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 is slip resistant and low maintenance, was installed. More … Read more
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 find that it is extremely important to translate the technical … Read more
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 happy. There are also many historic locations to satisfy any … Read more
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 Middle Florida Keys is sometimes referred to as the Heart … Read more
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, drawn by its mix of outdoor opportunities, especially in and … Read more
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 the all encompassing Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, you are … Read more
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. Finding freshwater has always been a concern. Freshwater holes were … Read more
The city of Key West took ownership of the 32 acre Truman Waterfront on the island’s western shore back in 2002. The property had been used by the Navy since World War II as a submarine base and for other kinds of training. But in a round of downsizing, the land was given to the … Read more
During a recent visit to the Florida Keys State Parks I tried to do something I’d neglected in the past. I attempted to visit as many of the state parks as I could to get a better sense of what they have to offer. My main destination was Bahia Honda State Park to look for butterflies … Read more
The history of Lignumvitae Key dates back in time when the islands of the Florida Keys were a living coral reef. Sea level has fluctuated over time and has been as much as 300 feet lower than today and as much as 60 to 100 feet higher than today, drastically changing the footprint of the … Read more
Visiting the Florida Keys usually means a trip to the coral reef, a habitat that is truly a wonder to behold. However, the lesser-known, but equally important seagrass habitat is worth mentioning. Seagrass beds provide food and shelter for numerous animals including fish, queen conch, lobster, shrimp, crab and smaller colonies of coral. Seagrass trap … Read more
A suggestion that the city of Marathon should explore purchasing land next to the boat ramp on Harbor Drive behind the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport brought protest from residents at a Thursday budget workshop. With some residents vehemently opposed, that shifted the discussion to perhaps purchasing the former Quay property next to the Island … Read more
For a little over two decades, Karen Sunderland has helped local state parks fill the financial gap when their budgets fall short. Sunderland, a founding member of Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks, described the volunteer group’s focus as one geared primarily toward fundraising. The group’s most lucrative project comes during the year-end season of … Read more
Rockin’ Refuge Rangers! The National Key Deer Refuge (NKDR) offers a series of free, kid-friendly, nature-oriented programs on Saturday mornings on Big Pine Key. Our Rockin’ Refuge Ranger events are open to all children in grades K-6 who are accompanied by parent or guardian. The programs will run from 9:45 am-12pm and will have an … Read more