The Research Natural Area (RNA) was designated as an area of special protection within Dry Tortugas National Park in 2007. The RNA was designed to work along with the two existing ecological reserves as a network to protect the shallow water habitats and reef fish...
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May 6, 2018 FKT
Diving, Dry Tortugas, Environment, Parks, Reefs
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Every day is full of natural wonders throughout the Florida Keys, known for their sweeping, scenic backdrops of earth, sea and sky. Throughout April, Keys visitors and residents can celebrate Florida Keys Earth Day with unique outdoor activities to be experienced only in the Florida Keys. This year’s...
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March 22, 2018 FKT
Environment, Parks, Tourism
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Bahia Honda State Park is making a graceful comeback following Hurricane Irma. The park was in the path of the dreadful northeast quadrant of the powerful Category 4 storm that devastated the Florida Keys in September 2017. Although much of the native vegetation perished in...
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January 30, 2018 FKT
Big Pine Key, Camping, Parks
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The Florida Keys Wildlife Society, a friends group for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex and the National Key Deer Refuge, kicks off this season’s full moon kayak excursions Monday, Jan. 29, departing at 4 p.m. from Big Pine Kayak Adventures on Bogey Road....
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January 17, 2018 FKT
Big Pine Key, Parks
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Nine Florida Keys State Parks remain closed, due to Hurricane Irma damage, until further notice, Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials said Monday. Those Monroe County parks are: • Bahia Honda • Curry Hammock • Dagny JohnsonKey Largo Hammock Botanical • Fort Zachary Taylor Historic •...
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September 25, 2017 FKT
Hurricane Irma, Parks
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The Monroe County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board will meet at 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 28, to discuss how the county is planning to move forward with the development of Rowell’s Waterfront Park. Park designers S&ME, formerly known as Little John Engineering, will be on...
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August 24, 2017 FKT
Key Largo, Parks
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August 24, 2017 FKT
Key West, Parks
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In the Middle and Lower Florida Keys State Parks — Long Key, Curry Hammock, Bahia Honda and Fort Zachary Taylor — are easy to explore and offer multiple opportunities for recreation. Long Key State Park Located on Long Key, just southwest of the town of...
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July 14, 2017 FKT
Camping, Parks
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I have been in love with the Florida Keys most of my life. Having been born and raised in South Florida, the natural beauty of the area has captivated me since early childhood. The fortune of growing up in a boating family instilled me with...
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March 19, 2017 FKT
Boating, Diving, Everglades, Florida Keys, Islamorada, Key Largo, Parks, Reefs, Tourism
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These days, most merry-go-round horses are made from molded fiberglass and plastic. However, in the days when they were carved from wood, most of them were made from gumbo limbo, Bursera simaruba. Gumbo limbo is one of the most recognizable trees in the tropical hardwood...
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February 20, 2017 FKT
Environment, Parks, Plants
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Islamorada Mayor Jim Mooney said one of the governing board’s main focuses in 2017 will be tackling traffic issues, a recurring theme for much of Monroe County. U.S. 1 has long experienced lengthy delays due to holidays, community events and accidents, among other things. Mooney...
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January 14, 2017 FKT
Environment, Islamorada, Parks
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Located a mile south of Indian Key Historic State Park is the San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park. This park holds the distinction as the only underwater archaeological state park in the Florida Park Service. The San Pedro, a 287-ton ship, was one of...
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July 29, 2016 FKT
Diving, Islamorada, Parks
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A calm-weather weekend turns the Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp into one of the busiest spots in the Upper Keys. In a waterfront community with limited public access to open water, the two ramps at the Monroe County public park in Tavernier lead straight to...
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July 15, 2016 FKT
Boating, Key Largo, Parks, Tavernier, Tourism
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Monroe County last week completed a $33,828 project to repair the dock next to the boat ramp at Harry Harris Park. They stripped the dock down to the pylons. Removing and repairing the old decking and the support structure. A new structural plastic decking, which...
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June 16, 2016 FKT
Boating, Key Largo, Parks, Tavernier
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Kate Watts monitors vegetation in the pine rockland ecosystem on Big Pine Key. Watts serves as Lead Wildlife Biologist for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex, overseeing biologists, technicians and interns at the refuges in the lower Keys. “Although a scientist by trade, I...
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May 7, 2016 FKT
Big Pine Key, Environment, Parks
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The Lower Florida Keys have some well-known destinations. Lying between the Middle Florida Keys and Key West, with Big Pine Key’s Key Deer and Bahia Honda State Park's beaches as well as one of the top diving spots, Looe Key, will keep visitors busy and...
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February 27, 2016 FKT
Beaches, Big Pine Key, Boating, Diving, Fishing, Parks, Reefs, Restaurants, Tourism
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The Middle Florida Keys are an often overlooked destination. Lying between the Upper Florida Keys where you will find the Diving & Fishing Capitals of Key Largo and Islamorada and the Lower Florida Keys with Big Pine Key's Key Deer and world famous Key West, the...
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February 18, 2016 FKT
Boating, Bridges, Camping, Diving, Environment, Fishing, History, Long Key, Marathon, Music, Overseas Highway, Parks, Reefs, Resorts, Restaurants, Tourism
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In her position Ranger Kristie Killam has a strong focus on education and outreach, working with schools and camp programs, leading guided tours, and assisting with biological research. Killam moved to No Name Key in 2008 after visiting the Keys for more than 25 years,...
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February 13, 2016 FKT
Parks, People
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Do you know how many parks there are in the Upper Florida Keys? Me neither. Between the City Parks: Islamorada's Founders Park and Anne's Beach, Monroe County Parks: Harry Harris, Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp and Lignumvitae and the National Parks-Refuges-Sanctuaries: Everglades, Crocodile Lake and...
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February 12, 2016 FKT
Boating, Diving, Environment, Everglades, Fishing, Florida Bay, Islamorada, Key Largo, Keys Critters, Lighthouses, Music, Parks, Reefs, Restaurants, Tourism
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Florida’s 171 state parks vary in the natural and cultural resources that they have to offer. Many of them have at least one unique feature, and some of these are easy to miss. Pennekamp Park. The Florida Keys are an island chain surrounded by saltwater....
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December 16, 2015 FKT
Key Largo, Parks, Treasure
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