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Gopher tortoises more active in spring, just in time for Florida Gopher Tortoise Day

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Spring days are a good time to spot a gopher tortoise, as Florida’s only native tortoise becomes more active, foraging for food and searching for a mate.

If you see gopher tortoises or their half-moon shaped burrow entrances, it is best to leave them alone. It’s illegal to disturb or harm gopher tortoises, their burrows or their eggs. You can help a gopher tortoise cross a road, by picking it up and placing it on the roadside in the direction it was heading. But only do this if it is safe for you to do so, and don’t put the tortoise in your vehicle!Remember too, the tortoise is a land animal, so never attempt to put it into water.

On April 10, many Floridians plan to celebrate Florida Gopher Tortoise Day and support conservation of this threatened species.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has encouraged Floridians to get involved in Gopher Tortoise Day since 2016 and share awareness of how people can help this species that is found in every county of the state. Communities adopting a Gopher Tortoise Day resolution this year include Alachua and Brevard counties, and the cities of Malabar, Melbourne, North Port, Palm Bay, Palm Shores, Rockledge, Sanibel and Tallahassee. In 2017, Gopher Tortoise Day resolutions were adopted by Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Indian River and Sarasota counties, and the cities of Cape Coral, Flagler Beach and Venice.

Anyone, or any group like a neighborhood association, can celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day and help conserve the tortoise. Go to GopherTortoiseDayFL.com for information and activities for April 10 and all year long.

“If you’re a fan of the gopher tortoise, help us spread the word on conserving this threatened species, whose burrows are home to hundreds of animals, including the eastern indigo snake, gopher frog and Florida mouse,” said Deborah Burr, who heads the FWC’s gopher tortoise management program.

On the Gopher Tortoise Day website, you can access many resources, including a resolution template for your community to adopt Gopher Tortoise Day, A guide to living with gopher tortoises, gopher tortoises and road safety and ideas for kids’ activities, including Build a Burrow instructions and the Gopher Tortoise Field Trip Guide.

You also can help by using the Florida Gopher Tortoise smartphone app to report gopher tortoise sightings and learn about the species.

Gopher tortoises need plenty of sandy, sunny habitats with an open tree canopy to thrive and survive. The FWC’s wildlife management areas provide habitat for gopher tortoises. Local governments, military installations and private landowners, including farmers, foresters and ranchers, also work with the FWC to help conserve and restore gopher tortoise habitat.

Go to MyFWC.com/WMA75 to find a Wildlife Management Area where you might spot gopher tortoises and their burrows.

More on gopher tortoises is at MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise.

Koestner Joins Stetson Students to Take Back the Night

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Empowering event to focus on sexual assault prevention, victim support 

On Wednesday, April 11 Katie Koestner, founder and executive director of the Take Back the Night Foundation will present the keynote address at an event designed to empower victims and help end sexual violence and harassment. Stetson University’s Take Back the Night event will begin with Koestner’s talk at 8 p.m. in McMahan Hall, 417 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, 32723. Following the address, attendees will move to Stetson’s Palm Court for a speak out, rally and candlelight moment of reflection. The event is free and open to the public.

“The theme of this year’s Take Back the Night event is ‘Shatter the Silence, End the Violence,’” said Cathy Downes, Stetson University’s executive director and Title IX coordinator. “Our hope is that attendees will feel empowered to speak up and to step up to change the current culture.”

During the speak out individuals will be invited to share words of encouragement or support for victims, a relevant poem or personal experience as a person affected by sexual assault or harassment. The evening will close with a candlelit vigil and moment of quiet reflection for those affected.

The event is part of a campus-wide initiative to empower victims and end sexual violence. In the days leading up to the Take Back the Night event student groups including PACT (Peer Advisory Council for Title IX), SASA (Students Against Sexual Assault), NOW (National Organization for Women), WELL team (Wellness Educators for Lifelong Learning) will ask the community to make signs of support, sign a pledge to end sexual violence and provide general knowledge about sexual violence prevention, reporting and intervention.

Koestner is also president of Campus Outreach Services, a national organization dedicated to developing research-supported curricula, model policies and outstanding educational programs for schools on student risk issues. She has provided keynote speeches and programs for more than 2,000 schools across the country to raise awareness about the prevention and response to sexual and technology-related misconduct. She is the co-author of two books on sexual assault policy and procedures for schools and the creator of “Responding to Sexual Misconduct: A Customizable Training Manual for Schools.” She is credited with convincing the world you could be raped by your date. Koestner’s speaking career began at age 18 shortly after her own personal experience. Her dedication and vision have been the source of program development and policy change on both community and national levels.

Get involved; Be an FWC volunteer

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During Florida Volunteer Month in April, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is celebrating its many volunteers who contribute time and energy to help conserve fish, wildlife and habitats, and help improve public access and skills related to outdoor experiences such as hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife viewing.

Last year, more than 5,000 volunteers assisted FWC staff with 85 projects around the state.

“We value our volunteers. The positive power of volunteers strengthens our efforts to conserve Florida’s fish and wildife resources,” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton. “If you want to combine being in Florida’s beautiful outdoors with volunteering, we encourage you to get involved as an FWC volunteer.”

Here are some projects that FWC volunteers are assisting with:

  • Collecting data to increase knowledge of Florida’s imperiled species.
  • Instructing youth, residents and visitors on how to become responsible outdoor recreators.
  • Rescuing marine mammals.
  • Monitoring and restoring oyster reef habitat.
  • Constructing, installing and monitoring nest boxes for southeastern American kestrels and wood ducks.
  • Helping construct and maintain a gravity-fed irrigation system for plants used in scrub habitat restoration.
  • Helping improve visitors’ experiences at many of the FWC’s wildlife management areas.
  • Helping organize scientific data.

Go to MyFWC.com/Get Involved, to see FWC volunteer opportunities available statewide and by region.

Additionally, volunteers can sign-up for projects on the MyFWC.com/Calendar, where a wide range of volunteer opportunities are advertised.

Town of Palm Beach Councilman Bill Diamond Endorses Matt Spritz for State House

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 Former Councilman Says Spritz Is the Right Person For The Job

Matt Spritz announced today that former Town of Palm Beach Councilman Bill Diamond has endorsed his campaign for State Representative.

“I’m proud to endorse Matt Spritz in his campaign for the State House,” said Diamond. “I know Matt will fight for our community with passion and dedication. I’m confident he is the right person for the job.”

“I’m honored to have the support of a local leader like Councilman Diamond,” said Spritz. “He has an outstanding record of accomplishment and service in our community, and I look forward to his guidance on a number of important issues.”

Diamond joins a growing number of current and former state and local Republican elected officials, including former U.S. Senator George LeMieux, former State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff, current State Representatives Byron Donalds, Randy Fine, Jason Fischer, Joe Gruters, Tom Leek, Bobby Payne, and Bob Rommel, and former State Representative Alex Miller, who have all also endorsed Spritz.

Bill Diamond is the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Realty. He also served as a Councilman for the Town of Palm Beach from 2009–2015. Prior to that, he served as Commissioner for the New York City Department of Citywide Services under Mayor Rudy Giuliani, from 1994–2001.

Born and raised in South Florida, Matt Spritz graduated Phi Beta Kappa with high honors from Emory University and from New York University School of Law in New York City. He practiced corporate and business law in New York, and later in South Florida, before committing himself to public service in the Florida House.

House District 89 covers coastal portions of Palm Beach County spanning from Singer Island to Boca Raton, and includes all of Palm Beach Island. Thirty-six percent of registered voters in the district are Republicans, while Democrats make up 33 percent, and voters with minor or no party affiliation, 31 percent.

Paid by Matt Spritz, Republican, for State Representative

FDLE destroys digital equipment linked to child pornography

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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force joined together with the Regional Domestic Security Task Force Bomb Squad to explode computer equipment today that was used to view illicit images of children.

“Today’s event shows the dedication local, state and federal agencies have when it comes to protecting innocent children from predators,” said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “If your child has an online presence, parents need to be extremely cautious and engaged to keep their children safe.”

“In today’s social media environment material can be viewed over and over again. It never seems to disappear,” said Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons. “It is good to know that this particular equipment and material will never again be used to view child pornography.”

All pieces of evidence destroyed during “Operation Final Disposition” are from cases that have been prosecuted and are not subject to appeal. After a case is finished, evidence destruction is completed in a law-enforcement environment without any fanfare. But as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, FDLE and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office opted for public destruction in the hope of bringing attention to child abuse and how we can all work together to prevent it.

Evidence that was able to be wiped clean is being donated to the Gulf Coast Kid’s House. Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a child advocacy center serving victims of child abuse. Gulf Coast Kid’s House provides a place where child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution, medical and mental health professionals’ work together under one roof to provide comprehensive services to abuse victims.

To learn more about preventing child abuse visit, The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida at preventchildabusefl.org.

If you suspect someone of downloading or distributing child pornography, please call FDLE Pensacola at (800) 226-8574.

To learn more about keeping your family safe online, visit Secure Florida at secureflorida.org.

CFO Jimmy Patronis Meets with Miami First Responders to Highlight Signing of Bill to Expand PTSD Benefits

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CFO Jimmy Patronis today was joined by members of the fire service and law enforcement communities from across Miami-Dade County at the Firefighters Memorial Building to highlight the signing of Senate Bill 376, expanding mental health benefits for first responders. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill last week in Tampa surrounded by hundreds of first responders from across the state. SB 376 was sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book and Rep. Matt Willhite.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that there are currently 31 active wildfires in Florida burning 34,056 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Greenway, Collier County: 17,957 and 90 percent contained.
  • Firebreak, Gulf County: 8,080 acres and 85 percent contained.
  • Airport/Context, Miami-Dade County: 517 acres and 100 percent contained.
  • Old Blade Line, Polk County: 450 acres and 60 percent contained.

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. 

Florida Poly seeks joint opportunities in Brazil

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A Florida Polytechnic University delegation is in Brazil this week looking to build strategic alliances with universities and high-tech companies in South America’s largest country.

The contingent includes Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Poly, Shahram Taj, professor of logistics and supply chain management, Dr. Mustafa Ilhan Akbas, professor of computer science, and Mustapha Achoubane, associate director of international students.

Brazil is one of the largest emerging economies in the world, according to a report from Forbes magazine, and is driven by extensive industrial, engineering and technological sectors.

During the seven-day trip, the Florida Poly contingent will interact with more than 2,000 engineering students to highlight the university’s programs and will also connect with international research centers and educators in order to join forces for future research collaboration.

“We look forward to strengthening our ties in Brazil through key partnerships with high-tech industry leaders and other universities that will increase international opportunities for our students,” said Avent. “This trip will enable us to develop strategic relationships between faculties.”

The delegation will meet with the founder and other top leaders at Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that provides aeronautical services and produces commercial, military, executive and agricultural aircraft. The main goal is to explore manufacturing connections between the company and the university, as well as potential project funding.

They will also visit two universities in Sao Paulo – FACENS and FIAP — that focus mainly on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. They will discuss a variety of topics including programs for graduate students, joint venture research, the diverse education models in the U.S., and the uniqueness of Florida Poly.

Avent and Akbas will be panelists at FIAP alongside leaders from IBM, Microsoft and Oracle, to talk about how artificial intelligence will impact every industry. Taj will be a guest speaker at FACENS, where he will discuss the effects of big data analytics in the global supply chain.

“This visit is a golden opportunity for Florida Poly, and for us as faculty, to be able to develop a rich collaboration with Brazil in academia, as well as in industry,” said Taj.

Volunteer Florida Kicks Off April as Florida Volunteer Month

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Every year, the state of Florida recognizes April as Florida Volunteer Month. This year, Volunteer Florida is launching #VF30in30. This new initiative will recognize 30 outstanding Florida volunteers by highlighting one volunteer a day throughout the month of April. Volunteer Florida also announced a statewide public service announcement and a proclamation from Governor Rick Scott.

Governor Scott said, “I’m glad to recognize the service of volunteers across Florida who dedicate their time to make a difference in their communities. Floridians dedicated millions of hours during last year’s devastating hurricane season, and we are proud to honor them in April.”

Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus said, “It is always an honor to recognize the thousands of amazing volunteers throughout our state who work to make a difference in their communities each and every day. We are excited to celebrate this month—to honor and recognize our volunteers, as well as encourage others to learn more about volunteer opportunities throughout the state.”

Florida Volunteer Month activities are as follows:

#VF30in30
Florida is fortunate to have so many outstanding volunteers. During this month of recognition, Volunteer Florida will highlight one of these dedicated volunteers each day in April. To see the volunteers’ profiles, please visit this link.

Volunteer of the Year
For the second year in a row, Volunteer Florida will recognize a Volunteer of the Year. This individual will be recognized for his or her outstanding service and community contributions. Volunteer Florida will announce the Volunteer of the Year in late April.

Public Service Announcement (PSA)
In honor of Florida Volunteer Month and in partnership with Comcast, a video PSA promoting volunteerism will air on Comcast networks across Florida.
Watch the PSA here.

Comcast Cares Day
As part of the Comcast Cares Day, the largest corporate philanthropy day in the nation, Volunteer Florida will host a service project at Poinciana Park Elementary School in Miami on April 10. As part of the project, volunteers will engage 50 students through hands on learning stations, including a healthy eating demonstration, literacy, physical fitness and the arts.

Volunteer Florida encourages Floridians to use the hashtag #ServeFL on social media when sharing their photos and stories of service. To find an existing project or register your own, visit comcastinthecommunity.com.