CHECPOINT - Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center
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CHECPOINT
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc.
Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE
Our CEO welcomes you to CHEC.
PG. 2
Our wildly popular Wild Wednesday series is
back! See the schedule and more information
here.
PG. 3
Walk our trails with one of our new CHEC
family trail bags. Read more here.
PG. 4
Come see the Baldwins’ art exhibit at our
Caniff Welcome Center – from now through “Nature Through Our Eyes”
Easter! Closing reception on February 21,
2019, from 5 – 7 p.m. Art Exhibit by Barbara Archer-Baldwin – Acrylics & Pastels
&
PG. 5 John Baldwin - Photographs
……and more!
CHEC wishes to thank former CEO, Jim Thomson, for the
CHEC Receives generous donation of a 2006 Nissan Frontier pickup truck in
Another Meaningful very good condition. The sale of the vehicle further enabled
CHEC to continue to provide environmental education,
Donation through a variety of means, to children and adults in the
greater Charlotte Harbor area.
Welcome TO THE CHARLOTTE HARBOR
ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
From
Doris Button, Chief Executive Officer
The Alligator Creek Preserve in Punta Gorda is the most well known and most frequently visited nature
park of the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. It is located on a State Buffer Preserve, which
includes the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve along the western border. This site is owned by the State
of Florida and a portion is leased to the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center for educational and
passive recreational purposes. The main attraction at the preserve is the area’s four (4) nature trails.
Year-round volunteers offer interpretive trail walks to the public free of charge. The Charles E. Caniff
Visitors’ reception center, which is elevated above the natural surroundings, offers an excellent view of
native Florida habitat. The Center overlooks an uplands ecosystem, including a pond that is home to
alligators, soft shell turtles and fish. Inside the Center are exhibits describing the natural ecosystems in
the area. Other facilities on site include a screened picnic pavilion, our gift shop and museum of artifacts,
a Florida friendly native plant garden and a Florida friendly native coop for purchasing native plants.
Cedar Point Park in Englewood is the last remaining large tract of environmentally undisturbed land on
Lemon Bay. This sensitive parcel contains samples of most Southwest Florida Coastal ecological systems.
For this reason, the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners purchased the land in 1989.
Because the management and operation of a specialized facility like Cedar Point Park is unique and
requires a special understanding of the physical characteristics of the site, as well as the educational
opportunities it affords, the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center was contracted by Charlotte County to
develop and manage the parcel in December of 1993. Cedar Point Park is perhaps best known for being
home to bald eagles which have built two nests on the 88-acre site. The nesting eagles and their young
eaglets are protected through the establishment of 750 foot “limited use” zones to prevent human
encroachment. While the eagles and their young are protected species in Florida, the resident eagles and
their nests can be viewed from a safe and legal distance through pre-set viewing tubes along the Tortoise
trail. The eagles normally nest from October through May, therefore certain trails may be closed during
these months.
We welcome you to enjoy nature at either park. Sign up for a free interpretive nature hike, visit our gift
shop, contemplate wild flowers, browse environmental displays and museums, view nature videos, picnic
in the screen room or simply commune with nature while walking the trails.
Please consider a membership to CHEC. Call a member of the CHEC staff today at 941-575-5435 to sign
up or use the convenient Friends of CHEC form on page 15 of this newsletter.
Thank you!
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 2
WILD WEDNESDAYS ARE BACK!
Beginning on November 7, 2018 and ending on April 3, 2019, you'll see Animals Behaving Badly,
Nature's Miniature Miracles, Lightning!, and much more, presented by our ever-popular Master
Naturalist, Cindy Christel. Come join us for these entertaining and educational shows, which are free
and open to the public. Enjoy a lively discussion at the end of the film. We’ll see you there!
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 3
CHEC Family Trail Bags
Written by Zane Hendrickson, FSWC Class of 2019
President of the CHEC Ambassador Program
Interested in learning about our local Florida wildlife and environment? What better way to
do this than by checking out CHEC’s new family trail bags?
The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) is a non-profit organization that manages
environmentally sensitive lands with trails and provides educational programs for youth. The family trail
bags/backpacks were created by CHEC’s very own Ambassadors. The CHEC Ambassador program is a
volunteer opportunity for young adolescents to gain work skills and community service hours.
Each family trail bag was designed with a specific theme. Some of our current themes include Florida’s
local animals, birds and plants, with many more themes to come.
Each bag contains specific items that correlate with its theme. For example, some of the items found in
the “Animal Bag” include a pamphlet on animals and the signs they leave behind, such as tracks and scat.
Children can play detective and solve the case of the mysterious animal that was once occupying the trail
that they’re on. A bingo based on the local Florida wildlife and their signs helps increase a family’s bond
and their knowledge of our wildlife. This bag also includes a toy for the small children to both play with and
learn the anatomy of the animal on a more personalized level. The purpose of the family trail bags is to
generate more excitement for families who wish to get out and explore and enjoy CHEC’s nature trails.
Come on out
to CHEC!
Grab a bag!
Go on an
adventure!
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 4
“NATURE THROUGH OUR EYES” Art Exhibit
John and Barbara Archer-Baldwin
CHEC hosted an opening reception for John and Barbara Archer-Baldwin’s “Nature Through Our Eyes” art
exhibit on Thursday, November 15, 2018, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Caniff Welcome Center at CHEC
Punta Gorda.
Approximately 25 people enjoyed light refreshments and finger food while browsing the generous and
inspiring exhibit. John Baldwin spoke of his love for nature photography and his deep appreciation for
Barbara’s work, and how blending, or “enhancing” the two has provided a new and striking dimension to
their artistry. In addition, Barbara demonstrated her painting techniques and form.
Most of the exhibit items are for sale, as are two associated book volumes of compilations and one “how
to paint” volume. Come see these beautiful paintings, photographs, and enhancements!
Above: John Baldwin speaks to the attendees.
oresses the attendees.
A closing reception will be held on February 21, 2019, from
5 – 7 p.m. The exhibit, however, will continue to be Above: Barbara Archer-Baldwin works on
available for viewing until Easter 2019. If you are coming a painting while guests watch.
specifically to see the exhibit, please call us first at 941-
575-5435 to confirm access to the Caniff Welcome Center.
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 5
Continuing Education at CHEC: 4th Grade Field Trips
“Look! There are dolphins!!”
Squeals of delight filled the air, and a tidal wave of students rushed to
one side. There they were – Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, joyously jumping
through waves created by the boat, doing acrobatic flips as they moved.
The students stared, mesmerized. After some of the excitement subsided,
it was a perfect time for a teaching moment. “Let’s talk about dolphins.
What do they eat?”
This is just one example of what a 4th grader can experience on their
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center field trip. CHEC’s oldest program,
supported by Charlotte County and the Charlotte County Public School
system, ensures that every 4th grader in Charlotte County Public Schools
is given the opportunity to participate in two separate field trip days – one
day hiking though forest habitat and another day on a boat ride in
Charlotte Harbor. Field trips delve into the habitats found here and the
importance of each one. During the hike, students look for animal tracks
in the mud. They identify and touch several types of vines and trees. If we
are lucky, they see a snake or alligator basking in the sun! The boat trip
allows students to discover an estuary ecosystem. They perform hands-on
experiments to determine properties of brackish water. They look at and
Above and below: 4th graders touch real biofacts such as sea shells, sponges, and vertebrate skulls.
learn about aquatic life on one of Using magnifying glasses, students observe live plankton and discuss why
Kingfisher Fleet’s excellent
marine vessels from Fishermen’s
it is a key part of the estuary food web. And of course, there is a chance to
Village in Punta Gorda. spot dolphins.
During these field trips, students discover our natural resources and how
everything is connected. It is a vital part of their curriculum, which is why
CHEC has worked hard to support this program over the decades. These
immersive experiences hopefully spark an appreciation for nature, one
that will last a lifetime.
Right: 4th graders hike
CHEC Punta Gorda’s
Three Lakes trail and stop
for a teaching moment
beside the lovely lake.
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 6
CHEC Salutes its Dedicated Volunteers with its Annual
“Thanks for Giving” Luncheon
Thanksgiving is a pleasant time of year. The air is crisp, the heat is finally subsiding, and the migratory
birds (both the feathered and non-feathered variety) are returning. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get
together with friends and express gratitude. One of the things we are IMMENSELY grateful for is our CHEC
volunteers!
CHEC hosts a “Thanks-for-Giving” event each year - an annual tradition that takes place the week after
Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving Day has ended and the feeling of being overly-stuffed with turkey,
mashed potatoes, and green beans has lessened…. we do it all over again! Thanks-for-Giving is a
celebration of our volunteers and all they do to support CHEC and our mission. We provide the turkey, and
volunteers each bring a side dish or dessert to share. It’s an enjoyable afternoon together: spending time
with old friends and making new ones.
CHEC Punta Gorda holds its annual “Thanks-for-Giving” luncheon on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, in the screen pavilion
at 10941 Burnt Store Road.
Words cannot adequately express how much our volunteers mean to us. They lead guided hikes and
narrate nature cruises; staff our Welcome Center and gift shop; maintain our grounds, gardens, trails,
boardwalks and buildings; and do much, much more. These dedicated individuals are, quite literally,
the backbone of our organization. They all have a common passion for the environment and sharing the
wonders of nature with others. And for that, we thank you!
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 7
Continuing Education for Adults at CHEC:
“Mermaids & Manatees” & Other Lectures
On December 5, from 5 – 7 p.m., Dr. “Buddy” Powell, PhD, co-founder
of the Sea to Shore Alliance based in Sarasota, presented an
exceedingly informative and interesting program about manatees -
their history, where they were and are located around the world, their
current status, and how, in the past, legend and mystery combined to
weave fantastic tales of “mermaids and manatees”.
The lecture was held at CHEC Punta Gorda’s Caniff Welcome Center.
Light refreshments were available.
About the Sea to Shore Alliance & Dr. Buddy Powell
Through research, education, and conservation, the Sea to Shore Alliance works to improve the health
and productivity of coastal environments for endangered species that depend on them. They focus on
flagship species such as manatees, sea turtles, and right whales, knowing that protecting their habitats
will affect so many other species. Much more information about manatees and other S2S projects is
available on their website at http://www.sea2shore.org.
Dr. Powell started his career as a teenager, working with Jacques Cousteau on a documentary about
manatees. He now has more than 40 years of experience helping to conserve manatees and other
endangered species. Dr. Powell’s efforts have resulted in coastal protected areas in Florida, West Africa,
Central America, and now Cuba. He was the recipient of the prestigious Pew Award in Marine
Conservation in 2000.
Attend a lecture at CHEC!
Lectures are part of our continuing education program for adults. Visit our website at www.checflorida.org
and peruse our calendar for lectures and similar events taking place at both Alligator Creek Preserve in
Punta Gorda and Cedar Point Park in Englewood! Coming up….
February 28, 2019 – Join singer-songwriter James Hawkins for a musical and visual presentation entitled
“Turn Back Time” – stories and songs about Venice, Sarasota and old Florida. 5 – 6:30 pm. Space limited;
reservations mandatory. Paid. Call Cedar Point in Englewood – 941-475-0769 for information and
reservations.
April 4, 2019 – Join Liz White, a PhD student at the University of Florida, for a lecture on “Urban Burrowing
Owls of Cape Coral and Marco Island”, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Space limited; reservations mandatory. Paid.
Call Punta Gorda at 941-575-5435 for information and reservations.
Free lectures are sponsored by Cedar Point in Englewood on upcoming dates and in various locations. For
more information, see our Activities Guide & Schedule on the Educational Programs page, or the Calendar
page on our website. ~ February 21 and March 7 and 21, 2019 ~
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 8
Harvest for the Harbor 2018
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
• Osborne Levell Wealth Management
• Marketing Arm International
• Mosaic
• Burnt Store Title & Escrow
• DeSoto Auto Mall
• Peace River Distributing
More than 80 people enjoyed mixing, mingling, dinner and dancing under the stars at CHEC’s 4th annual
signature fundraiser – Harvest for the Harbor – on Friday, November 9th, 2018, at Laishley Park Pavilions.
It was a lovely night, and the view of Charlotte Harbor was glorious. Guests dined in style on delicious
appetizers, entrees and desserts catered by Punta Gorda’s own La Fiorentina. Interesting and diverse
items, from Bok Tower Gardens tickets to art from Burma, were sold via silent auction. CHEC wishes to
thank everyone who attended: individuals, sponsors and those we see year after year. Your support for
this event allows us to continue to further our mission for environmental education. We are beyond
grateful!
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 9
While School’s Out…
Fall Break Camp is in Session at CHEC!
The three closest elementary schools to Charlotte Harbor Environmental
Center, Alligator Creek, are year-round schools. Rather than a long summer
break, they schedule several smaller breaks scattered throughout the school
year. In order to best serve these schools, CHEC – Alligator Creek (Punta
Gorda) has begun offering a Fall Break Camp and a Spring Break Camp for 2nd
- 5th graders.
Fall Break Camp 2018 was called Fun with Chemistry. With topics such as
colorful chemistry, Halloween chemistry, and explosive chemistry, it definitely
lived up to the name! The campers learned about phases of matter and their
properties. They experimented with oobleck, a substance which walks the line
between liquid and solid. Fluffy slime, kinetic sand, and bubble snakes were
all a big hit. Making fake snow was their favorite! That is, until we made Alka
Seltzer rockets and elephant toothpaste; then the fake snow became a distant
(yet fond) memory! Experimenting with dry ice and creating Halloween cards
with fake blood added a perfect spooky touch.
Be on the look-out at www.checflorida.org for information regarding dates and Above: Campers make “fluffy
details for our Spring Break Camp 2019. We hope your camper can join us! slime” in CHEC Punta Gorda’s
Education building.
Above: Fall Break campers at CHEC Punta Gorda take a field trip to the IMAG History & Science Center in
Ft. Myers.
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 10Happenings at Cedar Point!
The staff and volunteers at CHEC’s Cedar Point Environmental Park are looking forward to an active,
educational, and fun upcoming year. Charlotte County Public School’s 4th grade guided walks have begun,
utilizing the expertise of Greg Brezicki and several new trail guides who will teach the students about the
wonderous flora and fauna of Southwest Florida here at Cedar Point.
Other public guided walks have begun for the 2018 – 19 season. These will be conducted at Ann & Chuck
Dever Regional Park @ Oyster Creek, Dr. Willard “Bill” Coy Preserve on Buck Creek, Amberjack
Environmental Park, Tippecanoe Environmental Park, Tippecanoe II Mitigation Park, and Charlotte
Flatwoods Environmental Park. A huge Thank You to all our wonderful, trained naturalist trail guides who
volunteer their time and talents to help educate the residents and visitors to these properties. Check the
calendar on CHEC’s website for dates and locations of these walks.
Above: A walk at Oyster Creek Park lead by Greg Brezicki
Enjoy learning about and teaching others about nature? Looking for a fun and educational way to meet
like-minded people? Consider becoming a volunteer trail guide for CHEC. From October through April,
volunteers are needed to lead guided nature walks through several local Charlotte County properties.
These are usually from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on various days of the week. If interested, a training
session will be scheduled. You will learn some plants, animals and interpretive techniques that may
help you lead these “walks in the woods”.
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 11Happenings at Cedar Point!
A group of volunteers, many from the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, work each
Monday morning maintaining a demonstration garden at Cedar Point Environmental Center. They can
always use more help. If you have a spare Monday morning, consider spending some time assisting in the
garden.
Above: L. to R: Carolyn Gregsak, Bonnie Moore, Gail Finney, Ann Caren, Lois Cantwell, Marsha
Gromeda, and our newest gardener, Kristy Klein.
CHEC will be hosted two fundraising lectures at Cedar Point Environmental Park in early 2019 from
5:00 to 6:30 pm.
• John McCarthy, Executive Director of Historical Spanish Point in Osprey, will present,
“Manasota Key Off-shore Burial Site”, an update on the recently discovered 7,000-year-old
archeological burial site found off an Englewood beach on January 22, 2019.
• Singer/songwriter James Hawkins will present “Turn Back Time”, a multi-media presentation
filled with old-Florida stories, songs, and visuals about local settlers on February 28, 2019.
Included in the entrance donation of $12 ($8 for CHEC members) are complimentary wine and hors
d’oeuves, available at both events. Space is limited so reservations are mandatory. Call 941-475-
0769 to register.
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 12Happenings at Cedar Point!
In
Memoriam
Long-time CHEC volunteer Denny Girard passed away on September 7, 2018 at Tidewell Hospice in
Englewood, at the age of 90. Born in Ballston, New York, Denny served in the Air Force, married his sweet-
heart, Pat, and moved to Englewood in 1963. After retiring as owner of Denny’s SportsWorld on Beach
Road in 1991, Denny took up trail building as a volunteer at the newly acquired Cedar Point Environmental
Park in 1995 and, along with Al Squires and Phil and Marianne Owen, lead the first trail walks on this site.
Denny was also an accomplished author, photographer, and artist. He will be missed by all that knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cedar Point Environmental Park on February 14, 2019 at 2 PM. All are
invited to join us in remembering this very special man.
Dennis Girard
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 13to Robert & Rose Isaksen
Tribute Volunteers Extraordinaire
Around 1990, Robert “Bob” Isaksen and his wife
Rose came to Punta Gorda and gradually learned
about this lovely area. They were camping at the Gulf
View RV park on Burnt Store Road and would often
pass this little gate leading down a dirt path and
wondered what it lead to. One day, they ventured
onto that overgrown path and never left. They found
a little paradise here at CHEC, and have not only
watched it grow into a most productive, peaceful and
beautiful place for the community to enjoy, but have
also taken a huge role in building and maintaining the
park. Every board on the eight bridges, every board
on the boardwalks, and all the signage on our trails
has been touched by Bob’s hand over the twenty six
years he has dedicated to this park. Bob’s
handiwork is literally everywhere, and is most evident
at our visitors’ kiosk at the beginning of the
boardwalk that leads to the Caniff Welcome Center.
Our beautiful gift shop in the Caniff Welcome Center
got started when Rose very generously donated
$10,000.00 to buy merchandise to stock it. Rose, as
well, has been an active twenty six year volunteer and
has served on CHEC’s Board of Directors for the past
three years. Rose admits her heart, mind and spirit
will always be at CHEC, for it has become part of her
DNA. With a heavy heart, Rose recently resigned her
position on the board due to illness.
CHEC would like to salute Rose and Bob for their
selfless service to the Charlotte Harbor
Environmental Center. They both are, and always will
be, part of CHEC’s foundation and essence. We are
so very grateful to them.
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 14a “Friend
Become
Become a “Friend
of CHEC”
of CHEC”!
Member!
Membership support is crucial to CHEC’s continued mission. To that end, we are exceedingly grateful for
all our members – those who are new and those who renew again and again.
Our membership program is chock full of goodies! Levels of membership are tiered; the higher the tier,
the more benefits you get! In addition to the membership benefits listed below, a CHEC membership card
will get you a 10% discount on CHEC items at our Caniff Center gift shop in Punta Gorda, a $4.00 discount
when you attend our paid lectures, and a $15.00 discount per child when you enroll your children in our
Spring, Summer or Fall Camp programs. Browse the benefits and consider becoming a CHEC member
today!
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 15CHECPOINT
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc.
Alligator Creek Preserve location Cedar Point Environmental Park location
10941 Burnt Store Road 2300 Placida Road
Punta Gorda, FL 33955 Englewood, FL 34224
Ph: 941-575-5435 Ph: 941-475-0769
Punta Gorda mailing address: Englewood mailing address:
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 512876 P.O. Box 163
Punta Gorda, FL 33951 Englewood, FL 34295
Web: www.checflorida.org ~ E-mail: chec@checflorida.org
Our Sponsors
Charlotte County City of Punta Gorda Mosaic
CHNEP Charlotte Harbor Foundation Pat Moran Family Foundation
Kingfisher Fleet Cruises Friend of CHEC Members Charlotte County Public Schools
Wells Fargo Advisors Western Michigan University Eagle Point Womens Club
Medtronic Foundation DeSoto Auto Mall Marketing Arm International
Peace River Audubon Society Punta Gorda Garden Club Englewood Shell Club
Southwest Florida Water Management District ~ South Punta Gorda Civic Height Association
GFWC Rotonda West Womens Clubs, Inc. ~ Burnt Store Title & Escrow
Philanthropy
Jack & Judy Kleven ~ Michael & Dawn Haymans ~ Judith Licata ~ Susan Galvin
Cindy & Conrad Christel ~ Domingo Galiano ~ Lee & Ann Swift ~ Robert & Rose Isaksen
Edward & Pam Williams ~ Nancy Sharpless ~ I. Elaine Lowry & Ann M. Dixon ~ Jim Thomson
CHECPOINT – Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. ~ Winter 2018 - 2019 Newsletter 16You can also read
