CHINSEGUT OBSERVER

Friends of Chinsegut Conservation Center

B U T T E R F L Y H O M E

Big Pine | Chinsegut | Perry Oldenburg Wildlife and Environmental Areas

Chinsegut Conservation Center 23212 Lake Lindsey Road | Brooksville, FL 34601

352-754-6722 | http://myfwc.com/chinsegut

H I K I N G | B I R D I N G | P H O T O G R A P H Y | A R C H E R Y | E D U C A T I O N

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Staff and volunteers at Chinsegut work tirelessly through the year to bring new experiences and new wildlife viewing opportunities to the Conservation Center. It is with great pleasure that we will be opening the door of our butterfly house for visitation this season. This small scale house is something that is simple enough in design that a homeowner could build and utilizes Florida-friendly and native plants to sustain local native butterfly species. We know that in our area we have many enthusiasts who enjoy growing butterflies or relish the learning experience that watching metamorphosis can provide for families. Stop in for a visit Friday or Saturday from 9AM until 12PM to get up-close to some local color. Not only are there butterflies, but information on butterfly species and how to ethically grow butterflies.

Friends of Chinsegut Conservation Center is a social group that is maintained by volunteers.

Show your support by joining our Facebook Page:

FriendsofChinsegutConservationCenter

Ultimately we would love to grow into something greater by creating a Citizen Support Organization (CSO), Friends of Chinsegut.If you are interested in re-establishing Friends of Chinsegut please contact Gina Long at 352-754-6722

Look what’s

NEW!

“Spring shows the power and love of the earth; she can grow magnificent flowers from the dirt.” Debasish Mridha

M a y 2 0 1 8

BIG PINE

CHINSEGUT

PERRY OLDENBURG

Do you remember the old adage “April Showers Bring May Flowers”? You can see for yourself how true that adage becomes when you visit Chinsegut WEA, Big Pine WEA and Perry Oldenburg WEA!

All that was “sleeping” this past fall and winter is quickly and almost magically becoming new! Come enjoy the new life, the flowers of purple, blue, white, yellow and orange.

Blossoms, which in turn bring back all the wildlife, big and small, that depend on them for sustenance. And that they in turn depend on for pollination and spreading of their seeds. Leaves on the trees are showing the beautiful bright green that only happens in the spring. The seeds that fell from the plants last fall are beginning to germinate. It is as if the earth knows everything is coming alive again and it is singing the happy song of spring!

Come for a visit, take a hike, take photographs and take in the beauty found in this quiet and beautiful world just waking up from a winter’s slumber. And please, share your pictures on the Friends of Chinsegut Conservation Center Facebook page. We would love to see this world through your eyes!

Enjoy the pictures accompanying this article. All photos were taken on Chinsegut Conservation Center Wildlife and Environmental Areas.

FWC Volunteer at Chinsegut Conservation Center Linda Stock Morehouse

FWC HOTLINEReport Violations or Injured Wildlife

Help FWC conserve Florida’s natural resources.Call 888-404-FWCC (3922)

Programs and Workshophttp://www.myfwc.com/chinsegut

Follow us on FacebookChinsegut Conservation Center

Chinsegut Observer brought to you by Green-Fly Media LLC| sweet floral by Manuka

May 3rd 5:00 PM Hernando Audubon Annual Picnic: Local Audubon Chapter members will meet at Chinsegut for their annual picnic and invite members of the public to join in and find out more about what the Audubon Society does in the local conservation community. There is no need to RSVP. Feel free to bring a dish for the 6 PM potluck if you like, but this is not required to attend. 2-3 Hour Meeting. May 4th 10:00 AM Butterflies and Humming Birds: Master Gardener Rita Grant will present on practices and plants that are best suited for attracting fluttering visitors to your Florida yard. Rita will also discuss the life cycles of butterflies and hummingbirds. No need to register for this free program. 1 Hour Program. May 5th 8 AM – 2 PM Global Big Day: This annual world-wide event gets birders out in the field to document and record information about bird species and numbers across the globe. Visit Chinsegut for a self-guided birding hike to see what species you can find, or bird watch from the deck. Indoor craft or learning activities for kids will be offered at 11, 12 and 1. No registration required

May 6th 10-1 or 2-5 Creating a Bird Postcard: Keeping with the theme of birding, Green-Fly Media is offering an opportunity for visitors to create a bird postcard using their own images. Spend some time in the field photographing birds then return to the Center to use Photoshop to create a postcard. Contact Green-Fly Media for details on Photoshop trial and requirements for program and to register at Creative-Nature-Photography.com. Registration and $20 fee apply. May 13th 10-1 & 2-5 Basic Photography 102: Learn about picture style, sharpness, color, contrast and tone while shooting in an ideal outdoor setting. This program is offered through Green-Fly Media. Visit Creative-Nature-Photography.com to register. 20.00$ Fee. Two class times available either 10 AM until 1 PM or 2 PM until 5 PM. 3 Hour Class. May 16th 10:00 AM Butterfly ID for Beginners: This 2-hour class will introduce you to the common butterflies of Florida, seasonality and temperature preferences for butterfly species and how to make ID easy. Includes introduction to Wings Over Florida Certificate Program. This is a free program, please RSVP online or at (352) 754-6722. 2 Hour Program. May 18th 10:00 AM Gopher Tortoise Biology and Conservation in Florida: Florida Fish and Wildlife Southwest Region gopher tortoise biologist Kelly O’Connor is making a special trip to Chinsegut to share how members of any community can help to protect this unique species. No need to register, this is a free program. 1 Hour Program. May 19th 8:00 AM Walking Sticks Hike; Chinsegut to Big Pine: This hike will explore the eastern portion of the Big Pine Tract of the Chinsegut WEA. We will hike from the southern end of Chinsegut to the eastern side

of Big Pine using a connector trail that allows hikers to access both properties. This hike can be challenging in terms of terrain. The eastern portion of Big Pine is the most remote section of the property. We will meet at the Southern Entrance of Chinsegut located at the junction of Snow Memorial Highway and US 41. Space is limited, to RSVP please call 352-754-6722. 1.5 to 2 Hour Program. May 19th 10:00 AM Map and Compass: Want to know more about wilderness navigation using one of the earliest and simplest navigation tools? Ages 12+ can register to attend our introduction to map and compass course at (352) 754-6722. Class is free, all equipment provided. Class includes indoor training session and outdoor skills practical. 2 Hour Program. May 19th 2:00 PM Children in the WILD; Water Matters: Water makes up over 70% of the Earth’s surface and yet sometimes there is not enough to fill all the needs humans and animals have for water. This fun program for ages 5-8 will demonstrate why our water resources are important to protect. Free program, please register online or by calling (352) 754-6722. 1 Hour Program.

May 20th 10-1 or 2-5 Sunday Fun Creative Photo Hike and Craft: Join Green-Fly Media and Photo Chicks nature photography group for a creative photo shoot at Chinsegut WEA followed by a nature inspired keepsake craft. Participants can create a keepsake bracelet to take home. Program offered by Green-Fly Media, registration and $20 fee apply. Visit Creative-Nature-Photography.com for full details or to register. May 23rd 10:00 AM The American Alligator: Few animals have such a fearsome reputation as the American Alligator. This long-lived and perfectly designed reptile has seen the rise and fall of many species and are an amazing success story in the history of conservation. This program will cover the life history, conservation history and many personal experiences with alligators as well as advice for living with alligators. No need to register for this free program. 1 Hour Program. May 26th 11:00 AM Pee-Wee Archery: This is an opportunity for mom or dad to work alongside youngsters who are interested in learning archery. Ages 5-9 will have an opportunity to learn the basics of archery using our scaled down equipment, one-on-one coaching and help from mom or dad. Space is limited for this one-hour program. Register at (352) 754-6722. 1 Hour Program. May 26th 2:00 PM Animal Tracking: Animal Tracking is a science that can take years to master. Starting with common culprits you can learn to identify what animals share your yard, disturb your garden or create other mysteries around home or on the trails. Join us for this introductory tracking program which includes a look at animal evidence. Ideal for ages 10+. No need to register. 1.5 Hour Class

May 2018 Programs

Florida Nature Trackers

NEXT MONTH

Quick facts about the ladybug....

- There are 5,000 different species of ladybugs in the world!- Ladybugs go through a metamorphosis process. Their 4 stages of life are egg, larval, pupal and adult. - Ladybugs are not bugs they are actually beetles. - Not all ladybugs are black and red. - When threatened, the bugs will secrete an oily, foul-tasting fluid from joints in their legs. - Ladybugs love plant-eating insects, such as aphids. - They lay their eggs, that’s hundreds of eggs, in aphids colonies so when the little ones hatch they eat immediately. - An adult ladybug may live up to 2 years.

Take a hike on the Nature Trail How many ladybugs you can find?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission needs your help documenting plant and animal species on its Wildlife Management and Environmental Areas.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about plant and animal species. From the biggest tree to the smallest of insects.

Being involved as a citizen scientist, whether it is documenting species for Florida Nature Trackers or volunteering in monitoring and collecting data of Gopher Tortoises, the educational knowledge and wildlife experience is valuable, not only personally but for nature.

More information here: floridanaturetrackers.com/

http://myfwc.com/get-involved/

* Be sure to check out the monthly calendars for any upcoming PhotoBlitz’s!

National Pollinator Week June 18 - 24, 2018

Check out upcoming workshops and programs to learn more about pollinators and how important pollination is to everyone! http://myfwc.com/chinsegut

Coming this Summer to Chinsegut Conservation Center: Wild ABOUT Florida. This program is a good starting point for new Floridians to learn about who provides what services among state agencies across Florida and how to cope with the Florida climate and wildlife. Classes include lots of resource materials. Dates TBA.