Dade City's Wild Things Forum
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Dade City's Wild Things Forum

Lions

Watch out for the new arrival of a pair of lions coming soon ! ! !  We update photos soon

FWC Commission Meeting and Agenda Sept-2008

Commission Meeting Agenda

Time:

8:30 a.m.

Dates:

September 17-19, 2008

Place:

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
225 East Coast Line Drive
Jacksonville, FL  32202
Phone: (904) 588 1234
Fax:  (904) 634 4554
Website:  http://jacksonville.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp


This meeting is open to the public.

All interested individuals may speak at workshops or meetings of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) within the guidelines established by the Commission.  To ensure the public's opportunity to be heard and the orderly conduct of the meeting, the Chairman reserves the right to establish a time for adjournment of the workshop or meeting, to limit the time for speakers, and to limit the time allotted for specific agenda items.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting should notify the agency at least five calendar days before the meeting by calling (850) 488-6411.  If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (Voice).

Agenda items listed under headings other than "Rules" may be moved by the Chairman to different days of the meeting to accommodate scheduling problems.

If any person decides to challenge any decision with respect to any matter considered at the above meeting, he will need a record of the proceedings.  For this purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes testimony and evidence upon which the challenge is to be based.

For information on lodging and restaurants within the area, you may call the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce at (904) 366-6600 or the Chamber's website at http://www.myjaxchamber.com

Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people

8:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  1. Meeting Opening
    1. Call to Order
    2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
    3. Special Presentations and Recognitions
      1. Presentation of the Hunter Safety Instructor of the Year Award to Anthony "Andy" Campbell.
      2. Recognition of the members of the Captive Wildlife Technical Advisory Group.
      3. Recognition of Coastal Conservation Association for the donation of fish measurement tools.
      4. Recognition of Adam Warwick, FWC's Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist.
      5. Presentation of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement's Lifesaving with Valor Award to Officer Bret Gill.
      6. Recognition of Dinah Pulver, reporter and environmental writer for the Daytona Beach News Journal.
    4. Introduction of local FWC staff
  2. Adoption of Agenda
    1. Review and Approval of June 11-12, 2008 Commission Meeting Minutes
    2. Approval of Consent Agenda (Attached)
    3. Approval of Agenda
  3. Executive Director's Report
  4. Items Requiring Action
    1. Final Rules
      1. Management of Freshwater Turtles
         
        68A-25.002, General Provisions for Taking, Possession and Sale of Reptile-The proposed rule establishes limits on the number of turtles that may be harvested each day.  Turtle owners, aquaculture facilities, zoos and other facilities currently in possession of legally obtained turtles will be allowed to retain their turtles.  These changes are recommended to protect freshwater turtle populations during the development of a comprehensive management strategy for sustainable use of native nongame species.
      2. Management of duck blinds on Lake Miccosukee, Lake Iamonia, Lake Carr, and Lake Jackson.
        1. 68A-1.004, Definitions-The proposed rule would establish a definition for "permanent blind" as anything that provides shelter, cover, or place of concealment for a hunter, but does not include any rooted vegetation or any type of blind that remains in place only while the hunter is present.
        2. 68A-12.002, General Methods of Taking Game; Prohibitions-The proposed rule would prohibit hunting of waterfowl from or within 30 yards of a permanent blind or from anything constructed in violation of Florida Statutes on lakes Miccosukee, Iamonia, Carr, and Jackson in Leon and Jefferson counties.
      3. Adoption of Nonnative Wildlife
         
        68-5.004, Certified Nonnative Wildlife Adoption-The proposed rule would establish a procedure for persons adopting nonnative animals to help prevent illegal release of nonnative fish and wildlife.
      4. Delegations of authority from the Commission to the Executive Director
         
        68-1.009, Delegations of Authority to the Executive Director-The proposed rule would revise and clarify delegations of authority given by the Commission to the Executive Director.
      5. Mobility Impaired Hunting Permits

        68A-9.008, Permits for Physically Disabled-The proposed rule changes would define complete single-leg amputations as above the knee for those persons seeking permits for the mobility impaired and incorporate grammatical corrections and language standardization or clarification.
    2. Draft Rules
      1. Captive Wildlife Rules
        1. 68A-6.002, Categories of Captive Wildlife-The proposed draft rule would address the current Class I and II wildlife listing; regulate wild/domestic hybrids; and prohibit personal pet possession of wild fox, skunks, bats, raccoons or white tail deer.
        2. 68A-6.004, Standard Caging Requirements for Captive Wildlife-The proposed draft rule would require variances for some open air habitats and require temperature regulation in Red Panda enclosures.
        3. 68A-6.0011, Possession of Wildlife in Captivity; Permit Requirements-The proposed draft rule would require USDA registered research facilities currently exempt from caging requirements to maintain a detailed research proposal and clarify that enclosure requirements will not apply to Bison kept for the production of meat, skins or hides, or progeny.
        4. 68A-6.0022, Possession of Class I, II, or III Wildlife in Captivity: Permit Requirements-The proposed draft rule would require a permit to possess brushtailed possums; clarify experience requirements for Class I and II wildlife possession; require a USDA license when Class I wildlife is possessed for exhibition or sale; and clarify who needs to submit the Critical Incident/Disaster Plan.
        5. 68A-6.005, Transportation Requirements for Wildlife; Caging Requirements for Performing and Non-Performing Animals-The proposed draft rule would clarify the requirements for wildlife transportation.
        6. 68A-6.007, Possession, Transportation, Exhibition and Caging of Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern-The proposed draft rule would include the "taxonomic successors" of the reptiles of concern and address the experience requirements to possess them.  The proposed draft rule would require licensed corporations to have qualified personnel on staff who have verified experience with the wildlife they possess.
        7. 68A-6.0041, Exceptions to Standard Caging Requirements for Captive Wildlife-The proposed draft rule would exempt Bison (when possessed for propagation purposes only) from standard caging requirements, except fencing.
        8. 68A-6.003, Facility and Structural Caging Requirement for Class I, II and III Wildlife-The proposed draft rule would require footers or internal devices to reduce digging or burrowing in certain enclosures; add several species to the list of Class I and Class II wildlife that may not be possessed on residential property and include an exemption for Class II Saki monkeys.
        9. 68A-6.0021, Possession or Transfer of Class I Wildlife as Personal Use Wildlife; Transfer of Wildlife and Record Keeping Requirements-The proposed draft rule would provide a "grandfather" clause for any Class II wildlife possessed for personal use that is reclassified as Class I; require all Class I wildlife possessed for personal use to be permanently identified; and increase the length of time to 3 years that records of sale/transfer are required to be maintained and what is required to be kept in those records.
    3. Issues
      1. Recommendation for appointment to the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC).
      2. Review and discussion of major proposed rule changes to wildlife and fisheries regulations for 2009-10.
      3. Review and discussion of recommendations and options for improving Florida's quota hunt system for public hunting on wildlife management areas.
  5. Staff Reports
    1. Report on the Commission's climate change summit, "Florida's Wildlife: On the Frontline of Climate Change" held August 20-22, 2008 in Orlando.
    2. Update on the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan.
  6. Commissioners' Areas of Emphasis
     
    Update on Black Bear Management
  7. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
  8. Commissioner Exchange
  9. Recess Wednesday's Portion of Meeting

    8:30 a.m., Thursday, September 18, 2008, Reconvene

  10. Report on the Transfer of the Invasive Plant Section from the Department of Environmental Protection to the FWC
  11. Items Requiring Action 
    1. Draft Rules
      1. Martin and Okeechobee County Boating Restricted Areas Rules

        68D-24.143 and 68D-24.011, Martin and Okeechobee County Boating Restricted Areas-The proposed draft rule changes would: (1) correct and update locations of boating safety speed zones along the Florida Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Okeechobee Waterway within Martin County, based upon findings of the Martin County Vessel Traffic Study; (2) improve clarity and consistency of language and definitions; (3) remove obsolete locations of zones; and (4) respond to requests for revisions received from stakeholders and governmental entities.
      2. Federal Consistency Reef Fish Rules
         
        68B-14.0035, Size Limits: Amberjacks, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, Grouper, Hogfish, Red Porgy, Snapper - Proposed draft rule changes would bring state rules into consistency with federal rules per the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Reef Fish Amendment 30A (greater amberjack and gray triggerfish).  Proposed draft rules would increase the minimum size limit for recreationally caught greater amberjack from 28 inches to 30 inches fork length and increase the minimum size limit for commercially and recreationally caught gray triggerfish from 12 inches to 14 inches fork length. 
    2. Issues
      1. Proposed Regulations from Fishery Management Councils
         
        Review and discussion of proposed regulations from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council addressing commercial and recreational harvest of several species of grouper in the Gulf and grouper, vermilion snapper and red snapper in the Atlantic. 
      2. Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs)
         
        Review and discussion of specific applications of Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs) for the commercial harvest of red snapper and grouper species in the Gulf of Mexico and tilefish in the Gulf and Atlantic.
    3. Federal Issues
      1. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
         
        Review and discussion of scheduled actions of the Council regarding gag grouper and vermilion snapper harvest restrictions, potential interim actions to close the harvest of red snapper and implement harvest restrictions identified for gag, black and red grouper and vermilion snapper by January 2009.  Proposed "annual catch limits" and "accountability measures" also are under development for the 10 species of snapper or grouper identified by the Council as undergoing overfishing (a measure of excessive fishing pressure), and thus subject to the federal requirement for annual catch limits and accountability measures.    
         
      2. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
         
        Review and discussion of scheduled actions of the Council regarding interim rules to end overfishing (excessive fishing pressure) of gag grouper in accordance with federal benchmarks that establish overfishing levels.  Review and discussion of more permanent regulatory alternatives for gag and red grouper and the gulf aquaculture amendment. Update on harvest allocation issues, spiny lobster and shrimp management, and the recommendations of the Council's ad hoc Recreational Red Snapper Advisory Panel.
  12. Staff Reports Regarding Agency Budget Items
    1. Budget Process Overview and Legislative Session Time Line
    2. Status of Trust Funds
  13. Budget Items Requiring Action
    1. Potential Reductions for 2009 Legislative Session
      1. Staff Proposals
      2. Public Comment
      3. Commission Discussion and Action
    2.  New Budget Issues for 2009 Legislative Session
      1. Staff Proposals
      2. Public Comment
      3. Commission Discussion and Action
  14. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
  15. Commissioner Exchange
  16. Recess Thursday's Portion of the Meeting   
     
    NOTE:  DEPENDING ON THE TIME, THE CHAIRMAN MAY ELECT TO CONTINUE PORTIONS OF THIS AGENDA, INCLUDING AGENCY BUDGET ITEMS, TO THE FOLLOWING DAY - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19.

    8:30 a.m., Friday, September 19, 2008, Reconvene

  17. Items Requiring Action
    1. Legislative Proposals
      1. Staff proposals to submit for consideration during the 2009 Session of the Florida Legislature include:
        1. Reducing the timeframe, from three to two years, for spiny lobster trap certificates to be reverted when fees are not paid
        2. Repeal of shoreline exemption
        3. Increase the age requirement for the boating safety education course
        4. Increase the age requirement, from six to 13 years of age, for wearing a personal flotation device to be consistent with federal law
        5. Create a violation and penalty for boaters who damage seagrasses
        6. Modify and clarify how law enforcement handles evidence in wildlife and fishing cases
        7. Modify boating under the influence statutes to be consistent with driving under the influence
        8. Chapter 379 clean-up/glitch issues
        9. Bureau of Invasive Plant Management transfer clean-up/glitch issues
        10. Modify alligator trapping/farming agent license
        11. Status report on the initiative to modify vessel management statutes
        12. Designate new State bird
      2. Potential Issues for the 2010 Session of the Florida Legislature
         
        Adjusting permit fees
  18. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
  19. Commissioner Exchange
  20. Commission Administrative Matters

    The next regular Commission meeting will be held December 3-4, 2008, at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West, commencing at 8:30 am each day.
     
  21. Adjournment

Visit our web site at MyFWC.com agenda materials

Consent Agenda - [September 17-19, 2008]

  1. Report on anticipated late season migratory bird regulations for 2008-09.
  2. Boating Safety Information
     
    68D-36.109, Boating Safety Information to be Displayed at Boat Rental Facilities - The proposed draft rule would establish standards for safety information to be displayed to the public by boat rental facilities as required by Section 327.54, Florida Statutes.
  3. Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Grants Program
    1. 68-1.003, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Grants Program-The proposed rule changes would: 1) incorporate into 68-1.003 the full language found in the Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program rule 68D-16.029 to provide consistency for the location of rules relating to the Commission's grant programs; 2) incorporate by reference the forms used by the Nongame, Fish and Wildlife Research, and State Wildlife grants programs in compliance with Chapter 120, F.S.; and 3) incorporate by reference changes to the State Wildlife Grants Program guidelines.
    2. 68D-16.029, Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program - The proposed rule would repeal 68D-16.029 in its entirety as the full rule language would be incorporated into the Commission's general grants' program rule 68-1.003 for consistency.

Volunteer and Interns Appreciation - THANK YOU

I want to thank all our volunteers and Interns - without you we could not continue to operate and do the things we do.  You all are a major part of each and every animal and they love you for it (except maybe Junior??)

Mr Rogers

Mr Hoffa

Bethany

Brenda Maddox

Peggy Anderson

April & Felicia

Jay Suggs

Gay & Steven Vickers 

Gary & Xenia Kemp  

Aaron Kemp
Sarah Blackstone

Jessica Moreira 

Lucy & Robert Avila 

Trish & Harry Clark 

Gini Valbuena

Dr. Rick Piatt
Lisa Welch

(I hope I have not forgotten anyone - if so please let me know - Everyone is appreciated and needed and should be mentioned and acknowledged)

Home School Programs

Below are our new Home School Programs - Hope to see you in one of the classes soon . . If you have any questions email me @ mail@dadecityswildthings.com or call 352-567-WILD (9453). Thanks Kathy

 Program Descriptions

Animal Life                                                 grades K- 2, 3 - 5

The World is full of many types of animals—what makes animals similar and what makes them different. Habitat Diet Body parts Movement Special abilities

All about Ducks                                         grades K-2, 3-5

What are ducks Water-proof feathers How does a duck clean itself? What does a duck say? Where are ducks found? How do ducks hunt for food? Different looking Ducks Which is the male or female duck? Mating and egg production Importance of ducks to humans

Animals and their feelings                         grades K-2, 3-5

Amazing characteristics and abilities that all varieties of animals possess. Fascinating facts about animals, their abilities and behaviors Promote understanding that animals have in common with humans Identify with animals needs and feelings Complex animal languages How animals act and feel: happiness, loneliness, grief, sorrow, anger, etc. Understanding animals needs and feelings Our choices to treat animals with compassion and respect

Mammalogy—Study of Mammals                 grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Social Behavior—Differences with in some family species and other species Imitation—Communication and social interaction Behavior genetics– inborn relationships and social status within groups Sensory—Perceptual process and communications Predator VS Prey—survival Interactions with environment Food Chain Mating & Reproductions Offspring's—species interactions and learning Conservation and Species Survival Options: Felids, World Animal

Primatology—Study of Primates                 grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Social Behavior—Differences between old world and new world Imitation—communication and social interactions Behavior genetics—inborn relationships and social status Sensory—Perceptual process and communications Predator VS Prey—Survival Interaction with environment Food Chain Mating and Reproductions Offsprings—species interactions and learning Conservation and Species Survival

Herpetology—Study of Reptiles and Amphibians                         grades 6-8, 9-12

Social Behavior—Differences with in some family species and other species Imitation—Communication and social interaction Behavior genetics– inborn relationships and social status within groups Sensory—Perceptual process and communications Predator VS Prey—survival Interactions with environment Food Chain Mating & Reproductions Offspring's—species interactions and learning Conservation and Species Survival

Ornithology—Study of Birds                         grades 6-8 9-12

Social Behavior—Differences with in some family species and other species Imitation—Communication and social interaction Behavior genetics– inborn relationships and social status within groups Sensory—Perceptual process and communications Predator VS Prey—survival Interactions with environment Food Chain Mating & Reproductions Offspring's—species interactions and learning Conservation and Species Survival

Ethology—Study of Animal Behavior             grades 6-8 9-12

Animal Communications
Animal Emotions
Animal Culture
Animal learning
Animal Reproduction

Animal—Comparative Psychology—Study of Behavior & Mental Life             grades 6-8, 9-12

General description Orientation—interaction with environment Animal locomotion Ingestive behavior Hoarding Nest building Explorations Play Tonic immobility—playing dead Other misc. behavior—personal grooming, hibernations, etc. Reproductive behavior—general description, development psychology, control

Zoosemiotics—Animal Communication             grades 6-8, 9-12

Behavior on part on animal’s effect on current or future behavior of another animal Validation: Forms of communication Functions of communication Interpretation of animal communication Intraspecies VS interspecies communication Intraspecies communication Interspecies communication Other Aspects of Animal Communication Evolution of Communication Cognitive aspects Animal communications and human behavior Animal communications and linguistics

Coming Soon: Apiology—Study of Honey Bees

Field Lab Programs:
Monkey-ing Around
African Animals
World Animals
South American Animals
Native Florida Animals
World Cats

Lab experience can include: animal treats, crafts, educational games, hands own contact, zoo keeping experiences, etc.

We also have the following programs:
Zoo School
Zoo Camp
Summer Camp
Zookeeper for a day
Taste of Safari
Group tours
Private parties
And more. . .

Zoo Summer Camp Shirt Logo

Want to thank Michele D Sommers  (www.sommersendoriginals.com) for our great zoo summer camp logo for our t-shirts - everyone loved it and we will continue to use it - see gift shop to purchase yours - 352-567-WILD (9453)




Copywrited - do not use or copy

2008 Summer Zoo Camp

We had an awesome group of kids attend our summer camp.  They had a great time doing enrichment items for the animals and watching them enjoy it, zoo animal crafts and games, zoo keeping tours, and lots of hands on with many different animals.  THe camp was a three day event with different themes:   1) African Animals  2) Florida Native Animals  3) Monkey-ing Around.  We ended the day with a water fight with Junior our snow monkey.   We look forward to future programs.  We are now offering zoo camp's for groups and homeschool programs too.

Taste of Safari 5-2008

Wow sure am late writing this - but so much has happened - we had a hugh success for our first "Taste of Safari" and learned allot for future ones.  We had around 500 people attend and a hugh list of restaurants and entertainers.  Will add pictures and video soon.  Listed attendees who helped make this such a success (If I left anyone out-please let me know) Kathy

2008 Taste of Safari 
Attendees
New Johns Steak & Seafood Restaurant
Ment & Tinley's Soul Food
Panchos Mexican Restaurant - San Ann
Beef O Brady's - Dade City
Matter of Taste
Tropical Breeze
The Garden Café
Kafe Kokopelli's
Smitty's Smokehouse & Grill
Michele Sommers  (GREAT LOGO ! !)
Coke
Tampa Tribune
Embarq
San Ann Liquors  (Great beer and set up)
Florida Estate Winery (awesome wines)
Focus Magazine
Osceola Tavern
Golden Corral - Zephyrhills
Olga's Bakery
Chili's
Heavenly Tea Room
Stearns Garden Center
Travel Host Magazine
Hallmark Gift Shop
Spa
Gay & Steven Vickers
Gary & Xenia Kemp 
Aaron Kemp
Sarah Blackstone
Jessica Moreira
Lucy & Robert Avila
Trish & Harry Clark
Gini Valbuena & NOAH
Dr. Rick Piatt (Great snake show)
Del Carmen Dancers
David & Cheri Evangelista (great magic)
Caged (Amazing band)
Osceola - Band
Lisa Welch - animals
ART GROUPS:
Paula Tabor
Karin Darin
Suzane Labhor
Zephyrhills Art Group

Dade City's Taste of Safari



This is going to be a great time - We are blessed with many restaurants in support of our animals.  THANK YOU to all of you - HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

home school group on tour

We welcome home school groups to tour our zoo - Thank you to our Volunteer Joia Sherry for backing up the tour for Randy

           

Dade City Mainstreet Music & Street Fair 3-15-08

We attended the first Dade City Mainstreet Music & Street Fair on March 15, 2008.  Live music started at 11:00 AM til 7:00 PM. We had an awesome time and made allot of contacts and friends.  We even had past zoo attendies stopping by and telling us what an awesome job we were doing.  I want to thank our Zookeeper and trainee Becky Lane and volunteers Mr. Rogers and Mr. Hoffa withwhom I could not of done this show so successfully.  Tianah entertained everyone in her constant playing and of course throwing water on us.  Cleo the African Serval was also a hit and allot of people enjoyed seeing the American alligator too.