I always feel grateful to be ever fascinated with Nature and that for myself it only takes a moment to connect with both the fascination AND gratitude part-after all Nature is all around.

I have stopped wondering if I am “normal”, stopped asking myself if other people naturally (and continually) desire to connect with natural surroundings, always captivated by its wildlife and ecosystems. And perhaps I am learning this an integral part of who a Naturalist is.

I was all prepared to write about ecology and “crypsis” or the ability of live animals to avoid (hide) observation and detection. It is a simple strategy to either find food (predation) or keep from being eaten by adapting to being in an antipredator state.

My desire is to keep it simple though – even recognize that the great Creator’s creatures come equipped with such a fine art as camouflage fascinates me!

A recent trek to area wetlands presented itself as an all together different habitat when compared to coastal and Island ecosystems I am familiar with.

A wide eyed Green Heron, a discreet Sora Rail, and dozing Alligator kin together displayed such fine moments of “crypsis”.

I think any data sheet should have a Moments of Wonder column.

My hope for future Fishers Island Sentinels is that like me, they will always feel and see the logic that Nature presents in moments exploring in the field.

There are great expeditions to be had on a tiny Island-all to be grateful for.

I sat ever so quietly this morning, under the canopy of Live Oak draped with Spanish moss-a protected spot inside the Indian River Preserve Park. Mourning Doves cooed, an Osprey soared overhead and then two tiny lizards scurried back and forth across a dried palm frond at my feet. We watched each other inquisitively.
While my field note was happily intended to describe these 5 inch female Florida scrub lizards (the male is adorned with bright turquoise patches on throat and belly) and how they may very well soon be guarding several clutches of tiny eggs after their spring courtship and mating season…..

There was a change in thought:

The Florida scrub lizard is “near threatened” (NT) which means the species is likely to become “endangered” (EN) in the near future.

And then in time we might have to tag another (EN) to the lizard’s favorite scrub areas which provide dry and sandy ridges of pine and oak, because this habitat is speedily declining with intense development and wildfire suppression.

I read again the color coded indicator, like a mileage key on a map- this is only a hop, skip and a jump away from high risk of “extinction” (EX) for these lizards in the wild!

“Status Symbols” ranging from somewhat safe green to alarming red and depressing black are defining nature in our life time…..

And while different factors such as species population rise and fall, breeding success as well as threats are all considered when assessing conservation status, for me simply the development of such an indicator (in the first place!) that is now so common for every species of flora and fauna?

I can see there must be a change.

I have been thinking a lot about Stewardship and just what principles it takes to effectively oversee and protect the Island we all cherish and value-enough to “preserve, enrich, and enhance our resources and surrounding waters”
 Here,this morning I headed for the beach and trekked through Smyrna Dunes Park, navigating atop its elevated boardwalks. With the sun beating down on sandy slopes of these uplands, short shadows fall behind native Gopher Turtles emerging from burrows.  I can hear the breaking of ocean waves.

At first glance, floating on their boards in glistening wetsuits, surfers remind me of seals rafting together off Alaskan shores I once monitored.

I am struck by the beauty of a pristine beachscape despite the prevalent human element.

As I step off the boardwalk I notice a weathered sign-a bit of rust, a letter or two faded but never the less a message put to GREAT use!

The Smyrna Surfari Club has “adopted” a mile of beach here.

Well known for 35 years, the Club not only historically sponsors competition, but provides scholarships and has awarded over $150,000 to senior high school graduates who love to surf!

Thank you Smyrna Surfari Club for reminding me that sharing the responsibility

in caring for our environment is the essential principle that establishes Stewardship.

Back home on Fishers Island I can envision “Adopt-A Beach” signs perhaps in discreet spots along South, Isabella,  and Chocomount…representing maybe a softball team or two, a store, a family or three, even a graduating class, or sailing team.

Simply put….. Litter is “Bogus” and Stewardship is “Bodacious”!

These past weeks, I have attended class “on” The Indian River Lagoon.

Twisting and winding through mangrove islets, its brackish waters extend and run parallel with this area of Atlantic shoreline for 156 miles. It houses some of the most  unique and diverse biological ecosystems that merged together with Mosquito and Banana Lagoons forms one of the largest estuaries in North America.

Over the last 100 years, human impact has put great stress on this delicate environment.

A particular area of concern has been the degradation of the Lagoon’s water quality.

Thankfully, conservation efforts and projects aimed at wetland restoration, sea grass mapping, as well as capturing storm water sediment have led the way in the saving of this extraordinarily vital Floridian habitat.

Another such effort to preserve these nutrient rich waters that continues to support thousands of species of plants, fish, shell fish, birds, as well as hundreds of dolphins and manatees is Oyster Reef Restoration.

For thousands of years the Oyster has filtered and purified these waters, battling pollution. Fortresses built of layers upon layers of shell deposit create a reef system that helps to bolster and stabilize the Lagoon’s coastline against erosive boat traffic and commercial over harvest.

The Marine Discovery Center partners with many proactive conservation organizations in area counties including The Nature Conservancy

Using eco friendly mesh materials, Oyster shells are tied to “mats” that are anchored down in the shallow estuary waters. In about a year’s time, floating Oyster larvae that is “welcomed” home- forms sturdy foundations for new reefs.

A few months back when I enrolled in The Master Naturalist Program, and before I left Fishers for New Smyrna Beach, it was my personal intention to continue weekly monitoring off Island. Despite the difference in natural settings and ecosystems, I wanted to share with students that one can be a naturalist and share local traditional knowledge anywhere.
Here I can observe and count local Brown Pelicans in the colony that inhabits a nearby mangrove isle. After a week of learning the rhythm of a different beach altogether, I spied a neighborhood Gopher Tortoise that emerges regularly from shrubs buffering a parking lot. I determine River Otter remain elusive while still creating a well worn path to the lagoon. It’s noted here as well that invasive plants have historically taken root-a Blue Heron rests in an Australian pine.

There is quite a bit of discussion in the Master Naturalist course about ethics- within educational outreach, and interpretation.

While sharing my respect and enthusiasm specifically for Fishers Island with future Island Sentinels (students) has been seemingly effortless-thinking, what’s not to love about our Island’s outdoor uniqueness? I share with them also that it’s really about the “outreach” and how others interpret that.

  Basically, “if you talk the talk you’ve got to walk the walk.”

For instance, back on Fishers Island as stewards making sure we stay our distance and be still while monitoring seals at Hungry Point-it’s illegal to disrupt their haul out.  Or being aware of countless balloons that wash ashore might have us NOT “invite” balloons to the next community celebration. Even by riding our bikes or walking to the beach we know we can cut down on invasive gas emissions locally

So student Island Sentinels actually become teachers and their passion for wildlife conservation and land preservation on a tiny Island can indeed lead to positive, far reaching steps – even globally.