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MTN DEW Outdoor Grants

We’re excited to share big news! The FNCC has been awarded a $5K Outdoor Grant from @MountainDew in support of our ongoing commitment to preserving land for conservation, public recreation and the the outdoor experience. #MTNDEWOutdoorGrants

We are excited to share some big news this month: Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy is one of forty nonprofits to win a $5,000 grant through the MTN DEW Outdoor Grants program! Awarded in support of our ongoing commitment to the outdoor experience, the grant reinforces the important work we are doing to preserve environmentally endangered lands suitable for recreation, preservation, or conservation. Over the past 18 months, more and more people have been gravitating towards outdoor activities, creating a greater need for volunteer efforts and funding to promote expanded conservation, education, and restoration.

It’s crucial that we all do our part to protect and preserve the lands we love and enable people to continue to get outside. These funds and your ongoing support will go a long way to help us further our goal of expanding our holdings by purchasing property near the Offerle Preserve and Cemetery Point Park in Cedar Key.

Thank you all for your continued hard work as we move into this exciting next chapter of our organization!

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Arbor Day is Community Day in Cedar Key… Grab a Shovel and Join In!

WHEN:
January 22, 2022, Saturday

WHY?
Cedar Key’s Arbor Day recognizes the global need for a rich canopy around land masses to reduce heat, intake caron dioxide, and emit oxygen. The greener we are, the healthier we all are.

The city wants you to join in and plant a tree on your property to make us greener now and in the future.

WHAT?
The City of Cedar Key will give each resident / household one native two- or three- gallon oak or cedar tree.
In addition, each household will receive small packages of fertilizer, mulch, and water retention agent with which to plant.
And…a brief set of planting instructions will be available.
All folks need to do is grab shovels, follow the instructions, plant the trees on their properties, and care for them.

WHERE?
Residents will pre-register at the Cedar Key Welcome Center on Second Street, allowing city staff to count tree types and intended locations.
Trees and planting packages may be picked up at the City Park on January 22 throughout the day.

QUESTIONS?
Residents may pre-register for a second tree if they become available.
If residents have difficulty digging holes, the city will try to find a helpful volunteer.

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G Street Living Shoreline Spring Planting

Come help us with supplemental plantings at the G Street living shoreline in Cedar Key! 

Two shifts available:
Morning 9:00 – 11:30 AM
Afternoon 1:00 – 3:30 PM
REGISTER: https://volunteersignup.org/JYXYB

FaceBook Event: https://fb.me/e/CXsfpMOg

Living shorelines use natural elements such as marsh grasses and oysters to reduce or reverse coastal erosion. The G Street project was installed in August 2020 but winter storms required some repairs and, now, more planting! Volunteers can expect to assist with transplanting marsh plants from our nursery-grown stock into the newly sand-filled G Street shoreline. 

To participate, you must REGISTER on this signup sheet: https://volunteersignup.org/JYXYB and agree to the public safety guidelines listed on the registration page.

What to expect: Please meet at the intersection of G and 3rd street in Cedar Key a few minutes before the start time of your shift. Performing marsh transplants involves the potential to get muddy or dirty, so come prepared! Youth volunteers are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.What to bring/wear: Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes. We recommend that you bring a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, work gloves, water, and snacks. Please wear shoes and clothes that can get dirty and you may wish to bring a change of clothes for your comfort. Please also bring a mask or other face covering and your own water and food. We cannot safely provide a common source of water and snacks. It is imperative that you bring enough water with you! We recommend at least 36-48 oz per person for a single shift.NOTE: Activities are tentative and subject to change due to weather, tides, and material availability. We will confirm at least one day in advance via email.
We hope you can join us once again to take part in Cedar Key’s G Street shoreline restoration!

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WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THAT TRAILER ON GULF?

First, and fordecades, the trailer on Gulf Boulevard, just north of Paroda, was a ghastly ruin. Then, it became a remarkable red, white and blue statement encouraging everyone to vote. Now, it as become a lovely green shelter disappearing into the woodsy background. All steps in the right direction, for sure.

The property upon which the trailer sits and the adjoining lots to the north and the south have recently been donated to the Cedar Key’s own Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy, hence the latest transformation of the trailer. 

On Saturday, March 27, 2021, at 9:30 am until nearly 2 pm, FNCC folks gathered at the trailer for its facelift. Under the ever-so-able direction of Scott Dombrowski, Rick Anthony, Peg Hall, Jim Wortham, Karen Dombrowski, Dan and Carol Wilcox, and Jack Payne climbed ladders, cleaned the trailer roof, grabbed rollers and paintbrushes, and tamed the trailer. Others, Carol and Mandy Offerle, hauled trash and pulled vines.

More members, Jeri and Bob Treat and Russ Hall, dropped by for Dombrowski-Melt-in-Your-Mouth Baked Chicken and offered encouragement. Great camaraderie, great food, great planning, great purpose. The future use of the trailer is not yet specified. Whatever that is, it will, of course, echo the following FNCC mission.

FLORIDA’S NATURE COAST CONSERVANCY
The nearly 30-year-old Conservancy, as a land trust, “dedicated to acquiring land in trust for preservation, conservation, and or public recreation.” The mission further states, “The FNCC encourages, assists and educates local governments, communities and organizations in the acquisition of these environmentally endangered, historic or archaeologically significant lands.”

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FNCC Wildlife Cruise

March 2020

In March FCC Board Member Katherine Dunlop designed, planned and coordined an inagural Wildlife Tour that included many FNCC properties. On announcement the tour was so popular we were unable to accommodate everybody that wished to attend. It is our hope to conduct more of this and similar events in the future! We are also open to suggestions!
Read more: https://www.cedarkeynews.com/index.php/conservation/5722-fncc-tour

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Celebrating FNCC’s 25th Year!

FNCC Annual Social

Once again, it is that time of year when we get together with members, friends and prospective members.  This year we meet to celebrate 25 years of  accomplishments, reaffirm our goals describe our plans for the next 25 years and simply enjoy the company.

We will gather at the Island Hotel Patio Sunday, February 17th, 2019 from 4 to 6 pm to enjoy finger foods catered by the Hotel and talk over a glass of wine in a lovely setting.

Please join us to learn more about the Nature Coast Conservancy!

If you are a current member we will have renewal forms available. If you are contemplating membership we would love to have you on board! Single memberships are $15 and family memberships are $25.