Rhododendron) which seem to be "burning" in the misty Appalachian hill forests. They have long arching male stamens and even
- [Some Butterflies and the Flowers They Visit in Late June in Boone, NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/some-butterflies-and-the-flowers-they-visit-in-late-june-in-boone-nc/) - There has been an explosion of flowers in late June and the butterflies now have a much wider choice of flowers. This group of nine photos illustrates some of that variety in our yard in Boone, NC, and nearby. Some flowers are natives and some are non-invasive exotics. It is very difficult to
- [Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration Project Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-habitat-restoration-project-update/) - Wildflower Preserve Restoration Update Early July 2020 The Southwest Florida Water Management District and their contractor, Diversified Professional Services, report that the habitat restoration project at Wildflower Preserve is continuing to move ahead on schedule. The aerial photo below (looking northwest) shows project work as of June 24th. The future estuarine wetlands located just west of the Fiddlers
- [Beauty Around Us: Manatees.](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beauty-around-us-manatees/) - Another beautiful post in our series: In the shallow waters of Southwest Florida, especially in estuarine areas, a common sight is the manatee, also known as a sea cow. These large, gentle marine mammals measure up to 13 feet and weigh as much as 1,300 lbs. They are slow, peaceful plant eaters and often graze
- [A July Nature Ramble in the Blue Ridge Mountains](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-july-nature-ramble-in-the-blue-ridge-mountains/) - After a cold and wet Spring, July has been rather hot and dry in comparison. Yet we are at 3000-4000 feet of elevation at most sites I visit near Boone, NC. Compared to areas in the Piedmont where most people live (Charlotte, Winston Salem, Raleigh-Durham, etc), we are in a very comfortable climate. The
- [Mid-Summer Flower Power in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mid-summer-flower-power-in-the-blue-ridge/) - Although there are always some flowers present during the warmer seasons, late-middle summer (late July/early August) seems to provide a wealth of flowers for the insects and birds that depend on nectar and or pollen for their nutrition. Since we specifically plant perennials and shrubs to attract butterflies and birds, this is an exciting time
- [Wildflower Preserve Restoration Update: Late July 2020.](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-restoration-update-late-july-2020/) - Wildflower Preserve Restoration Update - Late July 2020 The habitat restoration project at Wildflower Preserve is continuing to progress well. The photo below, taken July 24, 2020, provides a view looking south over the western half of the preserve. The project general contractor is currently working to create additional north-south estuarine wetlands just east of
- [The Nature of August in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-nature-of-august-in-the-blue-ridge/) - As the end of August approaches, some animals, especially birds, migrate or become silent so that they are inconspicuous. Insects engage in feverish activity to gather food and reproduce. Naturalists begin to dream about watching nighthawks, hawks and songbirds migrating south and wonder when the first frost will nip their plants. But for the moment
- [Wildflower Preserve Restoration Update - early September 2020](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-restoration-update-early-september-2020/) - Wildflower Preserve Update. The habitat restoration project at Lemon Bay Conservancy’s Wildflower Preserve is continuing to move ahead. Muddy conditions after recent rains have delayed site work for short periods, but the rains have not caused major delays. In the past month, work has started on expansion of the freshwater ponds on the eastern side
- [Some Thoughts on What to Plant in Our Gardens](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/some-thoughts-on-what-to-plant-in-our-gardens/) - Are We Just “Re-Arranging the Deck Chairs on the Titanic” aka the Planet? A basic premise of the Native Plant Societies is that “native” plants are better than “exotics” for a variety of reasons, including benefits to wildlife. This is certainly partly or largely true, but may be irrelevant. The reason is that as
- [Backyard Fall Bird Migration in the NC Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/backyard-fall-bird-migration-in-the-nc-blue-ridge/) - Fall and Spring migrations are exciting times for bird watchers since they get to see species that are passing through on their way to distant breeding or wintering areas. Yet the passage of these millions of beautiful birds can be hardly if at all noticed by the mass of people focused on their own lives.
- [Wildflower Preserve Restoration Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-restoration-update/) - Wildflower Preserve Restoration Update - late September 2020. Despite the heavy rains earlier this month, the habitat restoration project at Wildflower is continuing to move ahead on schedule. Earthmoving work to modify and expand the freshwater wetlands on the eastern side of the site is now largely complete and the contractor has returned to the
- [Waiver Form for Nature Walk Participants](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/waiver-form-for-nature-walk-participants/) - Click here to print the waiver form for walk participants: Waiver for Walks 2020
- [Fall 2020 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2020-newsletter/) - Our 2020 LBC Newsletter is now available. Articles include: Supporting Our Environment: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow! Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) for Preserve Maintenance 2021 Juvenile Tarpon Research A New Nature Wonderland: Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve "2021 Preserve Management & Improvement" Special Fundraising Appeal Our New LBC Treasurer: Malcolm Collingwood Vertical Oyster Gardens Learn More about Water
- [Englewood Mullet Fest.](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/englewood-mullet-fest/) - Englewood Mullet Fest on Saturday, November 14 Hancock Grills, a local grill company, is hosting the first Englewood Mullet Fest on Saturday, November 14, from 10 am to 7 pm at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds. The event will have a mullet smoke-off competition, cast net throwing competition, live music, local arts & crafts and much more.
- [December “Sneak Peak” Member Walks at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/december-sneak-peak-member-walks-at-the-preserve/) - December “Sneak Peak” Member Walks at the Preserve: Sign-up Now! We are pleased to announce that a series of LBC members-only “Sneak Peak” walks are being scheduled for December. Walk dates are Tuesdays (Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22) and Saturdays (Dec. 5, 12, and 19). Advance reservations are required, and participation will be limited to
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - A New Nature Wonderland: Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve The remarkable changes happening at the old Wildflower Golf Course property are so dramatic that we’ve decided to give the preserve a new name: Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The new name recognizes the greatly expanded estuarine habitats in Lemon Creek and acknowledges our link to both the
- [Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2020](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/giving-tuesday-december-1-2020/) - Today, December 1st, people around the nation are celebrating Giving Tuesday, a day of nationwide support for non-profits. Coincidentally, today, also marks an exciting milestone for LBC as we begin our first “sneak peak” member walks at our new Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. As you can see in these late November aerial photos, the preserve is
- [Mangrove and Common Buckeye Butterflies- a Classic Case of Sibling Species](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mangrove-and-common-buckeye-butterflies-a-classic-case-of-sibling-species/) - So as expected after the monstrous cold front passed with a low here on Manasota Key of 43 F on Wednesday Dec 2, a few butterflies are reappearing as the days warm up in late morning/early afternoon. Today Dec. 4 at Cedar Pt Park in Englewood, FL, there were barred yellows and mangrove buckeyes flying
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-update/) - Habitat Restoration Update: Wetland Plantings, Bridge Completion, and Construction Punch List For the last two weeks, professional planters have been at work in and around the edges of the enhanced freshwater wetlands at LBC's Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. It's a big project! By the time they finish, they will have installed over 60,000 freshwater
- [The Surprisingly Diverse Ecological Communities of South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve FL](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-surprisingly-diverse-ecological-communities-of-south-venice-lemon-bay-preserve-fl/) - One of the more obscure local natural areas in the Sarasota/Charlotte County FL area is S Venice Lemon Bay Preserve which is roughly broken up into three main areas. The northern-most area (NE and N trail sections on map) is entered at 5472 Kenisco Rd (Venice) at the intersection with Euclid Rd. It is hardly
- [A Tale of Two Wetland Types at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-tale-of-two-wetland-types-at-deer-prairie-creek-preserve/) - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve (DPC) along the east bank of the Myakka River in North Port has two distinct types of wetlands. There are those that are "riparian" along the river and creek, and those that are distributed inland among the hydric pine flatwoods. The original human uses of these ranch lands were
- [Member](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/member/) - Annual LBC memberships begin at $35 for individuals and $50 for households. Click here to join Lemon Bay Conservancy online. or click here to download a membership form to mail in with your membership payment. Lemon Bay Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which means your membership contributions are fully tax-deductible as provided by law.
- [Curry Creek East- Longleaf Flatwoods and a Channelized Creek](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/curry-creek-east-longleaf-flatwoods-and-a-channelized-creek/) - Sarasota County is to be congratulated for preserving a significant amount of natural habitat despite an overwhelming tide of human development. The area of Pinebrook Rd just north of Venice Ave is a good illustration of this with Pinebrook Park catering to sports with some naturalized areas and Curry Creek Preserve East all natural habitat.
- [LBC Online Auction January 25-31st 12 noon to 12 noon](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-online-auction-january-25-31st-12-noon-to-12-noon/) - LBC “Click for a Cause” Online Auction: January 25 - 31 We have an exciting new way to support Lemon Bay Conservancy and our ongoing conservation efforts with our first ever LBC Online Auction! In partnership with Qtego Fund Raising Services you can place bids directly from your mobile phone, tablet or computer. "Click to Bid"
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy "Click for a Cause"](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-click-for-a-cause/) - Have you clicked yet? LBC’s first-ever online auction opens for bidding Monday, January 25! You can register safely with our partner, Qtego Fundraising Services, at any time by clicking on https://qtego.net/qlink/lemonbay from your mobile phone, tablet or computer. Click on “Register for Event”. Follow the steps listed, and once registered, you will receive your auction
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Is Open for LBC Member Access!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-is-open-for-lbc-member-access/) - On January 25th, we held our Opening Ceremony for the newly restored Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. We are delighted to announce that the Preserve is now open daily for Lemon Bay Conservancy member access! Members should display your 2021 membership card on your car dash when visiting. Please note that our volunteers are continuing to
- [Memorial Donation](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/memorial/) - To make a memorial donation to Lemon Bay Conservancy, please call our office at 941-830-8922 or click here to make your memorial donation online. On the online donation form, you will be able to designate the tribute individual's name and also designate someone to be informed of your donation. Thank you.
- [A Visit to an Unusual Flooded Forest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-visit-to-an-unusual-flooded-forest/) - The Rohlwing Preserve (Sleeping Turtles North) may be one of the least visited nature parks in Sarasota County FL in part because it is very close to three other better known parks (Ligon, Carlton and Deer Prairie Creek- north). That is fine with me since it is a quiet place to visit and has
- [Enjoy the Newly Restored and Magnificent Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/enjoy-the-newly-restored-and-magnificent-wildflower-preserve/) - The long process of initial environmental restoration has now been completed by the Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) at the newly named Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve (LCWP) ( https://lemonbayconservancy.org/ ). This 80 acre former golf course was overgrown with dense brush including a lot of Brazilian pepper. There are three different habitat types, upland/terrestrial,
- [Kingdom of the Tides in Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/kingdom-of-the-tides-in-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - The newly restored Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve (LCWP) is 80 acres of three major habitat types, upland, freshwater marsh/ponds and tidal creeks and lagoons. Indeed the wide variety of such habitats is very unusual and perhaps even unique in such a relatively small area. A major feature of the restoration was creation of two
- [Arlington Park: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/arlington-park-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/) - Parks are developed for many purposes, ranging from entirely human recreation to nature preservation with considerable variation between these two extremes. Sometimes the preservation of green space can have significant benefits both for the human need for communing with nature and the need for wildlife to have suitable habitats, even in the middle of
- [A Walk on the Wild Side at Myakka State Forest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-walk-on-the-wild-side-at-myakka-state-forest/) - One of my favorite natural areas in the SW Florida region is Myakka State Forest since it is almost 8600 acres of relatively undisturbed habitats. In the future it is likely to become the "Central Park" of this area as all other open land seems destined to be built up and paved over.
- [Nature's Bounty in a Yard](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natures-bounty-in-a-yard/) - It may be common to think that interesting natural sights are only to be found over the next hill or in some exotic place. But more often than not if you are alert to nature's sights and sounds, you may discover something of great interest right in your backyard. We have some advantage in
- [J.McLaughlin Sip & Shop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/j-mclaughlin-sip-shop/) - On Tuesday, February 19, 2019 from 1-5, Enjoy light sips and bites while you shop. 15% of Sales will benefit The Lemon Bay Conservancy. J. McLaughlin's is located at 360 Park Avenue, Boca Grande, FL. Hope to see you there!
- [Has Spring Sprung ?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/has-spring-sprung/) - While it is generally still winter-like up north in February, things are quite different in SW Florida when signs of spring occur in February. The seasons are not so much set by astronomical events as they are by biological milestones. For example when I go to the beach now I see that sea birds
- [A Beach Bird with Bling](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-beach-bird-with-bling/) - - I regularly check the local beaches on Manasota Key to look at the birds to see what interesting species might be present. Strangely enough the public beaches often have considerable numbers of resting gulls and terns; my theory is that this is due to the reduced numbers of dogs there and the generally friendly
- [Jon Thaxton on Clean Water & Reducing Nutrients - Feb. 4 at 5:30 pm](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/jon-thaxton-on-clean-water-reducing-nutrients-feb-4-at-530-pm/) - On Monday, February 4, 2019, noted environmentalist and former Sarasota County commissioner, Jon Thaxton, will be the keynote speaker at our Lemon Bay Conservancy annual meeting. Jon's topic will be "Clean Water: Myths & Facts on Reducing Nutrients." Reducing nutrients is essential for restoring the health of Florida's waters and, most scientists believe, for reducing the
- [No Birds on the Beach but One](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/no-birds-on-the-beach-but-one/) - As I was heading home after my three mile morning walk I stopped by Englewood Beach to see what birds might be there. To my complete shock and surprise there were NO BIRDS on the beach except one. Since there have generally been 50-100 sea birds on the beach I could only wonder what
- [A Prairie Has Been Created on Cape Haze](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-prairie-has-been-created-on-cape-haze/) - When a housing development is created, it is rarely good news for wildlife. But something amazing has happened on eastern Cape Haze where one good wildlife habitat has been substituted for another as the land was cleared. The areas sometimes designated as Rotonda Meadows and Rotonda Sands were originally cleared for sale as lots many
- [Beach Birds Return after Red Tide Lessens](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beach-birds-return-after-red-tide-lessens/) - Life along the beach in SW Florida has been difficult in 2018 with persistent red tide brought on shore by westerly winds. The resultant mortality of fish and invertebrates plus airborne toxins very irritating to the eyes and lungs have chased away not only tourists, but also our beautiful shorebirds. Some recent good
- [2019 Toast to the Coast "Cocktails on the Green"](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toast/) - Toast to the Coast: Our Annual Fundraising Gala “Cocktails on the Green” Sunday, January 20, 2019 4:30pm – 7:30pm This year’s Toast to the Coast will be held at the Lemon Bay Golf Club located at: 9600 Eagle Preserve Drive, Englewood, FL 34224. The club is graced by nature with mature native pines and small
- [Tiny Critters of Broadmoor Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tiny-critters-of-broadmoor-park/) - Something amazing is happening in Rotonda West. A former golf course is being changed into Broadmoor Park. One of the simple but profound changes that is occurring to transform this formerly bleak mowed landscape into a natural wonderland is the cessation of too frequent mowing and herbicide spraying of vegetation along the
- [Let's Make It Right!  Special Campaign for Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/make-it-right/) - In late September 2018, we learned of a new and unexpected challenge at Wildflower Preserve in the form of soil contamination issues. We ask your help in addressing this challenge and continuing our important habitat restoration work at the preserve!
- [Fall 2018 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2018-newsletter/) - Our Fall 2018 newsletter is now available. Articles include: Inside this Issue 2018 LBC Stem Scholarship Winner Our New Office Manager Take Action for Clean Water Volunteer Profile: John McCurley Wildflower Preserve Restoration Update Toast of the Coast Upcoming Walks and Special Events Volunteer Profile: Buffy Crampton Memorial Bench Program Good Growth Management Giving Tuesday:
- [Nature at Babcock Webb is Astonishing!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-at-babcock-webb/) - For those who are interested in nature study it is intriguing to consider what areas are the "hottest" in terms of biodiversity. You might think it would be the official nature preserves, but this is often not the case. Sometimes it is land preserved for other purposes as forest, recreational, or even hunting lands such
- [Late September Nature in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/late-september-nature-in-the-blue-ridge/) - Although temperatures are still relatively mild in late September in the mountains of NC, there are many changes that indicate that Fall is well underway and that winter is coming. The cool mornings often cause formation of fog in the valleys. This photo from Grandview Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway illustrates this well. But
- [A Farewell to the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-farewell-to-the-blue-ridge/) - Fall and the approaching winter have finally gotten my attention with a low temperature of 38 F on our back deck the second week of October. The leaves have hardly changed due to an extended period of cloudy/rainy and warm days. A storm front Oct. 10-11 dumped 9 inches of rain, causing impressive flash floods
- [Take Action for Clean Water!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/take-action-for-clean-water/) - Since October 2017, an intense red tide bloom has been moving with the winds and currents along our Southwest Florida coastline, wreaking ecological and economic havoc from Naples to Clearwater Beach. For all of us who live, visit and work in our beautiful area, the impacts have been enormous. And, the worst part is that
- [Wildflower Preserve Bird Checklist](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-bird-checklist/) - Thanks to ongoing monthly bird surveys by Abbie Banks, Don Rippeon, Tom Duch and Gayle Duch, we have completed a Bird Checklist for Wildflower Preserve. Since our volunteers began keeping records in December 2010, 132 species of birds have been recorded! Click here to download a copy of the bird checklist.
- [The Nature of Price Lake](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-nature-of-price-lake/) - The Blue Ridge Parkway is a marvelous linear necklace of natural attractions. One of the gems in this necklace is Price Lake, near Mile Marker 297. We enjoy walking the 2.3 mile loop around the lake and watching for seasonal changes in natural wonders. At the time of this writing it is early August, which
- [A visit to a Remnant of Old Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-visit-to-a-remnant-of-old-florida/) - One of the little known secrets of southern Sarasota County, FL, is the presence of a large piece of Old Florida within the Myakka State Forest ( https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Myakka-State-Forest ). This massive 8593 acre tract along the tidal Myakka RIver is managed for multiple natural outdoor uses and offers visitors a rare chance to see what
- [Dec. 2013 - April 2014 Wildflower Preserve Walks](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/dec-2013-april-2014-wildflower-preserve-walks/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to join us for our free winter season activities at Wildflower Preserve. Wildflower is an 80-acre former golf course that is being restored as a wildlife preserve. All activities are open to the public. The Wildflower Preserve Open House on January 25 will include a variety of special nature walks and information booths
- [Field & Stream Hero for a Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/field-stream-hero-day/) - On March 29, 2014, sixty-five volunteers spent their morning at Wildflower Preserve as part of Field & Stream's Hero for a Day program. Two film crews from Field & Stream magazine were on hand to film the activities and learn more about the environmental research and restoration programs underway at Wildflower. The volunteers worked on
- [Sunrise Rotary "Make a Difference" Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sunrise-rotary-make-difference-day/) - On Saturday morning, May 3rd, Jim Harrison led members of the Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary in a "Make a Difference" work day at Lemon Bay Conservancy's Wildflower Preserve. The Rotarians started the morning with a quick visit to see the juvenile tarpon research project underway at Lemon Creek. Then, they set to work clearing invasive Brazilian Pepper
- [WGCU Public Broadcasting Features WIldflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/public-broadcasting-features-wildflower-preserve/) - WGCU News reporter Topher Forchez and videographer Tim Kenney visited Wildflower Preserve in April 2014 to learn about the conservation and restoration initiatives underway as Lemon Bay Conservancy converts this former golf course into a nature preserve. Their informative reporting has now been released and has been airing on both public radio and public TV.
- [Wildflower Preserve Open House - Fun Despite The Weather!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-open-house-great-fun-despite-weather/) - On Friday, the weather forecast for our open house on Saturday, January 24, 2015 included an 80% rain chance. Then, many of us were awakened overnight by driving rain and thunder. Thankfully, all the rain moved thru during the night and we had a fun day for our annual Open House event at Wildflower Preserve.
- [Toast to the Coast 2015 was a Great Success](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toast-to-the-coast-2015-was-a-great-success/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy, the area’s only land trust, celebrated its annual fundraiser, Toast to the Coast at Palm Island Resort on Thursday, February 26. Spirits were high in spite of the cool, damp weather as friends and supporters gathered for cocktails, dinner and lively bidding on the silent and live auctions.
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Volunteer Appreciation Event](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-volunteer-appreciation-event/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy held its annual volunteer appreciation event March 24th at Cape Haze Clubhouse. Enjoying the barbeque dinner (L-to-R): Jane Wallace, Maura Qualls, Ruth Wilson, Bob Winter, Joan Winter, Laila Christainsen, Per Christiansen Close to 50 volunteers enjoyed an evening of recognition for their dedicated efforts at WILDFLOWER PRESERVE which
- [One Beautiful Morning](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/one-beautiful-morning/) - On March 19, 2015, thirty Lemon Bay Conservancy members and guests boarded the Lemon Bay Tours pontoon boat for a wonderful morning on the bay. While traveling south in Lemon Bay, the participants heard about local history. As the boat passed by Peterson and Whidden Islands, volunteer guide Dr. Bill Dunson, described how Lemon Bay
- [SWFWMD Habitat Restoration Design Project Underway](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/swfwmd-habitat-restoration-design-project-underway/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) is pleased to announce that work is underway on a habitat restoration design for its Wildflower Preserve, located off Placida Road on the Cape Haze peninsula. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is providing $200,000 in funding for this design project through its Cooperative Funding Initiative. SWFWMD cooperative funding requires
- [Thanks to our Volunteer Professionals!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/thanks-to-our-volunteer-professionals/) - Two landscaping professionals are taking time out from their busy schedules to volunteer at Wildflower Preserve this summer. Garry Hendricks is working with volunteer Roy Ault on mowing of the Wildflower trails and meadows. With the summer rains, everything is growing quickly, so they have quite a job keeping the grounds in good condition. Brian
- [S.T.E.M. Camp at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/s-t-e-m-camp-at-wildflower-preserve/) - In November of 2014, teachers and administrators from L.A. Ainger Middle School and Lemon Bay High School visited Wildflower Preserve seeking opportunities for students to use the Preserve for in-depth scientific studies. Accompanied by naturalists Bill Dunson and Dave Clayton, they explored the trails. Within the next few months a commitment was made to
- [January - April 2016 Nature Outings Schedule](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nov-2015-april-2016-nature-outings-schedule/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is pleased to announce a wide-ranging schedule of free public nature outings for the Fall 2015 - Winter 2016 season. The outings will be led by our outstanding volunteer guides, including Dr. Bill Dunson, Dave Clayton, Bob Cooper, and Margaret Dunson. This season's outings include a variety of walks at
- [Barrier Island Wonders of Nature](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/barrier-island-wonders-of-nature/) - Barrier Islands are unique habitats at the intersection of land and sea. They are beautiful but highly impacted by humans seeking the classic beach experience, but they can also provide a place to observe unusual species that are highly specialized for this edge environment. I live on a gulf front barrier island, Manasota Key, and
- [NOAA Award and Restoration Project Meeting](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/noaa-and-restoration-project-meeting/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy has received a $420,000 NOAA Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grant to support our joint habitat restoration project with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) at Wildflower Preserve on the Cape Haze peninsula in Charlotte County. We invite the public to a habitat restoration project design review on February 1, 2016 beginning at 5:00 pm.
- [Spring Reveals Some Surprises](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-reveals-surprises/) - As we progress into early Spring (late March in SW FL) we find new flowers and birds as well as some avian species that are not yet migrating north. Two of my favorite flowers are now in bloom, the large flowered Sabatia (a beautiful pink) and the spiderwort (a piercing blue color). Now
- [Earth Day Picnic at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/earth-day-picnic-preserve/) - Join the Green Team of Wildflower volunteers for fun activities and a picnic at our first Earth Day Fundraiser, Friday, April 22, 2016 at Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood. We will begin the day with planting activities at 10:30 a.m. If you'd like to help out, bring your gardening gloves and join us
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy at LBHS Senior Awards Night](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-bay-conservancy-lbhs-senior-awards-night/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy officers Vice President Irene Slattery and Acting President Jim Cooper awarding the Elsie Bracken Scholarship Award to Lemon Bay High School senior, Shannen Smith at the LBHS Awards Night held Monday evening, May 8th. Shannen was recognized for her outstanding work in conservation research at the 2015 S.T.E.M. camp held at Wildflower
- [Wildflower Project News Feature](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-project-news-feature/) - The Wildflower Preserve habitat restoration project was featured on the front page of the Englewood Sun-Herald on May 26, 2016.
- [Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration Underway!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-habitat-restoration-underway-2/) - The $1.17 million habitat restoration project is underway at Lemon Bay Conservancy's Wildflower Preserve!
- [Wildflower Restoration Video Progress Report 1](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-habitat-restoration-progress-report-1/) - Thanks to volunteer Bob Winter for this video about the start of invasive plant removal for our Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration project!
- [Wildflower Preserve Invasive Removal Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-invasive-removal-progress/) - Invasive species removal, the first phase of our habitat restoration project at Wildflower Preserve is well underway.
- [Summer 2016 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2016-summer-newsletter/) - Our Summer 2016 Newsletter includes informative articles on the Wildflower Preserve habitat restoration project, the 2016 STEM Camp, the Kids Tarpon Tournament, current environmental topics, the 2016 Giving Challenge and more. You can open it by clicking here or view it in the window below. (If you don't see it in the window yet, it may still
- [Help LBC Soar! The 2016 Giving Challenge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/help-lbc-soar-2016-giving-challenge/) - The 2016 Giving Challenge is now complete! Thank you to each of the 110 donors who contributed to Lemon Bay Conservancy during the 24-hour online Challenge! Preliminary estimates are that your donations combined with the very generous matching funds from The Patterson Foundation will bring in approximately $24,000 to LBC!
- [Nov. 2016 - April 2017 Nature Outings](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nov-2016-april-2017-nature-outings/) - Come join our volunteer naturalists as they lead 38 nature outings at 11 different locations this season!
- [Wildflower Preserve Restoration Project Phases and Schedules](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-restoration-project-phases-schedules/) - A detailed review of the Wildflower Preserve restoration project phases and planned schedules.
- [Wildflower Restoration Video Update - Oct. 2016](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-habitat-restoration-update-oct-2016/) - Thanks to our volunteers Bob Winter and Joe Gallagher for creating this video showing the invasive species removal work at Wildflower Preserve! We have now completed the first phase of our restoration work. What's next? Click on this link to read about the upcoming wetlands restoration work and the planting of native upland and wetland species.
- [New Video:  The Power of Citizens!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-power-of-citizens/) - The Power of Citizens working together to create Lemon Bay Conservancy's Wildflower Preserve is featured in a new video funded by the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) and produced by WGCU public media. The video is airing periodically on the four WGCU TV channels and is posted on the CHNEP YouTube site. Thank you to all of
- [Wildflower Preserve Interim Trails Now Open!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-interim-trail-map/) - At Wildflower Preserve, we are currently at a "lull" in our major habitat restoration project while we await permitting and bidding of the wetlands restoration project phase. To allow Lemon Bay Conservancy members to access the Preserve during the project "lull", our volunteer trail clearing team has marked an interim set of trails for use
- [Early Christmas Tarpon Surprise at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-christmas-tarpon-surprise-wildflower-preserve/) - A Report on the Monthly Lemon Bay Conservancy Tarpon Net Pull: Saturday, Dec 10, 2016 by Jim Cooper, LBC President It was the coolest morning in Placida this year at 57 degrees on Dec 10th as I drove north on Placida Road at 7.15 am and turned right onto Gasparilla Pines Blvd and again into LBC’s
- [You're Invited:  Feb. 18 Open House at Wildflower Preserve!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/feb-18-open-house-wildflower-preserve/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to a free “Open House” at Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, February 18, from 8 am to 1:30 pm! The Open House will include guided nature walks, displays by local environmental and gardening groups, presentations on a variety of topics, and a freshwater wetlands exploration activity. Wildflower is an 80-acre former golf course
- [April 1 "Early" Earth Day at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/april-1-early-earth-day-wildflower-preserve/) - You're invited to a free "Early" Earth Day Celebration on Saturday morning, April 1st, at Wildflower Preserve! Our earth day event will include guided nature walks, a hands-on planting demonstration, a native plant give-away, and a rain barrel installation demo. Information booths will be available for visitors to learn more about native plants and gardening. Lemon Bay Conservancy is hosting
- [The Awesome Nature of Florida in Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/awesome-nature-florida-summer/) - The very aspects of the Florida climate that motivate humans to migrate north in summer (high temperature and humidity plus often daily rainfall) make this an ideal situation for plant and animal growth. In addition the storm clouds can generate spectacular sunrises and sunsets as my photo of Lemon Bay at dawn shows. The huge
- [Free Columbus Day Nature Walk:  Birds of Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/free-columbus-day-nature-walk-birds-wildflower/) - On Monday, October 9, Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to join experienced birder Susy d’Hont for a free early morning nature walk to observe some of the many bird species that frequent Wildflower Preserve. Fall migration is underway and you may see some of the “snow birds” that arrive in our area for winter season.
- [Fall 2017 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2017-newsletter/) - Our Fall 2017 newsletter is now available. Articles include: President's Letter Our New Office and Office Manager 2017 Scholarship Winner: Katie Redmann Tarpon Research News Volunteer Profile: Capt. Becca deRosa What's Up in the Watershed Volunteer Profile: Dave Clayton Volunteer Profile: Lucia Schatteleyn Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration Update Giving Tuesday: "Step Forward for Wildflower" Fundraising
- [Natural Wonders of Lemon Lake/Amberjack](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-wonders-of-lemon-lake-amberjack/) - In the Englewood/Venice/Pt Charlotte area we are most fortunate in having a large number of outstanding county and state parks that showcase SW Forida's remarkable flora and fauna. One of the best is Amberjack Environmental Park (including Lemon Lake) adjacent to and totally dependent on water from tidal Lemon Creek which flows through Wildflower Preserve
- [April Birding Madness](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/april-birding-madness/) - April is a month in which birders avidly search for neo-tropical migrants as they fly from the Caribbean, South and Central America and Mexico to their northern breeding sites. In SW Florida these feathered jewels tend to descend on us during westerly winds, which push them off course as they migrate at
- [Wildflower Preserve Wetlands Restoration Groundbreaking!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-wetlands-restoration-groundbreaking/) - On a beautiful Saturday morning, April 28, 2018, an enthusiastic crowd of Lemon Bay Conservancy supporters gathered at Wildflower Preserve to celebrate the start of the Wetlands Restoration phase of the Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration Project. LBC president Jim Cooper welcomed everyone. Jim noted that the Conservancy has been working on this major initiative since
- [The Giving Challenge - May 1-2, 2018](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-giving-challenge-may-1-2-2018/) - Update: The 2018 Giving Challenge is now closed. Thank You to the 100 LBC supporters who donated during the 24-hour challenge! Combined with the very generous matching dollars from The Patterson Foundation, your contributions raised $14,900 for LBC! Your support is very much appreciated! On May 1 and 2, you have a special opportunity to
- [Wildflower Restoration Update: Gopher Tortoises and More](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-restoration-update-gopher-tortoises-and-more/) - We’re pleased to report that, after several weeks of delay to resolve final permitting issues, restoration work is now in “full swing” at Wildflower Preserve. One of the first project activities has been protecting the onsite gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises are listed as a “threatened” species in Florida and a special FWC permit is required
- [Wildflower Restoration: Clearing and the Burn Pit](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-restoration-clearing-and-the-burn-pit/) - Diversified Professional Services, DPS, is the prime contractor for the restoration work currently underway at Wildflower Preserve. Their crew has been actively working over the last few weeks to clear vegetation in the areas of the preserve that will be modified as part of the wetland expansion. Surveyors came onsite before the clearing work began and
- [Wildflower Restoration: A Video View](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-restoration-a-video-view/) - This week at Wildflower Preserve, the Diversified Professional Services (DPS) construction team is continuing their clearing work in preparation for the wetlands expansion and elevation changes. The burn pit operations described in our last project note have been delayed due to the high water table and challenges setting up the burn pit. A metal frame for
- [Wildflower Restoration:  Moving Sabal Palms](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-restoration-moving-sabal-palms/) - On the Wildflower Preserve property, we are lucky to have a large number of native Sabal (aka Cabbage) Palm trees. The Sabal Palm is the state tree of Florida. It is slow growing, but very hardy. When a Sabal Palm starts from seed in the wild, research by the University of Florida indicates that it
- [Winter 2011-12 Wildflower Preserve Photo Contest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-2011-12-wildflower-preserve-photo-contest/)
- [Toast to the Coast 2013](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toast-to-the-coast-2013/)
- [Wildflower Preserve in Audubon Magazine](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-audubon-magazine/) - Wildflower Preserve is featured in the Sept. 2013 Audubon Magazine article "Bye-bye Golf Courses, Hello Nature Preserves." As the name suggests, the article describes efforts around the country to return closed courses to more natural states. To read the full article, click here.
- [Volunteer Video A Tribute to Stu](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/volunteer-video-a-tribute-to-stu/) - Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers!
- [Toast to The Coast 2014 - Jim Cooper Interview](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toast-to-the-coast-2014-jim-cooper-interview/) - President Jim Cooper is interviewed by Lew Hastings Executive Director for Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce and Lemon Bay Conservancy Board Member. Jim talks about the annual fundraising gala Toast to The Coast
- [Beckstead Donation](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beckstead-donation/) - The Lemon Bay Conservancy announced today a gift of some 9.77 acres of land onThornton Key, adjacent to Palm Island. The donation was made by Garfield andDean Beckstead, creators of Palm Island Resort located on Palm Island and thehistoric Useppa Island Club located in Lee County. The generous donation, valuedin excess of $600,000, is adjacent
- [Open House at Wildflower - Jan. 25, 2014](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/open-house-at-wildflower-jan-25-2014/) - An Open House is scheduled at Wildlfower Preserve for 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, January 25, 2014. Early arrivals can join the 8:30 am Tarpon Walk to observe the first-of-its kind juvenile tarpon research project underway in Lemon Creek where researchers are tagging the tarpon to better understand their growth patterns and use of
- [Big Turnout for Wildflower Open House](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/big-turnout-for-wildflower-open-house/) - Wildflower Preserve was humming with life on Saturday, January 25th. The cool morning gave way to pleasant temperatures as over 350 people visited the Open House held at Lemon Bay Conservancy’s largest preserve. Visitors participated in guided trail walks and strolled among the information booths that showcased the activities of local environmental and gardening groups:
- [Toast to the Coast 2014](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toast-to-the-coast-2014-2/) - !!! SAVE THE DATE !!! TOAST TO THE COAST 2014 takes place on Friday, February 21 and promises to be a great evening of music, food and friends celebrating the enduring magic of our coastal home. TOAST TO THE COAST is Lemon Bay Conservancy’s only fundraiser of the season, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of our ongoing efforts to preserve our wonderful and unique environment. All proceeds go toward LBC conservation projects. Now accepting reservations online!
- [Toast to the Coast  LIVE AUCTION Spoiler Alert](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toast-to-the-coast-live-auction-spoiler-alert/) - VILLA IN TUSCANY A fabulous one-week stay at “Casa Bacanella”, a charming Tuscan villa in Cortona, Italy, where a maximum of six guests may share the auction prize. Optional extras the high bidder may enjoy during their stay include: Maria’s cook service with meals served in the dining room of Casa Bacanella Ilde’s maid service
- [Volunteer Appreciation Dinner](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/volunteer-appreciation-dinner/) - On March 13, 2014, Lemon Bay Conservancy hosted a volunteer appreciation dinner at the Cape Haze Community Center for 40 volunteers, friends, and family members involved in the ongoing restoration work at Wildflower Preserve. The guests viewed a slide show with photos of volunteer activities at the preserve mixed with pictures of plants and animals
- ["Safari" Brochures and Walks Explore Plants and Animals at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/new-safari-brochures-explore-plants-animals-wildflower-preserve/) - Three new "safari" brochures are now available that describe plants and animals that visitors may see in the various habitats (uplands, freshwater wetlands, and estuarine) at Wildflower Preserve. Each of the three brochures features 25 species with photos and brief descriptions. The idea behind the "safari" theme is that travelers on a safari "hunt" for and take note
- [Opportunity Knocks!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/opportunity-knocks/) - **The 2014 Giving Challenge is now closed. Thank you to everyone who helped LBC by donating and voting ** Lemon Bay Conservancy is participating in the 2014 Giving Challenge, a program that provides special incentives and matching grants for donations to area non-profits during the 24-hour challenge window from noon May 6 to noon May 7. As
- [Wetlands Are at Risk in Charlotte County](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wetlands-risk-charlotte-county/) - By: Percy Angelo The Charlotte County Commissioners are considering a major rewrite of their Comprehensive Plan which would eliminate most County measures to protect wetlands. The proposal eliminates County protections based on an argument that state and federal rules are sufficient. In fact, however, state and federal rules allow the destruction of wetlands and their
- [Jim Cooper in the July Harbor Style](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/jim-cooper-july-harbor-style/) - Preserving the Environment for future generations. Click here to download a copy of the article. Thank you to Harbor Style for permission to publish this article on the LBC website and for interviewing President Jim Cooper If you wish to view the entire July issue of Harbor Style the link is provided below: http://trendmag2.trendoffset.com/publication/?i=213320
- [Nov. 2014 - April 2015 Nature Outings Schedule](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nov-2014-april-2015-nature-outings-schedule/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is pleased to announce a wide-ranging schedule of free public nature outings for the Fall 2014 - Winter 2015 season. The outings will be led by our outstanding volunteer guides, including Dr. Bill Dunson, Dave Clayton, Bob Cooper, Margaret Dunson, Jane Wallace, Dr. Bruce Dayton, and Dr. Fred Santana. This season's outings
- [Special LBC Member Events for January & February 2015](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/special-lbc-member-events-january-february-2015/) - Two special events for Lemon Bay Conservancy members are scheduled in January and February. These events are open to all new and renewing LBC members. Member Morning at Wildflower Preserve - 8 am to 11 am on Saturday, Jan. 17 LBC members are invited to come out and meet the volunteer gardeners, trail guides, and board
- [Jan. 24, 2015 Open House with Mote Marine Touch Tank](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/jan-24-2015-open-house-mote-marine-touch-tank/) - Saturday, January 24, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm Nature Walks, Talks, Displays and the Mote Marine Mobile Exhibit & Touch Tank Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to a free “Open House” at Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, January 24th from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. Wildflower is an 80-acre former golf course that is being restored
- [Member Boat Trip with Dr. Bill Dunson - ** New Date **, Thursday, Mar 19, 2015](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/member-boat-trip-dr-bill-dunson-feb-19-2015/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy members are invited to join Dr. Bill Dunson for a special pontoon boat excursion on Lemon Bay. This trip was originally scheduled for Feb. 19, but the date has been changed to March 19 due to cold weather and wind forecasted for the February date. If weather conditions permit, we will make
- [New Video:  Butterfly Habitat at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/butterfly-habitat-at-wildflower-preserve/) - Our volunteer video producer, Bob Winter has added a new video to the Lemon Bay Conservancy YouTube channel. It tells the story of the Butterfly Habitat that is being developed and maintained by volunteers at Lemon Bay Conservancy's Wildflower Preserve. Watch it by clicking here: Butterfly Habitat Video.
- [The 2015 Giving Challenge: Will You Help?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-2015-giving-challenge-will-you-help/) - Giving Challenge Update: Thank You to everyone who contributed to LBC during the 24-hour Giving Challenge. With your donations and estimated matching funds from The Patterson Foundation we raised over $8,244 for LBC! ____________________________ Lemon Bay Conservancy is involved in many important projects. We're supporting student education initiatives, researching juvenile tarpon and snook growth
- [Toast to the Coast Jazz Brunch](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toast-coast-jazz-brunch/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy's 2017 fundraiser, Toast to the Coast, will be a jazz brunch at the beautiful Manasota Beach Club on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Please join us as we gather to support Lemon Bay Conservancy’s ongoing programs to preserve and protect our coastal environment! The event will include fine food, live and silent auctions, and music by "Saxy
- [Step Forward for Wildflower!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/step-forward/) - Your "Step forward for Wildflower" donation supports the creation of a new trail network at Wildflower Preserve and the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over Lemon Creek. Click here to make your donation and Step Forward for Wildflower!
- [Step Forward For Wildflower! Fundraising Campaign](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/step-forward-for-wildflower/) - This year, Lemon Bay Conservancy is joining the international #GivingTuesday movement with a special "Step Forward for Wildflower" fundraising campaign. Giving Tuesday is officially the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year, that's November 28th. You can help us by donating any time between now and November 28! Following the frenzies of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the idea behind
- [Nov. 2017-Apr. 2018 Nature Walks & Special Events](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nov-2017-apr-2018-nature-walks-special-events/) - This "winter" season we have a fun and informative schedule of nature walks and special events planned. Our highly-qualified, volunteer guides are leading nature walks at Wildflower Preserve, Stump Pass State Park, Blind Pass (Middle Beach) Park on Manasota Key, and other interesting venues. Special events include the Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival, our Toast to
- [LBC Annual Meeting with Guest Speaker Roy Ault](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbc-annual-meeting-guest-speaker-roy-ault/) - On Monday, February 19th, beginning at 5:30 pm, we're holding our LBC annual meeting at the Cape Haze Community Center. Our featured speaker will be Roy Ault, longtime local resident, Englewood Sun columnist, and LBC volunteer. Roy is famous (infamous?) for his humorous stories, so please join us as he provides his perspectives on the Importance of Volunteerism. Attendance is free. Refreshments will be provided.
- [Feb. 26 Presentation at Manasota Beach Club](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/feb-26-presentation-manasota-beach-club/) - On Feb. 26, from noon to 1:30, Jim Cooper and Eva Furner will speak as part of the Manasota Beach Club luncheon lecture series. Their presentation topics is "Converting a Golf Course to a Nature Preserve: The Story of Wildflower Preserve." They will discuss how Lemon Bay Conservancy, our partners and our volunteers are working
- [Feb. 10 "Open House" at Wildflower Preserve!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/feb-10-open-house-wildflower-preserve/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to a free “Open House” at Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, February 10, 2018! Wildflower is an 80-acre former golf course that is being restored as a wildlife preserve. Come explore nature and learn about the restoration project! Guided Trail Walks with our knowledgeable guides will leave throughout the event. Our
- [Toast to the Coast 2018:  Brunch at the Beach!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toast-coast-2018-brunch-beach/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy's 2018 fundraiser "Toast to the Coast" will be a Brunch at the Beach at the beautiful and natural Manasota Beach Club, 7660 Manasota Key Road, on Sunday, January 28, 2018. The event will include fine food, live auctions and music. The festivities run from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. Tickets are $100.00
- [LBC’s Major Role in the May 2014 - Kids Classic Tarpon Fishing Event](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lbcs-major-role-may-2014-kids-classic-tarpon-fishing-event/) - by Captain Sandy Melvin It is an honor and a pleasure for me to mention the significant role LBC played in our Kids Tarpon Tournament this year. My planning committee was glad to select Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) as the official Conservation Sponsor for our 4th annual Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Fishing Tournament held
- [Wildflower Preserve Dragonflies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-dragonflies/) - Wildflower Preserve has a variety of habitats that make it a great site for observing dragonflies and damselflies. Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Lemon Creek](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-lemon-creek/) - Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy, and through the dedicated work of volunteers is being transformed into an educational nature preserve. Lemon Creek is a brackish water creek that is connected to Lemon Bay.
- [Wildflower Preserve Tarpon Junction](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-tarpon-junction/) - "Tarpon Junction" is located on the northern prong of Lemon Creek at Wildflower Preserve. This portion of the creek, with its low oxygen content and connectivity to Lemon Bay, is a nusery for baby Tarpon. The creek is located in Wildflower Preserve. Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that
- [Wildflower Preserve Verna's Pond](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-vernas-pond/) - Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by Lemon Bay Conservancy, and through the dedicated work of volunteers is being transformed into an educational nature preserve. Verna's Pond is one of six major fresh water ponds within the preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Birders' Woodland](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-birders-woodland/) - Features some of the birds that are seen at the Preserve. Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Trails](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-trails/) - Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Introduction](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-introduction/) - Wildflower Preserve is a abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy, and through the dedicated work of volunteers is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Tarpon Tagging](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-tagging-2/) - In conjunction with Mote Marine and Bone Fish and Trust, Lemon Bay conservancy is participating in the pioneer research of juvenile tarpon. Never before has there been any data on juvenile tarpon due in part that they are not a "game fish". This research is vital to the habit preservation and understanding the juvenile tarpon.
- [Volunteer Projects at Wildflower Preserve - Sept. 2012 thru March 2013](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/volunteer-projects-at-wildflower-preserve-sept-2012-thru-march-2013/) - Wonderful accomplishments by our Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers at Wildflower Preserve!
- [Wildflower Preserve Duckweed Pond](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-duckweed-pond/) - Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy, and through the dedicated work of volunteers is being transformed into an educational nature preserve. Several old golf course ponds are covered with duckweed. This video shows efforts to remove duckweed and reduce nutrients in
- [Wildflower Preserve Spanish Needles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-spanish-needles/) - Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Learning Loop Trail](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-learning-loop-trail/) - Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-butterfly-habitat/) - Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Gopher Tortoise Meadow](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-gopher-tortoise-meadow/) - This Gopher Tortoise habitat located in Wildflower Preserve is home to several tortoise's and is being enhanced by volunteers. Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Hidden Pond](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-hidden-pond/) - Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Moorhen Pond](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-moorhen-pond/) - Idenitification and habits of Moorhens (aka Common Gallinules) at Wildflower Preserve. Wildflower Preserve is an abandoned Golf Course located in Grove City, Florida that was purchased by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and, through the dedicated work of volunteers, is being transformed into an educational nature preserve.
- [Wildflower Preserve Bird Checklist Video](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve-bird-checklist-video/) - Our volunteer video producer, Bob Winter has added a new video to the Lemon Bay Conservancy YouTube channel. It tells the story of the volunteer team who have worked to build the bird checklist for Wildflower Preserve. Watch it by clicking here: Bird Checklist Video.
- [Wildflower Birding by Abbie Banks](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-birding-by-abbie-banks/) - Often times we make plans in SW Florida and they are thwarted by the daily torrential downpours of summer. The original day for a birding field trip to Wildflower Preserve and Lemon Lake at Amberjack got rained out. But, not a problem, the following Thursday, Halloween day was the day of our rescheduled trip. Some
- [SWFWMD Restoration Planning Grant](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildlfower-restoration-planning-grant-from-swfwmd/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) has received grant funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for the design of wetlands restoration at its Wildflower Preserve off Placida Road in the Englewood area. The $200,000 grant through SWFWMD’s cooperative funding initiative will focus on restoration of natural wetlands systems at Wildflower Preserve. Wildflower Preserve was developed
- [Benefit Sale for Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/benefit-sale-wildflower/) - Please help us raise funds for programs and improvements at Wildflower Preserve! To Donate: If you have unneeded furniture, household goods, boating/fishing equipment, tools, or other items in good condition, please consider donating them for the sale! (Please no clothing or old electronics.) Donations will be accepted on Friday, March 7, from 10:30 am to 3:00
- [Field & Stream “Hero for a Day” - March 29th](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/field-stream-hero-day-march-29th/) - Field & Stream “Hero for a Day” Coming to Wildflower Preserve on March 29, 2014 Lemon Bay Conservancy is excited to announce that Field & Stream magazine will have staff and two video crews onsite at Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, March 29th to see our volunteers at work on environmental research and restoration activities. Wildflower
- [Photographers Visit Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/photographers-visit-wildflower-preserve/) - On a sunny morning in late April, a group of photographers enjoyed the beauty of Wildflower Preserve. Photographers Fred Breitwieser and Roland Suarez-Ontag shared some of their favorite shots with us. If you are viewing on a PC, click on any picture below to enlarge the image. Then, use the right or left arrow buttons to move to
- [Come to the LBC Open House!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/come-to-the-lbc-open-house/) - Wildflower Preserve Open House, Feb. 13, 2016, walks, displays, talks, food, and fun!
- [Fall 2006 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2006-newsletter/) - Fall 2006 is now available on line... http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Fall-2006-Newsletter.pdf
- [Summer 2007 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-2007-newsletter/) - Summer 2007 is now on line http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Summer-2007-Newsletter.pdf
- [Fall 2007 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2007-newsletter/) - Fall 2007 is now available on line... http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Fall-2007-Newsletters.pdf
- [Spring 2008 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-2008-newsletter/) - Spring 2008 Newsletter is now on line http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Spring-2008-Newsletter1.pdf
- [Fall 2008 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2008/) - Fall 2008 is now available on line... http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Fall-2008-Newsletter.pdf
- [Fall 2009 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2009-newsletter/) - Fall 2009 newsletter is now available on line... http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Fall-2006-Newsletter.pdf
- [Summer 2010 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-2010/) - Summer 2010 is now on line http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Summer-2010-Newsletter.pdf
- [Summer 2011 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-2011-newsletter/) - Summer 2011 is now on line http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Summer-2011-Newsletter.pdf
- [Fall 2011 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2011-newsletter/) - Fall 2011 is now available on line... http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Fall-2011-Newsletter.pdf
- [Summer 2012 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-2012-newsletter/) - Our Summer 2012 Newsletter is available online.
- [Fall 2012 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2012-newsletter/) - Our Fall 2012 Newsletter is available online.
- [Fall 2013](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-2013/) - Fall 2013 is now available on line... http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/lbc_fall2013_elo.pdf
- [Summer 2014 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/newsletter-summer-2014/) - Our Summer 2014 Newsletter is available online.
- [Winter 2014 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-2014-newsletter/) - Our Winter 2014 Newsletter is available online.
- [Summer 2015 Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-2015-newsletter/) - Our Summer 2015 Newsletter is available below. (If you don't see it yet, it may still be loading.) You can view it here, or download it by clicking the link at the bottom of this post.
- [Early Fall Nature in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-fall-nature-in-the-blue-ridge/) - As summer progresses into early Fall we can see additional signs of the changing seasons. From my bedroom window I observe that the whitetail deer "twins" continue to grow although they still have their spots. Their grazing in our wildflower garden is definitely a concern since the impact of deer herbivory in the adjacent forest
- [Late Summer Nature in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/late-summer-nature-in-the-blue-ridge/) - As the summer season progresses into the infamous dog days, which are historically associated with the rising of the dog star Sirius, nature undergoes some profound changes. Spring bird migration is over as is most breeding, fall migration has begun and little bird song is heard. Most amphibians have completed breeding. It is a time
- [The Mystery of the Disappearing and Reappearing Green Anoles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-mystery-of-the-disappearing-and-reappearing-green-anoles/) - Most who live in SW Florida will have noticed in their yards a very common small lizard, the brown or Cuban anole. It is an exotic species which has long been established here. The males extend a colorful orange/red dewlap while doing "push-ups" to establish territorial dominance. Brown anoles are now an important food source
- [A Backyard Insect Safari](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-backyard-insect-safari/) - Too often we think that we have to go to a far country to see fantastic animals. However if you extend your gaze towards the insect world you may find a remarkable menagerie right in your own backyard. Here are some examples from my own yard in Boone, NC, during a month-long period in mid-summer.
- [The Place That Few People Know- S Venice Lemon Bay Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-place-that-few-people-know-s-venice-lemon-bay-preserve/) - Some areas with great natural beauty and lots of wildlife are rarely visited because they are in an out of the way location. This is certainly true of South Venice (FL) Lemon Bay Preserve (SVLBP). It is on the mainland just across the ICW from Manasota Key ( https://www.scgov.net/home/showdocument?id=33607 ). There are several entrances but
- [Florida Nature in Late January](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/florida-nature-late-january/) - So far in this new year of 2018 we have had some long stretches of cool weather, including light frost inland, interspersed with warm temperatures. I was surprised to see that some plants such as sea grape had brown leaves even at Wildflower Preserve, which is fairly close to the warming influence of the bay.
- [Raptors and More](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/raptors-and-more/) - Some of the most interesting places for a naturalist to visit might not seem the most likely to provide surprising insights into the secrets of nature. One such place is Hathaway Park in Charlotte County, primarily considered a place to fish and launch a kayak into Shell Creek (.https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/services/ParksRecs/Pages/park.aspx?Map_Key=33). Yet it has a pretty nature
- [Twig Mimic Suggests Extreme Bird Selection](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/twig-mimic-suggests-extreme-bird-selection/) - I am fond of making the point that toxic/poisonous insects are brightly colored to warn potential bird predators, and others such as some moths have eye spots to scare off birds. This indicates how important intense avian predation is in selecting the colors and patterns of insect prey. But the opposite should also be true,
- [Milkweed Beetles Eat A Poisonous Diet](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/milkweed-beetles-eat-a-poisonous-diet/) - This time of year the milkweeds are starting to bloom or nearing this stage. It is an interesting time to view some of the specialist herbivores that can feed on the poisonous milkweed and use the toxins to protect themselves from mainly avian predators.We are all familiar with the monarch butterfly that birds cannot
- [Haying Time and Wildlife](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/haying-time-and-wildlife/) - Well can you believe that it is the end of June already and the Summer is flying by? One of the more interesting things that happens this time of year on the farm is cutting and baling of the hay (see photo). We have a cattle rancher next door who harvests and buys our
- [An inspiring bird tale- "Stumpy" the white ibis](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/an-inspiring-bird-tale-stumpy-the-white-ibis/) - I noticed an old friend, Stumpy, recently in our backyard in Florida (Englewood area), a white ibis with a broken leg (see photo) that has been foraging periodically in our area for at least three years. You need to understand that this bird cannot stand on its right leg at all, at any time.
- [Playing With Your Food - Great Blue Heron](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/playing-with-your-food/) - I watched this great blue heron with a small mangrove water snake it had caught for about 15 minutes at Stump Pass State Park, FL. It just kept handling the snake, flipping it around, and avoided eating it as if to say that it really did not want to eat a snake today! Maybe it
- [What Is It- A Strange Sight At Sea ?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/what-is-it-a-strange-sight-at-sea/) - No matter where you happen to live, it is very useful for your ecological perspective to go somewhere else for at least a brief period. It is surprising how one can become jaded and accept some amazing things as commonplace. For example a rare bird becomes a "trash" bird within a fairly short time
- [Wacky Spider Webs](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wacky-spider-webs/) - One of my favorite times of day to be abroad and exploring the natural world is soon after dawn and during that early period when the dew is heavy and it is not yet hot. It seems like a magical time of day when many critters are just waking up. One of the astonishing
- [Mr. Mom - the "toe Biter" - Waterbugs](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mr-mom-the-toe-biter-waterbugs/) - The evolution of parental care in males- or "Mr. Mom" of the animal world. One of the more interesting and highly predaceous invertebrates that you will encounter in fresh water habitats is a large water bug or hemipteran in the genus Belostoma . They are commonly found when dipnetting in ponds and I came
- [What The Heck Is That? 2](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/what-the-heck-is-that-2/) - In the course of my wanderings in the woods, fields and wetlands I encounter many natural objects that cause me to ask, what is that thing? Indeed these little puzzles provide a never ending source of wonder about the natural world and lead to searches in books and on the web to find answers.
- [Sex life of the whitetail dragonfly](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sex-life-of-the-whitetail-dragonfly/) - I came across an interesting dragonfly yesterday in a field and wondered what it was. After comparing the photo (above left) to a book I realized that it was an old acquaintance, a female common whitetail. I was irritated that I did not remember this critter since the male is so distinctive (see photo
- [Baby Box Turtle and Gap Birds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/baby-box-turtle-and-gap-birds/) - During the visit of the BRMN to our farm on Sunday some eagle-eyed hikers spotted not one but three baby box turtles along a trail adjacent to Solomon Creek. This is an extremely rare observation since young box turtles are very rarely seen. I see adults commonly but almost never such young turtles (see
- [Dragonflies in Love](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/dragonflies-in-love/) - One of my favorite things to do is to stroll quietly around our six small ponds and watch for interesting things to happen. Yesterday I noticed a large water snake foraging for frogs, a group of eastern tailed blue butterflies "puddling" on damp soil, and an absolute maelstrom of dragonflies of at least 5
- [Why Do Bumble Bees Visit Roses?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/why-do-bumble-bees-visit-roses/) - I was trimming some weeds along a fence and noticed an interesting phenomenon taking place in the bushes. Bumblebees were visiting the flowers of Carolina rose ( Rosa carolina ), a beautiful native species that can be mistaken for the invasive exotic multiflora rose if you are not careful. You will note from the photo
- [What's Wrong With This Caterpillar?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/whats-wrong-with-this-caterpillar/) - Interesting natural history tidbits sometimes come in the strangest ways. I was down at the river with one of my grandsons, Sam, who was fishing. A boat pulled out at the ramp and one of the fishermen offered to give left-over bait to Sam including some minnows and bean worms. Now I know what shiners
- [Gecko on the Windowsill](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/gecko-on-the-windowsill/) - I noticed this gecko on my windowsill and no it was not trying to sell me insurance! Instead I was in awe of its various qualities as an immigrant to FL. This is an Indo-Pacific Gecko (Hemidactylus garnoti) that lives in houses or out-buildings and is not only harmless but consumes a lot of noxious
- [Tadpoles are Amazing - and do Birds Eat Them?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tadpoles-are-amazing-and-do-birds-eat-them/) - The American toad eggs that were laid about one-two weeks ago in our farm pond have now hatched and the young tadpoles are clustered in a tight group along the edge of the pond in shallow water (see photo). This raises several questions- why do they do this, and how do they avoid predation,
- [Good Snake – Bad Snake](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/good-snake-bad-snake/) - I am both a bird and a snake lover and as such find myself a bit conflicted about the eating habits of some snakes. Certainly I believe sincerely that Nature should take its course and we humans should interfere as little as possible. However when we observe a predation event in person this can provide
- [What Is This - a Snake or a Caterpillar ?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/what-is-this-a-snake-or-a-caterpillar/) - Probably the icon of butterflies is the monarch which is very widely recognized by the public in N. America. However I imagine that the familiar yellow and black tiger swallowtail butterfly (there is also a less common black morph female) is the next most recognized and appreciated butterfly for its beauty, large size and
- [Do Caterpillars Know Where They Are?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/do-caterpillars-know-where-they-are/) - I found a patch of bur marigolds (named for their tick-like seeds that stick to pants, and are not actually true marigolds but in the composite or aster family in the genus Bidens ) in our marsh and was enjoying the beautiful yellow flowers when I noticed a dark caterpillar on one of the flowers
- [Mid-October Mourning Dove Nest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mid-october-mourning-dove-nest/) - I was astonished today to find an active mourning dove nest, with two nearly fledged nestlings, on our farm. A female flushed and did the broken wing act, which at first I was at a loss to explain. I thought maybe the bird was sick or demented, but then I noticed the nest from which
- [The Role of Surprise in Natural History Study](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-role-of-surprise-in-natural-history-study/) - One of the things that provides the most fun in our daily search for enlightenment in the natural world is unexpected encounters. My wife and I made one of these exciting and surprising observations last week when we were being herded along with large numbers of tourists in Zion Canyon. I was regretting even coming
- [What Is That Thing?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/what-is-that-thing/) - Here is a small (2 inch long) object that I originally found in our yard. Do you think it is animal, vegetable, or mineral ?! Notice the segments on the left pointed end of the object, the broad somewhat wing-like covering on the right side, and the two "horns" at the right end. If
- [Two Insects Warm Up](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/two-insects-warm-up/) - We are having a glorious week of Fall weather here in SW VA- hard freezes at night and warm sunny afternoons. This is decimating the flowers of course and the insect world. Yet today when I made my afternoon rounds of the farm I came across two hardy insects (a shadow darner and eastern
- [Bluebirds In A Dither](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/bluebirds-in-a-dither/) - I was walking in the yard this morning and heard a group of bluebirds making a racket in one of our big red maple trees, but not using their normal call notes or song. This was more like a chattering and reminded me of so-called "mobbing behavior" by which groups of birds surround a predator
- [Fall Colors in a Strange Place](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-colors-in-a-strange-place/) - As we prepare to flee to FL from the onset of Winter in our Virginia mountain farm, the first hard freeze of the season last night made it very clear what is coming. We enjoyed a bit of "Indian Summer" today and one of our most treasured reptilian denizens was also out in the warm
- [Honey Bees Feed on Cape Honeysuckle](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/honey-bees-feed-on-cape-honeysuckle/) - We just returned to Florida for the Winter and after several weeks of frosts at our VA farm, are enjoying seeing numerous flowers and insect life again. We have spent considerable effort in planting native and exotic plants in our FL yard, with one thing in mind, to provide food and cover for animal life
- [The Amazing Bald-Faced Hornet](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-amazing-bald-faced-hornet/) - I came across a bald-faced hornet nest (actually a type of yellowjacket) in a tree while I was cutting brush. After most of the hornets had died from cold weather, I cut the nest open to examine the contents, and was amazed by its complex structure. There are several outer shells of paper (made from
- [The Value of Water as a Bird Attractant](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-value-of-water-as-a-bird-attractant/) - Our Florida location is on a barrier island (Manasota Key) only a short distance from the mainland, but a very dry location in terms of freshwater for critters to drink. The "soil" is basically sand with a maximum elevation of about 11 feet, and there are no natural ponds, except of course for sea water
- [What Butterfly Was That](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/what-butterfly-was-that/) - The real secret to learning new species of animals and plants is study and repetition, but one thing that works especially well is to focus on the 10 commonest species within each group you are trying to learn. Another is to examine the species that closely resemble each other and figure out to tell
- [A Tale of Two Nutty Butterflies - The Buckeyes](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-tale-of-two-nutty-butterflies-the-buckeyes/) - Lemon Bay Preserve in southern Venice, FL, is an interesting place for many reasons, but it has some remarkable butterflies illustrating the role of habitat differences in speciation. For example during a nature walk there yesterday we saw a mangrove buckeye butterfly in a tidal area sitting on some saltwort (see photo). The name
- [Noisy Little Green Monster](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/noisy-little-green-monster/) - While working in the yard I came across an interesting mystery bug that is still making itself known in a big way this time of year by its buzzing call from the trees. Few people ever actually see the perpetrator of this incessant calling that can become rather annoying if there are large numbers of
- [The Problem with Plumbago- How To Think Like a Butterfly](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-problem-with-plumbago-how-to-think-like-a-butterfly/) - In our desire to provide sources of nectar for insects, we often are tempted to plant exotic plants which can provide beautiful flowers for the garden and hopefully nourish some of our "flying flowers", the wonderful butterflies. It is not always obvious how to balance native and exotic plants in the garden since certainly one
- [A Tiny Legume Destroyer- the Genista Moth](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-tiny-legume-destroyer-the-genista-moth/) - Another one of those things that go on in our backyards without much notice is the occasional destruction of plant leaves by small caterpillars. Sometimes we get annoyed by this and spray the plants or try to figure out what is happening. In recent walks in scrub habitat at Lemon Bay Preserve I have
- [Banded Shorebirds On The Loose](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/banded-shorebirds-on-the-loose/) - You might be interested to know that there is a huge effort to band and track shorebirds underway in the Gulf of Mexico and some of these birds may come your way at some point. I was at Don Pedro Island State Park yesterday on the SW coast of FL and was pleased to see
- [The Beautiful Swimmer - The Blue Crab](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-beautiful-swimmer-the-blue-crab/) - With a maelstrom of four grandsons running around in all directions over the holidays we had a wonderful time chasing critters. Isn't it interesting how humans have the propensity to catch live things? Even in modern times when we try to be more non-consumptive of wild creatures, we engage in activities such as bird watching
- [Unsuspected Beauty in Snake Plant Flowers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/unsuspected-beauty-in-snake-plant-flowers/) - It is hard to believe that anyone has not at some time had snake plants ( Sansevieria ) in their family households. The ability of this interesting but strange plant to survive almost any treatment made it popular around the world as a house plant. Unfortunately in warmer areas such as Florida they ended
- [The Lo Moth & Caterpillar -Some Amazing Natural Designs](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-lo-moth-caterpillar-some-amazing-natural-designs/) - On a nature walk this morning at Stump Pass State Park in Englewood, FL, our group came across two caterpillars of the Io moth (see attached photo). At this stage they are a striking light green, with a red and white stripe along their sides. The younger caterpillars are brown to orange-brown. Although we
- [The Bizarre Oleander Wasp-Moths](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-bizarre-oleander-wasp-moths/) - If you travel or live in southern states or in California you will have noticed the exotic oleander plant (dogbane family) which is widely planted for its beautiful flowers and attractive foliage. It is used a lot due to its ability to grow in difficult sites, and general resistance to herbivores. You may not
- [An "Odd Couple" - Walkingsticks in Love](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/an-odd-couple-walkingsticks-in-love/) - While on a walk at Amberjack Preserve in SW FL we noticed an interesting phenomenon - a mating pair of walkingsticks. This appears to be the large two striped walkingstick, but there are northerly species also. This cousin of the grasshoppers is peculiar for its resemble to a stick, which probably serves it well
- [The Bagworm - It Builds a House and Comes To Eat Your Plants](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-bagworm-it-builds-a-house-and-comes-to-eat-your-plants/) - I came across an old acquaintance today while walking near Arcadia,FL, the bagworm. This curious caterpillar of a moth with an unpronounceable name, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis , has a very strange habit that makes it very distinctive and easy to identify. As its name implies it makes a case or bag out of silk and bits
- [The Little Shop of Horros - Carnivorous Plants](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-little-shop-of-horros-carnivorous-plants/) - On a recent walk at Myakka State Forest I was pleased to come across a large patch of small butterworts, Pinguicula pumila, some of which were in bloom. The delicate bluish flowers are a delight, especially in the middle of "Winter." They are such small and inconspicuous plants that they are easy to overlook
- [Bad Tree: Good Tree - Raptons Need Nest Sites](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/bad-tree-good-tree-raptons-need-nest-sites/) - One of the many perks of wintering in FL is that we get to watch birds up close and personal that we are familiar with, but at some distance up north. For example how often do you get to look eyeball to eyeball with an osprey on its nest? A pair has constructed a
- [What Is That Horrible Smell?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/what-is-that-horrible-smell/) - If you get out and hike in the local parks where wood chips and mulch are placed on the trails, you might have noticed a very interesting and highly odoriferous fungus, the octopus stinkhorn (Clathrus columnatus). The attached photos show the varied forms this strange orange fruiting body takes. The fruiting body originates from
- [The Tranquility of Nature – Not !](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-tranquility-of-nature-not/) - There can sometimes be great drama in the lives of birds as well as humans, as we have been observing a pair of ospreys and their tormentors, a pair of great horned owls. We have not directly observed all the specific interactions of these two wonderful species, but can surmise what must be happening.
- [The Mysterious Blue-Tailed Skink](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-mysterious-blue-tailed-skink/) - One aspect of natural history that fascinates me is the hidden lives that many species of animals lead right under our noses. For example out in your yard there are literally dozens of sizable critters that you do not pay any attention to since they are hidden from your view by their nocturnal or
- [Jack or Jill in the Pulpit ?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/jack-or-jill-in-the-pulpit/) - I imagine most of you are familiar with the Jack-in-the-pulpit which is a not uncommon wildflower in wet woods of eastern North America. However I doubt if any of you have encountered this interesting member of the arum family on Feb. 7 in bloom as I did today at Lemon Bay Park in Sarasota
- [An Exciting Bird in The Mangrove](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/an-exciting-bird-in-the-mangrove/) - I have undoubtedly commented before on the importance of fresh new discoveries to add excitement to our daily explorations in nature. Of course these do not happen at a grand scale every day, but there is also always something of interest to be found whenever you get a chance to venture out into the
- [Fun in The Sun](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fun-in-the-sun/) - I know all of you Eskimos up North are having fun with Winter sports in the ice and snow but just to let you know what is coming your way in another 2-3 months I thought I would send a few photos of what I saw today in our FL yard and nearby. If
- [Great Horned Owls Feed Terns to Their Babies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/great-horned-owls-feed-terns-to-their-babies/) - This seems to be an unusually good year for great horned owls near our house in Englewood, FL. There is a pair using an osprey nest directly over our house up 50 feet in the top of a Norfolk Island pine although we are not sure that they have been successful in raising young. A
- [Is Stumpy Alive?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/is-stumpy-alive/) - I first have a photographic record of a white ibis I named "Stumpy" on Nov. 10, 2007. It had a broken right leg that was twisted and extended forward in an awkward position and hopped on its one good left leg while foraging behind the flock. It obviously had trouble keeping up with the
- [Leaf-Footed Bug On Jimson Weed](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/leaf-footed-bug-on-jimson-weed/) - I noticed today that a large Jimson weed ( Datura or angel's trumpet) plant in our field was infested with eastern leaf-footed bugs ( Leptoglossus phyllopus) - see photo attached. Several things about this were interesting- Jimson weed is an exotic nightshade that is quite poisonous. Among other things it contains atropine and scopolamine
- [The House Gekko- A Bizarre But Wonderful Bug Destroyer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-house-gekko-a-bizarre-but-wonderful-bug-destroyer/) - I am always interested in ways to avoid using pesticides and to instead utilize natural methods of biological control. Well in Florida we have plenty of pest insects and it is hard to avoid spraying them occasionally. However I have discovered a wonderful ally in combating roaches in our friendly house geckos (see photo).
- [Some Backyard Birds in Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/some-backyard-birds-in-florida/) - While the weather remains somewhat less than ideal in VA/NC you folks up North are starting to see some really nice birds and are beginning to experience early Spring in a way that is beginning to excite my envy. When the Spring peepers start calling there, I will really begin to be anxious to
- [Caracara As A Yard Bird!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/caracara-as-a-yard-bird/) - As I was returning from a visit to the Alva, FL, area where there are a number of interesting Lee County nature parks I was startled to see two crested caracaras (a federally threatened falcon) walking around in someone's front yard along route 78 (see photo). The yard in this case was obviously a
- [The Glorious Bluespotted Sunfish & The "Gaudy Male Syndrome"](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-glorious-bluespotted-sunfish-the-gaudy-male-syndrome/) - While dip-netting in a FL canal I came across one of the most interesting and beautiful fish in freshwater, the bluespotted sunfish, Enneacanthus glorious (see photo). This fish is well named since the adult males are covered with brilliant blue spots that shine intensely. It is a wide-spread species occurring in the coastal plain
- [A New Sphinx Moth Dazzles Birds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-new-sphinx-moth-dazzles-birds/) - Joan McGowan sent me a photo of a caterpillar she has in her garden in Florida (but which occurs widely in eastern N. America) that has been eating her exotic penta plants that are good for attracting butterflies that feed on nectar. When she described it orally as a brown caterpillar with eye spots
- [Fire & Water: Myakka State Forest Birds and Plants](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fire-water-myakka-state-forest-birds-and-plants/) - The extraordinarily wet Winter conditions have proven a barrier to our usual explorations of the ecological wonders to be found at Myakka State Forest (MSF) in Sarasota County, FL. However we threw caution to the winds today and drove our trusty Jeep into the morass and found some wonders indeed. From the photo of one
- [THERE'S A HAWK IN MY BATH](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/theres-a-hawk-in-my-bath/) - This time of year in Florida we sometimes hesitate to leave our yard since some really interesting birds are migrating through. We have recently had hooded (see photo) and parula warblers, white-eyed and blue-headed vireos, scarlet and summer tanagers, and today a bizarre visitor to our water bath- a hawk. Now looking at the front
- [Migrating Birds Coming Your Way](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/migrating-birds-coming-your-way/) - We had a small weather front a few days ago and some interesting birds are trickling through our Florida yard on their way north. Today we had a male orchard oriole (see photo nectaring on Cape honeysuckle from S Africa- they pierce the base of the flowers and "steal" the nectar), several RT hummingbirds,
- [Migrating With The Darners!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/migrating-with-the-darners/) - We are "migrating" north to our VA farm tomorrow from SW FL and the most interesting natural event this morning locally was a virtual swarm of large greenish darners flying around at Cedar Pt park. The only one I could find on the ground is shown in an attached photo- I am guessing it is
- [Myakka River Rookery 4.2.10](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mayaka-river-rookery-4-2-10/) - Fred Bernstein and I did a survey of the birds on the Myakka River Rookery Island just south of the US 41 bridge today in North Port (4.2.10). This island lies adjacent to the Myakka State Forest and just north of the Myakka Island Point Preserve. On our previous survey on Jan. 27, 2010,
- [The Enigmatic Life & Death of Toad Tadpoles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-enigmatic-life-death-of-toad-tadpoles/) - One of our favorite places to stop while traveling through GA is the Botanical Garden in Athens. Now I hope we may be forgiven for revealing that we do not always focus entirely on the fabulous plants, both exotic and native that are on display there. Indeed we enjoy those but the garden is
- [Those Amazing and Confusing Spring Flowers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/those-amazing-and-confusing-spring-flowers/) - Flowers are of course some of the most beautiful objects within Nature's realm and they can be considered at a number of emotional and intellectual levels. If one thinks simply of the amazing variations in color and form, flowers can be perceived purely in terms of these aspects without any thought given to how or
- [Fields of "Wildflowers" in Galax, VA](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fields-of-wildflowers-in-galax-va/) - While surveying the kingdom this morning I was struck by the beauty of several of our fields which were planted in "wildflowers" in previous years and cut as often as once a year, and sometimes burned every three years. The oxeye daisies are in full bloom and the lance-leaf coriopsis are just starting to
- [Beware the Red Eft](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beware-the-red-eft/) - While on one of my daily nature walks I looked down and spotted one of the true beauties of the woods, a red eft (see photo, background). They wander around, especially after rains and are very slow-moving and unafraid. Of course there is a reason for this- they are protected by a very potent
- [A Tale of Some Strange Marine Birds - The Alcids](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-tale-of-some-strange-marine-birds-the-alcids/) - It is a considerable pleasure to visit unusual new places to compare their life forms with those we are familiar with. It does our brains good to be confronted with strange new shapes and colors and challenges us to evaluate new ideas and concepts about the nature of life. So in this vein we visited
- [Those Bodacious Beetles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/those-bodacious-beetles/) - In my wanderings among the woods and fields I often encounter beetles, which are not usually considered among the most colorful of the insects, as are the butterflies. However there are some striking exceptions to this rule, one of which I call the "jewel of the forest," the six-spotted tiger beetle. This little gem is
- [Is It A Yellow Jacket Wasp Or Not?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/is-it-a-yellow-jacket-wasp-or-not/) - Whenever an insect lands on you, it is time to pay attention and figure out if there is going to be a problem! Is there going to be a bite or sting or just a tickle with no further consequences? I recently noticed a scary-looking small bug on my leg while biking and decided
- [A Mistake Leads To An Unexpected Insight](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-mistake-leads-to-an-unexpected-insight/) - How often do we just muddle along without much clarity of thought? I found myself in this situation when I was returning from a very early breeding bird survey on one of Virginia's highest peaks (Whitetop) and noticed some interesting plants. One of these (see background photo) was a mountain wood sorrel, which I mistakenly
- [In A Frog's Ear?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/in-a-frogs-ear/) - As a long-time herpetologist I have always enjoyed listening to the calls of frogs and toads and trying to figure out which species are which and what triggers calling. Indeed one of my "bucket list" items was to acquire a house from which I could lie in bed at night and hear frogs calling.
- [Big Bird is in My Bath](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/big-bird-is-in-my-bath/) - On a Summer visit to our Florida island retreat we had an unusual visitor to our small backyard bird bath (see photo). An adult black crowned night heron (BCNH) was standing in the bath and trying not very successfully to drink the shallow fresh water. As a general rule yellow crowned night herons (YCNH) are
- [Natural Patterns Observed on a Morning Walk.](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-patterns-observed-on-a-morning-walk/) - Many of us gain great solace from walks in the woods and fields observing and communing with Nature. Each of us may be more or less analytical depending on the day's mood or the locality. Some days you may just want to contemplate the overall beauty of the scene, rather than making hypotheses about
- [Beware Fuzzy Caterpillars!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beware-fuzzy-caterpillars/) - We have planted many hundreds of trees and shrubs on our property to encourage wildlife of all sorts, so I keep a careful eye out for pests that eat these plants. Some of the worse problems are due to insects that come in groups, such as caterpillars of various moths. I am used to
- [Marvelous Milkweeds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/marvelous-milkweeds/) - I am a huge fan of milkweeds due to their special attraction not only to monarch butterflies but also to a considerable list of other insects that are milkweed specialists, and some generalists who use milkweeds as a community to forage in. But the problem is that those of us that own hayfields will
- [Hornworms or Hummers?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/hornworms-or-hummers/) - My wife and I have devoted a lot of effort to providing plants for wildlife to utilize for food and shelter. I greatly prefer to have a plant provide nectar for hummingbirds than to put out a feeder with sugar water. Coral or trumpet honeysuckle ( Lonicera sempervirens ) is a native species that provides
- [In Praise of Spiders](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/in-praise-of-spiders/) - I enjoy watching spiders but admit to being a bit reluctant about picking them up. Although humans tend to be arachnophobes, due either to intrinsic or learned attitudes, we must admit admiration for the amazing design and adaptations of the numerous spiders we encounter every day. One of my favorites is the fishing spider
- [Co-evolution and a Tale of Two Lobelias](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/co-evolution-and-a-tale-of-two-lobelias/) - Two of the most striking plants in bloom at the end of Summer on our farm are red and blue lobelias, in the bluebell family. Both tend to be found in damp, disturbed areas where there is reduced competition with grasses, and have spectacular flowers. But the “rest of the story” is that the
- [Caterpillars in the Parsley](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/caterpillars-in-the-parsley/) - When you plant a garden you often end up feeding the critters more than yourself. So rather than get too mad about this and spray dangerous chemicals, why not enjoy the experience and observe the intriguing lives of the beings that are harvesting your plants? Upon starting to pick some parsley, our grandson Simon
- [Why Are Some Snakes Black?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/why-are-some-snakes-black/) - It is a normal reaction for the human mind to become accustomed to certain things and not to question them. So among the myriad of things I come into contact with every week I often see a large black snake whether I am in VA or FL. In VA this is a black rat
- [A Spider Attacks a Bumble Bee and Loses](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-spider-attacks-a-bumble-bee-and-loses/) - On a cool day in early Fall there was reduced insect activity, but I amused myself by watching the large number of spiders that have spun their webs in our marshlands. The main spiders suspended upside-down on their webs were banded garden spiders (Argiope trifasciata ). These close relatives of the better-known golden garden
- [Summer in The Horn of Plenty](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-in-the-horn-of-plenty/) - Two of the most striking plants in bloom at the end of Summer on our farm are red and blue lobelias, in the bluebell family. Both tend to be found in damp, disturbed areas where there is reduced competition with grasses, and have spectacular flowers. But the “rest of the story” is that the
- [Changing of the Guard – The Incredible Migration of Dragonflies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/changing-of-the-guard-the-incredible-migration-of-dragonflies/) - I am writing this in mid-September while enjoying the sights and sounds of early Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains. At this time, many of our breeding birds have left and migration is well underway so that there is little bird song in the woods and fields. Fall flowers are in full bloom and
- [A Ramble at Wildflower Preserve 12.21.10](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-ramble-at-wildflower-preserve-12-21-10/) - Folks continue to be extremely interested in an old golf course in Charlotte County, FL, now being transformed into a wildlife preserve. We had about 45 people on a nature walk this morning to ramble along the new trails and to look at the remarkable successional changes that have occurred within only about five
- [A Ramble at Wildflower Preserve Nov. 12, 2010](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-ramble-at-wildflower-preserve-nov-12-2010/) - It is interesting and amazing how sometimes a small amount of time spent outdoors yields such a profusion of wildlife encounters. In a one hour visit to Wildflower Preserve (WF) near our Winter home in Englewood, FL, yesterday late afternoon, I had such an experience. There were two beautiful buckeyes (see photo of one)
- [End of Summer Ramble in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/end-of-summer-ramble-in-the-blue-ridge/) - What is your favorite time of the year? I would have to say Spring with late Summer a close runner-up. In Spring-time the birds are all singing and beginning to breed, the frogs are making a huge racket, and life just seems to be renewing itself and starting all over. Yet in late Summer there
- [The Remarkable Migration of the Red-Necked Phalarope](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-remarkable-migration-of-the-red-necked-phalarope/) - I am sure that each of us has favorite places on the planet where we are particularly fond of enjoying Nature. However it is beneficial for the mind to leave these special places occasionally and venture out into new habitats where unfamiliar creatures challenge our mental complacency. I had the opportunity recently to visit
- [A Ramble at Wildflower Preserve 12.8.10](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-ramble-at-wildflower-preserve-12-8-10/) - While continuing to cut trails at the new 78 acre Wildflower Preserve south of Englewood, FL (owned by Lemon Bay Conservancy) I am always aware of any interesting features of the natural history of this area that was a golf course only about five years ago. It will be instructive to follow the rapid
- [A Wildflower Walking Tour Dec. 16, 2010](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-wildflower-walking-tour-dec-16-2010/) - On a cool day in SW Florida we had an unexpectedly large group of 41 hikers who showed up to look over the new 78 acre Wildflower Preserve that is now owned by the Lemon Bay Conservancy. This is a former golf course that was abandoned about 5 years ago and is now in
- [A Lazy Afternoon at a Pond](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-lazy-afternoon-at-a-pond/) - Although I can get excited about any type of habitat, I will admit that water attracts my interest more than any other areas. For this reason when we bought the 97 acres behind our 10 acre house site in 2004, I vowed to add some small ponds to our beautiful spring runs and streams.
- [Backyard Wildlife & Medicinal Plants](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/backyard-wildlife-medicinal-plants/) - On a late November visit to o ur VA farm, we find birds are feeding on the banquet of seeds and fruits which we have spread for them by our cultivation of grasses, flowers and shrubs that are especially good for wildlife. The primary focus of management of our old farm has been to propagate
- [A Bold Jumping Spider](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-bold-jumping-spider/) - One of the common spiders I encounter while cleaning out bird boxes and removing growth tubes from planted trees and shrubs around our VA farm is the bold jumper, Phidippus audax . It seems to prefer closed structures and is certainly rather bold and friendly in its behavior. The green iridescent chelicerae, and black
- [Seeing Red](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/seeing-red/) - The different meanings of the color red/orange as used by plants and animals as a means of communication are fascinating. What woman does not have "a little red dress" to be worn on the right occasion? Who is not aware of the use of a red cape to attract the attention of the bull
- [Beauty and the Beast Salamander](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beauty-and-the-beast-salamander/) - While digging in a stream bed to expose a spring on our farm in SW VA, I came across some very interesting salamanders that could easily be over-looked if you do not flip over rocks in spring seeps. These wonderful salamanders are all in a famiily (Plethodontidae) that are lungless, as strange and improbable as
- [Early April Nature Ramble](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-april-nature-ramble/) - In this area of SW Florida we are lucky to have adjacent terrestrial, fresh water and marine habitats to explore for natural wonders. While on a walk at Wildflower Preserve I found two insects that specialize on feeding on the poisonous milkweed. The queen butterfly is a southern cousin of the monarch and both
- [End of Year Ramble at Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/end-of-year-ramble-at-wildflower/) - To celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another, I did what I like best- to walk on the wild side in an interesting natural area, in this case Wildflower Preserve in Charlotte County, FL. The month of December in FL has been unusually cold with repeated frosts, making observations of
- [Winter Ramble at Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-ramble-at-wildflower/) - Despite the repeated cold fronts sweeping over Florida and NE North America, there is much of natural history interest to be found at the new Wildflower Preserve in Charlotte County, FL. Here are a few examples of the many exciting sights to be seen in the Englewood area if one is watchful and patient
- [Wildflower Walk a Huge Success -- New Record Attendance](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-walk-a-huge-success-new-record-attendance/) - nature walk was held Jan. 15 at the newly purchased 78 acre Wildflower Preserve owned by the Lemon Bay Conservancy. Approximately 159 people attended the walk which was advertised in local outlets such as the Sun-Herald and Waterline. This astonishing number of participants illustrates the enormous degree of interest in this new environmental preserve which
- [Predators Large and Small at Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/predators-large-and-small-at-wildflower/) - Sometimes while leading nature walks I encounter the idea that if one has walked an area once, there is little reason to return. Nothing could be further from the truth since repeated walks at the same location continue to reveal a myriad of natural wonders that one would miss without these frequent opportunities to
- [Here Kitty Kitty!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/here-kitty-kitty/) - Just recently bobcats have been seen at the 78 acre Wildflower Preserve in Charlotte County, FL. I had seen bobcats on three separate occasions previously, but today I saw what must have been three different cats which I believe are an adult male, an adult female plus a kitten. The smaller adult cat is shown
- [Terrific Tree Swallows](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/terrific-tree-swallows/) - In Florida during the winter we enjoy enormous flocks of tree swallows soaring overhead and periodically dropping down to swarm over female wax myrtle bushes and eat the fruit (see photo taken at Wildflower Preserve). It is amazing that a swallow that is primarily insectivorous during the breeding season can survive the winter primarily
- [Nature Ramble at Oyster Creek](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-ramble-at-oyster-creek/) - During a two hour morning nature walk at Oyster Creek Park, Charlotte County, FL, we observed an unusual number of interesting flowers and animals. This is a 250 acre park surrounded by urban development, primarily made up of hydric pine flatwoods but including a tidal creek and several constructed freshwater ponds. Among the flowers in
- [Wildflower Ramble 03.04.11 - It is Spring for Sure!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-ramble-03-04-11-it-is-spring-for-sure/) - After the "long hard winter" it is definitely Spring at Wildflower Preserve. There were some unmistakeable signs of warmer weather this first week of March. The most significant change was that lots of dragonflies were present flying around up and down the open areas and near ponds. I got photos of some juvenile green
- [Toads in Love](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/toads-in-love/) - During our annual early spring visit to our farm in the SW VA Blue Ridge mountains, one of my main goals is to enjoy the sights and sounds of breeding amphibians. Since we usually go in mid-March the wood frogs, which are uncommon, have mainly finished breeding, but the peepers are in full cry,
- [Marvelous Marsh Birds of Circle B Bar Reserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/marvelous-marsh-birds-of-circle-b-bar-reserve/) - There are a number of special wetlands where marsh birds rarely seen elsewhere may be commonly observed at close range. Most of these are impounded, constructed, and/or restored wetlands that are shallow with lots of emergent plants and receive waters enriched with nutrients from sewage, stormwater and/or agricultural effluents. It is intriguing that such
- [True or False: How Insects Fool Birds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/true-or-false-how-insects-fool-birds/) - One might think that nature would not lie, but it can sometimes be difficult to discern truth from what is essentially falsehood in nature. The reason for this is obvious- a bluff can be as succesful in avoiding predation as in winning a hand in a game of poker. So the ability to deter
- [Another Ramble at Wildflower Preserve Nov. 19, 2010](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/another-ramble-at-wildflower-preserve-nov-19-2010/) - I "ramble" a lot at the new Wildflower Preserve in Charlotte County, FL, while I am building new trails through the tangle of Brazilian pepper and salt bush that covers much of the old golf course that was abandoned about 5 years ago. Every time I go there something different sparks my curiosity. Despite
- [Wildflower Ramble 04-07-2011](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-ramble-04-07-2011/) - In SW Florida we start having some very warm weather in late March and early April, but there is still very little rain. Bird migration is in its early stages and we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of neotropical migrants such as warblers and orioles. While on one of my numerous walks at Wildflower Preserve,
- [Beauty and the Beast at Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/beauty-and-the-beast-at-wildflower/) - Even in Florida it can be a challenge to find many of my favorite critters while on walks in late winter, since repeated frosts have decimated the flowers and more cold-sensitive plants. For example the wonderful beauty berries have mostly been killed to the ground, but are beginning to re-sprout from the base and even
- [A Ramble in Early May at Our Virginia Farm](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-ramble-in-early-may-at-our-virginia-farm/) - Although walks targeted towards specific animals or plants (bird, butterfly or wildflower walks) can be a lot of fun and educational, the ultimate nature walk in my opinion is the "ramble" designed to discover what nature has to offer on that particular day and location. The excitement of such an outlook is that nothing
- [Nectar Thieves?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nectar-thieves/) - When we watch insects and birds foraging on flowers we hardly give any thought to the motives of the beautiful relationship between the pollinator and the flower. However things are not always as they seem! Animals likely have only one thing in mind when they approach a flower- what they can get from it
- [Those Amazing Flowers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/those-amazing-flowers/) - It is remarkable how flowers that so appeal to the human senses really have nothing to do with us. They are simply structures that evolved to allow plants to reproduce in an efficient manner, often via attracting insects, birds or bats for pollination. But the wide variety in shape, color and arrangement is quite incredible.
- [Lurking in the Litter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lurking-in-the-litter/) - One of the most important but least appreciated aspects of a good yard wildlife habitat is the ground surface. Most people would consider this the proper place for grass or to be kept swept clean of debris. However to have healthy wildlife habitat in your yard you must have a substantial litter layer. This
- [Traveling Through Spring Time](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/traveling-through-spring-time/) - While driving north in spring (in this case to our VA farm in mid March) I like to stop occasionally to judge the progress of the seasons. One such regular stop is at a bridge on A1A just north of Callahan, FL. This is a channelized creek/canal which allows driving into a swamp forest
- [Early Spring Flowers as Wildflower Preserve 2.20.11](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-spring-flowers-as-wildflower-preserve-2-20-11/) - Those who are not familiar with Florida winters and flowers might assume that there is no spring-time in such a warm climate. But this is definitely not the case. While our friends up north are grateful for the emergence of skunk cabbage, we are beginning to enjoy some truly beautiful flowers as the first
- [Life's a Beach for these Birds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lifes-a-beach-for-these-birds/) - On a recent beach walk at Don Pedro and Palm Islands I enjoyed seeing a number of beautiful birds that feed on different portions of the beach and which have become tame due to familiarity with beach-walking humans which do not threaten them. This male ruddy turnstone is becoming brightly colored in preparation for breeding
- [The Tiny World of a Daisy](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-tiny-world-of-a-daisy/) - During my strolls through nature I often think about the different scales of events that we observe and marvel at. Sometimes these are large- perhaps looking at fall colors of a mountain or at the expansive sweep of a beach scene and ocean vistas. At other times the very small things attract our attention
- [A Florida Critter Medley](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-florida-critter-medley/) - While on Palm Island, FL, I got an up close and personal look at a nighthawk that I have never had on our VA farm where thousands of nighthawks migrate southwards in late summer. The cryptic coloration of this young bird with a short tail is amazing and illustrates how they can nest on the
- [Late June Wildflower Ramble / 2011](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-ridge-ramble-in-late-june-2011-2/) - After a two months absence from Florida it was a treat to return for a short time and visit one of my favorite places, Wildflower Preserve (WF) near Englewood. There had been a protracted drought so water levels were down in ponds. But just during our stay, a more normal pattern of summer rainfall
- [The Wood Cutter Bee](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-wood-cutter-bee/) - This time of year our various farm out-buildings which are made out of untreated/unpainted wood receive some unwelcome visitors, the carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa based on the Greek name for wood cutter). These large bees (not the same as bumblebees which have a hairy abdomen) do two things that make them pests- they drill
- [In Praise of Milkweed](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/in-praise-of-milkweed/) - Milkweed is a plant that stimulates very different emotions from the farmer and nature lover. It is poisonous to livestock and is thus a detrimental presence in hayfields and pastures. Yet it has beautiful flowers and provides a home and food for a community of insect specialists and generalists that feed on its nectar,
- [Nature Ramble at the End of July](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-ramble-at-the-end-of-july/) - As I make my way through the fields and forests in late July, I can feel a definite change in the air. It is much hotter and more humid of course, and many plants have fruit on which the birds are feeding. The most obvious signs of the season are the maturation of the
- [Harvest Time in June?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/harvest-time-in-june/) - Generally when we think about harvest-time it would normally be in the fall of the year. However the first significant harvest in this area of Virginia where cattle-raising is predominant is the first cutting of hay which is often in early June. The photo shows our fields which were cut June 1-3 this year which
- [The Wings Have Eyes](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-wings-have-eyes/) - The wood nymph butterfly is very cryptic when the wings are closed despite the presence of a few rather inconspicuous spots on the outside of the wings. But there are two dark eye spots with white centers surrounded by a light background on the outer forewing which can be flashed as the wings are
- [What the Heck is That?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/what-the-heck-is-that/) - This might be your response when seeing this shed exoskeleton of a larval dragonfly, in this case a green darner, on the stem of a plant growing in a pond. We have a lot of these around our pond on cattails, reflecting the many nymphs of green darners that have emerged this Summer. Green
- [A Summer Nature Extravaganza in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-summer-nature-extravaganza-in-the-blue-ridge/) - Summer is a time of remarkable abundance in nature. There is a veritable explosion of life in all its amazing forms. There is so much of interest to a naturalist that there is never a lack of animals and plants to examine. Two of the rarer plants in bloom on our farm in July
- [Natural Wonders of the Beach in August](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-wonders-of-the-beach-in-august/) - Every season and every place has its unique qualities of natural beauty. Although you would not normally think that the very hot and humid weather of August would be a good time to observe the natural wonders of a Florida beach, I have found it to be so especially at dawn and dusk. So
- [Blue Ridge Ramble in Late July](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-ridge-ramble-in-late-july/) - One of the major features of the natural history of summer is the progression of breeding in which some species breed once and then stop at various times of the summer, and some reproduce all of most of the summer. It is a great pleasure to observe this sequence of the rejuvenation of life. The
- [Blue Ridge Ramble Late May - 2011](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-ridge-ramble-late-may-2011/) - An ironic twist to the lore about secret places where naturalists find interesting critters is that often one will find a wonderful sight just at the back door or in the parking lot. Thus I always look around the doorway in case a strange visitor from the night before has lingered. That was the case
- [Fire and Water in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fire-and-water-in-the-blue-ridge/) - Late June is a great time for a natural history ramble since so much is happening. Birds have been breeding for some time and the first crop of babies is out of the nests. For those birds which breed in our nest boxes (bluebirds and tree swallows) we are quite aware of the progress of
- [Blue Ridge Ramble in Late June - 2011](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-ridge-ramble-in-late-june-2011/) - Late June is a great time for a natural history ramble since so much is happening. Birds have been breeding for some time and the first crop of babies is out of the nests. For those birds which breed in our nest boxes (bluebirds and tree swallows) we are quite aware of the progress of
- [Blue Ridge Ramble Early September- 2011](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-ridge-ramble-early-september-2011/) - As the summer comes to a close and the first chill of fall begins to intrude on our consciousness, there are still a few warm weeks left to enjoy the flowers and insects and watch for migrating birds. I am always interested to learn a few more butterflies and had the opportunity recently to
- [From the Mountains to the Salt Lake](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/from-the-mountains-to-the-salt-lake/) - One of the great pleasures of the naturalist's life is travel to locations where new habitats and species dazzle the brain. Our once a year trips to Salt Lake City, Utah, to visit family provide exposure to habitats that are quite different from those in the east. Two extremes are the high mountains and
- [End of Summer Ramble in the Blue Ridge-2011](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/end-of-summer-ramble-in-the-blue-ridge-2011/) - I am still enjoying the diversity of life at the very end of the fall growing season for flowers and insects. Soon for many species there will only be memories that will have to last us until next spring. But there are some intriguing signs of the season that involve replacement of some species
- [Fruit Colors and Fruit Flagging](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fruit-colors-and-fruit-flagging/) - Since birds have good color vision but little sense of smell, you would guess that fruits that are designed to attract birds as a means of dispersal of seeds should be brightly colored with no odor. So how well does nature confirm to this prediction? Think about the wild fruits you are familiar with
- [Winter Wonders at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-wonders-at-wildflower-preserve/) - As winter tightens her grip on the natural world, the main effect we notice in Florida is less rainfall and periodic cool fronts. Since Wildflower Preserve contains many wetlands, the effect of winter drought is not immediately noticeable. Indeed a characteristic ground fungus has appeared that I associate with mulch placed on damp trails-
- [Small Wonders at Wildflower Preserve in November](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/small-wonders-at-wildflower-preserve-in-november/) - I continue to be amazed by the beauty and biodiversity of creatures that I find at the recovering golf course that is called Wildflower Preserve in Englewood, FL. Only six years past a landscape that was predominantly mowed fairways with lakes dredged from former wetlands, nature has begun to return with surprising vigor. Indeed
- [New Year's Ramble 2012](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/new-years-ramble-2012/) - My resolution for the new year is to ramble more and sit less. So to satisfy this goal I spent a great deal of time exploring the beaches and bays of Palm/Knight & Don Pedro Islands, FL, and the nearby Wildflower Preserve. I have found that I am never bored on such excursions and
- [Snowbirds Love The Beach](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/snowbirds-love-the-beach/) - We have two sorts of "snowbirds" on FL beaches- human and avian. Many come long distances to enjoy the mild oceanic weather of the low latitudes during winter. Some of the birds breed in northern Canada so the contrast between their summer and winter habitats is considerable. It is fascinating to compare the different
- [Dazzled by Florida's Critters](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/dazzled-by-floridas-creatures/) - Just after arriving in Florida for the winter season in late October, an early blizzard is sweeping the northlands and I am dazzled by the array of fabulous creatures that are still active in Florida. The photos shown here are from several days of roaming in the parks near Englewood, FL. In Wildflower Preserve
- [March Marvels at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/march-marvels-at-wildflower-preserve/) - Florida certainly has its changing seasons although they may be more subtle than the more northern variety. This week at Wildflower Preserve certainly provided ample evidence of the arrival of spring. A flowering spiderwort in the butterfly habitat was not only beautiful, it attracted interesting insects, in this case a brilliant green bee. This
- [A Cornucopia of Nature's Delights](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-cornucopia-of-natures-delights/) - As a famous philosopher (Forrest Gump) once said that his mother told him about choosing from a box of chocolates, "You never know what you're going to get." This expresses precisely the possibilities that face us when we take a walk on the wild side and watch for interesting things in nature. Indeed I find
- [SW Florida Nature Ramble in Late March](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sw-florida-nature-ramble-in-late-march/) - Mid to late March is an exciting time of natural changes due to the almost daily arrivals and departures of migrant birds, the initiation of singing in many species, and the greater activity of reptiles. An unusual lizard that is seldom seen except when it is quite hot is the six-lined racerunner, a relative
- [Wildflower Ramble 03.06.11 - It is Spring for Sure!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-ramble-03-06-11-it-is-spring-for-sure/) - On a balmy early spring day, I walked with a group of friends around Wildflower Preserve in Charlotte County, FL, and enjoyed the many sights and sounds of the season . Dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies are again flying in considerable numbers and new flowers are opening almost every day. Reptiles are moving around to
- [A Winter Florida Nature Ramble 2012](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-winter-florida-nature-ramble-2012/) - Here in SW FL we are deep in the grip of what we call winter, and the first photo proves that we actually have had one light frost already on Jan. 2. The general weather pattern is an irregular arrival of cold fronts with quite warm and pleasant weather in between. So we really
- [A Mid-Winter Florida Nature Ramble 2012](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-mid-winter-florida-nature-ramble-2012/) - One of my favorite tiny wonders of the wetlands of pine flatwoods is the sundew. The name is appropriate since the glistening orbs of sticky material at the ends of filaments certainly shine in the sun as would drops of dew. But these dew drops are agents of destruction for small insects and thus
- [Backyard Critters Never Cease to Amaze](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/backyard-critters-never-cease-to-amaze/) - While we generally assume that the best sightings of animals are most likely to be found at parks and nature preserves, such is not always the case. Observations in our humble backyards can often reveal some truly amazing critters. In addition the mere fact that we spend a lot of time at home suggests
- [Signs of Spring Surround](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/signs-of-spring-surround/) - Spring is a time of wonderful sights and sounds as critters go through an accelerated process of feeding and breeding. Of course reptiles are "ectotherms" and need to bask to elevate their body temperatures to increase digestion and to enable themselves to become more active metabolically. It is common to see the iguanid anole
- [Early Spring Natural Wonders in the Blue Ridge Mountains](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-spring-natural-wonders-in-the-blue-ridge-mountains/) - We human snowbirds are rapidly deserting Florida to return to northern retreats to escape the summer heat. Our 107 acre farm near Galax, VA, in the Blue Ridge mountains serves this purpose well but also allows us to engage in wildlife gardening on a personal scale not available to us elsewhere. To be "master
- [A Farewell Florida Nature Ramble in Florida 2012](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-farewell-florida-nature-ramble-in-florida-2012/) - We human snowbirds are rapidly deserting Florida to return to northern retreats to escape the summer heat. Our 107 acre farm near Galax, VA, in the Blue Ridge mountains serves this purpose well but also allows us to engage in wildlife gardening on a personal scale not available to us elsewhere. To be "master
- [Natural Signs of the Approaching End of Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-signs-of-the-approaching-end-of-summer/) - In mid August natural signs tell us without looking at a calendar that the end of summer is coming. Nights are cooler here at the farm (55F this morning), few birds are singing and some have left us on migration while others are beginning to migrate in from the north, fall fruits are ripening,
- [Those Delightful Spring Babies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/those-delightful-spring-babies/) - Spring is the time for many creatures to make love and have lots of babies. The rapid flush of plant growth and emergence of prey in spring makes circumstances especially suitable for reproduction. Two flower beetles mating on a daisy illustrate the procreative act underway across all phyla. Some northern water snakes that are
- [Blue Ridge Nature Ramble in Late June 2012](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-ridge-nature-ramble-in-late-june-2012/) - The weather has been extremely warm both in this area and nationwide so we know for certain that we are in the throes of summer. Of course the seasonal appearance of some plants and animals would tell us that just as do the calendar and the thermometer. One of the most characteristic plants of
- [How Some Plants and Animals Protect Themselves](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/how-some-plants-and-animals-protect-themselves/) - There is a common misconception in some quarters that anything "natural" is healthy and beneficial. Nothing could be further from the truth! The dominance of humans on planet earth is primarily linked to cultivation and domestication of a small number of plants and many of the rest are toxic. Indeed in some tropical environments humans
- [Blue Crabbing 101](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-crabbing-101/) - One of the great pleasures in seashore living that I learned when we spent time in the Chesapeake Bay area was catching blue crabs with a hand line. In SW Florida this is not such a popular past time since blue crabs are harder to find in the brackish waters they favor, and there are
- [A December Bug Bonanza](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-december-bug-bonanza/) - What defines beauty- the eye of the beholder or perhaps our genes? A sunrise photo elicits pleasure for most of us and we can agree that it is beautiful. This is not so for most insects even though they may have amazing colors and shapes. As a naturalist I find it impossible to ignore
- [Some Flowers of Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/some-flowers-of-summer/) - Careful observations of flowers will yield many surprising ideas concerning the possible functions of their widely varied colors and shapes. Remember that flowers in nature exist only to propagate the species and not to please us. Therefore their primary purposes must be to attract pollinators (assuming they are not wind pollinated), to set, and
- [Heads or Tails](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/heads-or-tails/) - Have you ever noticed how hard it is to tell the head from the tail of many caterpillars? Anatomically it is often difficult to see the actual head and the differences in the fore and hind legs are similarly often obscure. Surely predators must also have difficulty making this distinction. Why would this be important?
- [A Summer Nature Walk on the Beach](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-summer-nature-walk-on-the-beach/) - Although beaches are generally thought of as a place for summer recreational swimming and general relaxation for humans, they are also a remarkable place to observe the special adaptations of the creatures that are able to live in this strenuous habitat that is alternately wet and dry. During a brief family visit to our
- [Virgin Birth of a Lizard](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/virgin-birth-of-a-lizard/) - A central tenet of the Christian faith is that Jesus was born of a virgin mother and at Christmas many celebrate this event. You may think that this would have to be considered miraculous, and it is true that no such thing has ever been scientifically documented in humans. However it is well known
- [A Winter Walk on the Wild Side](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-winter-walk-on-the-wild-side/) - There is nothing more therapeutic to the mind and body than a walk among nature's glories. Since my jogging days are in the past due to unforgiving knees, I find that a quiet walk in a natural setting to contemplate whatever chance offers the inquiring mind is among the greatest pleasures that life can offer.
- [Some Flowers and Insects of the Florida "Spring-time"](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/some-flowers-and-insects-of-the-florida-spring-time/) - While the northern states are beginning to enjoy their spring flowers, those of us in Florida can also appreciate the special beauty of flowers and the insects that feed on them and pollinate them. It is indeed intriguing that humans find so much enjoyment in flowers despite the fact that their dazzling colors and
- [Butterflies-The Flying Flowers of Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/butterflies-the-flying-flowers-of-summer/) - One of the major natural wonders of summer-time is the profusion of butterflies. Some call them flying flowers which is very appropriate given both their beauty and their association with flowers as a source of nectar. Although their variation and diversity can be a source of confusion, it is very helpful to learn the
- [Winter Butterfly Magic](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-magic-butterfly/) - There have been amazing numbers of butterflies in our yard lately. Yet winter in Florida can be highly variable weather wise. There can be stretches of very warm temperatures and blue skies interrupted by periodic cold fronts that punish the beach goers and green vegetation with cold, even freezing temperatures, and strong northerly winds.
- [Fire or Ice: Birds Out of Place in a Changing World](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fire-or-ice-birds-out-of-place-in-a-changing-world/) - It is well known that animals may often reveal things that are wrong with the environment as bioindicators; thus recent observations of bird behavior are some cause for alarm. While it is of course normal for birds to migrate south in the winter, when they move far outside their typical winter ranges there could
- [Backyard Beauties and Beasts](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/backyard-beauties-and-beasts/) - Although we all enjoy visiting nature preserves, sometimes it is possible to see very exciting animals right in our own backyards. The chances of this can be improved considerably if you manage your yard plantings and ground litter specifically to create wildlife habitat, and avoid killing natural predators that will help to control pests
- [Bling on a Bird: Banded Red Knot Sighted](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/bling-on-a-bird-banded-red-knot-sighted/) - When I go walking on our beautiful local beaches I am on a mission- sort of an Easter egg hunt for bling- but in this case to find shorebirds that are banded. Only a small fraction of birds we will encounter are banded, but some shorebirds are given colored bands and/or letter coded "flags" on
- [An Early Spring in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/an-early-spring-in-sw-florida/) - Although you might think that southern Florida is in a state of perpetual spring-time, such is not the case. There are very distinct summer wet and winter dry seasons with associated changes in the prevailing temperatures. The onset of spring is quite noticeable due to the responses of plants and animals to the longer
- [Little Big Mouth - the House Wren](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/little-big-mouth-the-house-wren/) - The house wren is a tiny (0.4 oz) bird with a big personality. It nests in cavities around houses and can be in competition with other hole-nesting species. In annual surveys of two dozen nest boxes I have found that bluebirds and tree swallows are mainly dominant over house wrens in open areas. House
- [Those Confusing Black and Blue Butterflies!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/those-confusing-black-and-blue-butterflies/) - Well it is Spring again, that most wonderful time of year when life renews itself, and we have to figure out the names of all those confusing Spring flowers and butterflies that we have not generally seen for many months. I just encountered my first spicebush swallowtail butterfly and since it was a male, it
- [Bodacious Beaks](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/bodacious-beaks/) - One of the many wonders of nature that we hardly ever think about is the amazing variation in the size and shape of the beaks of birds. Even though some birds are famous for their use of primitive tools made from twigs, their main tool is their beak. Beaks reflect the necessity of reaping the
- [Do Ugly Ducklings Wear Blue?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/do-ugly-ducklings-wear-blue/) - Everyone remembers the famous Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the ugly "duckling" which grew up as the object of ridicule for its ungainly appearance, yet it eventually metamorphosed into a beautiful swan. I think about this story whenever I look into our bluebird boxes at the babies. At first the youngest babies are
- [A Fond April Farewell to Nature in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-fond-april-farewell-to-nature-in-sw-florida/) - Now that we are packing up to join the throng of snowbirds surging north it is time to think of the wonderful natural events that we have witnessed during this season and consider the bittersweet aspect of migrating north with the birds. It is sad to leave yet there is a multitude of new things
- [Successful Creation of a Wildflower Meadow](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/successful-creation-of-a-wildflower-meadow/) - In early March, 2013, I sent out a nature note describing the efforts of a large number of volunteers at Wildflower Preserve (owned by the Lemon Bay Conservancy; http://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower.htm) to create a naturalized meadow of flowers to attract pollinating insects and to provide an eye-pleasing display (project funded by a small grant from the
- [Bizarre Animal Colors - BEWARE](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/bizarre-animal-colors-beware/) - Whereas bright colors in flowers and fruits are generally designed to attract pollinators or potential seed dispersers, bright insects or amphibians often signal toxicity or venom. Isn't it interesting that birds that are not renowned for their intellect are able to discriminate among these conflicting signals? In other words they will eat a red fruit
- [A Beautiful Snake](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-beautiful-snake/) - The two words "beauty" and "snake" may seem incompatible or an oxymoron since many people automatically dislike and/or fear snakes. However once you realize that most aspects of the fear of snakes are learned from tales told by parents and friends and are without much justification (at least in comparison with typical sources of danger
- [A Snake With Coats of Many Colors](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-snake-with-coats-of-many-colors/) - As a naturalist interested in learning about the incredible diversity of life, I constantly have to deal with the difficulties of identifying animals and plants of different but related species that closely resemble one another. With the common rat snake Elaphe obsoleta in the east we have a different problem- within one species there is
- [The Eyes Have It!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-eyes-have-it/) - One of the more intriguing aspects of the constant warfare between predator and prey is the use of pattern and color by insect prey to confound and repel predators. Insects which are not toxic sometimes use eye spots to confuse birds. In some cases the eye spots are designed to direct the strike away
- [To Slash, Burn or Plant?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/to-slash-burn-or-plant/) - How do you maintain a grassland prairie or meadow? In most eastern locations these would return to a forested condition naturally by succession unless some disturbance such as mowing or burning intervened. In wildlife refuges it is desirable to maintain a high diversity of habitat to maximize animal species diversity. On our farm we
- [The Strangest Hibiscus of All](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-strangest-hibiscus-of-all/) - I have to admit that I am a huge fan of hibiscus flowers. My first love was the rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) which provides a spectacular flower display in coastal marshes of MD and VA. Later I became aware of the amazing variety of hybrids and cultivars of the tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in FL.
- [Are Monster Mosquitoes A Threat?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/are-monster-mosquitoes-a-threat/) - I found this interesting and somewhat menacing insect on my back porch recently where it must have been attracted by the lights. It was scary but after I took a closer look and I realized that it was not a huge mutant mosquito bent on sucking my blood, but only a harmless crane fly
- [The Strange Mating Behavior of Green Darners](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-strange-mating-behavior-of-green-darners/) - I imagine most of you have observed dragonflies and damselflies in the so-called "tandem position" in which the male grasps the female with the tip of his abdomen and the two fly around together. I had a good opportunity to photograph a pair of green darners (see photo) doing this today in our pond; this
- [The Power of Purple](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-power-of-purple/) - My older brother (James Dunson) is a chemical engineer who worked for DuPont in Delaware. In one of his unusual and often humorous stories of the application of chemistry to everyday life I found the following anecdote: "Jim was a marketing specialist in using iron chloride for wastewater treatment. One of Jim’s inventions was
- [An Early Fall Nature Ramble](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/an-early-fall-nature-ramble/) - My nature excursions have been much curtailed lately since I had a knee replacement three weeks ago. Yet it is a tribute to the profligate life of fall that I have been able to enjoy a wide variety of creatures even within a short distance of our house. Many of these are animals that
- [Managing Milkweeds for Monarchs](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/managing-milkweeds-for-monarchs/) - In early fall the naturalist's thoughts turn mainly to the southerly migration of animals. In addition to birds, millions of insects including butterflies and dragonflies fly south. The most famous of these is the monarch butterfly whose populations in the eastern US seem generally to be at a low ebb. However due to the
- [The Missing Links: Sibling Species Reveal Evolution in Action](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-missing-links-sibling-species-reveal-evolution-in-action/) - If you seek to expand your skills as a naturalist and learn more about identifying animals and plants, you will encounter one of the more interesting phenomena in biology. This is the fact that there are considerable numbers of species that differ very little from their closest relatives and are quite difficult to tell
- [The Ins and Outs of Butterfly Wings](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-ins-and-outs-of-butterfly-wings/) - Butterfly watching has become a popular past time and the amount of variation within and between species provides a challenge in identification. Some species vary between the sexes, may have several color morphs, and may vary seasonally in color/pattern. One intriguing complexity is the variation in appearance between the inside and outside of the wings.
- [A Snowbird Returns to Paradise](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-snowbird-returns-to-paradise/) - It is that time of year again when those of us that migrate southwards from our summer homes begin arriving in SW FL. The transition from northern plants and animals to FL biota is abrupt and somewhat jarring to the mind. I find it takes a few days for me to readjust thinking and
- [Little known facts about the "little armored one"](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/little-known-facts-about-the-little-armored-one/) - Everyone is familiar with the lowly armadillo (the "little armored one") that shuffles around with its face in the dirt snuffling for buried insects and other prey. But what do you really know about it? It is probably an exotic mammal that was released from western N. America into Florida in the 1920's, but has
- [Butterfly Bonanza at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/butterfly-bonanza-at-wildflower-preserve/) - So much of our ability to learn about nature is due to perception. Thus the large showy butterflies receive a lot of attention because they are obvious. On a recent walk at Wildflower Preserve I certainly noticed some very spectacular members of a mimicry complex involving the monarch, the queen, the viceroy and the
- [Those Awesome Hornworms](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/those-awesome-hornworms/) - Young butterflies and moths are of course caterpillars which eat and grow rapidly, pupate, and then emerge as adults. This total metamorphosis is very familiar to us and we sometimes fail to realize how remarkable it is. It enables two life stages of one creature to minimize competition with members of its own species
- [The All Seeing Eye](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-all-seeing-eye/) - Our most important and complex sense organ, the eye, serves as a window to the world around us, but in many animals it may be the primary means by which predators recognize and subsequently direct their attack of prey. Thus it is interesting that many means of camouflaging the eye have developed. In some animals
- [The Amazing Flight of Red Knot 1E7](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-amazing-flight-of-red-knot-1e7/) - My Christmas present arrived one day late this year. While walking on the beach at Knight/Palm Island on Dec. 26, I encountered a flock of 32 red knots feeding in the surf just after dawn. I scanned them carefully since these are now considered birds of special interest since some migrate more than 9,000 miles
- [Water Drip a Magnet for Birds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/water-drip-a-magnet-for-birds/) - Yard plantings are a very effective way to attract birds since they provide cover and food; birdseed can also be useful in moderation. For example our prized painted bunting is fond of white millet presented in a "jail bird" feeder where the seeds are surrounded by a wire mesh big enough for small birds to
- [Lemon Lake Did Not Disappoint](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-lake-did-not-disappoint/) - Whenever I am in the vicinity I always stop by Amberjack Preserve (Charlotte County, FL) to see what birds are on Lemon Lake. There can be large numbers or not, depending mostly on the depth of the lake which varies depending on rainfall, tides and evaporation. Most birds prefer a declining lake level which allows
- [Predators at the Beach - Large and Small](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/predators-at-the-beach-large-and-small/) - Much of human life in Florida revolves around beach activities and we tend to forget that it is a habitat for many animals. We think of the beach as a happy place to relax and enjoy the sun and surf. Since for animals the beach is a place to live, breed, hunt and feed, they
- [Build It and They Will Come: Basking Rafts](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/build-it-and-they-will-come-basking-rafts/) - Many animals will perch or climb onto floating logs in ponds, protruding rocks, or sticks that hang out from the bank of ponds. In the case of reptiles such basking behavior is an important part of their maintenance of higher preferred temperatures that they cannot attain by physiological means. This allows them to digest
- [Why Did the Snapper Cross the Road?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/why-did-the-snapper-cross-the-road/) - A popular TV show details the exploits of a Kentucky legend the "Turtleman," who attempts to save snapping turtles and other animals from troubles with modern society. One of my former students at Penn State sent me an interesting story about a somewhat similar exploit which occurred after he found a snapper making a
- [Return of the Red Knots](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/return-of-the-red-knots/) - Occasionally I am fortunate enough to find marked shorebirds on the beach and get photographs clear enough to identify them. Today (Feb. 9, 2014) was one such lucky day when I spent several hours hiking the beach at the northern end of Knight/Palm Island. Bird flocks move around a lot based on disturbance by humans
- [The Miraculous Lives of Red Knots 18E and EA3](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/miraculous-lives-red-knots-18e-ea3/) - One of the most rewarding activities that a naturalist can enjoy along the local FL gulf beaches is to observe birds. The avian life is diverse and many species have become familiar with non-threatening human activities and can be observed at close range. In addition to simply enjoying such beautiful birds and their
- [Can Exotic Norfolk Island Pines be Beneficial?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/can-exotic-norfolk-island-pines-beneficial/) - Various coastal communities and parks may remove, kill or ban the planting of Norfolk Island Pine (NIP). This is due to their being non-native, because of the potential hazard in storm-prone areas, and to results of the hard freeze of 1989 in more northern areas, when a number of Norfolk Island pines died. In
- [Crabs Aren't Just a Dinnertime Favorite](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/crabs-arent-just-dinnertime-favorite/) - Humans are mainly appreciative of the delicious taste of crabs, and not particularly of their importance as ecological kingpins. But the numerous crabs present in saline habitats are often extremely important in their food webs. Fiddler crabs are often used as bait and can be numerous on muddy tidal flats. They also serve as food
- [A Brief Excursion Into a Northern Spring](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/brief-excursion-northern-spring/) - Those of us who are snowbirds in Florida generally avoid heading north until the weather is pretty warm in the mid-northern latitudes. However family business took me to NC/VA in mid March and I had a pleasant if somewhat chilly time exploring the natural history of some early spring ecosystems from the NC Piedmont to
- [Amazing Backyard Arachnids](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/amazing-backyard-arachnids/) - One of the animal groups that people have the most difficulty in appreciating must be spiders. Even snakes seem to have more admirers than these creepy arachnids with their eight hairy legs. Why is this? Could this be an innate fear from our distant past or simply something learned from our parents and
- [The Blues Brothers and Other Backyard Bird Surprises](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blues-brothers-backyard-bird-surprises/) - April is a time of great excitement among birders since migration of a vast army of birds begins from South and Central America to the US. This predominantly occurs northerly from the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula across the Gulf of Mexico to the coast between Texas and the FL panhandle. However when a weather
- [Magnificent Migrant Yard Birds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/magnificent-migrant-yard-birds/) - In late spring some migrant birds continue to amaze and delight those who are carefully observant of the new birds in their trees and shrubs. These neotropical migrants are moving northward to their breeding grounds and are sometimes diverted through Florida by nocturnal westerly winds that blow them off course. Particularly striking is the
- [The High Value of Sweat For Butterflies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/high-value-sweat-butterflies/) - After a sweaty morning working in the woods I sat down on the porch to catch a few breezes. I took my soaking wet shirt off and hung it up to dry on the steps. To my amazement, almost immediately a silver-spotted skipper butterfly lighted on the damp shirt and began
- [The Joys of Butterfly Watching](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/joys-butterfly-watching/) - I always advocate going into nature with an open mind to observe everything of interest. A small point and shoot optical zoom (40-60 x) camera is of great assistance in identifying your finds since you will need to examine the details later in comparison with reference books or websites. I have found this particularly important
- [The Remarkable Oriole Nest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/remarkable-oriole-nest/) - One of the most beautiful birds in North America, which migrates to the neotropics in winter, is the Baltimore oriole. The bright orange and black colors of the male, its habit of living around houses and farms, plus a very loud and melodious song make it very conspicuous. We enjoy seeing orioles in
- [The Remarkable Nest of Barn Swallows](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/remarkable-nest-barn-swallows/) - After spending years unsuccessfully trying to attract barn swallows to various structures placed up under roof overhangs, a swallow recently built a nest on our front porch. In the process it made a big mess of mud everywhere but we are happy to encourage this female to raise a family. The nest of
- [Strange Moth Resembles Bird Dropping](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/strange-moth-resembles-bird-dropping/) - Here is an interesting moth I found in my yard- a beautiful wood nymph Eudryas grata, a noctuid. This species occurs from Nova Scotia to FL. The peculiar colors are believed to mimic bird droppings and thus escape the detection of bird predators. It is also good disruption camouflage. But the orange flash
- [A Red Hot Poker Attracts Orioles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/2861/) - We usually choose flowers for our yard that are known to attract birds or butterflies. For example we have in our yard coral honeysuckle, fire pink, cardinal flower, and red buckeye, all native and liked by hummingbirds. Last year, however, we planted a red hot poker (Kniphofia species)from South Africa based
- [A Naturalist Visits Utah](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/naturalist-visits-utah/) - Modern day families are often widely dispersed so visits involve travel to unfamiliar territory and the opportunity to experience very different flora and fauna, in this case a visit to Utah. The first opportunity to learn about the new habitats comes on the plane. The somewhat monotonous travel from the east coast across the
- [A Strange Moth at the Post Office](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/strange-moth-post-office/) - Another example of how the naturalist may find something interesting wherever he/she is. At the post office I noticed this strange moth on the front glass door, obviously attracted by lights the night before. Thanks to Bob Perkins for identifying it for me. It is the spotted Apatelodes, Apatelodes torrefacta ., a species related to
- [Plant It and the Bugs Will Come](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/plant-bugs-will-come/) - Two years ago with the help of NRCS we planted five acres of native N American wildflowers with the purpose of enhancing the habitat for pollinators. This field is now nearing its peak of flowering and the bugs are coming to sample the nectar from the thousands of flowers. Just as
- [Should You Plant Crocosmia as a Hummingbird Flower?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/plant-crocosmia-hummingbird-flower/) - Occasionally you have the opportunity to get a new flower for your garden and you wonder if it will provide nectar for your hummingbirds. We discovered a beautiful red tubular flower from S Africa called crocosmia in a friend's garden and planted some in our VA garden. It seemed ideal for
- [Summer Butterfly Delights on Purple Cone Flowers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-butterfly-delights-purple-cone-flowers/) - There is no greater summer pleasure than watching the "flying flowers", the butterflies. It is wonderful just to appreciate their beauty, but is also an intellectual challenge to learn their names and their habits. Of course first you have to plant or find some flowers that provide nectar to attract the
- [The Bird Diaper- a Solution to the Messy Porch Problem](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/bird-diaper-solution-messy-porch-problem/) - We would all like to be friends to the birds and enjoy their company. However when a barn swallow builds a nest on your porch you will be tested to the limit by the resultant mess of mud and poop. We recently had a wonderful nest of four baby barn swallows on our front porch
- [Birds Do It, Bees Do It . . .](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/birds-bees/) - Now that summer is well underway, you might think that the breeding frenzy so typical of the spring time is over. That seems far from the truth based on my observations lately. Many species are still continuing or even starting their reproductive cycles. My favorite beetle, the brilliantly metallic-green six spotted
- [Predator or Prey- Turning the Tables](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/predator-prey-turning-tables/) - Some of those animals that we consider predators may sometimes become prey in the complex world of food webs. For example the orb weaver spiders are familiar to us since they spin large webs with concentric rings of silk to catch insects. For example the foliate orb weaver which has a
- [The Stealth Caterpillar](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/stealth-caterpillar/) - When caterpillars are toxic, they tend to be brightly colored and some possess painful spines. Tasty caterpillars are usually well camouflaged; some are green to resemble foliage, some mimic bird droppings or twigs, and some have various types of disruptive camouflage. My wife was picking Japanese beetles off her prized blueberry
- [Does the IO Moth Caterpillar Really Sting?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/io-moth-caterpillar-really-sting/) - Knowledge is a funny thing- you think you know things but often the information comes from books, the internet or other people and you do not have personal experience to confirm a fact. Recently during an interesting presentation on local moths, the subject came up of whether IO caterpillars sting. Based on information in books
- [Some Natural Glories of Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-glories-summer/) - As the lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us there are distinct changes in the pace of natural life. The bulk of bird breeding activity is over and fall migration has begun. But insect activity is intense. In particular I notice that bumblebees are everywhere and industriously collecting pollen and
- [An Old Field Bonanza of Life](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/old-field-bonanza-life/) - Sometimes you are surprised by the abundance of life in an unexpected place. One such paradoxical reservoir of biodiversity is the old field, perhaps thought of as a neglected former pasture or hayfield, or a place where low nutrients and poor soil make agriculture marginal. Yet where it can be difficult
- [Monarch Saga at the Farm](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/monarch-saga-farm/) - In late summer there is an intense saga playing out between monarch butterflies and the milkweeds in our hay fields. Although monarchs are in a general decline, we are seeing reasonable numbers at our yard flowers and in the fields in late summer. I began an experiment some years ago in an attempt to improve
- [The Incredible Flight of a Willow Flycatcher](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/incredible-flight-willow-flycatcher/) - We have perhaps four pairs of willow flycatchers breeding near our house in VA and recently were able to document two nests in red twigged dogwoods. This constitutes a new record for late summer breeding for VA and allowed us to get some additional insight into the breeding habits of this uncommon flycatcher. Our last
- [A Dazzling Nature Ramble in Early September](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/dazzling-nature-ramble-early-september/) - Although many of our favorite birds have migrated south by late August and early September, there is a great profusion of insect life in the fields and meadows. Thus this time of year I spend a great deal more time walking in grasslands than in the woods, which comparatively have much less life than open
- [A End of Summer Nature Ramble](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/end-summer-nature-ramble/) - Although frost was delayed last fall until Oct. 20 at our VA farm, I am not counting on such luck this year, and am enjoying every day left of the bounty of summer. Of course fall brings its own natural pleasures in fruit production, migration of birds, and appearance of some insects and flowers characteristic
- [Nature on the Eastern Shore](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-eastern-shore/) - During a family trip to Baltimore we took the opportunity to visit some favorite spots along the Eastern Shore of VA, especially Kiptopeke and Chincoteague, VA. This is as far east as you can go without getting your feet in salt water and is a marvelous comparison with our summer home in the Blue Ridge
- [Nature in Some Western Mountains](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-western-mountains/) - A bonus of a recent visit to our kids and grandkids that live out west is that I got to experience some wonderful montane habitats in Montana and Utah. It is not only exciting to see new habitats and critters but to renew a sometimes jaded outlook when one remains
- [Avian Wonders of the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/avian-wonders-great-salt-lake-ecosystem/) - We happened to be in the Salt Lake City area in early October to visit family so I made an excursion to two of my favorite aquatic natural areas, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area and Antelope Island. The Great Salt Lake is much saltier than the ocean and birds primarily feed on either brine flies
- [An October Farewell to the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/october-farewell-blue-ridge/) - It is time for our annual migration to Florida so we are bidding a fond farewell to our beloved Virginia Blue Ridge mountain farm. During the brief interludes in rain over the past week I have been able to catch some typical fall views of this area. Of course the overwhelming impression one gets now
- [A Naturalist Returns to Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/naturalist-returns-florida/) - I would have to say that I have never seen a natural area, in contrast to most urban landscapes, that I did not find interesting. But as frost rapidly envelops our Virginia Blue Ridge farm, my thoughts turn to warmer climates where there will still be flowers and more active
- [A Fall Nature Ramble in Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-nature-ramble-florida/) - I have for some time been dissatisfied with being primarily interested in one aspect of natural history such as birds or plants. The variety of fascinating creatures I have encountered this week illustrates the difficulty of restricting your scope of curiosity. I admit the problems of identifying some of the critters and plants can be
- [A Florida Thanksgiving Nature Ramble](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/florida-thanksgiving-nature-ramble/) - While many people celebrate Thanksgiving with football, shopping, and food, I continue to find my greatest pleasures in the natural wonders which surround us every day. Indeed some of the most overlooked aspects of nature can be the most intriguing. For example while walking at Stump Pass Beach State Park I noticed that a bay
- [Birds, Butterflies and a Snake in the Grass](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/birds-butterflies-snake-grass/) - I am writing this in early December in Florida after a period of rains and some cool fronts. To attract butterflies you must provide flowers for nectar and larval food plants. No sooner had we planted a Mexican milkweed than a queen and three monarchs showed
- [A Christmas Nature Ramble](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/christmas-nature-ramble/) - No matter where you find yourself at Christmas you can enjoy the natural world in all its splendor. In Florida we can be raking leaves instead of shoveling snow and working at attracting birds and butterflies to our yards. One of the most useful devices for attracting birds is the drip water bath which is
- [An Arctic Snowbird Visits SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/arctic-snowbird-visits-sw-florida/) - The variety of birds at the beach can be challenging but it is very rewarding not only to identify them but to learn about their habits. The variation in migration patterns is quite astounding. Some birds breed in SW FL but many migrate to distant regions. I was recently at Palm/Knight Island at dusk to
- [Natural Encounters During Winter in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-encounters-winter-sw-florida/) - Although SW FL gets its share of cooler weather with strong northerly winds during periodic cold fronts, there can be warm interludes during which many animals are quite active and even breed. One of my favorite signs of winter is the breeding of the ragged sea hare, a mollusc lacking any external shell. This picture
- [Natural Wonders of January in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-wonders-january-sw-florida/) - We have had at least one light frost within five miles of our house in December and a series of cold fronts in January on an almost weekly basis. But temperatures soar into the high 70's and even 80's in between these cooler periods. Flowering of native plants is at a low ebb at this
- [A Mid-Winter Nature Ramble in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mid-winter-nature-ramble-sw-florida/) - Despite the regular procession of cool fronts we continue to enjoy seeing a lot of wildlife and some flowers in SW Florida in early February. But you may notice that I feature more birds than insects since the cool weather does reduce the sightings of butterflies and dragonflies and other chitinous creatures. The first willow
- [Winter Flowers Dazzle the Eye in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-flowers-dazzle-eye-sw-florida/) - You do not normally expect to see native flowers blooming in winter, but this can happen in Florida after fires release nutrients and expose the soil to light. Although winter is not the natural time for most fires, which would have normally occurred after summer lightning, a prescribed burn about two months ago in Myakka
- [Waiting Impatiently for "Spring" in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/waiting-impatiently-spring-sw-florida/) - A recent family visitor asked me when Spring starts in SW FL. A cogent question which I answered by saying it depends on how you define "Spring," by planetary motion (March 20) or by ecology, and then which natural signs you choose. Certainly based on ecology there is no single start to spring but many
- [A Low Tide Bonanza of Life](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-low-tide-bonanza-of-life/) - We have recently had a series of very low tides and this has revealed some interesting animals either on the beach or on shallow flats. The state shell of Florida is the magnificent horse conch which has a bright red body and foot. It is not a true conch but is more closely related to
- [A Late Winter Nature Walk in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-late-winter-nature-walk-in-sw-florida/) - A male goldfinch I spotted drinking from our backyard water drip expresses very well the winter to spring transition this time of year. It is a "half and half" yellow bird which is re-growing its iconic yellow feathers in preparation for its journey back north. Many plants are flowering here in Florida such as the
- [Spring Has Sprung, Sort Of](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-has-sprung-sort-of/) - The disconnect between calendar Spring and that recognized by animals continues. March 20 has come and gone but there is a great deal of northward migration still to come. On the other hand warm weather has brought out many insects, some frogs are calling, and our first trans Gulf warbler, the marvelous hooded, has arrived
- [Spring Marches On](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-marches-on/) - As animal activities increase and migratory patterns continue to accelerate, a few species still remain in their winter haunts despite the fact that spring has officially come and gone. It is like an Easter egg hunt to sort through the critters to see what is new since yesterday. One scary arachnid I watch out for
- [Nature Runs Riot in April](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-runs-riot-in-april/) - Despite the fact that we have received little rain during this springtime period in SW FL, many flowers are blooming. This meadow beauty (Rhexia) is one of many that prefers wet meadows. It has unusually showy yellow anthers. Fertilization occurs primarily by buzz pollination when bumblebees vibrate their thoracic muscles rapidly, causing pollen to
- [The Private Life of a Sanderling](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/the-private-life-of-a-sanderling/) - We are surrounded by a profusion of amazing animal life of many types, yet the birds especially appeal to the human mind as expressions of beauty and mystery. How many times have you gone to the beach and seen tiny birds running rapidly in the surf zone picking up food? These sanderlings are common almost
- [Baby Makes Three](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/baby-makes-three/) - One of the remarkable things you can do to encourage bird life in your yard is to put up a screech owl box. This often results in a female taking over the box and a male will usually roost nearby in some bushes. This has been going on for many years in our yard. But
- [Fabulous Flowers of Spring](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fabulous-flowers-of-spring/) - Although flowers do of course bloom throughout the growing season, the most famous displays of wildflowers occur in early spring before the deciduous tree leaves emerge. This enables forest flowers to photosynthesize, grow and reproduce before most of the sunlight is blocked by dense tree leaves. The degree to which this seasonal flush of flowering
- [Springtime Odes and Leps](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/springtime-odes-and-leps/) - As springtime temperatures wax and wane, insect life begins to increase and we are treated to the gradual re-awakening of an insect horde. Two of my favorite groups of insects, the dragonflies (odonates or "odes" for short) and the butterflies (lepidopterans or "leps" for short) provide a lot of excitement during this early time of
- [Aquatic Life Dazzles in May](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/aquatic-life-dazzles-in-may/) - For me wetlands have always been very special places. I am not quite sure why that is although we all have our favorite habitats. I spent a lot of time while young roaming along a creek in GA and these memories have stayed with me until now. The animals of aquatic habitats are generally more
- [Handsome Male and Drab Female Dragonflies- but Females Rule!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/handsome-male-and-drab-female-dragonflies-but-females-rule/) - I am always awe struck this time of year by the antics of dragonflies around our ponds. The aerial dogfights of the mainly male groups are mesmerizing as are their striking colors and patterns. Yet the females are often much less handsome than the males. I show two examples of males and females
- [Avian Delights of Early Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/avian-delights-of-early-summer/) - Along with the warming temperatures, the greening of the landscape, and the blooming wildflowers, the songs and colors of birds are one of the intense delights of the spring and summer. As I write this on June 7, some birds have raised one brood already (bluebirds, mourning doves, tree swallows, robins, meadowlarks) whereas others are
- [Fast Food For Snakes- the Avian Nest Box](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fast-food-for-snakes-the-avian-nest-box/) - Humans delight in trying to improve the lives of our beloved birds, but sometimes this can go horribly wrong. A case in point is the nest box which is erected for hole nesting species such as bluebirds and tree swallows. The easiest way to erect a box is just to attach it to a
- [Creekside Monster](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/creekside-monster/) - My son David and grandson Peter were walking along the New River Trail that borders Chestnut Creek in Galax, VA, when they spotted a huge and interesting bug. This was a real whopper and very scary looking since it seemed to have massive and dangerous jaws. But I recognized it as a harmless male dobsonfly,
- [Egg-traordinary Bird Nests](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/egg-traordinary-bird-nests/) - How often do we stop and think about how amazing the bird egg is? It is such a familiar object via the breakfast meal that we do not consider how remarkable it is that a complex organism can develop within such a closed structure. Indeed the evolution of the "cleidoic" egg, which exchanges only gases
- [Butterflies Abound in Fields of Summer Wildflowers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/butterflies-abound-in-fields-of-summer-wildflowers/) - In late June and early July, wildflowers produce a myriad of blooms and butterflies take full advantage of the availability of nectar. We have planted a series of polllinator fields and the most recently planted, in 2012, is now a mass of flowers. This photo shows blooms of purple cone flower, wild bergamot, ox eye
- [An Upside Down Butterfly](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/an-upside-down-butterfly/) - Our beautiful sourwood trees (named for the sour oxalic acid in the leaves) are in bloom and they have a myriad of tiny white bell-shaped flowers that hang down. If these flowers remind you of blueberries, you are correct since both are in the heath family. Sourwood is generally pollinated by bees which are attracted
- [Dazzling Insects of Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/dazzling-insects-of-summer/) - Too often we focus in our nature studies on one particular group of animals or plants (birds or mushrooms for example). I am not sure what the origin of this "species-chauvinism" is, but it denies the naturalist in all of us some remarkable opportunities to marvel at the wide biodiversity of life all around us.
- [Biking for Natural History](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/biking-for-natural-history/) - Although the typical means of enjoying nature would be by walking, I have found that biking can be a great way to find natural wonders in any area which has biking trails. The rails to trails paths are ideal since they tend to be easy to ride while watching the passing nature show. One of
- [Summer Pond Life](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-pond-life/) - Nothing expresses summer time more than the whirl of life around a pond. There is an intensity of competition and predation, but also great beauty among the intricate web of life that revolves around a small body of water. The fishing spider lives at the intersection of air and water by running across the surface
- [How to Attract Butterflies with Salt](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/how-to-attract-butterflies-with-salt/) - When you think about ways to attract butterflies, this generally involves planting flowers that supply nectar for the adults or leaves for the caterpillars. However an alternative technique is to offer salts, especially sodium, which butterflies crave because their vegetarian diet is rich in potassium but not sodium. This is different from the ancient myth
- [Milkweed Madness](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/milkweed-madness/) - If you manage a field, you face a conundrum in deciding your specific goals and if, when, and how often to mow. If you want to retain the field, you must eventually mow it, but preferably no more than once per year to minimize negative effects on wildlife. Otherwise woody vegetation will eventually move in
- [Those Beautiful Blue Flowers of Fall](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/those-beautiful-blue-flowers-of-fall/) - Although there are wide variations in flower color at all seasons, I tend to think as summer as being the time of many yellow flowers of the aster family. Hence the derivation of the term for the many often unidentified yellow composites/asters as "DYC," or darn yellow composites! Here in SW VA in fall we
- [Signs of Fall](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/signs-of-fall/) - Although signs of the fall season are usually evident enough from changes in the weather, there are many clues from nature that a seismic shift in the seasons is occurring. Even if you did not have a calendar, you should be able to predict the month if you study the many signs that nature provides.
- [Fall Delights in Utah](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-delights-in-utah/) - If you become jaded with the natural wonders of your home turf, a trip is just the thing to add spice to your enjoyment of nature. On an annual family visit to Utah we find the desert and mountain worlds a wonderful way to expand the horizons of our appreciation of nature. One of our
- [Early October in NC Piedmont](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/early-october-in-nc-piedmont/) - As we headed south from our VA mountain farm to our eventual destination in SW FL, we visited family in the Piedmont of NC (Chapel Hill). Early October in the piedmont has some cool nights and warm days so that there is still considerable animal activity although much of bird migration is finished. But bird
- [Aerial Cannibals](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/aerial-cannibals/) - If you are at the beach you might look up and notice that an interesting migration of dragonflies is taking place just over your head. Dragonflies are heading south to escape the frozen north in considerable numbers and I watched many common green darners passing by at Caspersen beach, Venice, FL, on Oct. 21. It
- [A shorebird with bling of a different kind](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-shorebird-with-bling-of-a-different-kind/) - On Oct. 18, 2015, while walking along the beach on Palm Island, Charlotte County FL, just south of Stump Pass, I noticed one tiny shorebird, a sanderling, that had bands on its legs. This bling was unusual since there were orange bands on both lower legs, a silver band on the upper left, and a
- [Nature is HOT in Florida Fall](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-is-hot-in-florida-fall/) - Although I am generally anxious to leave our VA farm soon after the first frost, this year it has been unexpectedly warm in FL even into November. This is a shock to humans unused to such hot and muggy weather, but it yields a bonus in that critters tend to be more active and plants
- [FL Insects Run Riot in November](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fl-insects-run-riot-in-november/) - Although there is still interest in the northern fall and winter landscape for the naturalist, certainly it is more fun to see lots of critters moving around instead of mostly being inactive. Thus I find never-ending joy in observing the common insects in Florida during the fall season, which has been warmer than usual
- [Nature's Holiday Gifts](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natures-holiday-gifts/) - Mother Nature has given us some beautiful gifts this holiday season in conjunction with unusually warm weather. The insect world has been especially active. This spectacular mangrove skipper was attracted to a Mexican mallow in our yard. A pair of Dorantes skippers was found in love near Arcadia. The long "tails" of this relatively recent
- [A Visit to the Yard of the Butterfly Lady](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-visit-to-the-yard-of-the-butterfly-lady-3/) - A group of local naturalists from the Peace River and Sarasota Butterfly Societies and some native plant enthusiasts were excited to visit the yard of Englewood, FL, resident Mary Brown who is famous for her skills in raising butterfly caterpillars, especially monarchs. Mary cautioned us that her yard was small, but it was huge in
- [Shocking Avian Murder on Manasota Key](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/shocking-avian-murder-on-manasota-key-2/) - I was appalled by a gruesome discovery this morning just outside our front door. The head of one of our magnificent ospreys had been severed and was lying on the ground. A pair of ospreys has been nesting in a tall Norfolk Island pine directly over our house for the past 20 years.
- [Osprey Murder Update](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/osprey-murder-update-2/) - After the discovery of the head of one of our beloved nesting ospreys on our front walk on Jan. 14, I surmised that a pair of great horned owls had killed it in the process of taking over the osprey nest. This is an update to report on observations at the nest during the first
- [Saltie or Freshie ?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/saltie-or-freshie/) - Among the many important aspects of habitat selection that define the lives of water birds, salinity can be one of the most crucial. Birds that exploit food resources in saline areas along the coast or in inland salt lakes require special physiological adaptations of the kidney, cloaca (end of the intestine where digestive materials
- [Tarpon Gulper Sighted in Lemon Lake](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-gulper-sighted-in-lemon-lake/) - It is now well known that some areas of Lemon Creek within Wildflower Preserve, Charlotte County, FL (owned by the Lemon Bay Conservancy) are filled with juvenile tarpon that thrive in its lowest oxygen waters which provide significant protection from predatory fish such as snappers, snook and jacks. There are however other predators such
- [Winter Gets Serious But Life Persists](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/winter-gets-serious-but-life-persists-3/) - After a prolonged warm fall and winter, the cold fronts began to arrive in SW Florida and the animals had to cope with much cooler weather and periodic strong winds and heavy rains. Despite these somewhat harsh conditions, a diverse and beautiful display of life continued in between the bouts of cold weather. An additional
- [A Close Encounter with Early Spring in NC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-close-encounter-with-early-spring-in-nc/) - I am a huge advocate for enjoying and studying nature wherever you find yourself. So when you make trips to visit family, it is a great opportunity to expand your horizons in understanding of natural history. While watching our grandson in NC in middle February we encountered some very frigid and icy weather but then
- [Ospreys Win Battle with Great Horned Owls](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/ospreys-win-battle-with-great-horned-owls/) - A wildlife saga of heart-rending proportions has unfolded on Manasota Key, FL, within the past two months. Ospreys have always nested in a tall Norfolk Island pine directly over our house for the 22 years we have owned it. We have become accustomed to their loud calls and followed their antics and falling fish
- [How Do Loons Snooze?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/how-do-loons-snooze/) - Loons are a northern freshwater snowbird that winter here in SW FL in bay and near-shore ocean waters. They probably rarely set foot on land except when breeding. Thus one wonders, how do they sleep? We have a backyard loon that hangs out near our dock in Lemon Bay. I have watched it take an
- [Life Flourishes in the Transition from Florida Winter to Spring](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/life-flourishes-in-the-transition-from-florida-winter-to-spring/) - It has been an unusual winter weather-wise in SW FL although I sometimes wonder if the weather is ever "normal." It was unusually wet and warm earlier but has become a bit cooler with less rain. Natural events illustrate both the persistence of winter and the approach of spring. For example tar flowers were
- [Signs of Spring Abound in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/signs-of-spring-abound-in-sw-florida/) - The calendar tells us that official spring is here and we can see that ourselves by our observations of nature. One of my favorite harbingers of spring is the glorious flowering of the pink trumpet tree, Tabebuia, at the end of Panama St, near the Palm Island ferry dock. It is an extraordinary sight of
- [Some Signs of Spring As We Head North](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/signs-spring-head-north/) - In middle April a sizeable proportion of the human population of the Englewood, FL, area either have left for their northern summer homes or soon will do so. We got a preview of what is in store for us with a quick trip to the coastal plain of NC the first week of April.
- ["April Madness:" Migrating Warblers Visit Manasota Key, FL](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/april-madness-migrating-warblers-visit-manasota-key-fl/) - During spring time a virtual river of birds migrates from Mexico, and Central and South America to the eastern United States and Canada. These neotropical migrants take advantage of the mild weather and abundant food in northern latitudes during the breeding season, and escape the northern winters by flying far to the south. Some of
- [Blue Ridge Spring Amazes the Senses](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-ridge-spring-amazes-senses/) - Spring is a wonderful time of year, with leaves and blooms emerging, birds singing, and amphibian reproduction in full swing. But breeding occurs over a prolonged period since different species have distinct tolerances and adaptations for seasonal progression in temperature and related habitat changes. So for example as I write this on May 2, the
- [Blue Ridge Turns Green](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/blue-ridge-turns-green/) - The predominant color of middle May in the Blue Ridge mountains of SW VA is green. There is an explosion in growth of plant life so an overall view of our farm shows a verdant landscape. Of course the re-awakening of the ecosystem after a winter's slumber first requires that plants provide the base of
- [A Nature Ramble in Michigan](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-ramble-michigan/) - Any family trip is an opportunity to explore the natural history of a new area and rejuvenate your powers of observation dulled by residence in one area where you tend to see the same things over and over. Thus when we embarked on a visit to a grandson in Interlochen, Michigan, in the third week
- [A Naturalist in Utah](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-naturalist-in-utah/) - Although I am Georgia born and a creature of eastern N America's low mountains, piedmont and coastal plain, there is no denying the majesty and amazing natural wonders to be found in the American west. So when we made a trip to visit family in Utah, I took the opportunity to enjoy the biodiversity of
- [June is a Frenzy of Life](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/june-frenzy-life/) - Here on our VA Blue Ridge Mountain farm, June is a time of rebirth and renewal in nature. Creatures seem to be in a rush to breed and of course must consume many resources to raise their young. It is a life and death struggle but an absolutely spectacular show for the nature lover. This
- [A June Nature Ramble at the Farm](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/june-nature-ramble-farm/) - Here on our VA Blue Ridge Mountain farm we are still having some cool nights in the 50's, but many days are sunny and warm and nature is in full growth and reproduction mode. I enjoy re-acquainting myself with the resident odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) and lepidopterans (butterflies ). One of my favorite damselflies is
- [Summer Marches On](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/summer-marches-on/) - As July starts, the nature lover can continue to enjoy some breeding birds and observe an increasing number of interesting insects. New flowers are blooming, such as day lilies and catalpa trees and we are starting to be bothered by some of the less desirable critters such as Japanese beetles and ticks. I spend
- [Pollinator Fields in Their Glory](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/pollinator-fields-glory/) - In general I do not recommend trying to improve on nature beyond the boundaries of the yard since the beauty of natural scenes is often incomparable. However creation of a Pollinator Field from a portion of hay fields or pastures or even yards can provide habitat for pollinators such as butterflies and bees, while also
- [Leps Rule !](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/leps-rule/) - Now in late July on our VA farm the predominant color of the landscape is GREEN, as shown in this panoramic view of one of our hay fields cut six weeks ago, overlooking our farm house next to a pond and a 10 year old pollinator field, now predominantly yellow with the blooms of oxeye
- [Deciphering Nature's Signs](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/deciphering-natures-signs/) - So much is happening in nature and in our human constructed world that we tend to ignore some of the most obvious events of the natural world. Plus there are literally thousands of sights and sounds vying for our attention and it takes a significant effort of will to focus and be observant. A certain
- [Natural Signs of Middle to Late Summer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-signs-middle-late-summer/) - It is possible to judge the approximate time of year at a certain location by looking at what is flowering and what the animals are doing. Here I show some typical signs of middle to late summer in SW VA at elevations of about 2000 feet . The Turk's cap lily which has a spectacular
- [Flowers of Late Summer Attract Butterflies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/flowers-late-summer-attract-butterflies/) - Late summer is a time in our area of southwest Virginia for flowering of natives such as goldenrod, ironweed, impatiens, virgins bower, wing stem, green headed cone flower, great lobelia, thistles and others. Many of these flowers are an important nectar source for the beautiful butterflies we enjoy in our fields. Just as different flowers
- [Copperhead or Not ?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/copperhead-or-not/) - On a recent bike ride along the New River Trail in VA I was more or less in auto-pilot and was paying less attention to my surroundings than I should have. My biking companion Mason suddenly shouted that he had run over a copperhead ! I was shocked that I had been so careless to
- [A September Nature Ramble](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/september-nature-ramble/) - As summer draws to a close, there is still a great deal of animal activity and a different group of late blooming flowers. I seem to appreciate the sunrises and sunsets more in part because I am tired of working on the yard and want to sit and enjoy the view! One of my favorite
- [Signs of Fall Abound](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/signs-fall-abound/) - Our weather is showing some cool night time temperatures, but frost is still 2-3 weeks away and there is lots of insect activity and still some late bird migration underway. Fall fruits are much in evidence, offering immediate snacks and some long term food supply. One of my favorites is the blue fruit of arrow
- [Farewell to the Farm](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/farewell-to-the-farm/) - We are leaving shortly for our winter home in SW FL and are reluctantly saying goodbye to our beloved Blue Ridge mountain wildlife farm. As you can see from a photo of the house and immediate surroundings (we own 107 acres) taken on Oct. 3, the prevailing colors are tending towards brownish grasses and sedges,
- [Florida or Bust](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/florida-or-bust/) - We have just completed our annual "snowbird migration" from our farm in VA to our home on Manasota Key, FL. Of course the purpose of this trip is to escape the frosty clutches of winter up north and continue to enjoy flowers, birds and insects in a spring-like realm. The trade-off is that FL also
- [Birds: Beaks and Feet](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/birds-beaks-feet/) - We enjoy beautiful plants and animals, whether in southwestern Florida or the mountains of Virginia. But how often do we think about the evolutionary values of the peculiar characteristics they possess? Look for special features in each of the birds I photographed within the past three weeks since I returned to Florida. At Ollies
- [A "Homeless" Vagabond Returns to Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/homeless-vagabond-returns-florida/) - We had been thinking a bit recently that as our retirement years tick on, we would some day need to downsize by selling our 107 acre Blueridge Mt. Virginia farm. Thus when a VA neighbor who was looking at an adjacent farm for sale offered to buy ours, we made the difficult decision! The closing
- [Fall Natural Delights](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fall-natural-delights/) - One of the true delights of spending the fall in SW Florida is that you can continue to enjoy seeing a wide variety of plants and creatures actively pursuing their lives. There is of course a considerable seasonal change in flowering, growth and species which are present, but the naturalist can continue
- [A Celebration of Birds- the CBC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/celebration-birds-cbc/) - Although most people are thinking only about Christmas and family in late December, birders are also enthralled by the CBC or Christmas Bird Count. This is a world-wide phenomenon in which birds are identified and counted within circles that are 15 miles in diameter. The Venice Audubon circle which encompasses parts of Venice and
- [A Snapshot of Nature in Winter n SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/snapshot-nature-winter-n-sw-florida/) - Winter in SW Florida means sunny warm days with almost weekly cold fronts that deliver chilly nights and strong NE winds. Now flowers are a bit constrained this time of year, especially our beloved native species. Thus I enjoy cultivating exotic flowers which bloom in winter, are non-invasive, and have specific benefits for wildlife.
- [Signs of Winter in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/signs-winter-sw-florida/) - If Indian Summer is a warm period during fall season, what should we call a warm period during winter time- Indian Winter? Here in SW Florida it is so unseasonably warm that the willow and mango trees are starting to bloom already! Such a shift in flowering time or phenology is more than a peculiarity
- [Some of the Natural Beauties of Winter in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-beauties-winter-sw-florida/) - Although SW Florida has much better winter weather than most places in the US, it still has some windy and cooler days along with occasional bouts of red tide at the coast. But on the whole the climate is fabulous and offers the opportunity to pursue an interest in natural history all year. One
- [Humans Helping Wildlife](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/humans-helping-wildlife/) - It is heartwarming to see various local examples in SW Florida of people assisting wildlife to survive. Birds that are primarily beach species are in a struggle for existence, yet at Englewood Beach the gulls, terns, and shorebirds are appreciated by the many people who enjoy the sand and surf. Indeed this beach park seems
- [Mommy Dearest is a Gator](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mommy-dearest-gator/) - As I was walking quietly along one of the trails at Wildflower Preserve that borders the upper end of Lemon Creek, I was surprised to find a six foot gator in shallow water, that did not move away on my approach. Then I saw a baby swim by her head and noticed more than a
- [Some Natural Beauties of Winter in a SW Florida Yard](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-beauties-winter-sw-florida-yard/) - We are fortunate in having a lot on Lemon Bay which is both picturesque and attractive to wildlife. However a major aspect of the yard that brings in wildlife is the vegetation. We have about 160 species of plants divided almost equally between natives and exotics. However I have to fight against an "addiction" to
- [Early Signs of Spring in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/4763-2/) - In our area of Florida signs of Spring often arrive in February and now in early March are very evident with warm or even hot days, and trees such as live oaks in bloom. This warmth along with occasional rainfall has stimulated growth of new leaves in many plants and some flowers as well. I
- [The Remarkable Birth of a Monarch Butterfly](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/remarkable-birth-monarch-butterfly/) - One of the most amazing transformations that occurs in nature is the metamorphosis of a monarch caterpillar into a pupal chrysalis and then into an adult butterfly. What makes it even more exceptional is that you can observe this in detail after growing the caterpillars on milkweed plants. We planted Caribbean giant milkweed in our
- [A Paddle Across the Myakka Estuary to an Explosion of Flowers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/paddle-across-myakka-estuary-explosion-flowers/) - Allain Hale from the Sierra Club organized an exploratory paddling trip for four of us across the Myakka River from Campbell Rd in North Port to the riverside campground in Myakka State Forest. This was an adventurous loop of about 3.5 miles starting in a large quarry, continuing down a narrow creek with extensive
- [Raising Orange-Barred Sulphur Butterflies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/raising-orange-barred-sulphur-butterflies/) - It has become popular for butterfly gardeners to raise monarchs in protected circumstances on tropical or giant milkweeds and release them into the wild. It is much less common for other local butterflies to be reared in captivity. Gulf fritillaries and zebras require toxic passion vines for their caterpillars. The sulphur butterflies require cassias/sennas ,
- [Birds Do It: Falling in Love](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/birds-falling-love/) - While waiting for my wife who was at a dental appointment at an office on Clark Rd in Sarasota, I noticed some parrots flying by and making loud calls. At first one and then another settled on a wire and an interesting interaction emerged between them. These are feral Nanday conures, or black-hooded
- [Signs of the Times: Early April in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/signs-times-early-april-sw-florida/) - In late March and early April there are many natural signs of the changes that occur during spring. Flowers bloom, some animals breed and bird migration increases. I was pleased to see a young sweet bay magnolia plant blooming at Wildflower Preserve. These ancient blooms represent the early stages of flower evolution where a single
- [A Most Exciting Time of Year: Neotropical BIrd Migration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/exciting-time-year-neotropical-bird-migration/) - In April, birds that have been wintering in Central and South America and southern states such as Florida are now flying north to areas of the US and Canada where they will breed. In our region of Florida we get most of our migrants when they are blown here by westerly winds away from their major northerly migratory routes from Yucatan to
- [Osprey Babies in the Nest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/osprey-babies-nest/) - If you are near the coast or a river you will have recently noticed osprey nests with the adults flying around and making a lot of noise. In some cases you cannot see babies in the nest because it is so high, but today while on Don Pedro Island I found a very visible
- [Migrant Bird Mini-"Fallout" Dazzles Local Birders](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/migrant-bird-mini-fallout-dazzles-local-birders/) - Many birds that have spent the winter in Central and South America migrate directly across the Gulf of Mexico. Strong northwest winds on April 24-25, however, brought an abundance of these birds to the yards and parks of the Florida west coast from Ft. Desoto near Tampa to Charlotte County. For example, arrivals to our
- [Questions That Arise During Nature Study in SW Florida During Late Spring](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/questions-arise-nature-study-sw-florida-late-spring/) - Most things in nature intrigue and often mystify me. I like to paraphrase the saying that nature is not rocket science, it is far more complicated ! In addition to the intrinsic beauty of flowers, biologists find evolutionary meaning in variable colors and form. For example look at the flower of a Cassia fistula which
- [Following a Florida Spring to Michigan](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/following-florida-spring-michigan/) - We had a very exciting spring migration of neotropical birds through our Manasota Key yard in mid-April to early May, and when it was over we definitely yearned for more. Since we were scheduled to attend a grandson's high school graduation in Interlochen, MI, on May 27, this provided a perfect opportunity to catch the
- [A Southern Appalachian Mountain Nature High](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/southern-appalachian-mountain-nature-high/) - Since we are "homeless" during the summer after selling our VA farm, we have been alternating trips to northern cooler climates with stays in Englewood, FL. We have been exploring the possibility of buying a summer home near Boone, NC, and visited with family in WV near Seneca Rocks. The southern Appalachians are a beautiful
- [Sea Turtles Rule the Beach at Manasota Key](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/sea-turtles-rule-beach-manasota-key/) - If you are an environmentalist you rarely have a day that lifts your spirits up if you think too much about the future, with massive increases in human population and over-utilization of planetary resources. However there is a feel-good story going on right now out at Manasota Beach. The number of sea turtle nests on
- [An August Nature Ramble in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/august-nature-ramble-blue-ridge/) - After Margaret and I sold our 107 acre wildlife farm near Galax, VA, last November, we have been "homeless" during the summer escape from Florida heat. We are slated to close soon on a home with two acres near Boone. NC, as a replacement that will better suit our aging bodies. In the
- [Nature in the Blue Ridge as Summer Comes to a Close](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/nature-blue-ridge-summer-comes-close/) - During the past few weeks in August I have been centered in the Blue Ridge mountains near Boone, NC but have sallied out to Galax, VA, and briefly down to the Piedmont in Gastonia, NC. The nights have been getting cooler (down to 55 F once) but the days are still sunny and warm. Most
- [Natural Signs of Fall in the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-signs-fall-blue-ridge/) - After 14 years of reporting natural events from our beloved Galax, VA, farm, we have moved to a smaller summer home on two acres. We were fortunate to find a spot that has a great deal of natural beauty and habitat diversity, close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the small university town
- [Wonders  of Nature in Fall Along the Blue Ridge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wonders-nature-fall-along-blue-ridge/) - Although now in early October we are still awaiting full fall color in the forest leaves, there are many other interesting natural phenomenon to be observed. For example fruit ripening is well underway and there are many variations in shape and color of both fruit and ancillary structures. For example the native but invasive
- [Welcome to Florida in Late October, 2017](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/welcome-florida-late-october-2017/) - We arrived back in Florida the last week of October after establishing a new summer base in Boone, NC. It is interesting to look for natural clues to the time of year in a place such as Florida which is green all year. Some of the pine flatwoods have beautiful displays of pink/purple flowers- rose
- [Nature's Fall Delights in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natures-fall-delights-sw-florida/) - As approaching winter is beginning to extend its icy grip across the northern states, on the Gulf coast shoreline of Charlotte County in Florida we still experience some very warm days interspersed with the occasional passage of a cool front. We are fortunate to live along the gulf coast shoreline and can switch from observations
- [Coastal Marvels of Nature in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/coastal-marvels-nature-sw-florida/) - If you walk outside with a keen eye for observation you will never lack for something interesting to see. As I hiked to Stump Pass along the beach I was struck by the beauty of this stump of a dead Australian pine or casuarina. Most of these have been killed by park personnel since they
- [Some Fabulous Flowers of Late Fall in SW Florida](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/fabulous-flowers-late-fall-sw-florida/) - Although you do not generally think about late fall as a time for beautiful flowers, there are indeed some very interesting native and exotic flowers in bloom that are attractive to butterflies and other insects. On the beach you typically expect to see the striking pink/purple morning glories that are called railroad vines. But on
- [Some Natural Beauties of Myakka State Forest in mid-December](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-beauties-myakka-state-forest-mid-december/) - Dec. 17 was the designated day for the Venice Audubon Christmas Bird Count in 2017 and my territory was the Myakka State Forest, an 8592 acre piece of old Florida made up of hydric flatwoods, unusually pure freshwater ponds, and tidal wetlands along the estuarine Myakka River. I treasure this opportunity to enjoy nature
- [Natural Delights of Winter in our Forida Yard](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-delights-winter-forida-yard/) - During some winter cold waves I find myself hunkering down in our house and yard and not venturing out to local natural areas as much as usual. This provides an opportunity to more closely observe natural events in our little bit of the biosphere. Since we have a tiny but verdant slice of a gulf
- [Mid Winter Nature Treats](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/mid-winter-nature-treats/) - As naturalists in SW Florida we are fortunate to be able to enjoy seeing flowers, butterflies and birds active for most of the winter despite occasional cold fronts that can deliver temperatures close to freezing even along the coast. It is always a shock to see willows blooming in January! But it is interesting that
- [Marvelous Animals of Myakka State Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/marvelous-animals-myakka-state-park/) - Several days after a winter cold front has passed is a spectacular time to visit Myakka State Park, since it tends to be cool but sunny with little wind. Many of the iconic animals are on display, such as the piles of large alligators basking along the river banks. As heterothermic reptiles that need to
- [Some Natural Delights of Deer Prairie Creek Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/natural-delights-deer-prairie-creek-preserve/) - The Deer Prairie Creek Preserve is one of many wonderful natural areas owned by Sarasota County and SWFWMD ( .http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/myakka-deerprairie.html ). It is huge (> 10,000 acres) and offers extensive pine flatwoods and aquatic habitats along the Myakka River and the creek. There is a dam across the creek, dating from the ranching
- [Lake Management 101](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lake-management-101/) - - - While attending a Peace River Audubon Society field trip to the campus of State College of Florida- Venice ( http://www.scf.edu/AboutSCF/Locations/SCFVenice/default.asp ), I was delighted to find that the lovely constructed lake just in front of the campus was well managed. It had some open water but the majority of the water surface was covered with
- [A Morning Stroll Reveals Natural Wonders](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/morning-stroll-reveals-natural-wonders/) - In an effort to keep fit I often take an early morning 3 mile walk from our yard on Manasota Key down to the Tom Adams bridge and back along the beach. Although this is not intended to be a nature walk, it always pays to keep alert to any interesting sightings no matter where
- [Biking With Nature](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/biking-with-nature/) - The Cape Haze Pioneer Bike Trail might seem an unlikely place to have a good nature-based experience. But in fact this 8+ mile long rails to trails paved pathway passes through some relatively unspoiled landscapes and crosses two tidal creeks. It offers intriguing views of wildlife and landscapes not so readily available on foot. https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/services/parksrecs/Site%20Documents/Cape-Haze-Trail-Map.pdf
- [Rapid Pond Bioassessment at Broadmoor Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/rapid-pond-bioassessment-at-broadmoor-park/) - A team of volunteers organized by Chuck Idelberger and Stan Plizga recently carried out a seine survey for fish and large invertebrates at four of 13 ponds in the new 168 acre Broadmoor Park (a former golf course) in Rotonda West. The goal was to determine how different the ponds were and how
- [Surprising Natural Beauty of Arlington Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/surprising-natural-beauty-of-arlington-park/) - You would normally expect to find wildlife in relatively unspoiled places, but sometimes a city park will reveal unexpected natural wonders. In mid- April I dropped off my wife at Sarasota's (FL) Pinecraft Park, a place famous for spring birding fall-outs, while I explored nearby Arlington Park. At Arlington I found a very attractive
- [Spring Along the Blue Ridge Parkway](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/spring-along-the-blue-ridge-parkway/) - In our "golden years" we are fortunate to be able to enjoy two wonderful spring times, one in our winter SW FL home and one in our new summer home in Boone, NC. In the North Carolina mountains the explosion of ephemeral wildflowers, the arrival of migratory birds, and the regrowth of new leaves on
- [A Lake that Lives When it Dries ?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/a-lake-that-lives-when-it-dries/) - Lemon Lake within Amberjack Preserve in Charlotte County, FL, is a most unusual body of water. It is a natural and thus very shallow FL lake with a tenuous tidal connection via Lemon Creek to Lemon Bay through Wildflower Preserve. But this creek is constricted with mangroves and mud and only the highest tides
- [Small Fierce Predators Stalk Greenway Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/small-fierce-predators-stalk-greenway-park/) - Hundreds of people use the beautiful Boone, NC, Greenway Park daily for recreation and likely do not think about the myriads of small predatory interactions that occur there among the resident animals. Indeed if you were the size of their prey you would definitely not want to be anywhere near these creatures. Insects
- [Life at High Altitude is a Wonder](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/life-at-high-altitude-is-a-wonder/) - My wife and I visited Grayson Highlands State Park (GHSP) in VA recently and marveled at the diversity of life at high altitudes and how it differs from that at lower elevations. Conditions are much harsher as one approaches the peaks of mountains, and climates approximate those that occur much father north. Thus
- [Life Thrives at Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/life-thrives-at-wildflower-preserve/) - Although Wildflower Preserve in Englewood, FL, has in the past been one of my favorite areas for nature study, it has been in an extended hiatus for visitors during ecological restoration, and is only now in the final stages of wetland creation/restoration. Yet life there continues to astonish the senses at every
- [Woodstorks at Dawn](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Wildflowers](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Paddle Boarder with Lab on Lemon Bay](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Sunset over Lemon Bay at low tide](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [White Pelicans](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Volunteers](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Lemon Bay Blues](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Black & White Warbler](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Open House at Wildflower Preserve](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Red-shouldered Hawk](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Beautyberry Berries](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Gopher Tortoise](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Eagle on Lemon Bay](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [White Peacock](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Dawn on Lemon Bay](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Dragonfly](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Volunteers](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Volunteers](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)
- [Wildflowers](http://lemonbayconservancy.org)

## Pages

- [Home](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy works to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound, and their watersheds through land preservation and restoration, water quality initiatives, environmental education, and advocacy for sustainable conservation policies.
- [Monthly Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-research/monthly-net-pull/) - Tarpon Research News Fall 2025 LBC Newsletter November 24, 2025 - 11:03 am FWC Report on Tarpon Research – November 2025 November 12, 2025 - 11:13 am Juvenile Tarpon Research: Focus on Tagging June 4, 2025 - 12:46 pm View More Tarpon Research NewsFWC scientists and Conservancy volunteers conduct Tarpon net pulls at the Preserve.
- [Wildflower Restoration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-research/wildflower-restoration/) - Tarpon Research News Fall 2025 LBC Newsletter November 24, 2025 - 11:03 am FWC Report on Tarpon Research – November 2025 November 12, 2025 - 11:13 am Juvenile Tarpon Research: Focus on Tagging June 4, 2025 - 12:46 pm View More Tarpon Research NewsRestoring the golf course was planned with juvenile tarpon habitat in mind.
- [Burrowing Owls](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/burrowing-owls/) - Burrowing Owl News Protecting Our Burrowing Owl Neighbors November 22, 2025 - 4:46 pm Maintaining Burrowing Owl Burrows November 22, 2025 - 4:21 pm View More Burrowing Owl NewsLemon Bay Conservancy is taking a lead role in a recently launched initiative to help protect a small colony of Florida Burrowing Owls living in a developing
- [Contact Us](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/contact/) - OUR MAILING ADDRESS Lemon Bay Conservancy, Inc. P.O. Box 1458 Englewood, FL 34295 OFFICE ADDRESS Lemon Bay Conservancy 460 W Dearborn St. Englewood, FL 34223 TELEPHONE & HOURS 941.830.8922 Hours: Mon/Thurs/Fri 10-2 Hours may vary. Please call before visiting. HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? info@lemonbayconservancy.org Contact Us If you would like more information about Lemon Bay Conservancy
- [Become A Volunteer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/support-our-cause/become-a-volunteer/) - Download a Volunteer Waiver FormGive the Gift of Your Time. If you are interested in how you can help the Conservancy through volunteerism, we would truly enjoy speaking with you. There are many ways you can help us reach our goals that will enrich the local environment for now and generations to come. Currently Lemon
- [Tarpon Research](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-research/) - Tarpon Research News Fall 2025 LBC Newsletter November 24, 2025 - 11:03 am FWC Report on Tarpon Research – November 2025 November 12, 2025 - 11:13 am Juvenile Tarpon Research: Focus on Tagging June 4, 2025 - 12:46 pm View More Tarpon Research NewsLemon Bay Conservancy and partner agencies participate in a multi-year study of
- [Burrowing Owl News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/burrowing-owls/burrowing-owl-news/) - 22.11.2025 Protecting Our Burrowing Owl NeighborsLemon Bay Conservancy is taking a lead role in a recently launched initiative to help protect a small colony of Florida Burrowing Owls living in a devRead more 22.11.2025 Maintaining Burrowing Owl Burrows Thanks to all the volunteers from Lemon Bay Conservancy, Peace River Audubon, and local birding groups who
- [Tarpon Tagging](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-research/tarpon-tagging/) - Tarpon Research News Fall 2025 LBC Newsletter November 24, 2025 - 11:03 am FWC Report on Tarpon Research – November 2025 November 12, 2025 - 11:13 am Juvenile Tarpon Research: Focus on Tagging June 4, 2025 - 12:46 pm View More Tarpon Research NewsA large grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in
- [Board Members](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/about/board/) - Irene Slattery President Irene is a native New Yorker from Westchester County and has been a Southwest Florida resident for 45 plus years. She obtained her degree in Business Administration from S.U.N.Y. Cobleskill before moving to Englewood in 1979. After a 36-year career in banking, Irene has happily returned to real estate and is
- [Support Our Cause](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/support-our-cause/) - Thank you for your interest in supporting Lemon Bay Conservancy! DONATE Please click here to make a donation online using your credit card. Click here to download a Lemon Bay Conservancy Donation/Membership Form that you can mail in. Or, click here to find additional information on gift donations, memorial and honor donations, and other ways
- [Donations & Gift Ideas](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/support-our-cause/donations-and-gift-ideas/) - MAKE A DONATION To make an online donation with your credit card, please click here. Donate Online Click here to download a Lemon Bay Conservancy Donation/Membership Form that you can mail in. MAKE A MEMORIAL OR HONOR DONATION If you would like to make a tribute or honor donation on behalf of a friend or
- [About Us](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/about/) - Our Mission Lemon Bay Conservancy works to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound, and their watersheds through land preservation and restoration, water quality initiatives, environmental education, and advocacy for sustainable conservation policies. Saving Land Over the years, the Lemon Bay Conservancy has been involved in saving hundreds of acres of
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy History](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/about/history/) - Proposed development on Lemon Bay islands, as well as a bridge, spurred community leaders to organize Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) in 1971 with the purpose of limiting inappropriate development and protecting environmental resources. Since then LBC: Helped create Blind Pass, Lemon Bay, Indian Mound, and Cedar Point Parks Worked to get Lemon Bay designated an
- [Oyster Gardening](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch/oyster-gardening/) - “One Dock at a Time” Oyster Gardening LBC’s Lemon BayWatch team is pleased to announce that we have vertical oyster gardens (VOGs) available for free placement at local docks! What’s a VOG and why would I want one? A VOG consists of one or more strands of oyster shells threaded on stainless wire and suspended
- [Labyrinth on the Hill](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/labyrinth/) - Labyrinth News Volunteers at the Labyrinth on the Hill August 7, 2025 - 4:16 pm Feb. 8, 2025 “Exploration Day” at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve! January 6, 2025 - 1:54 pm Plein Air Painters Visit the Preserve May 1, 2024 - 4:25 pm View More Labyrinth on the Hill NewsLabyrinth Events 42 events found.
- [Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/) - A refuge for wildlife with opportunities for environmental education and scientific research. The land that is now Wildflower Preserve operated as an 18-hole executive golf course from the early 1970s to 2006. For the next four years, the property sat abandoned and became overgrown with dense vegetation. After attempts to sell the land to developers
- [Trail Map](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/trail-map/) - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is now open daily for Lemon Bay Conservancy members. The public is invited to visit for scheduled “open house” days and trail walks. Please see our calendar page for scheduled activities. To download or print a copy of the trail map brochure, click on this link: Lemon-Creek-Wildflower-Preserve-Trail-Brochure.pdf Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve
- [Our Partners](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/about/partners/) - Thank You to the many individuals and groups who support our efforts! Contributing and partnering organizations include: Charlotte Community Foundation Hurricane Ian Relief Grant to reconstruct our volunteer equipment shed at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Program (CHNEP) Grants for improvements at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, including: development of the
- [Labyrinth News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/labyrinth-news/) - 7.8.2025 Volunteers at the Labyrinth on the HillRead more 6.1.2025 Feb. 8, 2025 “Exploration Day” at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve!The free, public Open House at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, scheduled for February 24, 2024, will include guided trail walks, displays by local enRead more 1.5.2024 Plein Air Painters Visit the PreserveWith coordination by LBC member
- [Lemon BayWatch](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch/) - Lemon BayWatch News Fall 2025 LBC Newsletter November 24, 2025 - 11:03 am Paddling News 3/27/23 August 7, 2025 - 4:16 pm Exploration Day 2025 Excitement! February 11, 2025 - 3:04 pm View More Lemon BayWatch NewsIn recent years Lemon Bay Conservancy has started to broaden the scope of LBC activities to include specific water
- [Creeks & Estuaries Updates](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch/creeks-and-estuaries-updates/) - Creeks & Estuaries Updates We have eyes on the water and will be sharing environmental projects and concerns, people making changes, boating and fishing news while we are navigating the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve. Established in 1986, Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve is a unique, submerged ecosystem of mangrove, seagrass, and oyster communities. The bay is
- [Seagrass Monitoring](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch/seagrass-monitoring/) - Eyes on Seagrass Eyes on Seagrass is an important University of Florida citizen science project. It is part of the Sea Grant program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that is administered in Florida through the University of Florida. Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers are involved in this effort, attending workshops, collecting samples and
- [Lemon BayWatch News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch/lemon-baywatch-news/) - 24.11.2025 Fall 2025 LBC NewsletterNews from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives, tarpRead more 7.8.2025 Paddling News 3/27/23Calling All Kayakers! In partnership with Keep Charlotte Beautiful’s Great American Clean-Up Campaign, Lemon BayWatch Committee members Beth McKiRead more 11.2.2025 Exploration Day 2025 Excitement!The
- [Habitat Restoration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/habitat-restoration/) - January 2021 Status: We celebrated the completion of our major habitat restoration project at the newly renamed “Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve” in January 2021. The Preserve is now open daily for Lemon Bay Conservancy member access! Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration Lemon Bay Conservancy has partnered with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
- [Wildflower Preserve News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/wildflower-preserve-news/) - Fall 2025 LBC NewsletterNovember 24, 2025News from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives,Read more. FWC Report on Tarpon Research – November 2025November 12, 2025Juvenile tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) use coastal marsh ponds, like those found in Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, as important nursery habitats.Read
- [News & Blog](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/news/) - A Renewed Appreciation of the Passage of TimeNovember 25, 2025 Humans tend to live as if time was of no concern and assume that conditions around them will stayRead more. Fall 2025 LBC NewsletterNovember 24, 2025News from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives,Read
- [Nature Notes by Bill Dunson](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/news/nature-notes-by-bill-dunson/) - Bill Dunson, born in rural Georgia, skipped 12th grade and went directly to Yale. Bill subsequently received a PhD in Zoology from the University of Michigan, studying softshell turtles. Bill is Professor Emeritus of Pennsylvania State University thanks to a career spent entirely at that institution, teaching and doing research on the physiological ecology and
- [Butterfly Habitat and Wildflower Meadow](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/butterfly-habitat-and-wildflower-meadow/) - Adjacent to the preserve parking area, our volunteers are developing a butterfly habitat and a wildflower meadow. The butterfly habitat has various areas that are designed to highlight different types of plants related to butterflies. One section of the habitat focuses on native plants that require damp growing conditions. A second area features low-growing native
- [Birdwatching At Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/birdwatching-at-wildflower-preserve/) - Volunteers conduct monthly bird surveys at Wildflower Preserve and have recorded over 132 species so far. Download a copy of our Wildflower Preserve Bird Checklist (PDF) As an Eagle Scout project, a bird observation area has been created and it’s a great spot for bird watching. It’s located in the “Birder’s Woodland”. In some years,
- [Wildflower Preserve History](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/wildflower-preserve-history/) - Historical records show that in the first half of the 20th century, much of the Cape Haze peninsula was heavily forested and that wide-spread clear-cutting removed many of the trees. We don’t know if that was the case for the land that is now Wildflower Preserve, but it is a good guess. Old timers say
- [Wildflower Preserve Water Quality Initiatives](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/wildflower-preserve-water-quality-initiatives/) - Thanks to Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) grant funding, Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers have initiated water quality initiatives at Wildflower Preserve Water sampling data has shown that three of the Wildflower Preserve ponds have very high levels of total phosphorous, nitrogen, and chlorophyll. Pond 1 has by far the highest readings. The high nutrient
- [Water Sampling](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/water-sampling/) - In July 2011, a group of Wildflower Preserve volunteers began regular water quality sampling on the six major ponds at the preserve. The sampling work is conducted using procedures and equipment provided as part of the University of Florida’s statewide LakeWatch program. Each month our volunteers launch kayaks into the ponds and collect samples to
- [Video](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/news/video/) - An Intro to Wildflower PreserveIn which, there was an opportunity to revisit the Wildflower Preserve based in Englewood, Florida. This park was originally a country club, which was Read more 22.12.2023 New Freshwater Wetland Plants VideoThe latest video installment in our Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve special interest point series is on freshwater wetland plants. Improving
- [Resources](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/resources/) - Click to connect to the items of interest below: Brochures Wildflower Preserve Dragonfly Brochure Wildflower Preserve Bird Checklist Wildflower Preserve Estuarine Safari Brochure Wildflower Preserve Freshwater Wetlands Safari Brochure Wildflower Preserve Uplands Safari Brochure Faces of Lemon Bay Conservancy Lemon Bay Conservancy Membership Information Tarpon Brochure Newsletters Lemon Bay Conservancy Newsletters Learning Links Charlotte Harbor
- [Privacy Policy](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/privacy/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is committed to protecting your privacy. This Statement of Privacy applies to the Lemon Bay Conservancy web site and governs data collection and usage. By using the Lemon Bay Conservancy web site, you consent to the data practices described in this statement. Collection of your Personal Information In general, when you visit
- [Photo Gallery](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/news/gallery/) - Recently Lemon Bay Conservancy received reports of algae blooms popping up in some of the area’s most popular spots where people enjoy recreatioRead more 1.4.2025 Lemon Bay Conservancy Celebrates Preserve Volunteers!On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Lemon Bay Conservancy held a celebration for our Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve volunteers at the Cape Haze Community CeRead more
- [Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/news/newsletters/) - 24.11.2025 Fall 2025 LBC NewsletterNews from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives, tarpRead more 7.8.2025 Banner year for sea turtle nesting Bossman said sea turtle patrol volunteers excavated a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nest where the eggs hatched and the hatchings scrambled down
- [Tarpon Research News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tarpon-research/tarpon-research-news/) - 24.11.2025 Fall 2025 LBC NewsletterNews from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives, tarpRead more 12.11.2025 FWC Report on Tarpon Research – November 2025Juvenile tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) use coastal marsh ponds, like those found in Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, as important nursery habitats. SucRead
- [Wildflower Preserve Improvement Projects](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/wildflower-preserve/wildflower-preserve-improvement-projects/) - Individual volunteers and community organizations have stepped forward to create many improvements at the preserve. For example, the trailhead kiosk by the parking lot was built as an Eagle Scout project. The benches in the meeting meadow were designed and constructed by the Englewood Men’s Garden Club. The tables nearby were donated by The Hammocks
- [Articles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/news/articles/) - 24.11.2025 Fall 2025 LBC NewsletterNews from Lemon Bay Conservancy, including Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve news, new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, water quality initiatives, tarpRead more 12.11.2025 FWC Report on Tarpon Research – November 2025Juvenile tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) use coastal marsh ponds, like those found in Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, as important nursery habitats. SucRead
- [Become A Member](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/support-our-cause/become-a-member/) - Membership is one of the most important ways you can help support the work of the Lemon Bay Conservancy. Membership is one of the most important ways you can help support the work of the Lemon Bay Conservancy. As a member you will receive important updates on our activities by e-mail, postcard, and our Newsletter.
- [Legal Notices](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/legal-notice/) - Disclaimer Information on this website is not promised or guaranteed to be correct, current, or complete, and this site may contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Lemon Bay Conservancy assumes no responsibility (and expressly disclaims responsibility) for updating this site to keep information current or to ensure the accuracy or completeness of any posted information.

## Portfolio

- [Youser Oner Nier](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolios/youser-oner-nier/) - Veniam Nostrta Onapes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequ uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit
- [YouTube Video](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolios/youtube-video/) - Veniam Nostrta Onapes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequ uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit
- [Vimeo Video](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolios/vimeo-video/) - Veniam Nostrta Onapes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequ uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit
- [Aereopl Kidsrs](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolios/aereopl-kidsrs/) - Veniam Nostrta Onapes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequ uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit
- [Nunc suspit ante](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolios/nunc-suspit-ante/) - Veniam Nostrta Onapes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequ uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit
- [Supendise vene](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolios/supendise-vene/) - Veniam Nostrta Onapes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequ uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit
- [Sed dapibus maur](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolios/sed-dapibus-maur/) - Veniam Nostrta Onapes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequ uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit
- [Morbi tempus beid](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolios/morbi-tempus-beid/) - Veniam Nostrta Onapes Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequ uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit

## Testimonials

- [Jack Doe](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/clients-testimonials/jack-doe/) - Rerum voluptatum porro delectus laud antium conseq untur sit nihil fuga placeat ea culpa aspe riores quibusdam optio molestias cupiditate et autem repell endus umenda eius mollitia magni enim facilis sint debitis odio.
- [Lisa White](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/clients-testimonials/lisa-white/) - Minima obcaecati eum deserunt deleniti praesentium et nam eligendi adipisci dicta natus iure reiciendis amet corporis repelndus quae in magnam reprnderit saepe placeat ofciis est ad labiosam fuga quo earum libero quid.
- [Michael Doe](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/clients-testimonials/michael-doe/) - Delectus illo dolor quas fugiat possimus reprehe nderit ab voluptates magni vel quod eligendi quo soluta enim! Hic beatae harum fugit ducimus iste tenetur porro velit consentur eius aliquid fuga labore sit vitae quibu.
- [James Gibson](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/clients-testimonials/james-gibson/) - Saccus antium cupiitate velit error saepe qui voluptate labor iosam corporis accu samus nihil quis enim quasi ea asperiores ipsum cum eos laudatium provident ab dolore archecto soluta modi facilis officia atque error.
- [Brenda Wills](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/clients-testimonials/brenda-wills/) - Placeat quos nisi inven tore eum nesciunt lauda ntium tenetur nemo impedit repud iandae tempore vel assu menda quam eveniet rem incidunt est ariam delctus minima quae digni ssimos suscipit asperiores quib usdam optio.
- [Sophia Jones](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/clients-testimonials/sophia-jones/) - Donec pulvinar magna id leo pent esque imperdie fded dignissim rhoncus ex at euismo euismod eros vitae accu msan lacini fusce auctor consectetur dapibus ibulum ac ex nec turpis commodo molesnec pulvinar magna id leo.

## Logos

- [Logo 10](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-10/)
- [Logo 9](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-9/)
- [Logo 8](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-8/)
- [Logo 7](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-7/)
- [Logo 6](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-6/)
- [Logo 5](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-5/)
- [Logo 4](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-4/)
- [Logo 3](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-3/)
- [Logo 2](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-2/)
- [Logo 1](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/client-logos/logo-1/)

## Causes

- [Beatae recusandae aliquid temsu](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/all-causes/beatae-recusandae-aliquid-temsu/) - Aenean vulpu tate tellus posere turpis vius eleme ntum nterdum etmale suada fames acante cumque natus quam ipsu.
- [Beatae recusandae aliquid temsub](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/all-causes/beatae-recusandae-aliquid-temsub/) - Aenean vulpu tate tellus posere turpis vius eleme ntum nterdum etmale suada fames acante cumque natus quam ipsu.
- [Beatae recusandae aliquid temsuc](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/all-causes/beatae-recusandae-aliquid-temsuc/) - Aenean vulpu tate tellus posere turpis vius eleme ntum nterdum etmale suada fames acante cumque natus quam ipsu.
- [Beatae recusandae aliquid temsud](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/all-causes/beatae-recusandae-aliquid-temsud/) - Aenean vulpu tate tellus posere turpis vius eleme ntum nterdum etmale suada fames acante cumque natus quam ipsu.
- [Beatae recusandae aliquid temsue](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/all-causes/beatae-recusandae-aliquid-temsue/) - Aenean vulpu tate tellus posere turpis vius eleme ntum nterdum etmale suada fames acante cumque natus quam ipsu.
- [Beatae recusandae aliquid temsuf](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/all-causes/beatae-recusandae-aliquid-temsuf/) - Aenean vulpu tate tellus posere turpis vius eleme ntum nterdum etmale suada fames acante cumque natus quam ipsu.

## Venues

- [Cape Haze Community Center](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/estate-garage-sale-wildflower-preserve/)
- [Oyster Creek Environmental Park - Kayak Ramp](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/oyster-creek-boat-ramp/)
- [Englewood Chamber](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/englewood-chamber/)
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/lemon-bay-conservancy/) - Office hours, 10 -2, Monday-Thursday
- [J. McLaughlin](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/j-mclaughlin/)
- [Bill Johnson's Landing](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/bill-johnsons-landing-2/)
- [Rotonda West Community Center](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/rotonda-west-community-center/)
- [Cape Haze Marina](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/cape-haze-marina/)
- [Boca Grande Fishing Pier](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/boca-grande-fishing-pier/)
- [Waterways Paddlesports](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/waterways-paddlesports/)
- [Florida Native Plants Nursery](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/florida-native-plants-nursery/)
- [Pioneer Plaza](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/pioneer-plaza/)
- [Indian Mound Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/indian-mound-park/)
- [6610 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/6610-gasparilla-pines-boulevard/)
- [Centennial Park Recreation Center](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/centennial-park-recreation-center/)
- [Tippecanoe 1 Environmental Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/tippecanoe-1-environmental-park/)
- [Cape Haze Community Center](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/wildflower-preserve-restoration-project-review-lbc-annual-meeting/)
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/wildflower-preserve/)
- [Lemon Bay Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/lemon-bay-park/)
- [Buck Creek Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/buck-creek-preserve/)
- [Buchan Airport, Englewood](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/buchan-airport-englewood/)
- [Don Pedro Island State Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/don-pedro-island-state-park/)
- [Stump Pass State Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/beach-ecology-stump-pass-state-park/)
- [Lemon Creek](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/lemon-creek/)
- [Charlotte County Fairgrounds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/charlotte-county-fairgrounds/)
- [Englewood Beach](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/englewood-beach/)
- [Lemon Bay Golf Course](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/lemon-bay-golf-course/)
- [Laishley Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/laishley-park/)
- [Manasota Beach Club](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/toast-coast-jazz-brunch/)
- [Kiwanis Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/kiwanis-park/)
- [Myaka State Forrest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/myaka-state-forrest/)
- [Palm Island Resort](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/palm-island-resort/)
- [Lemon Bay Tours dock](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/lemon-bay-tours-dock/)
- [Blind Pass Park (Middle Beach)](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/blind-pass-park-middle-beach/)
- [Myakka River State Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/uplands-wetlands-ecology-myakka-river-state-park/)
- [-- online event --](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/online-event/)
- [Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/charlotte-harbor-event-conference-center/)
- [Cedar Point Environmental Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/cedar-point-environmental-park/)
- [Charlotte Sports Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/charlotte-sports-park/)
- [Amberjack Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/amberjack-park/)
- [Boca Bay Pass Club](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/venue/boca-bay-pass-club/)

## Organizers

- [Maura Qualls](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/maura-qualls-2/)
- [Mike Weisensee & Venice area Audubon Society](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/paul-townsend/)
- [Rob Robbins](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/malcolm-collingwood/)
- [Bob Ihlenburg & Rachel Samuels](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/bob-ihlenburg-rachel-samuels/)
- [Brad Kort](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/brad-kort/)
- [Gloria Urban](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/maura-qualls/)
- [Lary Stuhlmiller](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/lary-stuhlmiller/)
- [Michael Weisensee & Susy d'Hont](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/michael-weisensee-susy-dhont/)
- [Charlie Woodruff & Jayne Dean](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/charlie-jane-woodruff/)
- [J. McLaughlin](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/j-mclaughlin/)
- [Englewood Mullet Fest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/englewood-mullet-fest-2/)
- [Englewood Mullet Fest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/englewood-mullet-fest-3/)
- [Jodie York](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/jodie-york/)
- [Jodie York](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/jodie-york-2/)
- [Tonya Bramlage](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/tonya-bramlage/)
- [Bonnie Stuhlmiller](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/bonnie-stulmiller-2/)
- [Bonnie Stulmiller](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/bonnie-stulmiller/)
- [Frank Faine](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/frank-faine-2/)
- [Frank Faine](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/frank-faine/)
- [Ken Blackshaw](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/ken-blackwell/)
- [Anne Bonney](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/anne-bonney/)
- [Ann Weaver](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/ann-weaver/)
- [Pryce Durnye](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/pryce-durnye/)
- [Mangrove Chapter FL Native Plant Society](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/mangrove-chapter-fl-native-plant-society-2/)
- [James Peterfeso](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/james-peterfeso/)
- [Jane Collingwood](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/jane-collingwood/)
- [Tonya & Steve Bramlage](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/tonya-steve-bramlage/)
- [Anne Risberg](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/anne-risberg/)
- [Jayne Dean](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/jayne-dean/)
- [Englewood Waterfest 2021](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/englewood-waterfest-2021/)
- [Mike Weisensee](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/mike-weisensee/)
- [Charlie Woodruff](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/charlie-woodruff/)
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/lemon-bay-conservancy/)
- [Cheryl Tough](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/2018-toast-coast-brunch-beach/)
- [Susy d'Hont](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/birding-walk-wildflower-preserve/)
- [Betty Baust](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/betty-baust-2/)
- [Jim Cooper](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/jim-cooper-2/)
- [Dr. Fred Santana](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/dr-fred-santana/)
- [Jane Wallace](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/jane-wallace/)
- [Hilary Dahms](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/hilary-dahms-2/)
- [Dr. Bruce Dayton](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/dr-bruce-dayton/)
- [Allain Hale](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/allain-hale/)
- [Dr. Bill Dunson](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/dr-bill-dunson-5/)
- [Lucia Schatteleyn](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/pole-walk-around-wildflower-preserve/)
- [Eva Furner](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/eva-furner-23/)
- [JoEllen Wilson](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/tarpon-tagging/)
- [Bob Fowler](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/volunteer-meet-wildflower/)
- [Bob Cooper](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/bob-cooper-2/)
- [CHNEP](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/chnep-watershed-summit/)
- [Maran Brainard Hilgendorf](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/maran-brainard-hilgendorf/)
- [Dave Clayton](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/dave-clayton-6/)
- [Rob Robbins](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/organizer/rob-robbins/)

## Events

- [Morning Preserve Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/morning-preserve-walk/) - “A walk about the preserve” Looking for more joyful things, growing, flying and perched. Meet at Lemon Bay Wildflower preserve at 9:30am .When visiting the Preserve, closed-toe walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray are suggested. A water bottle, camera, and binoculars are also encouraged. Jayne and Charlie will lead the walk. and any questions
- [Afternoon Preserve Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/afternoon-preserve-walk/) - Afternoon Wildflower preserve walk starting at 3:30pm. Explore the preserve at a beautiful time of day and have a seasonal toast at 4:30-5. Please bring your beverage of choice and snack. We will leave the preserve at sunset. Jayne and Charlie will lead and any questions please call or text 914 799 0664.
- [Boca Grande Paddle](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/boca-grande-paddle/) - We will paddle from Boca Grande kayak launch at 9:30am. Please bring your kayak, paddles, personal flotation device, water, sunscreen, sense of humor and snack/lunch. After paying the $6 toll at the bridge, go south a short distance past Boca Grande Hotel and Kappy’s and turn left on the dirt road with a Fishing Pier
- [Middle Beach (Blind Pass) Paddle](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/middle-beach-blind-pass-paddle/) - We will paddle launching from Middle Beach (Blind Pass) back parking area on Manasota Key exploring bays and conditions of northern Lemon Bay. Meet at 9:30 at the parking area along the bayside across the road from Manasota Beach. Please bring your kayak, paddle, personal flotation device, water, sunscreen, snacks and sense of humor. Contact
- [Bill Coy Preserve Paddle on Buck Creek](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/bill-coy-preserve-paddle-on-buck-creek/) - We will paddle from Bill Coy Preserve on Buck Creek located at 5350 Placid Rd from the Coy Preserve kayak launch to Thornton Key, across the intracoastal and explore the area. Given the sometimes muddy conditions at the launch site, this location will be evaluated the day before, and any changes will be texted to
- [Guided Nature Walk- Dr. Bill Dunson, Native vs Non-Native](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-with-dr-bill-dunson/) - Join Dr. Bill Dunson from the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Lemon Bay Conservancy for a nature walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve (3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood). The primary topic will be a discussion and contrast of native and non-native plants and why they are considered important to habitat restoration.
- [Guided Nature Walk-Dr. Bill Dunson, Middle Beach/Blind Pass](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-with-dr-bill-dunson-2/) - Join Dr. Bill Dunson from the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Lemon Bay Conservancy for a nature walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve (3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood). The topic of the day will be "Middle Beach/Blind Pass." This event is free, and all are welcome to participate. For more
- [Guided Nature Walk-Dr. Bill Dunson, Restoration Ecology](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-with-dr-bill-dunson-2-2/) - Join Dr. Bill Dunson from the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Lemon Bay Conservancy for a nature walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve (3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood). The topic of the day will be "Restoration Ecology." The Preserve is a wonderful place to consider how best to restore an old
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-9-4-2/2026-01-12/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series: The Canary in the Coastal Coal Mine: The Gulf Coast Toadfish](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-coastal-seminar-series-the-canary-in-the-coastal-coal-mine-the-gulf-coast-toadfish/) - Photo: Copyright by #Rob Myers The Canary in the Coastal Coal Mine: What the Gulf Toadfish Reveals About Human Impacts. Join us for the Coastal Seminar on February 26th to hear from Dr. Maria Cartolano (UM-Rosenstiel School) on a surprising hero of marine science: the Gulf Toadfish! These local fish are key bioindicators, and
- [Guided Nature Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-7/2025-11-28/) - You are invited to join us for a guided walk beginning at 8:30 am. Our volunteer naturalist, Susy d’Hont will lead a casually-paced, two-hour walk to enjoy the preserve’s ever changing natural sights and sounds. Susy’s walks are free and open to the public! The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood 34224. When visiting
- [Lemon Bay Paddle from Indian Mound Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-paddle-from-indian-mound-park-2/) - Paddle Lemon Bay launching from Indian Mound Park in Englewood. Arrive at 9am and launching 9:30. bring kayak paddle PDF water and sun protection. Sense of humor a must! We will explore the waters crossing to Blind Pass bay. Weather and wind conditions will be carefully considered. Paddle will last 1.5ish hours and will be
- [We are Just Back!  What's been happening at the Preserve. Join Charlie Woodruff.](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/we-are-just-back-whats-been-happening-at-the-preserve/) - Join Charlie Woodruff and Explore the Wildflower Lemon Bay preserve finding exciting changes and fun new growth. 9am bring water sun protection your smart phone and of course a sense of humor.
- [Rotonda West Open House](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rotonda-west-open-house/) - You are invited to visit the LBC booth and the Rotonda West Open House. Enjoy wine and snacks while you visit other local organizations. This event takes place on November 6 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Rotonda West Association Community Center located at 646 Rotonda Circle. Hope to see you there!
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull-4/2025-12-20/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek
- [Oyster Creek Paddle](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/oyster-creek-paddle-2/) - We will be launching from the Oyster Creek Environmental Park, located across the street from Cedar Point Park in Englewood, next to the high school. We will be exploring waters in Cedar Point and adjacent creeks. If conditions allow, we may to Milton pass. This will be a moderate paddle. Please bring your kayak, paddle, life
- [Exploration Day - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/exploration-day-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Lemon Bay Conservancy will host its annual "Exploration Day" Nature Festival at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. This year, we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day and the 5th anniversary of our reopening of the restored preserve. The free event begins with an “Early Bird” guided bird at 8:00 am. Guided nature walks
- [Annual Meeting & Special Presentation: Helping Our Threatened Burrowing Owls](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/annual-meeting-special-presentation-helping-our-threatened-burrowing-owls/) - Following our short business meeting and election of officers, we will have a special presentation on LBC's initiative to help the small, threatened Burrowing Owl colony on the Cape Haze peninsula. Refreshments at 5:00. Business meeting begins at 5:30, with presentation immediately following.
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-7/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-10/2025-10-20/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-11/2026-02-19/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [LBC at Waterfest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lbc-at-waterfest/2025-10-12/) - Come and visit our booth at Englewood Waterfest. We are planning a fun and educational exhibit, including the “Lucky Ducky Conservation Game” where participants will spin a wheel, answer a conservation-based question, and win a prize. Hope to see you there.
- [Birding at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-4/) - Join Mike Weisensee and the Venice Area Audubon Society for a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve on Thursday, November 6 at 8 a.m. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-13/2025-12-15/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-14/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-10/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-9/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-8/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [1000 Seedlings - Pine Planting Project](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/1000-seedlings-pine-planting-project-2/2025-06-20/) - Volunteers are needed to help us plant 1000 bare-root slash pine seedlings at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve on June 18, 19, and 20. Volunteers will use a "dibble bar" to open a slot in the ground for each plant, drop the plant into place, and tamp the hole closed. Instruction on proper planting technique will
- [Plein Air Painters Visit](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/plein-air-painters-visit-2/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy welcomes the Plein Air painters to the preserve. Preserve visitors will have the opportunity to observe the painters as they paint at various locations around the preserve.
- [Plein Air Painters Visit](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/plein-air-painters-visit/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy welcomes the Plein Air painters to the preserve. Preserve visitors will have the opportunity to observe the painters as they paint at various locations around the preserve.
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Celebrates Preserve Volunteers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-conservancy-celebrates-preserve-volunteers/) - On Thursday, March 20, Lemon Bay Conservancy held a celebration for our Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve volunteers at the Cape Haze Community Center. Volunteers and their guests enjoyed a social period followed by dinner, awards and presentations. Our preserve volunteers are an amazingly dedicated group, with many returning year-after-year. Recognizing their contributions was a highlight
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-4/) - Join Paul Townsend and Brad Kort for the monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-6/) - Join Paul Townsend and Brad Kort for the monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-5/) - Join Paul Townsend and Brad Kort for the monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-6/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-5/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-3/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [Earth Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/earth-day/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy will celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, April 26 with Cedar Point Environmental Park. We could use a couple volunteers to staff the table. If you are interested, please contact the office at 941-830-8922.
- [Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series: Update on the Smalltooth Sawfish and the 2024 'spinning' mortality events"](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-coastal-seminar-series-update-on-the-smalltooth-sawfish-and-the-2024-spinning-mortality-events/) - Tonya Wiley, Founder and President, Havenworth Coastal Conservation will present an "Update on Smalltooth Sawfish and the 2024 'spinning' mortality events" Join us for this free, public seminar. Refreshments at 5:30. Presentation begins at 6:00.
- [J. McLaughlin Sip & Shop for LBC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/j-mclaughlin-sip-shop-for-lbc-2/) - On Thursday, April 10 from noon to 4, enjoy light sips and bites while you shop. 15% of Sales will benefit The Lemon Bay Conservancy. J. McLaughlin's is located at 360 Park Avenue, Boca Grande, FL. Check out the spring fashions and support LBC!
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/volunteer-work-crew-8/2026-11-03/) - Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Most people work two hours, but your
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/volunteer-work-crew-7/2026-09-01/) - Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Most people work two hours, but your
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/volunteer-work-crew-6/2026-02-17/) - Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Most people work two hours, but your
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/volunteer-work-crew-5/2025-12-30/) - Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Most people work two hours, but your
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/volunteer-work-crew-4/2025-11-27/) - Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Most people work two hours, but your
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/volunteer-work-crew-2/2025-10-30/) - Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Most people work two hours, but your
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/volunteer-work-crew-3/2025-08-28/) - Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Some volunteers start at 7 am while
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/volunteer-work-crew/2025-04-24/) - Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Some volunteers start at 7 am while
- [Plen Air Painters Visit](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/plen-air-painters-visit/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy welcomes the Plen Air painters to the preserve. Preserve visitors will have the opportunity to observe the painters as they paint at various locations around the preserve.
- [Late Afternoon Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/late-afternoon-birding-walk-4/) - Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 6:00 and will end at 7:30 This is a public event, everyone invited! Note: This March walk will start later in
- [Plastic Pulling Paddle](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/plastic-pulling-paddle/) - We invite you to join us on a moderate 2 hour Kayak paddle as we continue working on removing plastic and debris from the mangroves in Lemon Bay Park. Cleanup is easy, fun and very satisfying. Plan on arriving at Indian Mound Park at 9:00 am and launch at 9:30 am. Please bring your kayak,
- [Oyster Creek Paddle](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/oyster-creek-paddle/) - We will be launching from the Oyster Creek Environmental Park, located across the street from Cedar Point Park in Englewood, next to the high school. We will be exploring waters in the surrounding area looking for signs of life in the bay! This will be a moderate paddle. Please bring your kayak, paddle, life jacket,
- [Shamrock Stroll](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/shamrock-stroll/) - Come out to Lemon Bay Wildflower Preserve for our Shamrock Stroll. 9:30 am -11:30 am. We will search for signs of spring including clovers, Frog Fruit, the famous flat Flamingoes and a Leprechaun! Following the stroll, you are welcome to join us for lunch. Please plan on bringing your own lunch and a beverage for
- [Shamrock Picnic](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/shamrock-picnic/) - Join us as we celebrate the green all around us with a picnic on St. Patrick's Day at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Bring your own lunch and beverage and meet at the picnic tables under the oaks in the meadow adjacent to the preserve parking lot. A fun dessert will be provided. This picnic will
- [Coffee and Conservation Presentation on Oyster Habitat Restoration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/coffee-and-conservation-presentation-on-oyster-habitat-restoration/) - Diane Coll, Lemon Bay Conservancy Diane Coll will highlight the work of the Lemon Bay Conservancy in oyster restoration, detailing their initiatives to protect and restore the wildlife and natural habitats of Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound, and surrounding watersheds. This event takes place on Tuesday, April 15th from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the
- [Late Afternoon Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/late-afternoon-birding-walk-3/) - Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 5:00 and will end at 6:30 This is a public event, everyone invited!
- [Late Afternoon Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/late-afternoon-birding-walk-2-3/) - Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 5:00 and will end at 6:00. The walk this evening falls during the time period for the Great American Backyard Bird
- [Late Afternoon Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/late-afternoon-birding-walk-2-2/) - Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 5:00 and will end at 6:00. This is a public event, everyone invited!
- [Late Afternoon Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/late-afternoon-birding-walk-2/) - Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 5:00 and will end at 6:00. This is a public event, everyone invited!
- [Rosé Ramble](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rose-stroll/) - Looking for something different to do on Valentine's Day? Come out to the preserve and enjoy the nature around us with an afternoon walk and social hour. This event is open to LBC members and your accompanying guests. The "ramble" begins at 4:00, with social gathering following under the oaks in the meeting meadow. Bring
- [Paddle from Don Pedro State Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/paddle-from-don-pedro-state-park/) - Depart the Don Pedro State Park Land Base at 9am, launching as soon as everyone is ready. We will paddle across short stretch of the intracoastal waterway and explore a mangrove tunnel to hidden lakes. This paddle does require getting kayaks down a sand path to the water. If you have wheels do bring them.
- [Lemon Bay Paddle from Indian Mound Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-paddle-from-indian-mound-park/) - Paddle Lemon Bay launching from Indian Mound Park in Englewood. Arrive at 9am and launching 9:30. We will explore Lemon Bay on east side up to Lemon Bay Park looking at conditions left by the recent hurricanes. Paddle will last 1.5ish hours and will be a slow too moderate pace. Good time for new paddlers
- [Coral Creek Afternoon Paddle](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/coral-creek-afternoon-paddle/) - A special paddle on Coral Creek for LBC members and your accompanying guests. We will put in at 3:30 pm at private kayak launch on Coral Creek and explore surrounding area. Our host will lead us on an adventure thru the mangroves to the Port Charlotte Aquatic Preserve. Returning to launch site around 5pm.
- [Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series: New FWC Research Study on Juvenile Tarpon and Snook](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-coastal-seminar-series-new-fwc-research-study-on-juvenile-tarpon-and-snook-2/) - Dr. Phil Stevens, from Florida Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Research, will describe the exciting new juvenile tarpon and snook research study beginning this season in creeks and ponds around the Cape Haze peninsula and Charlotte Harbor, including monitoring at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Join us for this free, public seminar. Refreshments at 5:30. Presentation
- [Exploration Day - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/exploration-day-2025/) - On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Lemon Bay Conservancy will host its annual "Exporation Day" Nature Festival at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, renamed this year from "Open House" to "Exploration Day - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve". The free event runs from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. An “Early Bird” guided bird walk begins at 8:00 am,
- [Join us at Exploration Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/join-us-at-exploration-day/) - In addition to walks and exhibits, we're pleased to offer short, free talks by subject matter experts. You'll find these to be both interesting and educational. 8:45 Talk: Englewood Orchid Society led by Jami Grass-Hess 9:15 Seagrass and Lemon Bay led by Kate Rose 10:15 Keep Charlotte Beautiful led by Rhonda Harvey 10:45 Charlotte Harbor
- [Late Afternoon Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/late-afternoon-birding-walk/2025-02-05/) - Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 5:00 and will end at 6:00. This is a public event, everyone invited!
- [Plen Air Painters Visit](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/plen-air-painters-visit-3/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy welcomes the Plen Air painters to the preserve. Preserve visitors will have the opportunity to observe the painters as they paint at various locations around the preserve.
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-4-2/) - Join Paul Townsend and Brad Kort for the monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and
- [Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series: Saving Seagrass to Save the World](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-coastal-seminar-series-saving-seagrass-to-save-the-world/) - Dr. Jim Fourqurean, Distinguished University Professor; Associate Director, Institute of Environment, Florida International University: “Saving Seagrass to Save the World” Join us for this free, public seminar. Refreshments at 5:30. Presentation begins at 6:00.
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-6/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-4-2/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-7/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-4-3-2/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-5/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-3/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Kayak trip to explore the western side of Lemon Bay](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/kayak-trip-to-explore-the-western-side-of-lemon-bay/) - We will launch at a private dock at the invitation of Bill Dunson. Then paddle south approximately 2 miles hopefully encountering dolphins and manatees. Passing a Lemon Bay Conservancy owned island, Peterson Island and Whidden Key. The new Milton’s Pass with be our destination. Please bring water, snacks, lotion and a sense of humor for
- [Kayak trip from Buck Creek into Lemon Bay to Thornton Key](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/kayak-trip-from-buck-creek-into-lemon-bay-to-thornton-key/) - Explore Buck Creek leading to bay and across the bay to Thornton Key. We will paddle up past Rum Bay exploring as we go. Then back across to Buck Creek and up the creek if we have some time. Participants must have kayak life jacket and paddle. Bring water lotion snack and sense of humor.
- [Guided Nature Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-6/) - You are invited to join us for a guided walk beginning at 8:30 am. Our volunteer naturalist, Susy d’Hont will lead a casually-paced, two-hour walk to enjoy the preserve’s ever changing natural sights and sounds. Susy’s walks are free and open to the public! The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood 34224. When visiting
- [Florida Arbor Day:  Plant a Free Tree!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/florida-arbor-day-plant-a-free-tree/) - With funding support from the Florida Forest Service, Lemon Bay Conservancy is hosting a free tree giveaway on Friday, January 17th, for homeowners in Englewood and surrounding areas. A total of 100 trees in 3-gallon containers will be available, with a limit of one per household. Click on this link for all the details and
- [Eco-Kayak Tours for LBC Members](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-kayak-tours-for-lbc-members-2/) - Join Charlie Woodruff, Jayne Dean, and Beth McKinley as they lead members on eco-kayak tours of Lemon Bay as they share their extensive knowledge of the plants, fish, birds, and other animals that call Lemon Bay home. Please note that these tours are limited to LBC members and their accompanying guests. All tours begin at
- [Eco-Kayak Tours for LBC Members](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-kayak-tours-for-lbc-members/) - Join Charlie Woodruff, Jayne Dean, and Beth McKinley as they lead members on eco-kayak tours of Lemon Bay as they share their extensive knowledge of the plants, fish, birds, and other animals that call Lemon Bay home. Please note that these tours are limited to LBC members and their accompanying guests. All tours begin at
- [New Seagrass Wading Trip](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/new-seagrass-wading-trip/) - BayWatch is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a joint seagrass wading trip with Cedar Point Environmental Center. Join us at Cedar Point Environmental Center, 2300 Placida Rd, Englewood on December 30, 2024 from 9 am to 11 am. After a short walk through the park, participants will wade in the shallow waters
- [From a Golf Course to a Nature Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/from-a-golf-course-to-a-nature-preserve/) - Join LBC board member Eva Furner for a guided walk as she discusses the evolution of Wildflower from a golf course to the preserve.
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-4/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent,
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-3-3/) - Join Paul Townsend and Brad Kort for the monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-3/) - Join Paul Townsend and Brad Kort for the monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-3-2/) - Join Paul Townsend and Brad Kort for the monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and
- [Plen Air Painters Visit](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/plen-air-painters-visit-2/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy welcomes the Plen Air painters to the preserve. Preserve visitors will have the opportunity to observe the painters as they paint at various locations around the preserve.
- [LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve-7/) - LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll levels. Samples are collected by kayak. We can
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull-3/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull-10/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull-9/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull-5/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull-6/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull-7/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull-2/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek
- [Casual Birding with Venice Area Audubon](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding-2/) - Please join us at 8:00 am as birders from Venice Area Audubon Society visit the preserve. Birding experts, Ken Blackshaw and Mike Weisensee, will lead a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-4/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own
- [Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series: New FWC Research Study on Juvenile Tarpon and Snook - WILL BE RESCHEDULED](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-coastal-seminar-series-new-fwc-research-study-on-juvenile-tarpon-and-snook/) - PLEASE NOTE: THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN CANCELLED. IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR A FUTURE DATE. Dr. Phil Stevens, from Florida Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Research, will describe the exciting new juvenile tarpon and snook research study beginning this season in creeks and ponds around the Cape Haze peninsula and Charlotte Harbor, including monitoring at
- [Hurricane Relief Volunteer Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/hurricane-relief-volunteer-walk/) - Our newest volunteer Bard Kort is doing volunteer hurricane relief this week and has invited those he's working with to tour the preserve.
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/casual-birding/) - ** CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE MILTON FLOODING ** Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually - paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds. Please remember to bring
- [LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve-5/) - ** CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE MILTON FLOODING ** LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Annual Meeting with Guest Speaker Dr. Ernesto Lasso de la Vega](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-conservancy-annual-meeting-with-guest-speaker-dr-ernesto-lasso-de-la-vega/) - Following a short business meeting, Dr. Ernesto Lasso de la Vega will discuss the value of clams for improving water quality and the interesting programs underway to restore native clam populations in our local waters. Refreshments at 5:00. Business meeting begins at 5:30, with presentation immediately following.
- [LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve-3/) - LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll levels. ** September schedule will be split across
- [What are native plants and why are they important to habitat restoration?](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/what-are-native-plants-and-why-are-they-important-to-habitat-restoration/) - It is surprisingly difficult to come up with a concise definition of native plants and this affects how plants are chosen for use in revegetating LCWP. Primarily only native plants are being placed in Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, but some non-natives have been retained and we will discuss/debate the reasons for this. The problems posed
- [Saltwater Ecology](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/saltwater-ecology/) - One of the major reasons Lemon Creek WIldflower Preserve is so interesting is the juxtaposition of freshwater, estuarine/marine and upland habitats. Join walk leader Dr. Bill Dunson as we focus on learning about some of the plants and animals that live in the tidal environments including the famous juvenile tarpon and halophytic plants. In addition
- [Plant succession & shade tolerance and how they affect habitat restoration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/plant-succession-shade-tolerance-and-how-they-affect-habitat-restoration/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy has embarked on a very ambitious project to restore an old golf course. The changes to date in the original vegetation which was present at the time of purchase have been astounding. Dr. BIll Dunson, walk leader, will lead a discussion of the reasons that some plantings have succeeded and others have
- [Peace River Audubon Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/peace-river-audubon-birding-walk/) - Everyone is invited to join Peace River Audubon, with LBC guides Michael Weisensee and Susy d'Hont, on a birding walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The walk will last approximately two hours with frequent stops for observation. Bring along your binoculars or zoom-lens cameras, if you have them. The weather may still be hot and
- [LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve-6/) - LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll levels. Samples are collected by kayak. We can
- [LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve-4/) - LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll levels. Samples are collected by kayak. We can
- ["Identified Flying Objects" Guided Nature Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/identified-flying-objects-guided-nature-walk-3/) - Join naturalists Charlie Woodruff and Jayne Dean on a guided nature walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Flying "objects", including birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects will be identified, along with many of the trees, shrubs, and plants you'll find along the preserve trails. The walk will last for approximately 2 hours, at a casual
- ["Identified Flying Objects" Guided Nature Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/identified-flying-objects-guided-nature-walk-2/) - Join naturalists Charlie Woodruff and Jayne Dean on a guided nature walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Flying "objects", including birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects will be identified, along with many of the trees, shrubs, and plants you'll find along the preserve trails. The walk will last for approximately 2 hours, at a casual
- ["Identified Flying Objects" Guided Nature Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/identified-flying-objects-guided-nature-walk/) - Join naturalists Charlie Woodruff and Jayne Dean on a guided nature walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Flying "objects", including birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects will be identified, along with many of the trees, shrubs, and plants you'll find along the preserve trails. The walk will last for approximately 2 hours, at a casual
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-2/2024-12-03/) - Join Paul Townsend for his monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and the Labyrinth on
- [Special Walk for Punta Gorda Garden Club](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/special-walk-for-punta-gorda-garden-club/) - Punta Gorda Garden Club members are invited to visit Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve for a short introductory walk to see preserve highlights and visit the butterfly habitat. The tour will be led by Maura Qualls, Ann Weaver, and Paul Townsend.
- [Guided Nature Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-5/) - You are invited to join us for a guided walk beginning at 8:30 am. Our volunteer naturalist, Susy d’Hont will lead a casually-paced, two-hour walk to enjoy the preserve’s ever changing natural sights and sounds. Susy’s walks are free and open to the public! The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood 34224. When visiting
- [Guided Nature Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-4/) - You are invited to join us for a guided walk beginning at 8:30 am. Our volunteer naturalist, Susy d’Hont will lead a casually-paced, two-hour walk to enjoy the preserve’s ever changing natural sights and sounds. Susy’s walks are free and open to the public! The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood 34224. When visiting
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk/) - Join Paul Townsend for his monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and the Labyrinth on
- [Guided Nature Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-3/) - You are invited to join us for a guided walk beginning at 8:30 am. Our volunteer naturalist, Susy d’Hont will lead a casually-paced, two-hour walk to enjoy the preserve’s ever changing natural sights and sounds. Susy’s walks are free and open to the public! The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood 34224. When visiting
- [August LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/august-lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve/) - LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll levels. Samples are collected by kayak. We can
- [July LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/july-lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve/) - LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll levels. Samples are collected by kayak. We can
- [LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve-2/) - LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll levels. Samples are collected by kayak. We can
- [LakeWatch Water Sampling at the Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lakewatch-water-sampling-at-the-preserve/) - On May 21, 2024, LBC volunteers will be conducting our monthly water quality sampling at six preserve ponds and three locations on Lemon Creek using the protocols defined by the University of Florida LakeWatch program. Collected samples are sent to Gainsville for analysis by the LakeWatch team, assessing nutrient and chlorophyll levels. Samples are collected
- [Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-3/) - Join Paul Townsend for his monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and the Labyrinth
- [Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk-2/) - Join Paul Townsend for his monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and the Labyrinth
- [Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk/) - Join Paul Townsend for his monthly "Wildflower 101" introductory guided walk on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and the Labyrinth
- [Guided Nature Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-2/) - You are invited to join us for a guided walk on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 8:30 am. Our volunteer naturalist, Susy d’Hont will lead a casually-paced, two-hour walk to enjoy the preserve’s ever changing natural sights and sounds. Susy’s walks are free and open to the public! The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd,
- [Guided Nature Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-nature-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - You are invited to join us for a guided walk on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 8:30 am. Our volunteer naturalist, Susy d’Hont will lead a casually-paced, two-hour walk to enjoy the preserve’s ever changing natural sights and sounds. Susy’s walks are free and open to the public! The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd,
- [Coastal Water Quality: The Roles of Septic Systems, Advanced Water Treatment, Reclaimed Water, and Stormwater](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/coastalwaterquality/) - Join us for a free talk on May 8th as University of Florida professor Dr. Mary Lusk discusses how different water sources can influence our coastal water quality. The seminar will cover: Septic systems: Friend or foe? Unveiling the hidden impacts on our coastal waters. Advanced Wastewater Treatment: Exploring innovative solutions for cleaner, healthier ecosystems.
- [Arbor Day:  Plant a Free Tree!](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/arbor-day-plant-a-free-tree/) - With funding support from the Florida Forest Service, Lemon Bay Conservancy is hosting a free tree giveaway on Friday, April 26, 2024 , for homeowners in Englewood and surrounding areas. A total of 50 trees in 3-gallon containers will be available, with a limit of one per household. ** All free trees are now reserved.
- [Eco Paddle Tour from Stump Pass *NEW LOCATION*](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-paddle-tour-from-stump-pass-april22/) - ** Location for this paddle has been updated. Please note this new location is Stump Pass. ** LBC members and their guests are invited to paddle with us on Monday, April 8, 2024, 8:00 am. (NOTE: EARLY DEPARTURE TIME.) Paddlers will explore the area of the LBC islands and the state-owned islands as we head
- [Wetland Ecology at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/wetland-ecology-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - Wetland Ecology Guided Walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve with Dr. Bill Dunson
- [Eyes on Seagrass](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eyes-on-seagrass/) - LEMON BAYWATCH UF/IFAS Extension SEA GRANT Program Eyes On Seagrass Invites You To Become a citizen Scientist for a Day! 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024 Cedar Point Environmental Center 2300 Placida Rd., Englewood, FL 34224 Sea grass is essential for a healthy marine environment. It is the food source and habitat
- [Special Walk for Lemon Bay Garden Club](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/special-walk-for-lemon-bay-garden-club/) - Lemon Bay Garden Club members are invited to visit Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve for a short introductory walk to see preserve highlights and visit the butterfly habitat. The tour will be led by Eva Furner, Maura Qualls, and Ann Weaver.
- [Lemon Bay Earth Day at Cedar Point](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-earth-day-at-cedar-point/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy will be participating in an Earth Day event at Cedar Point Environmental Park on Saturday, April 20th, from 10 am - 2pm. This family friendly event, hosted by Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, will feature conservation exhibits by various local environmental organizationsand a variety of fun, family activities. For more details, visit the
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 101](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-101-2/)
- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, we will conduct our next Tarpon pull event on Saturday, April20 , 2024 at 8:00 am. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by
- [Guided Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-3/)
- [Birding & Nature Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/birding-nature-walk/) - Join Charlie Woodruff and Jayne Dean for an early morning walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The second half of April is prime bird migration season, so we may see some uncommon birds, along with the many species commonly present at the preserve. Hats and hiking shoes are suggested, along with sunscreen and bug repellant.
- [Eco Paddle Tour from Stump Pass](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-paddle-tour-from-stump-pass/) - LBC members and their guests are invited to paddle with us on Monday, April 8, 2024, 8:00 am. (NOTE: EARLY DEPARTURE TIME.) Paddlers will explore the area of the LBC islands and the state-owned islands as we head south toward Stump Pass, with a possible stop to view the nesting shorebirds. Lemon BayWatch kayak tours
- [Eco Paddle Tour from Middle Beach on Manasota Key](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-paddle-tour-from-middle-beach-on-manasota-key/) - LBC members and their guests are invited to paddle with us on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 9:00 am. Paddlers will explore Fox Creek and the northern bay area near the launch site at Middle Beach Park (aka Blind Pass Park), south launch area, on Manasota Key. Lemon BayWatch kayak tours are limited to LBC members
- [2024 Giving Challenge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/2024-giving-challenge/) - The 2024 Giving Challenge offers a great opportunity to triple the impact of your gift to LBC! All donations must be made online between noon on April 9th and noon on April 10th. Please click on our post below for all the details: The 2024 Giving Challenge: Support LBC and Triple Your Gift!
- [Birding At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Social Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/birding-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-social-birding-walk/) - Please join us on Sunday March 17, 2024 at 8:30 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw and fellow Lemon Bay Conservancy naturalists lead participants on a guided walk through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd. Englewood, FL 34223. During this guided walking tour, participants can expect to see; a vast variety of
- [Guided Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-2/)
- [Eco Paddle Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-paddle-tour-4/) - LBC members and their guests are invited to paddle with us on Monday, March 25, 2024 9:30 am. Paddlers will explore the mangroves and seagrass areas to the south and west of the launch site at Indian Mound Park, 210 Winson Ave., Englewood, FL 34223. All participants must provide their own equipment: kayak or paddle board, paddles, pfd, hat, whistle, water
- [Labyrinth on the Hill Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/labyrinth-on-the-hill-guided-walk-2/) - The Labyrinth on the Hill monthly guided walk is Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. Located at the top of a berm overlooking all four directions of the Preserve, the labyrinth offers walkers a winding, circular, path that leads participants
- [Eco Paddle Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-paddle-tour-3/) - LBC members and their guests are invited to paddle with us on Monday, March 18, 2024 9:30 am.We will launch from Oyster Creek Kayak Launch, south of Lemon Bay High School on Placida Road, Englewood, FL 34224. We will explore Cedar Point and Rock Creek. All participants must provide their own equipment: kayak or paddle board, paddles, pfd, hat,
- [Eco Paddle Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-paddle-tour-2/) - LBC members and their guests are invited to paddle with us on Monday, March 4, 2024 9:30 am.We will launch from Don Pedro State Park, 8450 Placida Road, Placida, FL 33946.This paddle will explore the mangrove-lined bayside of the island. All participants must provide their own equipment: kayak or paddle board, paddles, pfd, hat, whistle, water bottle, sunscreen, bug
- [Rock Painting Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rock-painting-workshop-2/) - You are invited to join us for a rock garden painting session on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 4:00 pm at the outdoor classroom area in the meadow at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage, and
- [Rock Painting Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rock-painting-workshop-3/) - You are invited to join us for a rock garden painting session on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm at the outdoor classroom area in the meadow at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage, and
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 101](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-101/)
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat on Thursday, March 14 , 2024 at 9:00 am meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden.We will offer discussions on how
- [Guided Bird Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-bird-walk/)
- [Habitat Restoration Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/habitat-restoration-guided-walk/)
- [Eco Paddle Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-paddle-tour/) - LBC members and their guests are invited to paddle with us on Monday, February 26, 2024 9:30 am. Paddlers will explore the Blind Pass area on Manasota Key launching from Blind Pass State Park, 6725 Manasota Key Road, Englewood, FL34223. On arrival, participants are instructed to proceed to the back of the parking lot to the launch
- [Eco Paddle Tour Special Event](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/eco-paddle-tour-special-event/) - LBC members and their guests are invited to paddle with us on Friday, February 23, 2024 for an extended special event tour. Eco paddle guide Dana Houkal will lead participants on a 4-hour paddle on the Myakka River where we will observe the wood stork rookery. Participants will meet and launch from Bob Johnson’s Landing, 9083 S.
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve:  Converting a Golf Course into a Nature Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-converting-a-golf-course-into-a-nature-preserve/) - All are welcome to attend the following community presentation: “Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve: Converting a Golf Course into a Nature Preserve” on Monday April 8, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Rotonda West Community Center 646 Rotonda Circle Rotonda West, Florida 33947. Please extend this invitation to your friends and neighbors in Rotonda West,
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Open House 2024](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-conservancy-open-house-2024/) - On Saturday, February 24, 22024, Lemon Bay Conservancy will host its annual Open House at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The free event runs from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, and features guided walks on an array of nature topics including birds, butterflies, plants, trees, fish and water quality. An “Early Bird” guided bird walk begins
- [February Vertical Oyster Garden Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/february-vertical-oyster-garden-workshop/)
- [LBC Members Eco Kayak Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lbc-members-eco-kayak-tour-4/) - The Eco-Kayak team of Beth McKinley, Charlie Woodruff and Jayne Dean will lead a paddle tour on Monday, February 12, 2024 9:30 am. Together we will tour Don Pedro Island and launch from Cape Haze Marina, 6950 Placida Road, Englewood, FL 34224. All participants must provide their own equipment: kayak or paddleboard, paddles, pfd, hat,
- [LBC Members Eco Kayak Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lbc-members-eco-kayak-tour-3/) - The Eco-Kayak team of Beth McKinley, Charlie Woodruff and Jayne Dean will lead a paddle tour on Monday, February 5, 2024 9:30 am. Together we will tour the Gasparilla Sound area launching from Boca Grande Fishing Pier. The entrance is the first left turn after Kappy’s, 5800 Gasparilla Road, Gasparilla Island, FL 33921. All participants
- [Lemon BayWatch Oyster Ambassadors](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-baywatch-oyster-ambassadors/2024-04-25/) - The Lemon BayWatch Team of Lemon Bay Conservancy is pursuing their goal of improving the water quality of Lemon Bay through the use of vertical oyster gardens. The Lemon BayWatch “Oyster Ambassadors” will be on site at WATERWAYS Paddlesports, 501 W. Dearborn Street, Englewood, FL 34223 every Thursday, beginning January 18, 2024 through April,
- [Labyrinth on the Hill Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/labyrinth-on-the-hill-guided-walk/) - The Labyrinth on the Hill monthly guided walk is Wednesday, February 28, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. Located at the top of a berm overlooking all four directions of the Preserve, the labyrinth offers walkers a winding, circular, path that leads participants
- [Tarpon Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/tarpon-net-pull-3/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, we will conduct our next Tarpon pull event on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 8:00 am. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by
- [Tarpon Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/tarpon-net-pull-2/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, we will conduct our next Tarpon pull event on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 8:00 am. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by
- [Coastal Seminar Series Lecture](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/coastal-seminar-series-lecture-5/) - “Roseate Spoonbills In Florida Bay – A Pink Canary in a Coal Mine” - Dr. Jerry Lorenz, State Director of Research, Florida Audubon is our featured speaker for the month of April. Dr. Jerry Lorenz, State Research Director for Audubon Florida presents Roseate spoonbill effect of water management practices on Florida Bay by examining food web
- [Coastal Seminar Series Lecture](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/coastal-seminar-series-lecture-4/) - “Blooms of Blue-green Algae and Red Tide in South Florida” - Dr. Larry Brand, Professor, University of Miami Rosenstiel School is our featured speaker for the month of March. Dr. Larry Brand, University of Miami, Rosenstiel School, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology Harmful algal blooms, Phytoplankton ecology: https://people.miami.edu/profile/64d610c69b0240abed4867730ac275b0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RfF1sJrQwY All programs will be held
- [Coastal Seminar Series Lecture](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/coastal-seminar-series-lecture-3/) - “The Mysterious Manta Rays of Florida” - Jessica Pate, Lead Scientist, Florida Manta Project is our featured speaker for the month of February. The Marine Megafauna Foundation https://marinemegafauna.org/americas/florida-manta-project Research Scientist & US Country Manager https://marinemegafauna.org/team/jessica-pate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFqws_HsBf8 All programs will be held at the Cape Haze Community Center located at 180 Spyglass Alley, Placida, FL 33946,
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 101](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/welcome-to-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-guided-walking-tour-2-2/)
- [Labyrinth on the Hill Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/labyrinth-on-the-hill-december-guided-walk/) - The Labyrinth on the Hill monthly guided walk is Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. Located at the top of a berm overlooking all four directions of the Preserve, the labyrinth offers walkers a winding, circular, path that leads participants
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy Annual Meeting](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-conservancy-annual-meeting/) - Please mark your calendars to join us on Thursday, January 25th, as we hold our Annual Meeting and kickoff the 2024 Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series with a presentation by Tonya Wiley, from Havenworth Coastal Conservation, on “The Endangered Sawfish of Florida: Past, Present, and Future”. The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. with refreshments and opportunities to talk with
- [Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series Lecture Schedule](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/coastal-seminar-series-lecture/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is launching a new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series featuring researchers who are leaders in their respective fields sharing fascinating presentations on coastal topics. The first seminar is Thursday January 25th: “The Endangered Sawfish of Florida: Past, Present, and Future” – a critically endangered species occurring locally that has a “sixth
- [LBC Members Eco Kayak Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lbc-members-eco-kayak-tour-2/) - Join paddle team members Charlie Woodruff, Jayne Dean and Beth McKinley as they explore the ecology of Lemon Bay and its fascinating shoreline habitats on January 29, 2024 at Oyster Creek Boat Ramp, Placida Rd., Englewood, FL 34224.Tours will depart from the following sites at 9:30 a.m. and will be approximately 2 hours long. Oyster
- [LBC Members Eco Kayak Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lbc-members-eco-kayak-tour/) - Join paddle team members Charlie Woodruff, Jayne Dean and Beth McKinley as they explore the ecology of Lemon Bay and its fascinating shoreline habitats on January 22, 2024 Indian Mound Park, 210 Winson Ave., Englewood, FL 34223. Tours will depart from the following sites at 9:30 a.m. and will be approximately 2 hours long. Participation
- [Coastal Seminar Series Lecture](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/coastal-seminar-series-lecture-2/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy is launching a new Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series featuring researchers who are leaders in their respective fields sharing fascinating presentations on coastal topics. The first seminar is Thursday January 25th: “The Endangered Sawfish of Florida: Past, Present, and Future” – a critically endangered species occurring locally that has a “sixth sense”
- [January Eco Kayak Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/january-eco-kayak-tour/) - Join paddle team members Charlie Woodruff, Jayne Dean and Beth McKinley as they explore the ecology of Lemon Bay and its fascinating shoreline habitats. The next tour is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, beginning at 9:30 a.m., departing from Lemon Bay Park and Environment Center, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood, FL 34223. The tour will last
- [Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 101](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/welcome-to-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-guided-walking-tour-2/)
- [Tarpon Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/tarpon-net-pull/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, we will conduct our next Tarpon pull event on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 8:00 am. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by
- [Rock Painting Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rock-painting-workshop/) - You are invited to join us for a rock garden painting session on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 4:00 pm at the outdoor classroom area in the meadow at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage, and
- [Guided Tour On Successional Changes and Salinity At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-tour-on-successional-changes-and-salinity-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - Join us for this informative guided tour on "Succession" at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve on Thursday January 18, 2024 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Succession is a ‘nonseasonal’ directional change and continuous pattern of colonization and extinction at a particular site by populations. Together we will explore the local replacement of populations in a
- [Vertical Oyster Gardens Workshops](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/vertical-oyster-gardens-workshops/) - The LBC Lemon BayWatch “One Dock at a Time” program to promote vertical oyster gardening is gearing up to begin assembling oyster strands that will be hung from docks on the Lemon Bay waterfront. Oyster team coordinator Sue Wills will present an oyster gardening information session on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve
- [The Manasota Beach Club Monday Lecture Series](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/the-manasota-beach-club-monday-lecture-series/) - In 2017, Sarasota Bay Watch started a shellfish restoration initiative focused on the southern hard-shell clam (Mereneriacampechiensis). The southern hard-shell clam was once abundant in Sarasota Bay, but today populations have dwindled to just a few locations. A single clam can filter 20 gallons of water per day. The bivalves, along with other filter
- [The Beauty Of Birding At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Guided Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/the-beauty-of-birding-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-guided-tour/) - Please join us on Friday February 16, 2024 at 8:30 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw and a team of Lemon Bay Conservancy naturalists lead participants on a guided walk through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd. Englewood, FL 34223. During this guided walking tour, participants can expect to see; upland and
- [Labyrinth on the Hill November Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/labyrinth-on-the-hill-november-guided-walk/) - The Labyrinth on the Hill monthly guided walk is Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. Located at the top of a berm overlooking all four directions of the Preserve, the labyrinth offers walkers a winding, circular, path that leads participants
- [Rock Painting Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rock-painting/) - You are invited to join us for a rock garden painting session on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm at the outdoor classroom area in the meadow at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage, and
- [Lemon Bay Guided Paddle Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-guided-paddle-tour-3/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to announce join our paddle team for our next guided paddle tour in Lemon Bay: This guided paddle will be on December 4 , 2023 at Oyster Creek Boat Ramp on Placida Rd. Launch is scheduled for 9:30 am prompt, please be sure to arrive on time. This paddle is
- [Lemon Bay Guided Paddle Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-guided-paddle-tour-4/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to announce join our paddle team for our last guided paddle tour for 2023 in Lemon Bay: This guided paddle will be on December 18 , Oyster Creek Boat Ramp Placida Rd. Launch is scheduled for 9:30 am prompt, please be sure to arrive on time. This paddle is the
- [Lemon Bay Guided Paddle Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-guided-paddle-tour-2/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to announce join our paddle team for our upcoming guided paddle tour in Lemon Bay: IMPORTANT NOTICE: Rescheduled Kayak Tour: Monday, November 20, 2023 The kayak tour scheduled on November 13, 2023 has been rescheduled for Monday, November 20,2023. The tour was cancelled due to high winds and rough water.
- [Englewood Mullet Fest 2023](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/englewood-mullet-fest-2023/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy will be participating in the Englewood Mullet Fest again this year. We are thrilled that a portion of this event will be donated to LBC. Please plan to come out and see us. We are anticipating a big crowd for the event and looking forward to sharing all about Lemon Bay
- [LBC Family Explore](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lbc-family-explore-2/) - LBC Family Day Program: "The Wonders of Water Part II" You are invited to join us for our upcoming "Family Explore" on November 11th, at 9:00 am to 10:30 am at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood. November's program focuses on Hydrology. Together we will be learning about the importance of hydrology
- [Welcome to Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Guided Walking Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/welcome-to-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-guided-walking-tour/)
- [Tarpon Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/tarpon-pull/) - Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, we will conduct our next Tarpon pull event on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 8:00 am. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by
- [Lemon Bay Guided Paddle Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lemon-bay-guided-paddle-tour/) - Lemon Bay Conservancy would like to announce that our paddle team has set 4 dates for guided paddle tours in in Lemon Bay: The first guided paddle will be on November 6, at Indian Mound in Englewood. Launch is scheduled for 9:30 am prompt, please be sure to arrive on time. This paddle begins our
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-and-plant-tour-2/) - Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 9:00 am meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden.We will offer discussions on how
- [Rock Painting Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rock-gardening-workshop-3/) - You are invited to join us for a rock garden painting session on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm at the outdoor classroom area in the meadow at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage,
- [Labyrinth on the Hill October Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/labyrinth-on-the-hill-july-walk/)
- [Peace River Audubon At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/peace-river-audubon-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - Mike Weisensee will be leading a Peace River Audubon field trip (free & open to the public) on Saturday, October 21 to Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve at 8AM. The 80-acre preserve located on the Cape Haze peninsula is managed by the Lemon Bay Conservancy and contains a variety of upland habitats with several fresh
- [General Guided Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/general-guided-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - You are invited to join Susy D'Hont for a guided walk on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 8:00 am. Participants will become fully immersed as they learn and encounter the ever changing natural sights at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. This is an ideal walk for everyone who is interested in becoming familiar with the various
- [LBC Family Explore](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/lbc-family-explore/2023-09-09/) - LBC Family Day Program: "The Wonders of Water" You are invited to join us for our upcoming "Family Explore" on October 14th, at 9:00 am to 10:30 am at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood. October's program focuses on Hydrology. Together we will be learning about the importance of hydrology in our
- [Guided Walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/guided-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - On Sunday, July 23rd from 9:00 am to 10:am Tonya and Steve Bramlage will guide a short walk through the heart of Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. This walk is open to the public and an ideal opportunity to come out and see the unique ecology that can
- [Summer Evening Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/summer-evening-walk/) - On Wednesday, July 12th, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Tonya and Steve Bramlage will guide a tranquil walk through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl. Everyone is invited to come along as together we explore and discover the many sights of summer evenings at the Preserve. Observing the vast array
- [Rock Gardening Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/11417/) - You are invited to join us for our ongoing rock painting series. This workshop will be held at the Sanctuary at Cape Haze Condominiums Clubhouse, located at 6610 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, Fl throughout the summer months. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage, and a couple different types of
- [Rock Gardening Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rock-gardening-workshop-2/)
- [Rock Gardening Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rock-gardening-workshop/2023-06-13/)
- [Journey through the heart of Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/journey-through-the-heart-of-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/2023-06-25/)
- [Summer Solstice at Sunset Labyrinth Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/summer-solstice-labyrinth-walk/) - Come and walk the Labyrinth on the Hill with Tonya Bramlage and Lary Stuhlmiller as we celebrate the summer solstice on Wednesday June 21, 2023. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin solstitium—from sol (Sun) and stitium (still or stopped). Due to Earth’s tilted axis, the Sun doesn’t rise and set at the same locations on the horizon
- [Labyrinth on the Hill](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/labyrinth-on-the-hill-2/) - Anne Bonney will lead a guided tour of the Labyrinth on the Hill at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve meeting at the kiosk area. Anne is a founding member of the Pilgrim's Landing Labyrinth on Cape Cod and is a member of the faculty and Board of Directors of Veriditas, known widely as the International Organization
- [Worldwide Labyrinth Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/worldwide-labyrinth-day/) - In honor of Worldwide Labyrinth Day, VP of Outreach/Education for the Labyrinth Society, Frank Faine will be leading a guided walk at the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve "Labyrinth on the Hill" on May 5 from 9:00am-11:00am. 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood FL 34223. Frank is the project coordinator for the Rollins College Labyrinth Project, which
- [Calling All LBC Citizen Scientists](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/calling-all-lbc-citizen-scientists/) - The Florida Sea Grant program “Eyes on Seagrass” is gearing up for the summer seagrass monitoring period. Volunteers are needed for the important task of observing and documenting seagrass conditions in Charlotte County waters and Lemon Bay. Volunteers and volunteer boat captains are encouraged to attend the seagrass monitoring training program on June 24, 2023,
- [World Labyrinth Day Big Connection 3.0](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/world-labyrinth-day-big-connection/) - On World Labyrinth Day, May 6th, 2023, labyrinth walkers all over the world will be participating in a research study to explore the collective power of heart centered energy with focused intention.
- [Rock Garden Workshop at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/rock-garden-workshop-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/) - Join us for our first rock garden workshop at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 3321 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard Englewood Fl at 9:00am on May 2, 2023. We will provide paint, brushes, some cocktail napkins, mod podge for decoupage, and a couple different types of acrylic pens for group use. Of course, you are welcome to and
- [Butterfly Expedition](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/event/butterfly-expedition-2/) - James Peterfeso will lead a guided butterfly expedition meeting at the Butterfly Habitat and continuing onward to the preserve trails. Join us as we explore the grassy areas near Hosman, Moorhen, and Verna's ponds. Please bring your binoculars, cameras, water bottles, sunscreen, and bug repellent. All participants should wear comfortable, protective attire, especially footwear.

## Series

- [Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/juvenile-tarpon-research-net-pull/)
- [LBC at Waterfest](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/lbc-at-waterfest/)
- [Guided Nature Walk At Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/guided-nature-walk-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/)
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/casual-birding-3/)
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/casual-birding-2/)
- [Butterfly and Plant Tour](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/butterfly-and-plant-tour/)
- [1000 Seedlings - Pine Planting Project](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/1000-seedlings-pine-planting-project-2/)
- [Volunteer Work Crew](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/volunteer-work-crew-2/)
- [Late Afternoon Birding Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/late-afternoon-birding-walk/)
- [Casual Birding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/casual-birding/)
- [Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/wildflower-101-introduction-to-the-preserve-guided-walk/)
- [Lemon BayWatch Oyster Ambassadors](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/lemon-baywatch-oyster-ambassadors/)
- [Rock Gardening Workshop](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/rock-gardening-workshop/)
- [Journey through the heart of Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/series/journey-through-the-heart-of-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/)

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/uncategorized/)
- [Fundraising](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/fundraising/)
- [Articles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/articles/)
- [General](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/general/)
- [Nature Notes by Bill Dunson](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/nature-notes/)
- [News](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/news/)
- [Newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/newsletter/)
- [Photo Gallery](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/photo-gallery/)
- [Slideshow](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/slideshow/)
- [Tarpon Research](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/tarpon-research/)
- [Video](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/video/)
- [Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/wildflower-preserve/)
- [Open House](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/wildflower-preserve/open-house/)
- [Water Quality](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/water-quality/)
- [Lemon BayWatch](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/lemon-baywatch/)
- [Labyrinth](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/labyrinth/)
- [Vertical Oyster Gardens](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/lemon-baywatch/vertical-oyster-gardens/)
- [Kayak Tours](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/lemon-baywatch/kayak-tours/)
- [Education](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/education/)
- [Clam Project](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/lemon-baywatch/clam-project/)
- [Burrowing Owls](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/category/burrowing-owls/)

## Tags

- [A male azure bluet damselfly](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/a-male-azure-bluet-damselfly/)
- [banded shorebirds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/banded-shorebirds/)
- [beach](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/beach/)
- [birds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/birds/)
- [Brunch at the Beach](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/brunch-at-the-beach/)
- [butterfly watching](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/butterfly-watching/)
- [Catbird nest and eggs](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/catbird-nest-and-eggs/)
- [Citizens](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/citizens/)
- [crab](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/crab/)
- [Earth Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/earth-day/)
- [event](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/event/)
- [Giving Challenge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/giving-challenge/)
- [Giving Tuesday](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/giving-tuesday/)
- [gopher tortoise](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/gopher-tortoise/)
- [Groundbreaking](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/groundbreaking/)
- [habitat restoration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/habitat-restoration/)
- [invasive removal](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/invasive-removal/)
- [killdeer](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/killdeer/)
- [Lemon Bay Conservancy](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lemon-bay-conservancy/)
- [Manasota Beach Club](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/manasota-beach-club/)
- [Manasota Key](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/manasota-key/)
- [member](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/member/)
- [member boat trip](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/member-boat-trip/)
- [Mote Touch Tank](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/mote-touch-tank/)
- [native plant](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/native-plant/)
- [nature walks](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/nature-walks/)
- [newsletter](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/newsletter/)
- [NOAA](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/noaa/)
- [Open House](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/open-house/)
- [Oyster Creek Park](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/oyster-creek-park/)
- [painted bunting](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/painted-bunting/)
- [Picnic](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/picnic/)
- [predators](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/predators/)
- [rain barrel](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/rain-barrel/)
- [red knot](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/red-knot/)
- [restoration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/restoration/)
- [safari brochures](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/safari-brochures/)
- [shark](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/shark/)
- [shorebird](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/shorebird/)
- [slideshow](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/slideshow-2/)
- [softshell turtle](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/softshell-turtle/)
- [spiderwort](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/spiderwort/)
- [Step Forward](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/step-forward/)
- [Step Forward for Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/step-forward-for-wildflower/)
- [Stump Pass](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/stump-pass/)
- [SWFWMD](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/swfwmd/)
- [tarpon research](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/tarpon-research/)
- [tiger beetles](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/tiger-beetles/)
- [Toast to the Coast](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/toast-to-the-coast/)
- [trail](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/trail/)
- [video](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/video-2/)
- [Volunteers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/volunteers/)
- [water bath](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/water-bath/)
- [water drip](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/water-drip/)
- [WGCU](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wgcu/)
- [Wildflower](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wildflower/)
- [Wildflower Perserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wildflower-perserve/)
- [Wildflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wildflower-preserve/)
- [Wildflower Preserve birds](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wildflower-preserve-birds/)
- [Wildflower Preserve habitat restoration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wildflower-preserve-habitat-restoration/)
- [Wildflower Preserve Open House](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wildflower-preserve-open-house/)
- [Wildlfower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wildlfower-preserve/)
- [Wildflower Preserve Restoration](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/wildflower-preserve-restoration/)
- [Sabal Palm](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/sabal-palm/)
- [mini-reef](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/mini-reef/)
- [marine habitat](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/marine-habitat/)
- [Lemon Creek](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lemon-creek/)
- [2021 Preserve Management](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/2021-preserve-management/)
- [memorial](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/memorial/)
- [water quality](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/water-quality/)
- [clean water](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/clean-water/)
- [master naturalis](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/master-naturalis/)
- [oyster garden](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/oyster-garden/)
- [Seagrass Monitoring](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/seagrass-monitoring/)
- [Hurricane Ian](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/hurricane-ian/)
- [tree staking](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/tree-staking/)
- [Turtle Mound](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/turtle-mound/)
- [planting](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/planting/)
- [Lemon Creek WIldflower Preserve](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/)
- [LBC](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lbc/)
- [Lemon BayWatch](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lemon-baywatch/)
- [Coastal Seminar](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/coastal-seminar/)
- [Spoonbill](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/spoonbill/)
- [Manta Ray](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/manta-ray/)
- [Harmful Algae](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/harmful-algae/)
- [Sawfish](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/sawfish/)
- [Lemon Bay](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lemon-bay/)
- [vertical oyster garden](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/vertical-oyster-garden/)
- [seagrass](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/seagrass/)
- [#GivingChallenge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/givingchallenge/)
- [native tree](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/native-tree/)
- [Arbor Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/arbor-day/)
- [BayWatch](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/baywatch/)
- [Roseate Spoonbill](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/roseate-spoonbill/)
- [Lemn Bay Coastal Seminar Series](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lemn-bay-coastal-seminar-series/)
- [septic](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/septic/)
- [advanced water treatment](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/advanced-water-treatment/)
- [reclaimed water](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/reclaimed-water/)
- [plein air](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/plein-air/)
- [Peace River Painters](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/peace-river-painters/)
- [guided walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/guided-walk/)
- [LakeWatch](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lakewatch/)
- [LBHS](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lbhs/)
- [scholarship](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/scholarship/)
- [environmental studies](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/environmental-studies/)
- [office manager](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/office-manager/)
- [Dr. Mary Lusk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/dr-mary-lusk/)
- [Scouts](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/scouts/)
- [conservation](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/conservation/)
- [Capt. Josh Olive](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/capt-josh-olive/)
- [Corky Dalton](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/corky-dalton/)
- [Clam Research](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/clam-research/)
- [LBC Office Closed](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/lbc-office-closed/)
- [Storm Surge](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/storm-surge/)
- [Flooding](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/flooding/)
- [Florida Arbor Day](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/florida-arbor-day/)
- [free tree giveaway](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/free-tree-giveaway/)
- [Volunteer appreciation](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/volunteer-appreciation/)
- [Executive Director](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/executive-director/)
- [Burrowing Owl](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/burrowing-owl/)
- [Burrowing Owl Habitat Protection](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/burrowing-owl-habitat-protection/)
- [burrow maintenance](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/tag/burrow-maintenance/)

## Categories

- [Charity](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolio-categories/charity/)
- [Mission](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolio-categories/mission/)
- [Volunteers](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/portfolio-categories/volunteers/)

## Categories

- [Giving](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/testimonials-categories/giving/)
- [Support](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/testimonials-categories/support/)
- [Donors](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/testimonials-categories/donors/)

## Categories

- [Education](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/causes-categories/education/)
- [Nature](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/causes-categories/nature/)
- [Society](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/causes-categories/society/)

## Event Categories

- [Support Society](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/support-society/)
- [Help Nature](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/help-nature/)
- [Community Event](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/community-event/)
- [Educational](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/educational/)
- [Fundraiser](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/fundraiser/)
- [General](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/general/)
- [Meeting](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/meeting/)
- [Nature Walk](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/nature-walk/)
- [Open House](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/open-house/)
- [Tarpon Tagging](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/tarpon-tagging/)
- [Volunteer Opportunities](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/volunteer-opportunities/)
- [Water Sampling](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/water-sampling/)
- [LBC Member Event](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/lbc-member-event/)
- [Exercise](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/exercise/)
- [Labyrinth](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/labyrinth/)
- [Water Quality](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/water-quality/)
- [Kayak](https://lemonbayconservancy.org/calendar/category/kayak/)