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Lovers Key workshop focuses on loggerheads From an article in the Fort Myers New-Press by BY AMY SOWDER AND ANDREA STETSON SEPTEMBER 4, 2010. Read on for information about similar workshops that will be offered. Adults and children can visit Lovers Key State Park, a concentrated nesting site for the loggerhead sea turtle, for a workshop focused on this threatened species from 9 a.m. to noon today. Participants will engage in both classroom and field experiences during a presentation that will include discussion of the loggerhead's life cycle, nesting behavior and the park's efforts to protect nests and assist with survival of this species. "The Friends of Lovers Key programs are more involved and in-depth workshops than the free ranger programs," said Brie Ochoa, park services specialist. The program includes the opportunity to excavate a prepared, manmade nest on the beach. Participants can also learn about the survival obstacles loggerhead sea turtles face and the conservation efforts of local volunteers. Registration and payment of $25 is required. "There's a cost associated with it that helps keep our visitor center running," Ochoa said. A number of factors have diminished the loggerhead population, including development along coastal nesting areas, inadvertent netting of turtles through commercial fishing and disorientation of hatchlings drawn away from waters by artificial lights. More events The sea turtles program is one in a series of events sponsored by the Friends of Lovers Key State Park. Future programs include nature photography, painting, fishing, kayaking, astronomy, gardening, folk tales and some holiday specials. FOLK - a nonprofit that supports Lovers Key through volunteer service and fundraising - is starting its second year of programs aimed at raising money for a visitors center, which they believe will cost about $750,000. The group has already raised about $100,000. While most regular programs at Lovers Key are free, these special programs are more in depth and offer more things to do. They also come with a price tag between $10 and $40 depending on the program. "Lovers Key is one of the most visited parks in the state, and it doesn't have a visitor's center," said Pam Morton-Jones, a park volunteer who runs many of the nature programs at Lovers Key. "The nature series is our fundraiser that FOLK uses for our future visitors center. One hundred percent of the fee will go toward the building." About 800,000 visitors come to Lovers Key annually, making it one of the most visited of Florida's state parks. Morton-Jones says the park has big dreams for its visitors center, which she hopes can be built in four to five years. "We want a big visitor's center that will be the pride of the park," she said. "The dream is that one part of the building will have exhibits, a touch tank and the other side will be a classroom with projectors for lectures. So when I give lectures we won't be out on the beach getting eaten by no-see-ums. It will have decks, one screened in, the other open. It's a dream that we have." A full schedule of events is available by request at 463-4588 or visit www.friendsofloverskey.com for more information  Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. and Florida Media, Inc. are pleased to introduce
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