WILDLIFE CLINIC
E N V I R O N M E N TA L S C I E N C E
Spring has Sprung 2012 Conservancy of Southwest Florida
An easy way to support the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic!
Babies galore arriving at the Wildlife Clinic. Spring is the time of year when a variety of birds and mammals are raising their young and injured, sick and orphaned “babies” are arriving at the doorstep of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic for help. “Sometimes well-meaning rescuers actually bring in animals that are healthy,” according to Joanna Fitzgerald, Wildlife Clinic director. “For many people, the pleasure of seeing these young creatures is mixed with wanting to help them survive.” Since it’s best if the youngsters are raised by their parents, Fitzgerald offers some tips on discerning if a “baby” needs help. 1. Nestlings are baby birds that are too young to be out of the nest. If the nest is intact, gently place the bird back inside. It is not true that a “parent” will reject a baby if it was touched by a human. 2. Observe the baby animal from a distance before taking action.
Dine at participating restaurants using special “Dining for Wildlife” certificates on select dates between April 22 – May 17, 2012. 50 percent of all certificate purchases support wildlife. Questions? Email nikkied@conservancy.org or call the Dining for Wildlife hotline 239.325.2666
12
3. If the animal is healthy and alert, it most likely is not orphaned. Even small young animals are often independent enough to fend for themselves. 4. M any wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, sometimes for long periods. 5. Never attempt to feed or offer water to a baby wild animal. It can be detrimental to the animal and unsafe to the person involved. 6. Do not attempt to raise a baby wild animal. Wildlife need special diets and care provided by trained animal rehabilitators. 7. Always call the Conservancy Wildlife Clinic before intervening. Our team can assess the situation over the phone and determine the best course of action. 239.262.CARE.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE Volunteers from United Parcel Service (UPS) Naples Delivery Center help distribute 22 tons of fossil rock used as substrate in the outdoor recovery enclosures at the Conservancy Wildlife Clinic. The rock was donated by Superior Stone. Thank you!
The Deal with Dredging
Clam Pass: why, when and how much? Nature creates designs with curves that constantly change shape. Humans tend to prefer designs with straight lines that stay put. Understandably, these two forces can sometimes compete against each other, when they should work together. The constant changes to Clam Pass from shifting currents, wind, waves and storms contribute to the Pass filling in. Historically, Clam Pass moved around. It would close up in one area and blowout and create a new pass in another. Sand sometimes even built up enough to create islands (Figures 1 and 2). Today, attempts are made to corral nature and keep Clam Pass in one place. However, nature doesn’t always read the memo, so dredging becomes necessary to keep the Pass open. The 1999 Clam Bay Restoration Permit that allowed Clam Pass to be dredged periodically has expired and Collier County has applied for a new permit. While everyone agrees the Pass needs to be kept open, disagreements have risen on the dredge cut design and when to dredge.
Clam Pass contains multiple wildlife and provides habitat for marine life.
The County requested an 80 foot entrance cut, which makes little sense. The Pass will try to get back to its natural width of around 40 feet. Working with nature makes more sense - dredge a narrower template, such as performed in 2002, which worked just fine. Conservancy of Southwest Florida Science Co-Director Kathy Worley advises, “The objective of inlet maintenance should be to sustain and improve environmental resources.” Worley continued, “Dredging removes bottom dwelling creatures, which are an important part of the food chain, along with the sand. While these populations recover over time they will not reach their full potential - especially in Figure 1: Clam Pass area 1953. Note the positions of the items shown by the arrows. Figure 2: Clam Pass area areas like Clam Pass that 1995. Note the changes that have occurred. are dredged repeatedly. Therefore, removal of the the health of Clam Bay waterways least amount of sand needand the mangrove forest are at risk ed to keep the pass open is better of impairment. What we want to for the overall health of the estuary prevent is a knee-jerk reaction to not to mention our pocketbooks.” dredge based on changes in hydrolAccording to the County’s permit, ogy that nature could correct. the decision of Prior to dredging Clam Pass, ask when to dredge the following questions: is vague and 1. Is dredging absolutely based on hydronecessary to prevent further logic conditions. ecological damage within Dredging should the estuary? occur when the 2. Do benefits of dredging water exchange outweigh detriments? between the Gulf Worley summarizes, “Think of and the Clam three Ls: dredge the least amount Bay system is of sand, the least number of times, reduced to the for the least cost.” point where 13