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 The FWC Employee eNewsletter
May 2022
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 The Commission met May 3-4 in Gainesville. The Commission welcomed new Commissioner Albert Maury, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 14, taking the place of Vice Chairman Mike Sole, whose term had expired. Commissioners chose Steven Hudson to serve as new Vice Chairman.
Some of the actions taken by the Commission include:
Juvenile sport fish, such as tarpon and snook, utilize coastal ponds for nursery habitat. Relic golf course ponds at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve on the Cape Haze peninsula of Charlotte Harbor were the recent subject of restoration efforts to enhance these nursery habitats.
In a partnership between the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Lemon Bay Conservancy, Southwest Florida Water Management District, NOAA Fisheries Service and the FWC, improvements to these areas increased pathways for intermittent connections with the estuary, increased the number and size of ponds, and created a more ideal habitat for juvenile tarpon. These important nursery habitats provide areas for small sportfish to avoid predators and grow to a healthy size before migrating into estuarine environments.
Monitoring of these pond systems and many others continues by the FWC and its partners, as we seek to better understand, improve and create vibrant nursery habitats for Florida’s sport fish.
 
The Florida Horse Conch, Triplofusus giganteus, is our state shell and one of the largest marine gastropods in the world! This saltwater snail has faced over a century of intense exploitation by shell collectors and commercial harvest, with evidence suggesting the species has long been in decline. A new publication highlights how researchers used stable oxygen and carbon isotope sclerochronology to study maximum lifespan, growth rates and number of lifetime spawning seasons in a species now too uncommon to study through traditional mark and recapture approaches.
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 All native striped newts hatch out as larvae from eggs laid in water -- but then things take a turn! At 6 months old, they either leave the water turning into an eft (a juvenile that lives on land) OR they stay in the water another 6 months and turn into a paedomorph (an aquatic adult that still has larval characteristics such as external gills).
Eventually all striped newts live on land as adults. Wild, right?
FWC is seeking public comment on the striped newt Species Action Plan, and Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines.
Check out one of our webinars, get more info and learn more about striped newts.
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  Kingsnakes need your help; they have experienced population declines that biologists can’t explain. Kingsnakes were once widely distributed but their range has contracted and they apparently no longer occur in many areas with suitable habitat. Researchers are compiling observations of these animals to document their current distribution.
Our biologists are interested in observations of Apalachicola, Eastern and Florida Kingsnakes and will also accept reports of Mole Kingsnakes. Although they vary in appearance, these kingsnake species have smooth scales and are typically black or dark brown with yellow or white bands, blotches, or speckles. Adults are relatively large, typically 3 to 5 feet. Hatchlings can have a reddish hue or flecks in their pattern.
Note: We are not looking for observations of the smaller Scarlet Kingsnake, which is a coral snake mimic.
Use our Rare Snake Sightings app to report your observations.
 
 The Avenza maps offerings for WMAs now include FWC’s trail maps for 14 lead areas. Avenza is a free mobile app that lets you track down your location in real-time on FWC’s WMA maps. Previously, only hunt maps were available on the platform. As this work proceeds, we hope to include updated trail maps for all lead areas. Georeferencing allows users to see their location even when they don’t have service, improving wayfinding and safety for our visitors.
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 FWRI biologists are currently executing Phase II of a large-scale project to document and characterize plant-pollinator networks in Florida’s longleaf pine sandhills. Phase I took place in peninsular Florida, where 350 insect species were identified and 4,240 individual plant-insect interactions were recorded throughout the year. Phase II will be conducted in the eastern Panhandle throughout the 2022 growing season, with spring sampling already underway.
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 The Nature Conservancy, along with the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’ Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, the FWC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Welaka National Fish Hatchery, The Orianne Society, Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Southern Company through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, released 26 young Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi) in the conservancy’s Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve.
The April 26 release marks the sixth consecutive year that Eastern Indigo Snakes from the captive breeding program have been placed into the region. In total, 107 Eastern Indigo Snakes have been released at the ABRP.
  
 Florida’s iconic trophy bass are special – and right now there are some extra special bass swimming in the Sunshine State! To celebrate Season 10 of the TrophyCatch program, FWC FFM and FWRI biologists tagged and released 10 largemouth bass with bright pink tags in 10 different locations across the state. If caught and submitted to TrophyCatch, each tagged bass could be worth thousands of dollars in prizes!
It was a definite challenge locating candidate trophy bass in each of the selected waters and the TrophyCatch staff send a giant, heartfelt THANK YOU to each person who helped make the TrophyCatch 10-Tag celebration possible! This project moved very quickly from concept to launch statewide thanks to the skill and knowledge of FWC’s freshwater fisheries biologists within FWRI and FFM, along with the help of communications staff and leadership. This celebration for the 10th season of TrophyCatch was designed to entice anglers to explore new waters to pursue the 10 pink-tagged bass to win $6,000 in gift cards/codes, along with a chance to win an additional $10,000! This is only possible because of the partnerships the program has established over the years with Bass Pro Shops, AFTCO and many others dedicated to conservation.
For more information about the TrophyCatch program or the 10-TAG Celebration, email KP Clements at Kp.Clements@MyFWC.com
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 The long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum), is an important macroalgal grazer in Florida and the Caribbean, keeping algae populations down and allowing space for corals to grow and reproduce. These urchins experienced a massive die-off in the 1980s, leaving many of our reefs with algae problems. Some populations were slowly recovering with the help of urchin restoration programs but now there is a new threat.
Extensive long-spined urchin die-offs have been recently seen seen in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean. It has not yet been seen in Florida but we need all eyes on the ocean to know if it's made its way to our reefs. If you see any sick long-spined urchins, please submit your sightings to the Diadema Response Network. The site offers a map of known sightings and pictures.
Healthy long-spined urchins look like black pin cushions with black or black-and-white long spines. Sick urchins will have drooping spines and within a few days will lose them entirely, exposing their white skeleton (or test).
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 McKayla Spencer, Jan Fore, Ali Courtemanche and Sarah Funck with HSC‘s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program worked with partners at the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service tracking Burmese python scout snakes in Big Cypress National Preserve. Staff at Big Cypress National Preserve, along with partners, use radio telemetry to track male Burmese pythons used as scout snakes during the breeding season with the goal of having these scout males lead them to breeding females. On this outing, one of the scout males led the team to an over 11 foot, 90 pound non-scout female. The female python was removed and hiked out of Big Cypress by the team.
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  Above: Swoopin Team. Below: Mole Salamander larvae.
 FWC and FWRI biologists recently surveyed several upland restoration wetlands at Big Bend WMA’s Spring Creek Unit. The survey was part of an ongoing effort to monitor the presence of ornate chorus frogs (Pseudacris ornata), striped newts (Notophthalmus perstriatus) and gopher frogs (Lithobates capito) throughout the area. It was a beautiful day and the crew caught each of the target species, a mole salamander larvae (Ambystoma spp.) and several other species! Special thanks to Kevin Enge, Matt Fedler, Danielle Drumheller, Anna Strickland, Anna Deyle, Aaron Johnson, Blair Hayman, Mitch Haag, Cory Gillis and Josh Hendricks for their efforts!
 Striped Newts.
 
  Dan Quinn with HSC’s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program recently led efforts to bring public attention to a confirmed population of nonnative tegus in Fort Pierce, with the goal of encouraging residents to report sightings of tegus in the area to the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline. Dan spoke with reporters at a media event about the population, response efforts by the FWC and partners, and how people can help by reporting sightings. Dan also organized canvassing efforts by staff, volunteers and partners in the area to speak with residents and share outreach materials about the nonnative reptiles. Thank you to Dan and all of the staff, volunteers and partners that helped spread awareness about tegus during this effort! Learn more about tegus and other nonnative species at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives.
 Annie Roddenberry, with HSC’s Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section, was recently featured in an article on The Marine Discovery Center’s website about her ties to the site and involvement in salt marsh restoration on grounds. Annie has a unique connection with The Marine Discovery Center, an FWC partner — not only does she work out of one of the buildings there but her former high school used to be on the same grounds now occupied by the center. After going to college and grad school and joining the FWC, Annie returned to the grounds of her former high school campus to help restore a 5-acre salt marsh on-site. A salt marsh had originally existed on the same site before the high school was built in the 1960s. Talk about coming full circle! Read the full article here.
 FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton was elected as the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) President on March 10 at the SEAFWA Spring Directors meeting in Athens, Texas. SEAFWA is an organization whose members are the state agencies with primary responsibility for the management and protection of the fish and wildlife resources in 15 states and two territories. SEAFWA participates with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, other regional associations, other governmental agencies and citizens' organizations in pursuing mutual goals benefiting fish and wildlife resources and maintaing a variety of committees consisting of fish and wildlife professionals who explore and analyze a wide range of issues and factors affecting fish and wildlife resources and make recommendations as appropriate.
 Gulf Council Law Enforcement Team of the Year Award
The Gulf Council awarded the FWC’s southwest offshore patrol crew the 2022 Team of the Year award. This award recognizes a team that has exemplified professionalism while enforcing fisheries regulations in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico through public outreach, partnerships and leadership.
The Gulf Sentry crew consists of Lt. George Wells, Officer Specialists Reece Alvis and Tom Godfrey, and Officer Ed Prouty. This past year, the squad patrolled from Panama City all the way to Key West and participated in several details including mini lobster season. The team has proven highly efficient and consistently visits fish houses and works with industry representatives to improve compliance and conservation of marine resources. The officers consistently demonstrate a great commitment to Florida and are a leader among other FWC teams through their positive attitude, expertise and work ethic. The team will be honored during the June 2022 Council meeting in Fort Myers.
Two FWC employees received awards for their exemplary work from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida at the Commission meeting in Gainesville on May 3.
Rodney Barreto Employee of the Year Award
This award is named for Miami native and entrepreneur Rodney Barreto, who began his own career as a law enforcement officer and is currently Chairman of the FWC Commission.
Nominees were:
Katherine Hubbard, FWRI
Martha Guyas, MFM
James Erskine, OED
Amanda Mattair, FWRI
The award was presented to Dr. Kate Hubbard, FWRI.
Louise Ireland Humphrey Lifetime Achievement Award
The Humphrey Award recognizes FWC employees for outstanding service over their entire careers. The Louise Ireland Humphrey Achievement Award is named after the first woman appointed to serve on the board of the then-Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission in 1984. A Leon County resident and owner of Woodfield Springs Plantation, Humphrey served until 1999 and was widely lauded as a conservationist for her love of the land, particularly the Red Hills area north of Tallahassee, and for her leadership on fish and wildlife issues. The award reflects dedication to the conservation mission that guided Mrs. Humphrey and now guides the FWC.
Nominees were:
Jim Sweatman, FFM
Jack Daugherty, LE
Billy Sermons, OED
Janice Kerber, FYCCN
John Hunt, FWRI
The award was presented to John Hunt, FWRI.
Submitted nominations can be viewed at the FWC Communication and Engagement SharePoint site.
  Citizens and FWC customers were so impressed by the following employees, they told us about it through email on the "Praise an Employee" page of MyFWC.com/Contact. When your coworkers receive kudos, help share the good news by contacting Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
Patricia Brown (OSI)
Our preschool was so fortunate to take part in the educational program of activities that the Growing Up Wild curriculum provided. I would like to commend Ms. Patti (Patricia Brown) for her enthusiastic presentation of the materials that engaged our 3- and 4-year-old students each time she came to our school. We learned so much and really appreciate her dedication to wildlife! We have already scheduled our monthly visits for the upcoming school year and are excited for the learning that we know will take place! Thank you!
Officers Anthony Delatorre and Benjamin Norbrothen
I would like to acknowledge my gratefulness for the help of two FWC officers afforded me during the Ocean to Lake hiking trip I started on March 21. Hiking with my daughter and her husband, I was unable to sleep at our first campsite and was apprehensive about continuing without being able to get adequate rest. Thus, the next day I decided to exit the hike. We were hiking to an area on the trail that crossed a graded road that would allow my wife to reach me by truck. We arrived at a campsite and two FWC officers happened upon us and they recognized my distress and offered to drive me to an area off a paved road that my wife could easily find. K9 Officer Anthony Delatorre and Officer Benjamin Norbrothen are the individuals that my family and I appreciate immensely for taking the time to assist me. Without their help I do not believe my wife would have had an easy time reaching me on an unpaved road. The officers are two of FWC’s finest.
Kathy Guindon (OSI) and Suncoast Youth Conservation Center
I would like to thank you so much for hosting us last week. My science leaders RAVED about the facility, the experience, the field experience possibilities for students. So many said they were refreshed and inspired by the day. Thank you for your partnership and support!
Do you still have spots in the high school summer camp? I am hoping to collect enough in donations to sponsor a student from a school who has a love of Marine Science but cost is perhaps the only thing preventing them from attending camp. If you have spots, I’ll create an application and share it with some Marine Science teachers to select a student and get them registered.
Kathryn Guindon and Samantha Johnston (OSI)
I wanted to thank you so much for an amazing day for my students. You guys are awesome and always do such a great job!! We really appreciate you and are so happy to have this opportunity for our students. Today our students made memories that they will always cherish. Thank you for helping us change lives and educate the next generation.
Lt. Travis Hooker
While traveling back to Perry from I had a blow out on Highway 98. I am 70 years old and disabled. I was in the middle of nowhere, with log trucks going by at more than 60 mph. I called my Roadside Assistance Service and they said it would be two, maybe three hours. While on the phone with them, Travis, (after I am sure what was a long day for him, coming back from Gainesville, headed back to Crawfordville), stopped and asked if I was OK. I told him, I had called for help but he said, “Let me see if I can help.” He got out, proceeded to help me change the tire. He did 99% of the work, crawling around in the dirt, under the truck for the spare, using the silly scissor jack they give you with new cars. He went above and beyond and deserves to be recognized for his kindness. BTW: I told him I used to live in Apalachicola: turns out I knew his mom! She would be proud of the way he stepped up to help! Thank you, Travis!
Capt. Thomas VanTrees
He was assisting us with an Honor Guard detail along with several other officers and he was more than willing to assist as well as teach me and my team some pointers having to do with ceremony. He was professional, courteous and very enjoyable to be around and work with. He went out of his way without question to make sure everything went well. Capt. VanTrees and the others reflected highly on your Agency and what it stands for.
Lt. Bradley Givens and Officer Specialist David Read
The call came in at the end of our workday on Friday. Just outside the entrance to a neighborhood, near our office, a gator was walking in the roadway. Of course, there were a dozen people trying to get a picture and it was time for school buses to offload as well. The most I could do was try to keep people away from the gator, but he was agitated and mobile. How glad I was to see Officer Read roll up and then Lt. Givens arrived to save us all from the gator and the gator from us! The closest trapper was several hours away so Officer Read and Lt Givens had to step in and get the job done. They were able to safely contain and transport the gator to another location to be released. I really appreciate the hard work these guys put in every day! They are always there to assist to get the job done or even just lend some good advice.
  Congratulations to the following employees for reaching 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC.
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30 Years
Doug Robertson, FWRI
20 Years
Randall Brooks, LE
15 Years
Jennifer Goff, HSC
Bob Gorecki, FWRI
Kyle Miller, MFM (19 total years)
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5 Years
Vanessa Abbassi, FBO
Vincent Deem, FWRI
Leon Dugan, FBO
Morgan Richardson, HGM
JoAnn Taylor, LE
Stephanie Winn, FWRI
Retired!
Bonnie Abellera, HSC – 35 years
Lt. Pam Steelman, LE – 28 years
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(The FWC has a great many non-FTE employees, and they deserve recognition for reaching 5-year milestones too. Unfortunately, the system doesn't keep track of such statistics; but we don't want that to stop us. If you know of a non-FTE employee about to reach a 5-year milestone, please notify the Inside Job by email.) |
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FWC employees have some of the most interesting jobs ever! Here are some of our employees doing what they do best. Send your photos of FWC employees in the office and in the field to Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
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 On April 22, Southwest Region office received a call for assistance from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office regarding an overdue hiker in Estero Bay State Park, Lee County. A 65-year-old female had been hiking the trails when she had gotten separated from her partner and was now missing. FWC officers along with numerous partner agencies began to search the more than 11,000 acres of trails, mangroves and marshland that make up the park. Using specialized equipment including ATVs, drones and helicopters equipped with infrared technology, the multi-agency search crews finally spotted her after nearly seven hours. She was awake and alert but severely dehydrated and exhausted. The terrain she was found in was an unforgiving mix of swamp/marsh, mangrove roots and water. The group of FWC officers who ultimately reached her made their way through half a mile of soft, thigh-deep mud and heavy vegetation. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital where she was expected to make a complete recovery. Officers Hazelwood, Garcia, Midolo, Guy, Hurst, Rogers, Arbogast and Lt. Barrett all acted quickly, tirelessly and as a team with our partners to save her life! Well done all!
 The woman who our officers assisted in Estero Bay State Park (Lee County) the week prior asked if she could meet with the officers to shake their hands and show her appreciation. She gave the officers a handwritten thank-you card and the officers, in return, gave her an FWC challenge coin.
 Staff from Escribano Point WMA, The Longleaf Alliance and Virginia Tech at a recent site visit learning about new methodologies to restore ephemeral wetland habitat.
 WHM Biological Scientist, Christine Slowiak, monitoring an active bald eagle nest at Escribano Point WMA.
 Elysia Dytrych, Lead Area Biologist for Lake Wales Ridge WEA, takes a quick reprieve from ignition on a prescribed burn. Special thanks to Joseph Sage (HSC-CPS/LAP) for the use of the hydra-trek and for taking the picture.
 HSC-WHM Biologist Abby Henke and volunteer Miranda Holton checking a southeastern American kestrel nest box at Chassahowitzka WMA looking for eggs, using a wireless peeper camera and monitor.
 Melisa Thompson, Lead Area Biologist for Chassahowitzka WMA, and Mike Cottingham (HSC-PASO) inspect recently installed culverts
 Steve Shattler, Lead Area Biologist for Platt Branch WEA, works to remove red-cockaded woodpecker nestlings from a cavity.
 Elysia Dytrych (HSC-WHM) holds three newly-banded red-cockaded woodpecker nestlings on Platt Branch WEA.
 Matt Dallavalle, Wildlife Technician, puts the finishing touches on a new gate at Orange Hammock WMA.
 Matt Dallavalle, Wildlife Technician, uses a tractor and chain coupler to remove old fenceposts at Orange Hammock WMA.
 FWC and DOT staff, as well as representatives from the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and fStop Foundation, look at a new wildlife crossing being built under I-4 adjacent to the Osprey Unit of Hilochee WMA.
 WHM Biological Scientist, Christine Slowiak, conducting annual cultural site assessments at Escribano Point WMA.
 WHM Fish and Wildlife Technician Robbie Neighbors conducting a prescribed burn on Aucilla WMA.
 Above: Kristen Eser at Central Florida Outdoor Expo. Below: Charlie Gardner teaching kids about fish and wildlife at Central Florida Outdoor Expo.
 MFM, FFM and LE participated in three large Outdoor Expo and Boat shows throughout the state in an effort to promote FWC’s fish and wildlife research and management programs, engage Florida stakeholders, and educate the public about fish and wildlife conservation. These events included both indoor and outdoor displays that highlighted FWC’s Angler Recognition Programs including TrophyCatch and Catch a Florida Memory. MFM sported their newest 20-foot Sport Fish Restoration display and hosted a catch-and-release skill station to demonstrate proper fish handling and release techniques. LE also had table displays along with the Wildlife Alert Trailer, which is an all-inclusive museum style exhibit to show the wildlife diversity in Florida and the role LE plays in resource management and protection.
Thanks goes out to all the FWC staff and volunteers who worked these events, we successfully engaged nearly 30,000 Florida stakeholders. The three outdoor expos were Central Florida Outdoor Expo in Brooksville, News Channel 8 Outdoor Expo in Tampa and the Florida Outdoor Expo in West Palm Beach.
 News Channel 8 Outdoor Expo with Law Enforcement and Gina Russo.
 On April 2, Southwest Region Officer Rob Hardgrove stopped a vessel at Lavender Boat Ramp in Bokeelia (Lee County) in reference to a resource inspection. Officer Hardgrove found the subject in possession of 18 stone crab traps and one blue crab trap with varying trap numbers assigned. Of the 18 stone crab traps, six of them were registered to the operator and the remaining 12, along with the blue crab trap, were registered commercially or recreationally to other fishermen. When asked if he had any crabs or claws in his possession, the operator said no. Upon further inspection, 26 stone crab claws, 17 of which were undersized, were found. In addition to the claws, Officer Hardgrove found 28 whole stone crabs, four of which were egg bearing females, as well as one undersized sheepshead. The subject was arrested, his vessel and traps were seized, and he was charged accordingly. Great job, Rob!
 
 On April 16, the Southwest Region’s Senior Officer Tim Hinds responded to an anonymous complaint of a subject potentially illegally netting in Manatee County. Officer Hinds quickly arrived on scene, began surveillance from a concealed location and coordinated with fellow Officer Ryan Miller to stage nearby. Officer Hinds watched the subjects for approximately an hour as they deployed a gill net and multiple cast nets to catch various fish. Both officers converged on the fisherman and uncovered a total of 27 fish located in coolers that included snook, sheepshead, spadefish, jack crevalle, mullet and sand bream. Four subjects were arrested and a total of four felonies and 12 misdemeanors were issued.
 On April 19, Southwest Region Officer Jeremy Birchfield and PIO Adam Brown conducted an outreach at the Babcock Ranch Neighborhood School for the entire second grade. They spoke with three classes (60+ children) on freshwater and marine fisheries, reducing our ecological footprint, responsible pet ownership and good fishing practices.
   The 27th annual Tenoroc Youth Fishing Derby was held Saturday, April 2, at Tenoroc Public Use Area’s Derby Lake. More than 250 youth, parents, volunteers, staff and exhibitors participated in this year’s event, with 80 rods and reels provided by the Fish Florida Fishing Equipment Grant given away to youth who completed the event’s four education stations. Participants also had the opportunity to fish Derby Lake during the license-free freshwater fishing weekend, compete in a casting contest and visit with several partner agencies at their booths. Many of this event’s anglers were learning to fish for the very first time, while others were visiting Tenoroc Public Use Area for the first time, or learning new skills such as knot tying.
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of many FWC divisions and offices, including DFFM, HSC, FYCCN, DLE, and the Southwest Regional Office staff. The McKeel Academy Fishing Team was also on hand to assist anglers with their catches.
A special thank you to Paolo Pecora, FFM, for coordinating this great event!
 
Throughout the month, Southwest Regional officers participated in several legs of the 2022 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, running in Charlotte, Lee and Hillsborough counties. This was a great way to show support for a wonderful cause while continuing to build relationships with our partners and community. The workout wasn’t too bad either.
            
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Deadline for the June issue is Friday, May 27.
The Inside Job is a monthly newsletter featuring
the employees and programs of the FWC.
Send your submissions, comments and questions to Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
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