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 In 2018, Hurricane Michael depleted the Chipola River’s shoal bass population by more than 90%. Since then, the FWC has worked to restore the population and, earlier this year, stocked 3,300 fingerlings into the Chipola River. Biologists sampled the Chipola River in September to evaluate the stocking. DNA testing on shoal bass in the Chipola River confirmed that 65% of yearlings sampled were stocked by our hatchery.
The goal of raising and releasing these fish is to enhance the wild population of shoal bass to help maintain the population’s genetic purity and aid in the long-term conservation of this unique black bass species. The Chipola River is home to the Florida’s only reproducing population of shoal bass and is potentially the species’ most genetically pure population that still lives within its native range.
Learn more about the FWC’s work with Shoal Bass.
 It takes a lot of effort to maintain the miles of trails on our wildlife management area system for the public to enjoy. Now thanks to well trained volunteers, we will have additional helping hands. PASO’s Public Access and Regional Volunteer Program Biologists have been working together to conduct field training days, including a field day for volunteers to learn chainsaw basics and safety. Volunteer Program Biologists Amy Compare (NE Region), Graysen Boehning (South Region) and Rhett Barker (NW Region) worked with Alachua Conservation Trust to help clear trees on one of their preserves and become more comfortable with safely using chainsaws and in developing skills to lead volunteer trail crews. Once trained, volunteers will follow a prescribed monitoring process and will be able to complete basic trail maintenance, assuring the trails will be safe and accessible to the many visitors on our WMA system.
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 FWC scientists are using long-term deployable cameras to better understand lobster behavior in lobster traps. We are tracking the fate of tagged lobsters to see if they:
- Escape.
- Die from predation.
- Die from stress.
- Remain in traps until harvest.
Of the 631 days of video we’ve recorded thus far, researchers have seen less than 2% of the tagged lobsters escape each day, sometimes with the help of other animals.
Watch all three episodes of our Lobster TrapCam project.
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 Due to the storm arriving in late September, most of the season’s nests had already hatched. Loggerhead and green turtle nests were most affected, as leatherbacks nests hatched earlier in the year. Preliminary statewide data indicate a minimum of approximately 2,200 loggerhead nests (less than 2% of the projected 2022 total) and 8,000 green turtle nests (roughly 21% of the projected 2022 total) were still incubating in areas significantly impacted by the storm, where all nests were likely lost due to erosion or inundation. Fortunately, sea turtles have a nesting strategy that accommodates for such natural events. Each female lays several nests throughout the nesting season, hedging her bets to make sure that even if a storm hits at some point, there is a high probability at least a few of the nests will incubate successfully. In addition, we have reports that turtles continued to nest in several areas around the state following the storm. Thankfully, no storm season is a total loss for Florida’s sea turtles!
Photos by Tara Dodson and David Anderson
FWC's Hunting and Game management staff partnered with the University of Florida, Delta Waterfowl University Hunting Program and the NWTF Gator Gobbler Chapter to offer students mentored waterfowl and deer hunting opportunities.
 UF students interested in participating in Delta Waterfowl’s university program took a hunter safety course with Ashley Williams, North Central Region hunter safety regional coordinator, to learn about firearm safety, wingshooting, waterfowl identification and responsible hunting. Seventeen students and three faculty participated in early teal season on private land in Clewiston. Delta Waterfowl supplied each student with a shotgun, waders and camouflage clothes. Arielle Callender, South Region public information coordinator and Officer Tyson Matthews, South Region public information officer, were at the hunt and captured waterfowl hunting photos to support HGM messaging for its website, e-blasts, presentations and more.
 In addition, on Oct. 15, HGM staff (Becky Peters, Holli Nichols, Tyler Allen, Will Burnett, Jarred Johnson and Ashley Williams) hosted the fourth annual Deer Hunting 101 workshop at Austin Cary Forest in Gainesville while Karen Parker, North Central Region public information coordinator, took photos. The workshop featured information about safe responsible hunting; wild game processing and cooking; and wildlife conservation. It also included hands-on opportunities to use a crossbow. Twenty-two students from the workshop were awarded the opportunity to participate in a mentored deer hunt with the NWTF Gator Gobblers scheduled for Nov 4-6 and Dec 2-4.
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 As the first cold front of the season spread to Suncoast Youth Conservation Center in Apollo Beach, SYCC partners from Tampa Electric (TECO) arrived for a tour of the Florida Conservation and Technology Center campus. The TECO Business Planning team, led by Business Planning Manager Michal Martino, traveled to each facility on-site including the FWC’s Marine Fisheries Enhancement Center and Youth Conservation Center, The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center and the University of Florida’s Diadema laboratory where they were given a short presentation by a representative from each. The tours were followed by a brief kayaking excursion through Newman Branch Creek up to the wildlife observation tower where our visitors earned a better view of the entire campus. These visits by decision makers are incredibly important to better understand the long-term benefits of immersive outdoor educational experiences for youth.
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 The Cecil M. Webb Public Shooting Range recently reopened, thanks to the post-hurricane recovery work and leadership by facility staff. Hurricane Ian eroded the backstop and damaged the roof at the 100-yard rifle range. HGM contractor Ray Lawson led a crew that consisted of range manager Phillip “Buzzy” Bazydlo and other HGM staff – Will Burnett, Jason Tackett, TJ Koenig, Kyle Schutte and Susan Rutkowski – to clean up storm debris, repair the eroded backstop, remove what remained of the old roof and help install a new one.
“I am grateful for the extra hands and everyone working together to clean up the debris and install the new rifle range roof,” said Buzzy. “What would have taken us two days only took two-and-a-half hours.”
This range is one of 11 FWC-managed shooting ranges around the state that safely supporting the needs of recreational target shooters, hunters and hunter safety students.
 This September’s roundup collected 7,500 urchins - the second most of any round up. Our biggest event being last September with 23,900 urchins collected. Over the past two years, we’ve had 132 participants collect almost 40,000 urchins.
 An overabundance of sea urchins (Lytechinus spp.) in St. Joseph Bay is destroying turtle grass beds by overgrazing. A new seagrass protection and restoration project is underway in the Panhandle to jump start the natural recovery of seagrass. The FWC and Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserve (CPAP) held the fourth sea urchin roundup last month to remove the sea urchins from active grazing fronts. The animals are released in deeper areas of the bay at a distance from grazed areas.
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   The bond between Southwest Region FWC officers and staff is stronger than ever in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Teams of officers and biologists have traveled the affected counties to provide aid and support to FWC employees and their families. Gun belts were replaced with chainsaws and waders with hammers, as our local teams cleared debris, cut back and removed trees, tarped roofs, and removed drywall and insulation. For many, this has been the most challenging time of their lives but our FWC family has stepped up and shown the ability to rally support like no other. A special thanks is owed to the many officers, biologists and command staff who have shown tremendous support to our Southwest team as well. Thank you all! #FWC_Family
   FWC reminds owners unable to salvage their vessels after Hurricane Ian waivers are still available
It’s Manatee Awareness month: FWC reminds boaters to go slow, look out below
FWC continues to assess thousands of vessels 1 month after Hurricane Ian landfall
Update: FWC’s freshwater fisheries conservation efforts show success for shoal bass
 Excerpt of an Interview with Chief of Staff Jessica Crawford
Stephen S: We have a great history in the CoS role. Before we get too far, we need to talk about Hurricane Ian. Our agency, our team members have been going through a lot over the past month or so. Can you speak about the agency’s response to the storm, especially in your role?
Jessica C: In Florida, during hurricane season, we have to be prepared for anything. Once we knew Ian would impact Florida, we prepared as much as possible but then had to wait to see how to respond. So many of our people were impacted and everything shifted. What I thought my priorities were going to be in my first few weeks changed. Nothing was as important as helping our people and getting them what they needed.
Executive Director Eric Sutton and I were able to be hands-on in the Southwest Region with Regional Director Allie McCue and Regional Commander Rob Rowe after the storm. We called people to ask what we could do and let them know we were in the area. We dropped off ice, helped clean up tree limbs, brought generators… Every team member, every family, had different needs and of course you felt like there was always more to do. Despite the need, seeing the overall agency response, Law Enforcement’s deployment and employees helping each other was inspiring. Having that connection to our team and being positioned to help during this time made me feel very lucky to be in this role.
Stephen S: It was good to hear you speak more about the agency’s response in the All-Staff meeting and of course from Eric and Chairman Barreto in their video message. It does seem like we’re turning a corner here, with a lot of people still affected, but a large part of the agency getting back to the day-to-day business of running conservation in the state. What do your days look like?
Jessica C: Every day is different, it’s never boring. In this role, I deal with a lot of the administrative matters that keep the agency running. From leases and contracts to meeting with team members to address the variety of challenges we face, each day is about finding solutions to keep the agency running efficiently. I’m a part of several teams including the Executive Leadership team, Senior Leadership team and others to keep tabs on what’s going on across the agency. It’s important to be involved in these teams and be in those meetings so when something needs to be addressed, I’m already aware of the situation and background. The days are filled with meetings, but it’s been a great way to continue to get to know the agency as a whole.
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  The PASO Planning & Design Section won the Carl V. Anderson Conservation Project Award of Honor this year for the Blue Springs Restoration Project. This national award, given by the Association of Conservation Engineers, recognizes ACE members for outstanding projects in conservation engineering. Taylor Kroll, PE was honored as the force behind this project. PASO worked with Ed Hays and Annie Roddenberry of the Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration section on the project. The objective of this project was to improve access for manatees. Hundreds of manatees visit the spring every year as a thermal refuge during cold weather. Excessive sedimentation on the spring bottom was reducing the cross-sectional area of the spring and bank failures were resulting in trees falling into the spring, making it harder for manatees to navigate and creating hazards that could entrap them. The project had many challenges, including a restricted construction window and coordination with multiple stakeholders. Project partners included the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Parks Department and Volusia County. Construction involved stabilization of the bank along several failure zones with a design that provided a natural aesthetic, as well as constructing bank stabilization measures at the spring head. (blue springs & taylor)
  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.
Officers Harry Balgo and Caleb Hallsten
I wanted to send my appreciation to Officers Hallsten and Balgo for assisting with the FSFA Jetty Park Fishing Clinic on Saturday Oct. 22. They assisted with the safety and awareness training station and were a great asset to the event.
Officers Esteban Blyar, Matt Johnston, Rick Klobuchar, Tom Wesche, Andy Polaszek, Adam Brown, Lt. Steven Stasko, Lt. Jeff Goggin
I am an 88-year-old woman living in Rotonda West. I fortunately evacuated from my home during Hurricane Ian. Upon return I witnessed the horror of my home and neighborhood where the canals had flooded the area into all our homes from 6 inches to a foot of water. It destroyed our trees, pool areas, etc. I have no insurance and was at a loss on where to even start. Fortunately, my grandson is an FWC officer and he told me not to worry, that a group of strong capable guys were coming to help. Six trucks pulled up on my street and this amazing group of officers jumped out of them and went to work. They chainsawed, picked up debris, climbed trees to cut down dangerous branches and made my outside yard amazing. The took down a palm tree that had landed on my roof. What an amazing group of public servants work for FWC Law Enforcement. My daughter-in-law is typing this so I can make it clear how much this group means to me. They deserve all the praise and thanks I can give. Thank you FWC for being there for the community. By the way, I was told that this was the sixth location that had been to that day. Impressive!!!!!!!!
Officers Adam Brown Arielia Devine, Bradley Johnson, Michael Morrison and Lt. Jeff Goggin
We are survivors of Hurricane Ian. The aftermath of the storm was horrific and traumatizing to us and all our neighbors in the Boca Grande-Placida Area. Thankfully we did not get the 16-foot storm surge that was predicted, but we did get the eye wall wind that at one point hit 170 mph. It totally drilled one side of our house and took down our beautiful trees around the house. We had no idea where to start when we got a call that a group of FWC officers were on their way to help. Four trucks showed up and went to work. They cleaned up debris, cut trees, tore and ripped a deck out and gave us comfort that we were not alone. I cannot say enough about these individuals. They are professional, hardworking and really care. If I could talk to Governor DeSantis to tell him how much these state police officers mean to our community, I would do it in a heartbeat!!! We love these guys!! Thank you so much!!!!!!
Officer Adam Brown
Adam Brown brought a team of FWC officers and helped clean up trees and debris. These men and women worked tirelessly and went from home to home. We cannot thank these public servants enough. They make a difference in all our lives. Thank you!!!
Officer Markiel Curbelo
My boyfriend and I were so lost in the state forest and were uneducated about the rules and this officer was absolutely the nicest guy ever and helped us out so much. He was so genuine, respectful and kind. Great officer with a lot of knowledge and supportive help. Honestly felt so safe and protected and not judged for being so ignorant. Restored my faith in humanity. Never met an officer so knowledgeable and nice as this man.
Tony Young, HGM
Tony went above and beyond to provide background information about the WMA and was inquiring about. Gave me information about places to stay and best times to hunt. He also answered all of the questions I had and made himself available for future questions. I am now looking forward to my hunting trip more than I was before I called him.
 Congratulations to the following employees for reaching 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC.
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25 Years
Tim Coughlin, HSC
20 Years
James Adams, LE
Andrea Boliek-Walker, HGM
Matthew Chop, FWRI
Larame Ferry, HSC
Kari Rood, FWRI
Travis Tuten, FWRI
15 Years
LaWanda McCarter, IT
10 Years
Jeremy Fowler, HSC
Darbie Gibson LE
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5 Years
Avery Bristol, CR
Mark Jenkins, HSC
Michael Pravata, HSC
Laura Tennant, FWRI
Brittany Waters, OLP
Retired!
Carla Lambert, OED –
41 years, 4 months
Lt. Robert S. Bratton, LE –
22 Years
Anita Kramer, FWRI –
18 years, 5 months
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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 Oct. 11, Community Relations staff Avery Bristol, Jeremy Ashmore and Terrell "TJ" Jones took photos and shot video at the Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area of the following deer hunting models: Kristen Griffin (FYCCN), Justin VanGorder (HSC-WHM) and his son Ryan, Robbie Neighbors (HSC-WHM), FAMU student Adrian Wilson, David Jones of Sportsability Alliance and Cordell Jeter of EcoRover Chairs. These images will be used to support HGM messaging about providing safe, sustainable hunting opportunities as well as showcase new ways hunters with disabilities can access hunting opportunities. A big thank you for everyone who participated in this important effort!
 Halloween celebrations! Above: Elizabeth Kamerick, LE. Below: Savanah Boldt, LE.
  Above: Divida Schissler, LE. Below: Landon Ailstock, HSC.
 Danielle Devine, WHM Lead Area Biologist and Darryl Sweetay, WHM Fish and Wildlife Technician from J. W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area participated in Fire Fest, which was put on by Jonathon Dickinson State Park. They brought two swamp buggies from Corbett WMA that are used in the prescribed fire program within the WMA. These buggies were used to give rides to festival goers to help provide education about how important prescribed fire is in the state of Florida.
Above: Photo of a prescribed burn demonstration taken from atop a swamp buggy. On the masthead: Danielle Devine returning from a tour on a swamp buggy
 Above: Darryl Sweetay driving a group around on a swamp buggy. Below: Danielle Devine prepping for Fire Fest by cleaning the swamp buggies.
  Above: Darryl Sweetay retuning with a group on blue buggy. Below: Darryl Sweetay explaining to a Jonathan Dickinson State Park volunteer how FWC uses swamp buggies for prescribed fire.
 Southwest Region Officer Gabby Midolo worked with local USCG personnel to provide a tour of hurricane-affected Pine Island to the media crew of The Weather Channel. This helped highlight the devastation and assistance needed for the hardworking fishing communities of Matlacha, St. James City and Bokeelia.
 FWC leadership, including Assistant Executive Director Thomas Eason, Southwest Regional Director Allie McCue and South Regional Director Thomas Reinert, joined with local LE members of the Southwest Region and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to assess the displaced vessels and overall damage caused by Hurrican Ian.
 Southwest Region FWC officers have been joined by a team of 15 additional officers from around the state to process the considerable number of displaced vessels in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Over 6,000 vessels are estimated to be displaced from the storm and our officers are working diligently daily to remove these vessels from the environment. Even our local K-9 “Jenny” helped out!
 Northeast Region officers deployed to Lee County for disaster assistance worked with staff from DEP to assess and document oil, fuel and hazardous materials that potentially spilled into the waterways along Fort Myers Beach. Several teams were deployed using airboats, johnboats and FWC’s Fat Truck to evaluate these areas so that mitigation can begin.
 Southwest Region officers were quick to respond when the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office requested FWC assistance regarding a missing person on a private ranch in Zolfo Springs. A 72-year-old female had been tending to her cattle when she left on a side-by-side to return to her house but she never made it home. When family members began to search, they found her side-by-side stuck on a creek bank but she was nowhere to be found. Law enforcement crews, along with numerous members of the community, began an expansive search of the 1,000-acre property, along with the neighboring properties. After nearly 24 hours of searching using trucks, swamp buggies, ATVs, drones, helicopters, horses and K-9s, she was found safe. This is a great example of interagency cooperation and coordination, led by FWC Capt. Tracy Bontrager, which likely saved a life. Well done Southwest FWC!
 Southwest Region Senior Capt. Guy Carpenter, along with FWRI’s Timyn Rice and Boating and Waterways Phil Horning, train local and statewide officers on the new VADR application for processing displaced vessels from Hurricane Ian. Officers are using this app to quickly and efficiently assess, document and investigate vessels that have become derelict due to the storm.
 Bay County officers David Brady and Nicole Basford inspected a charter vessel returning to shore at Grand Lagoon in Panama City and discovered five undersize gray triggerfish, two undersize gag grouper and an undersize red snapper. The boat’s captain was issued four resource citations for the violations.
 Lt. John Allen participated in Patronis Elementary School’s Trunk or Treat on Oct. 21 in Panama City Beach. Over 300 children and parents attended the outreach event.
 Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network regional coordinators Keaton Fish (pictured) and JoVan McNeill recently observed a partner’s Kids’ Fishing Clinic, hosted at the Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex in the City of Lakeland. Eight youth were guided through the Fishing Florida booklet before going outside to participate in a backyard bass casting game. After an informative day on ethical angling, the kids gathered their knot tying kits and headed behind the facility to Lake Crago, where they spent the rest of the afternoon fishing. This was a good example of seeing first-hand the impacts a hands-on workshop can have on the next generation of Florida fishing youth.
 Each year, Gina Long, the Project WILD Coordinator from FYCCN, visits the Rollins College campus in Winter Park to lead a science methods class for pre-service educators. Through this connection, college students who will go on to become teachers were able to receive training and certification in this national wildlife curriculum. This special connection has been established for years at Rollins and at several other college campuses across Florida. Project WILD training is offered to FWC staff annually with another opportunity coming next Spring in 2023. Visit Project WILD to learn more!
 HSC-WHM staff (clockwise from left: Jacob Larsson, Lead Area Biologist for Holey Land and Rotenberger WMAs; Josiah Freese, Lead Area Biologist for Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA; Jackie Bucheck, Land Conservation Planner; Clara Boyas, Land Conservation Planner; Eric Suarez, South Region Conservation Biologist; and Nicholas Coppock, Land Conservation Planner) conduct a site visit during the management planning process for the Everglades Complex of WMAs.
 Colleen Closius,HSC-WHM District Biologist for Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land and Rotenberger WMAs, leads a field discussion on habitat management activities, wildlife surveys and fire in the Everglades Complex of WMAs as part of the management planning process.
 Officer Dennis Palmer, a 23-year veteran with FWC, on ATV patrol on Tyndall Air Force Base Critical Wildlife Area.
 A crew from North Central Region HSC-WHM (Biological Scientist II Cade Chaney, and Fish and Wildlife Technicians Corey Cremata and Jacob Arnold) traveled to Babcock/Webb WMA to assist with cleanup following Hurricane Ian. They spent the week removing trees from roads and firelines, and repairing fences, ultimately helping the staff at Babcock/Webb avoid losing ground on their prescribed burning program as a result of Hurricane Ian.
 Lauren Ali, Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail Coordinator, receives a lesson from David Jones, founder of the Sportsability Alliance, on the operation of the Eco-rover, a specialized device allowing those with mobility impairments access to Florida’s outdoors. David showcased the chair to tourism professions at the recent Explore Northwest Florida meeting. Explore Northwest Florida, a Destination Marketing Organization of Panhandle tourism offices, was formed with the assistance of the FWC and provides a platform for the counties to work together to promote the area's natural, historical and cultural resources.
 Officer Josh Beck helping with Hurricane Ian rescues.
 Disaster Response Team assisting staff with clearing debris and doing temporary home repairs.
  Alyssa Auger works to reposition a dock.
 Disaster Response Team members Officer Art Morrow, DRT Tim Canavan, Stacey Lamborn, Tom Graef and Alyssa Auger.
 Law Enforcement Officers Nicole and Travis Basford attended a trunk or treat outreach event at Mosley High School in Lynn Haven on October 29. They handed out candy and interacted with the public. More than 1,500 kids are estimated to have attended the event.
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The deadline for the Nov. 21 issue is Nov. 14.
The Inside Job is a bi-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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