Home At Barefoot Beach

WELCOME TO YOUR BEACH!

WE HOPE YOU'LL VISIT OFTEN...

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Link to: Collier County Parks & Recreation Website

What is Barefoot Beach Preserve?

Barefoot Beach Preserve consists of 342 acres on a barrier island, separated from the mainland by mangrove swamps and tidal creeks. It is bordered on the west by 8,200 feet of Gulf of Mexico beach and sand dunes, and on the east by mangroves and tidal back bays. It is terminated at Wiggins Pass to the South. One of the last stretches of undeveloped beachfront land in South Florida, it remains as natural and unspoiled as it was hundreds of years ago. Rich vegetation and wildlife abound.

Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve

P. O. Box 564 ~ Bonita Springs, FL 34133

Help Support the Friends: Be A Friend - Buy A Brick

News and Upcoming Events

This year, the Friends of Barefoot Beach have opted to go to an online newsletter, rather than utilizing "snail mail" as we did in the past. If you would like to receive this newsletter in your email, you will need to register your email address with us. Won't you take a moment right now to do so? Then we'll do our best to keep you apprised of all that's happening at Barefoot Beach.

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Download Our December 2008 Newsletter

Each Week - Ranger Led Programs (More Info)

December 1 - Learning Center Opens (More Info)

December 6th - Lecture Series Begins (More Info)

January 16 - Docent Picnic (More Info)

March 6th - Annual Spring Membership Luncheon (More Info)

Tidbits from Your President, Margaret Winn

Photo Slideshow of Recent Friends' Projects At Barefoot

I want to begin by saying how excited I am to have the opportunity to serve as you President in the next two years. I have some ambitious plans in mind, but none of these will be possible without the help and support of each of you reading this letter. I look forward to working with the newly elected board, a great team of docents, garden workers, trail workers, and others of you who do what you do behind the scenes, but are equally important to the ongoing goals of the Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve. This photo was taken during the recent workday, as "Friends" gathered at the Preserve to prepare the Learning Center for the 2008-09 Season. We accomplished so much that day, and again, I can't help but express my deepest gratitude to all who showed up! You guys are the Best!

In case you missed it, the Friends of Barefoot Beach were recently named the "Collier County Volunteer Group of the Year." You can see our trophy in the Learning Center. It is only through the endless hours of our many dedicated workers that we were so honored! Congratulations to each of you who helped make this possible!

Our past president, Jan Bachrach and Grant Hicks have worked hard through this past summer to earn their Master Naturalist Designations. The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education Extension program developed by the University of Florida and provided by the Cooperative Extension Service and other partner organizations. FMNP training increases knowledge about Florida ecosystem processes, plants and wildlife, and conservation and management issues. The FMNP benefits persons seeking to obtain educational contact hours or wishing to increase interpretive skills for use in educational programs as volunteers, employees, and ecotourism guides. This took a major commitment on the part of these two, and we are the beneficiaries of their efforts. Congratulations, Jan and Grant... I am in awe!

Just a little word of caution for those of you visiting Barefoot (or almost anywhere outdoors in Florida, please watch out for fire ants. After working in the Barefoot Butterfly Garden this past summer, I had a major systemic reaction to fire ant bites. To say the least, it was no fun, and now I am unable to work in the garden, so PLEASE be careful, every one of you.

MAJOR THANKS are due to Bob and Bobbe Hickman, for taking back the job of Treasurer of our organization, after thinking they would never have to do this again. Bob Hickman and Virgil Brockman have also taken on the job of repairing sprinkler heads in the garden and moving them as necessary. They are also replacing bricks on the pathway, maintaining the cactus garden, and chipping in when necessary in the care and feeding of the Butterfly Garden.

We've been so blessed to have the volunteer support of a number of students from FGCU working with us during the past few weeks. Laura Kettgen and Renee Anderson are pictured here with me, following a long day of picking up trash throughout the Preserve. A big thanks goes out to them and all the others who have so diligently worked, as we prepared for the opening of the Learning Center and the official kickoff of our season!

We have been wanting a case for the DVD and VCR that can be locked, and will be installed in a location that allows for viewing. This would allow our docents to view or show a DVD or tape, without having to lift heavy equipment from a storage area, which some have found to be difficult in years past. Mary Kirn supports this idea as a way to utilize the memorial funds donated in Michael Kirn's memory. We are presently researching cabinet plans and costs, and hope to have something ready for use very soon.

Unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons, we have lost a fair number of docents, and are definitely in need of new folks to volunteer this season. Maybe you know of someone who would like to get involved, or perhaps you may want to get involved yourself, if you are not already on the schedule. We hope to have all our docents take part in the golf cart ride on the Saylor Trail with ranger Cindy Kavan. This can be a great learning experience. Ranger Jim Truluck's talk on the Boardwalk is not to be missed. And you can always visit with Ranger Mauricio, asking him whatever questions you might have. We have a great rapport with the Rangers at North Collier, and they will gladly bring us any programs or resources we might need,

You're going to want to visit the Learning Center, and note the progress on our Brick Walk, which, incidentally, has turned out to be a great fundraiser for the Friends, and will allow us to accomplish some of the things this year, that otherwise might not be possible. It's not too late for you to get involved by purchasing a brick. What a great gift or way to commemorate something or someone you care about. We are considering the need for new display cases or finding a way to repair or rejuvenate those that are there, and welcome each of your suggestions.

Let's gear up for a great season, and I so look forward to seeing each of you in the months ahead!

Margaret Winn, President

Getting to the Preserve?

2008-09 Lecture Series Schedule

December 6	Oysters	Aswani Volety, Ph.D
December 13	Purple Martins*	Bill Dietrich*
December 20	Wiggins Pass*	Gary McAlpin*
December 27	Kids Topic	Cynthia Piper
January 3	Snakes*	Jimmy Alaniz
January 10	Fossils	Charles O'Connor
January 17	Florida's Animals	David Piper
January 24	Sea Turtles	Phil Allman, Ph.D*
January 31	Bats*	John Fitch, Ph.D*
February 7	Wading Wonders*	Larry Richardson
February 14	Gopher Tortoises	Nora Demers, Ph.D
February 21	Butterflies	Ken Werner
February 28	Coyotes*	Martin Main, Ph.D*
March 7	10,000 BC Florida	Harold Saylor
March 14	Beach Combing*	Nancy Olson
March 21	Sustainable Fishing*	Bryan Fluech
March 28	Medicines From Land & Sea	Dr. Richard Wallin, DVM, Ph.D
April 4	CROW, Wildlife Rehabilitation	Dr. P.J. Deitschel, DVM
April 11	Epiphytes*	David Southall*

Barefoot Beach Preserve is located along the Gulf of Mexico in the Northwest corner of Collier County. From either I-75 or Tamiami Trail (US 41), take Bonita Beach Road, west. Just before reaching the Gulf, turn left (South) onto Barefoot Beach Blvd. Pass through the gate (a stop is not required, except for commercial vehicles) and continue South through the residential area to the Preserve's North entrance gate. All vehicles except Collier residents displaying a permit are required to pay a small parking fee.

Each Saturday morning, at 10 AM, the Friends of Barefoot Beach are pleased to present lecturers on a variety of topics. All lectures are held in the Friends Learning Center and attendance at the lectures is free of charge and open to the public. Plan to come early, as seating is limited, and often means that latecomers will be left with standing room only. Lectures marked with an * mean that the topic or speaker is new to the series this season.

Who Are "The Friends?"

What Is Our Purpose?

Our organization is appropriately named, as it had its origin among friends and neighbors, Leon and Naida Eisenbud and Bobbie Hickman, Walking in the beach in the spring of 1990, they noted some Osprey's valiant efforts to build nests close by, and decided to help. A team effort that soon included the utility company, and a local builder, resulted in a platform nest atop a pole that was quickly occupied by an Osprey family. They decided they could do more, the Friends was born, and has been a growing team ever since; joined by any and all who are concerned with preservation of our precious marine and wetland environment.

Today the Friends of Barefoot Beach is a non profit organization of over 400 families, each of whom pays annual dues, and who are concerned about the preservation of the precious marine and wetland environment. Recently, a Foundation was established to help insure the financial base for many years into the new millennium.

	To preserve, protect and enhance natural features of the Preserve.
	To foster research and education endeavors at the Preserve.
	To secure volunteers to assist the County at Barefoot Beach Preserve.
	To distribute literature relating to the Preserve.

What Can You Do? We'd love for you to be a FRIEND!

Join "The Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve!" or "Be A Friend - Buy A Brick." Your charitable gifts and dues can help to preserve this natural seashore ~ a home to creatures of the land, sea and air. There are also a great many opportunities to volunteer. Whether you'd like to volunteer or become a member, won't you print out a copy of our application form, and send it in today? (Download Membership Application)

What are we doing?

	Saylor Nature Trail ~ A mile long trail winding through the trees to Wiggins Pass provides the chance to view over 30 species of native vegetation all tagged and identified by the Friends. Friends members regularly groom the trail, clearing out exotic plants and replacing them with natural species. They've also erected directional signs, provided benches to sit, relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the trail as well as the Gulf, and identified vegetation and provided a descriptive booklet, with detailed trail maps. manual.
	Education ~ The Saturday morning lecture series features guest speakers who are experts on subjects ranging from shells to dolphins, eagles to tortoises, and early Florida Indian culture. For years, these popular lectures have played to overflow crowds. Other educational offerings include nature walks, canoe trips, guided cart tours for the physically challenged and elderly along the Saylor trail, all of which help to provide recreation and education on diversified subjects, primarily related to environmental topics for the benefit of thousands of local residents and visitors of all ages.
	Learning Center ~ Located in the heart of the Preserve, this structure is full of displays and literature, including an extensive shell collection. Built and maintained through private contributions, this structure has been built, staffed, and maintained by the Friends of Barefoot Beach, without the use of County, State, or Federal tax dollars.
	Displays ~ Individual members have developed posters and displays which are exhibited on wall-mounted cases and in free standing cabinets all year round. Unique shell collections are on permanent display. Plant specimens from the trail and marine species from the beach are displayed.
	Library ~ Maintained for the use of visitors who wish to identify specimens and explore books of interest for adults and children on elements of this natural habitat.
	Tortoise Sanctuary ~ We are continuing an ongoing study of population, distribution and habitat of the gopher tortoise, a threatened species which is protected from the inroads of civilization in the Preserve.
	Osprey Platforms ~ Three poles and platforms for Ospreys have been constructed and installed. In addition, ospreys have established a nest on the trail in a dead tree. Ospreys have taken possession and reared families in all the nests. You can see and hear them, as the call to one another, fish for food, and feed and raise their fledglings.
	Aquatic Butterfly Garden ~ Dedicated to founders, Naida and Leon Eisenbud, with ponds and waterfall, a beautiful butterfly garden that was constructed, planted, and is maintained with mostly native plant materials that attract butterflies of many species. Each spring, following a lecture on butterflies, additional specimens are released in a spectacular display. Thanks to a few dedicated volunteers, the garden is flourishing. More helping hands, however, are always welcome.
	Xeriscape Cactus Garden ~ Just to the South of the Nature Center, in vivid contrast to the Butterfly Garden, the friends also maintain a xeriscape (dry or cactus) garden,
	A Purple Martin Colony Apartment ~ Has been installed, however, we are still awaiting permanent "residents." Currently, these useful birds are only visitors to our bird houses, probably because of the close proximity of the ospreys.
	Cleanup ~ Friends regularly assist the County with Beach Cleanup.