Marine Resources Task Force pop-up resource booths celebrate anniversary
The Town of Fort Myers Beach Marine Resources Task Force recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of its pop-up environmental resource booths. Task force board member Jennifer Rusk and other volunteers handed out cupcakes to visitors and provided educational resources while engaging in discussions about the environment with visitors at Times Square.
“We have had over 70 pop-ups and have connected with thousands of residents and visitors,” said Jennifer Rusk, who organizes the pop-ups. “The pop-up has hosted many nonprofit environmental organizations and their volunteers, we have given away thousands of activity books and informational brochures as well as stickers and tattoos, sea shell bags, bird and shell guides and lots of other fun stuff. The pop-up has been a great way to connect and inform residents and visitors on environmental subjects that we all care about, and we thank the community, our non-profit partners, and town council for their support.”
On a recent weekend, Rusk and Cindy Johnson were out telling folks about how the town accomodates the sea turtle nesting season and limits outdoor lights. They had posters focusing on invasive plants, a list of state fishing regulations and handed out water bottle stickers and coloring books.
Leslie Allers, who took part in a recent pop-up as a volunteer, brought daughters Audrey and Alexa to take part. The Naples family came out for the event for the first time and described themselves as environmentally conscious. Alexa learned about local butterfly populations at the pop-up while Audrey found an interest in a seashells guide. They also both were interested in learning about Florida’s turtle population.
“We’re excited to learn more about the different kinds of turtles and the breeding season,” Mrs. Allers said. Originally from Kansas, she said “it’s exciting to learn about all the wildlife.”
Alexa said “it’s so different living here.”
Alexa and Audrey said they took a particular liking to manatees since moving here, and learned about the threats they face from loss of seagrass and record starvation numbers.
Justine Deegan, of Wisconsin, said she and her daughter Miller learned a lot about sea turtles at the pop-up. “The turtles follow the moon,” Miller said. “We don’t have sea turtles in Wisconsin,” Deegan said. “True,” Miller said while having a starfish printed on her arm. The family has had a lot of success finding starfish on the beach. “We all are a fan of turtles,” Deegan said.
The schedule for the booths for April and May on Fort Myers Beach is as follows:
Tuesday, April 26 at Newton Beach Park from 9 a.m. to noon.
Saturday, April 30 at Times Square from 9 a.m. to noon
Sunday, May 1 Taste of the Beach at Salty Sam’s Marina from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10 and Tuesday, May 31 at Newton Beach Park from 9 a.m. to noon
Wednesday, May 18 and Sunday, May 22 at Bowditch Point Park from 9 a.m. to noon
Saturday, May 14, May 21 and May 28 at Times Square from 9 a.m. to noon