The Carr Companion The newsletter of the Friends of the Carr Refuge Fall 2003

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge authorized by an act of Congress in 1989, is a twenty and one half mile stretch of beach, on the Southeast coast of Florida. This refuge hosts the largest concentration of nesting loggerhead and green sea turtles in the United States. It is the second most important nesting site in the world for loggerhead turtles. The Refuge protects animal species by preserving the coastal habitat on which they depend; and is also a place for public recreation and education. The Refuge, named for the late Dr. Archie Carr, honors his lifetime commitment to conservation and research.

Refuge Reports: Informational Signs Erected

Thanks to a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Friends of the Carr Refuge (FOCR) has arranged for a kiosk to be built in Golden Sands Park. The kiosk houses three large informational signs which show a map of the refuge, the life cycle of the loggerhead sea turtle, and the contribution of Dr. Archie Carr to sea turtle conservation. Golden Sands Park is located in Indian River County near the southernmost point of the Refuge. A second set of these signs is located in the Sebastian Inlet State Park which is near the middle of the 20.5 mile stretch of the Refuge. A third set of signs is planned to be located in the new Ponce De Leon Landing Park which will be built in Brevard County near the northernmost point of the Refuge. The construction of the kiosk demonstrates one of the many positive uses of the funds obtained from the Sea Turtle License Plate Program. The signs had previously been purchased with a $5,000 grant from the Sea Turtle Preservation Society.

Final 2003 Sea Turtle Nesting Numbers

The final 2003 sea turtle nesting numbers for the Refuge are: 12,598 loggerhead nests; 669 green turtle nests; and 53 leatherback nests. The loggerhead numbers reflect the lowest number of nests in the Refuge since 1989. A major factor affecting the nesting this year was the unprecedented length and degree of cold water along the coastline, particularly in Brevard County. In addition to reducing the numbers of nests, it also resulted in a major cold stun event requiring the rescue of 10,000 hatchlings over a period of a week. Of these only 7 were actually found in the Refuge. The hatchlings were transported from Brevard County, primarily an area just to the north of the Refuge, to warmer waters to the south, for release. The cold water lasted from the end of the third week in June until the third week of August. The cold water also prolonged the nesting season with the recording of a loggerhead nest on October 5, which was a month later than normal.

Fewer Nest Depredations

As the result of a raccoon control program, fewer depredated nests were recorded in 2003 as compared to 2002. In the northern section (Brevard County) of the Refuge, 516 depredated nests were recorded this year, compared to 1,086 in 2002. In a two kilometer area centered on the future Barrier Island Ecosystem Center (formerly Chuck's Steak House), which always experiences the greatest percentage of nests lost to raccoons, the number of depredated nests was reduced from 328 in 2002 to 86 in 2003.

Oak Lodge Update

The grant application for the purchase of the Oak Lodge property (located within the Aquarina development) was unanimously approved for funding under the Indian River Blue Ways Project. Upon the successful completion of negotiations with the current owner, the plan is to include the property as part of the Archie Carr NWR for management purposes.

Inlet Groves Update

A survey of the approximately 400 acres in the Inlet Groves property, indicates that well over 50% of the land is covered in exotic plants. The state has contracted with a private company to begin the removal of some of the australian pines. Certain sections of pines will have to wait for removal as there are problems with access through the Mullet Creek Islands, needed stabilization in the McCormick's Creek area and there are concerns along private property lines adjacent to homes. For further information, contact Jill Scanlon at the Sebastian Inlet State Park on 321-508-4067.

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Who to call for information:
Friends of the Carr Refuge 1-321-676-1701
Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge: 1-772-562-3909 ext. 258

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