The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program -- thanks to its many wonderful partners -- has had two very successful annual celebrations on National Estuaries Day.
With your help, we'd like to make it even bigger in 2002! Please consider hosting/sponsoring an event. While the official National Estuaries Day is Saturday, October 5, not all activities need to occur on that day. The CHNEP "announces" activities that will be held in support of National Estuaries Day. Activities should support the program's efforts to increase residents' and visitors' awareness of the estuary, the Charlotte Harbor watershed and the program's goals and plans and be willing to provide information about the program to those who attend.
If you wish to hold an event but need some financial assistance, please send your request to Maran Hilgendorf at mhilgendorf@swfrpc.org
Please help make this a great event by distributing this request to those you think may be willing to participate.
Background information on National Estuaries Day, registration requests, and a summary of last year's activities are provided here.
Background on National Estuaries Day
Since its inception in 1988, National Estuaries Day has strengthened the partnership between National Estuary Program (NEP) and National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERR). The two programs protect more than 50 estuarine habitats that have been federally designated as living resources. The National Estuary Program (NEP) was established in 1987 to identify, restore, and protect nationally significant estuaries of the United States. The program is part of the Environmental Protection Agency. Unlike traditional regulatory approaches to environmental protection, the NEP targets a broad range of issues and encourages communities to develop common solutions. In 1995, Charlotte Harbor was recognized as an “estuary of national significance” and became a National Estuary Program. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) is a protected-areas network of federal, state, and local partnerships. The program was created with the 1972 passage of the Coastal Zone Management Act. Through linked programs of stewardship, education and research, the 25 National Estuarine Research Reserves within the system enhance informed management and scientific understanding of the nation’s estuarine and coastal habitats. Rookery Bay NERR is located in southwest Florida.
National Estuaries Day is an annual celebration that takes place during CoastWeeks, annual three-week celebration that provides people the chance to recognize and honor the beauty of our coasts.
Participate this year!
If possible, please commit to the activity your organization can host by August 15. This will allow us to promote the activity in the fall issue of the NEP newsletter. Any event submitted after August 15 will be included in any later promotion. To be recognized, please provide the following information:
Host/Sponsor:
Contact Information (for promotion):
Contact Information (for event):
Event:
Location (with simple directions):
Time:
Registration Procedure/Cost Involved:
(If financial support is required, please contact Maran Hilgendorf directly.)
Description:
Anything else you want to include, including why Estuaries Day is important:
Summary of National Estuaries Day -- 2002
Summary of National Estuaries Day -- 2001
September 29, 2001 was officially National Estuaries Day – a day to celebrate our nation’s coasts – but in Charlotte Harbor the celebration grew in order to offer two guided walks, three paddling events, three boat tours, two wading trips, a traveling exhibit and an interactive field trip to more than 1,000 people. The programs were offered by 19 organizations – all partners of the CHNEP – to support the program’s efforts to increase citizens’ awareness of the estuary, the Charlotte Harbor watershed and the program goals and plans. Charlotte and DeSoto counties issued proclamations of support. Details of the events are provided.
NOAA hired a clipping service to find print coverage of National Estuaries Day from around the country. Half of the articles were written about events hosted on behalf of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program!
Summary of National Estuaries Day -- 2000
With less than two months lead time, the first call for help was sent by the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program to those who represent organizations in the NEP along the Gulf shore who offer educational events to the public. Carla Kappmeyer of Charlotte Harbor Aquatic and State Buffer Preserves, Monica Dorken and Bobbi Rodgers of Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, and Melissa Upton of Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation responded. After announcing the event to the CAC, Karen Childress of WCI Communities joined the activity. Another crew of volunteers, including Richard Finkel of SCCF and Bob Repenning, Judy Ott and Betty Gilpin of CHA&SBP, led the events.
With such great activities planned, the NEP then sent a flier to announce the National Estuaries Day activities to Management Conference members and to those who receive the NEP newsletter. The NEP sent a release to media on September 7. Participating organizations also provided the media with information. Media that promoted the events include Sanibel and Captiva Island Sun, Englewood Sun Herald, Charlotte Sun Herald Charlotte Herald Tribune, Punta Gorda Sun Herald, Fort Myers News-Press, Boca Beacon, Cape Coral Breeze, Pine Island Eagle, and WGCU Public Radio. The events were also promoted other ways. For example, libraries in Lee and Charlotte counties posted a flier provided by CHA&SBP.
Even though notice was short, both the Town of Fort Myers Beach (thanks to Commissioner Terry Cain) and the City of Punta Gorda (thanks to Commissioner Stephen M. Fabian) passed resolutions in support of National Estuaries Day.
The activities, sponsor, time and number of people who participated follows.
Saturday, September 30, 2000
Birding on Little Pine Island, CHA&SBP from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Mucking about in Matlacha Pass, CHA&SBP from 9:30 a.m. to noon: Free, 24 participated including two who traveled from Sarasota to enjoy the “muck!”
Wade into Lemon Bay, CHEC from 9:30 a.m. to noon: Free, 29 participated, including 2 photographers and a reporter
Wade into Charlotte Harbor, CHEC from 9:30 a.m. to noon: Free, 27 participated
Kayak Adventure, SCCF from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.: Nominal charge, 18 people
Estero Bay Boat Trip, WCI Communities: Free, Three boat trips carrying 40 families with 120 attending
Sunday, October 8, 2000 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - postponed to October 22 due to weather
2000 First Annual Estuary Day Paddle, CHA&SBP