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CKNews 2021
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CONSERVATION

CONSERVATION

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PURPLE MARTINS ON THE MOVE
2025 April 4
 
As many folks have become familiar with the Purple Martin colony located between the hardware store and the city buildings on First Street, they might notice the colony is gone. That is because it was moved across the street next to the colony by the marina.
 
We recently learned that the lot where the colony was located is the future home of the new Steamers Restaurant. So, the colony needed to be moved before construction begins soon. Extreme care was taken to ensure we were not altering the bird’s biology at a time when breeding and egg laying begins. Most important is the spatial orientation of the gourds. They must be in the same location (order) and the entire structure must have the same compass orientation. So, we needed to move the entire structure with the gourds in place to the new location. We had lots of help.
 
At first, the birds were clearly not pleased, but after a short while they returned to the structure at its new location and settled down. By morning, things were back to normal.
 
Meanwhile, Ms. Winnie Lante (a Purple Martin landlord in Gainesville) was sent a photograph of a colony at Cedar Key that did not have a predator control device attached to the support pole. Neither colony downtown have predator excluder devices. Thanks to the personal purchase by Ms. Lante and the Alachua Audubon, both colonies now have predator excluders on the support poles. We are grateful for their gracious concern for the colonies and their contribution to their safety.
 
Meanwhile again, Dennis Gill, owner of Second Street Café and Steamers graciously donated a new complete set (support pole and gourds) to be added to the colony. Because it is late in the season to install a new structure, we plan to install it in the fall before the birds arrive for their next breeding season in February. Wow! Thank you Dennis!
 
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Artist at work W.R.E.N... FESTIVAL 2025 
WHOOOOO are these Young Artists?
2025 March 314

Art Teacher, Jonya Collins, and her young artists accepted the challenge from W.R.E.N., Cedar Key Bird Rescue Team, to use “artistic license” when painting these ceramic owls.Blue owl

With this collaborative art project, members of our Cedar Key Bird Rescue Team W.R.E.N. are eager to introduce young students to the wonders of our unique island habitat with its many resident and visiting birds.
 
Careful workWhile you may not see owls of exactly these colors in the woods nearby, you certainly may see them at the W.R.E.N. Arts Festival Booth this Saturday, April 5th, along 2nd Street.

No need to limit color choices to real birds – just have some fun!
W.R.E.N. (Wildlife Rehabilitation & Educational Network) has for many years been partnering with students from the Cedar Key School.class project
 
Please come by the W.R.E.N. booth this Saturday. See the students’ artwork as well as bird mobiles, hats, water bottles, umbrellas and more. All donations go toward future projects with the art students in addition to going toward ongoing bird rescue efforts.

Green OwlTake a moment at the booth to learn ways you might help keep our wildlife populations healthy.Yellow Owl

For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Use subject line “Bird Rescue”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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LSCKNWR FRIENDS NEWER LOGO
 
LOWER SUWANNEE AND CEDAR KEYS
NATIONAL  WILDLIFE REFUGES
 
BATS GATHERING,
THIS THURSDAY 6 PM
2025 March 25 

 https://www.friendsofrefuges.org/our-blog-what-we-do/lets-gather-at-the-refuge-

bat-house-to-view-the-masters-of-the-night-sky-emerge-at-sunset

Member of the Friends?  Or not?  No problem at all. 

All are welcome.

Do come, view this extraodinary phenomenon, and connect wiwth folks

who love and respect  the outdoors.

The Friends hope to see you there. 

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CEDAR KEY AUDUBON PRESENTS...
2025 March 6
Barbara Woodmansee flyer jpg
 
 
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NCBS UF IFAS
NATURE COAST CHAMPIONS 2023-2024

  2025 March 20

Editor’s Note: This article was excerpted from the Nature Coast Biological Station monthly publication

UF IFAS Nature Coast News, March 2025. 
The NCBS is operated by Dr. Mike Allen.


The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture and natural resources and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. UF/IFAS Extension works to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public, with the goal of helping individuals, businesses, and other groups implement science-based practices in their lives and work. The UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station’s (NCBS) faculty, staff, and affiliates work with a wide range of groups to develop and implement such practices related to natural resources along Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast between Hernando and Wakulla Counties.
 
The Nature Coast Champion Award Program, initiated by UF/IFAS NCBS, seeks to recognize individuals, businesses, agencies, or non-profit groups that provide leadership and implementation of best practices for conservation and management of natural resources.
 
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2023-2024 Nature Coast Champion awards!
 
2023 Awardees
Heath Davis
Sid Henkin
Enrique (Eric) Latimer
 
2024 Awardees
Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy
Patricia “Patty” Jett
Timothy (Tim) Solano


CLICK HERE TO READ MORE 

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/2025/02/10/naturecoastchampions/

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CKWSD FAUCET
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SWWER DISTRICT 
PUBLIC NOTICE:  SMOKE TEST 
2026 March 10
 
To Residents and Occupants of Cedar Key, Florida:
 
The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District will be conducting a smoke test of our sanitary sewer system This testing will begin Monday, March 17, 2025. This study will involve the opening and entering of manholes in the streets and public utility easements. An important task of the testing will be locating breaks and defects in the sewer system. The smoke test will also reveal where storm and surface water enter the sewer system.
 
A special non-toxic smoke will be used in these tests. The smoke is manufactured for this purpose, leaves no residuals or stains, and has no effect on plant or animal life. The smoke has a distinctive, but not unpleasant, odor. Visibility and odor last only a few minutes, where there is adequate ventilation.
 
Because the plumbing appliances in your house or building are connected to the sanitary sewer system, some smoke may enter your home or place of business if:

•Vents connected to your building's sewer pipes are inadequate, defective, or improperly installed.
•Traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are dry, defective, improperly installed, or missing.
•Pipes, connections and seals of the wastewater drain system in and under your buildings are damaged, defective, have plugs missing, or are improperly installed.
 
If the plumbing system of your residence/business is adequate and all drain traps are full of water, smoke should not be seen indoors. Smoke observed indoors during the testing would indicate a plumbing deficiency. Should smoke enter your home or business, you may contact us at 352-543-5285 so we can record the location. Location, identification, and correction of the source of smoke that enters your building is advised. Your cooperation is appreciated. The information gained from this testing will be used to improve our sewer service.

Should you have any questions, contact John Rittenhouse, at 352-543-5285.
 
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CKWSD FAUCETCKWSD WILL MEET
MARCH 10
 
 
 
 
  
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FLORIDA'S NATURE COAST CONSERVANCY
  ANNUAL OYSTERCATCHER SHINDIG AND MEMBERSHIP AFFAIR
Sunday March 2. 2025
4:00pm until 6:00 pm
 Island Hotel Patio
 
FNCC annu 1
WHAT?
Enjoy food, a cash bar, and fine company as we celebrate
our conservation champions and look to the year ahead!

MEMBERSHIP?
Membership forms for new and renewing members
will be available at the door. Or, join or renew now! 
 
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CEDAR KEY AUDUBON PRESENTS …

Charley the Osprey LIVE!
Shown by Barbara Walker of Tampa Bay Rescue
Talk by Janie Veltkamp on
The Cedar Key Osprey Population


Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall Monday, February 24, 2025
Meet & Greet @ 4pm – Talk @ 5pm
Come see what all the squawk is about!
 
 
 
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CKWSD FAUCETCKWSD WILL MEET FEBRUARY 24
 
 
 
 
  
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CK CITY WSD LOGOSNEW DRINKING WATER WELL TO BE DRILLED IN BRONSON FOR CEDAR KEY PIPELINE
 
2-25 February 14

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) have committed $400,000 to drill a new drinking water well in Bronson. A water source evaluation will ensure that the water meets quality standards.
 
Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative (W3C) and Cedar Key personnel traveled to Tallahassee this week to meet with legislators and agency personnel to secure future funding for the next phase of the project (project design), which will cost $5 million.
 
 
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CKWSD FAUCETCKWSD WILL MEET FEBRUARY 10
 
 
 
 
  
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  BIRD NESTING IN CEDAR KEY NOW…
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM REFUGE MANAGER ANDREW GUDE
2025 February 6
 
 
Bird nesting season (1 March to 30 June of each year) is around the corner. The Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges typically close areas around Seahorse and Snake Keys during this period to accommodate avian nesting.
 
This storm-burdened past year has been particularly difficult for our residents. Changes affecting boaters may be required.
 
Because Hurricane Helene scoured the entire understory of Snake Key removing nesting material for the birds, they may not return but instead use Seahorse Key again. We will need to monitor the situation as it develops.
 
Please, look for possible changes in posted areas as the monitoring progresses. As has been done in the past, the Refuges may need to close a 100 yard perimeter around Seahorse again.
Please, stay tuned to your media source for updates.

   fwc-banner

 FWC RED TIDE REPORT  FEBRUARY 5, 2025

NOW IN LEVY COUNTY

 

   VIEW MAP OF FLORIDA COUNTIES BY CLICKING ON "READ MORE" BELOW.  

 Current Conditions

Current Conditions
Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 111 samples collected from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 32 samples from Southwest Florida: one from Charlotte County, 18 from and offshore of Lee County, four from and offshore of Collier County, and nine offshore of Monroe County. We continue to use chlorophyll satellite imagery (USF, NOAA NCCOS) to track offshore conditions, and imagery from February 4 revealed persisting chlorophyll patches in areas along and offshore of Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. Sampling conducted during a recent research survey helped confirm the presence of K. brevis in these areas of high chlorophyll signatures. Additional details are provided below.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of both Lee and Collier counties, and low to medium concentrations offshore of Monroe County.

In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Levy County.

Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.

CKWSD FAUCETCKWSD WILL MEET JANUARY 13 
 
 
 
 
  
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new logo W3C  MET DECEMBER 18 
2024  December 18
 
 
The Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative, the W3C, met in Cedar Key on , Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 1 pm, in the Cedar Key City Hall..


W3C UPDATE
Dewberry Vice President, presented the attached PowerPoint explanation of the tasks being performed to date. CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRESENTATION.
 
IN ATTENDANCE
The full three-member board was in attendance: Chairperson Robert Partin, Bronson Mayor; sitting in for Vice Chair Joe Hand, was Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Board Member Johnathan Ferguson; and Zim Padgett, Otter Creek Councilor.

   fwc-banner

 FWC RED TIDE REPORT  JANUARAY 3, 2025

   VIEW MAP OF FLORIDA COUNTIES BY CLICKING ON "READ MORE" BELOW.  

 Current Conditions

Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 54 samples collected from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in nine samples: three from and offshore of Pinellas County, four from Sarasota County, and two from and offshore of Lee County. Satellite chlorophyll imagery (USF, NOAA NCCOS) continues to vary from day to day. Imagery from January 1st and 2nd revealed a patchy region of elevated chlorophyll suspected to contain red tide along southern Sarasota County and offshore of Charlotte to Collier counties. On both days, some areas were obscured due to cloud cover, making it difficult to discern the full extent of the patch; we continue to closely monitor incoming data.

Additional details are provided below.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, background to low concentrations in and offshore of Hillsborough County, background to low concentrations in and offshore of Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in Sarasota County, low concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Lee County, and background to very low concentrations in Collier County.
In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at very low and low concentrations offshore of Hernando County.
Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline and other partners over the past week for Southwest Florida (along Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties).

CKWSD FAUCETNOTICE OF ELECTION
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT

at
Cedar Key City Hall
809 6th Street
April 1, 2025
From 7 am until 7 pm

If necessary, a RUN-OFF ELECTION
will be held on April 22, 2025

TWO CKWSD COMMISSION SEATS:
Mr. Rosenthal’s and Mr. Ferguson’s seats
Both are two-year seats.
 
Qualifying Period
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 8:30 am
Until
Friday, January 24, 2025, at 12 Noon

REGISTRATION BOOKS CLOSE ON
Monday, March 3, 2025
 
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LSCKNWR FRIENDS NEWER LOGO
 LOWER SUWANNEE AND CEDAR KEYS
NATIONAL  WILDLIFE REFUGES
 
THE WINTER SOLSTICE IS UPON US...JOIN US ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

THE  20224 December 18

https://mailchi.mp/721b4e7a744a/december-news-brief?e=[UNIQID] 
 
 

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LSCKNWR FRIENDS NEWER LOGO
LOWER SUWANNEE AND CEDAR KEYS
NATIONAL  WILDLIFE REFUGES
DECEMBER 
 NEWS BRIEF

 20224 December 15

https://mailchi.mp/721b4e7a744a/december-news-brief?e=[UNIQID] 
 
 

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CKWSD FAUCETCEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT EXPLAINS UPCOMING WORK
2 December 2024
 
On December 2, 2024, the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District conducted a brief meeting at 5 pm, following an Open House at 4 pm at the City of Cedar Key City Hall, instead of the CKWSD offices due to the damage from Hurricane Helene. The five commissioners were in attendance: Chair Mike Borelli, Secretary / Treasurer Leslie Sturmer, and Commissioners Joe Hand, Steve Rosenthal, and Johnathan Ferguson.

The Open House setting displayed several approximately four-by-five foot posters explaining what lift stations were and how they functioned. Additionally, a four-by-seven-foot map display detailed each lift station functioning south of Bridge Number Four. Audience members easily located their homes and the closest lift stations.

Most interactive and informative were Superintendent Gabe Doty, General Manager John Rittenhouse, and , of course, James McCain himself. Every conceivable question was asked; audience members walked away more knowledgeable.

At the brief 5 pm meeting, General Manager Rittenhouse introduced Baskerville-Donavan, Inc.’s Engineer of Record for the project, Tyler Lee of Pensacola, Florida. He also introduced the construction management crew, Cody Sutterfield of Select Water and Adam Brang of C and B Civil Engineering.

General Manager John Rittenhouse reminded all those present that, though grants have been achieved, now is the time to again thank Governor DeSantis and Florida legislators Chuck Clemons and Keth Perry, as well as their soon-to-be-seated replacements.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:30 p.m..
 
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CKWSD FAUCETCKWSD WILL MEET DECEMBER 
 
 
 
 
  
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CKWSD FAUCETNOTICE:
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT: 
SMOKE TEST 
POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY 

December 6, 2024 
Due to a schedule change from our Smoke Testing contractor, we will not be conducting Sewer System Smoke Tests in December. These important smoke tests will allow us to determine where significant storm water infiltration exists.

We will alert you to the new schedule after the first of the year. Thank you for your patience!
  
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CKWSD FAUCETCEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NOTICE OF MEETING
2024 November 19



The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District (the "District") Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) announces a public meeting to be held at the following date/time:

Monday, December 2, 2024 at 4:00PM EST

The meeting will be held at 809 6th STREET, CEDAR KEY FL 32625, for the purpose of hosting an informational townhall for the Lift Station Rehabilitation Project and conduct other District business. All interested persons are invited to attend and participate in the meeting.



CKWSD FAUCETCEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT: 
SMOKE TEST 
BEGINNING DECEMBER 9 
2024 November 29


To Residents and Occupants of Cedar Key, Florida:

The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District will be conducting a smoke test of our sanitary sewer system This testing will begin Monday, December 9, 2024. This study will involve the opening and entering of manholes in the streets and public utility easements. An important task of the testing will be locating breaks and defects in the sewer system. The smoke test will also reveal where storm and surface water enter the sewer system.

A special non-toxic smoke will be used in these tests. The smoke is manufactured for this purpose, leaves no residuals or stains, and has no effect on plant or animal life. The smoke has a distinctive, but not unpleasant, odor. Visibility and odor last only a few minutes, where there is adequate ventilation.

Because the plumbing appliances in your house or building are connected to the sanitary sewer system, some smoke may enter your home or place of business if:

•Vents connected to your building's sewer pipes are inadequate, defective, or improperly installed.
•Traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are dry, defective, improperly installed, or missing.
•Pipes, connections and seals of the wastewater drain system in and under your buildings are damaged, defective, have plugs missing, or are improperly installed.

If the plumbing system of your residence/business is adequate and all drain traps are full of water, smoke should not be seen indoors. Smoke observed indoors during the testing would indicate a plumbing deficiency. Should smoke enter your home or business, you may contact us at 352-543-5285 so we can record the location. Location, identification, and correction of the source of smoke that enters your building is advised. Your cooperation will be appreciated. The information gained from this testing will be used to improve sewer service.

Should you have any questions on this matter, please contact John Rittenhouse, at 352-543-5285.
 
  
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new logo W3C WILL MEET DECEMBER 18 
2024  November  21
 
The Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative, the W3C, will meet on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, in Cedar Ky at City Hall
 
 
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