Land Authority Purchase Reveals A Population of Imperiled Florida Banded Tree Snails in Key Largo12/9/2022 In October 2022, the Monroe County Land Authority purchased almost an acre of coveted hardwood hammock habitat in front of the Tradewinds Shopping Center in Key Largo. Upon inspection of the site, Assistant Land Steward Jim Duquesnel discovered just how special this particular piece is when he found nearly two dozen live Florida Banded Tree Snails (Orthalicus floridensis).
Monroe County Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein, who had encouraged the original acquisition, acknowledged the importance of such land authority purchases. “The Land Authority acquiring this property shows the importance of this program,” said Merrill Raschein. “Not only did we protect this area in perpetuity, but we also found it is a habitat for native local snails.” This snail species has been under attack since the introduction of the New Guinea Flatworm, an invasive predator of snails, in the mid-2010s. As a result, the snail is currently part of the State of Florida’s Imperiled Species Management Plan. Merrill Raschein asked Land Authority staff to work on the purchase at the request of the Island of Key Largo Federation of Homeowners Association. The association conducted many cleanups of this parcel in the past and believed Land Authority ownership would help manage the site and ensure the long-term protection of this vital habitat. “The Land Authority Advisory Committee ranks priority parcels for purchase, and this property ended up being one that ranked well enough to acquire given its environmental importance,” said Linda Grist Cunningham, chair of the committee. Anyone interested in learning more about Florida’s native (and introduced) tree snails should visit:
To learn more about the invasive New Guinea Flatworm that is threatening these types of snails, visit: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/invertebrates/new-guinea-flatworm/. For information on the Monroe County Land Authority, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/landauthority.
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The Key West Police Department is honored to be awarded the Key West Business Guild's President's Award. The award was presented in recognition of the department's dedication to the protection and support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“We are humbled by this honor,” said Chief Sean Brandenburg. “The men and women of the Key West Police Department are dedicated to serving our One Human Family.” Though every entry into this year’s Holiday Parade was a winner the moment it brought a smile to a child’s face, and this year’s judges had a hard time choosing winners!
Island Grove Dance Studio received the Mayor’s Cup, and Harpoon Harry’s Restaurant was awarded with the Vice Mayor’s Cup. There was a tie for the Commissioner’s Cup between the Key West High School Marching Band and the joint float effort by Garcia/Jones Construction, Casa Construction, Key West Body Scrubs, and the Garcia Law Firm. Honorable Mention saw a four-way tie: The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, the Basilica School of St. Mary’s, the joint effort by the City of Key West Building Department, Code Department and Licensing Department, and the Horace O’Bryant Bucs Remix. The City of Key West wants to thank the community for this amazing effort. In addition to the hundreds of people who volunteered their time to be a part of the parade, we appreciate the behind-the-scenes volunteers for their tireless and continuous help each year. Gratitude also to the city employees who volunteered their time to make this another memorable parade. The Florida Dept. of Transportation presented its 5-year tentative work plan for 2024-2028 to the Board of County Commissioners at the Wednesday meeting to address the transportation needs of the Florida Keys. The work plan has $498 million set aside for Monroe County projects during that time for bridge repairs and replacements, resurfacing, construction, safety, transit, and more. It also includes funding for demonstration projects, like micro-mobility. Micro-mobility uses smaller vehicles to transport people, rather than bigger buses. Monroe County conditionally approved a micro-mobility grant to start tentatively in 2023 for Stock Island to Key West transportation. The City of Key West and the Village of Islamorada have already implemented micro-mobility efforts. According to the tentative work plan, bridge repair and rehab are slated for Bahia Honda in 2025 and the 7 Mile Bridge over Moser Channel in 2026. Bridge replacements include the Long Key Bridge in 2027 and Card Sound Road at Tubby’s Creek and Mosquito Creek in 2025. The replacement of the 7 Mile Bridge is slated for 2030. Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates and the Board of County Commissioners presented Steve Sullivan, Building Inspector/Plans Examiner of the Monroe County Building Department 20 Years of Service Award at Wednesday’s meeting.
“Steve has truly been a wealth of knowledge over the years and a mentor to his co-workers,” said Rey Ortiz, Monroe County Assistant Building Official. The public is invited to share in holiday cheer at the Third Annual Sand Sculpture Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 6pm at the Sun Sun Concert Pier at Casa Marina, 1500 Reynolds St., Key West. Guests will have the opportunity to see the giant sand sculpture Christmas tree light up for the first time this holiday season, enjoy live music, holiday cheer, free parking, and a presentation of toys to representatives of The Boys and Girls Clubs of The Keys. Donations of unwrapped toys may be brought to Casa Marina Key West now through November 30, 2022.
“We are delighted to present the third annual Christmas tree lighting event with a special presentation of donated toys to The Boys and Girls Clubs of The Keys. It’s one of the local organizations that we support not just during the holidays, but all year long,” said John Trovato, Managing Director, Casa Marina Key West. “Marianne, our resident sand sculpture artist and owner of Just Sand and Water, does a remarkable job and I hope everyone attending is just as amazed as we are with her outstanding talent,” he said. Casa Marina will display the sand sculpture Christmas tree through the holidays. Sun Sun Concert Pier presents free live music Wednesday through Saturday evenings and is located adjacent to Sun Sun Beach Bar & Grill, offering an elevated beach dining experience for lunch, dinner, and cocktails daily. Open to the public. See concepts for the future of Mallory Square and offer your opinion!
In September, over 1,500 visitors and residents shared their experiences at Mallory Square and their ideas about its future. With that knowledge, the planning team has developed two concept alternatives. The concept alternatives are bold designs intended to stimulate discussions by contrasting different approaches to the Square's seating, planting, paving, shade, circulation, programming, and more. You can review these concepts and provide your input by taking the survey. The Mallory Square Planning Team will be out in the community to share the concepts and hear your feedback. Join us at one of two upcoming events: Annual Holiday Concert & Bazaar WHEN: Friday, December 9th from 5 - 9 p.m. WHERE: Custom House, Front Street Sunset Celebration WHEN: Saturday, December 10th from 4 – 7 p.m. WHERE: Mallory Square Meet the planning team, learn about the concepts, and share your opinion. Visit: https://mallorysquare.engage.sasaki.com/ to learn more and take the survey! Members of the Key West Woman’s Club on Monday presented boxes and boxes of adorable teddy bears to the Key West Police Department, the Key West Fire Department, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Woman’s Club Co-chairs Annita Tschanz and Kathleen Moody and organizer Sandy Higgs made the presentation in front of the public safety complex in front of the fire and police departments. The bears were purchased by the Woman’s Club with a generous donation from a member, then the club members dressed each in an array of adorable outfits. Many of them were dressed as first responders. Teddy bears serve an important role in emergency response. They are a comfort to children in crisis, whether it's fire, an accident, or domestic problems. First responders can provide the bears to calm an upset child and make a situation less traumatic. Thank you to the amazing Key West Women's Club for this generation donation to our community! Monroe County and Monroe County’s yard waste contractor will offer free compost (nutrient-rich black dirt) to the residents of unincorporated Monroe County and the cities of Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Islamorada, and Layton at the County’s three transfer stations on the dates below from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until it is gone. Residents can fill one 32-gallon trash can or six 5-gallon buckets with compost. Proof of residency is required in the form of a driver’s license, utility bill, tax bill, etc. Residents are limited to one pick-up per household. You must bring your own shovel and be able to load the containers on your own or bring someone to assist you.
Dates:
Monroe County’s transfer station locations:
“Earlier this year, the free compost giveaway was such a huge success for our residents,” said Monroe County Solid Waste Director Cheryl Sullivan. “This is a great way to spruce up your backyard.” |
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